Migraine
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Fledgling |
The worse triggers for me is fragrances of any kind. Perfume, chemicals, cleaners, air fresheners..any kind smells.
I can not use scented anything and I have just found scent free shampoo, conditioner and hairspray . I use scent and chemical free cleaners for everything. But how do you handle this in puclic places, there are very few places I can go where this is not a problem. Even in my doctors offices where people wear perfumes sends me into a spiral within minutes. And work is another issue that I have found very difficult go get understanding and consideration. |
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Forum Moderator Supreme Guru  |
I can totally relate! Certain smells are a huge trigger for me, especially strong perfumes. One thing I've found that has helped me is putting a small dab of musk (perfume), that I can tolerate, on my wrists. Then, whenever someone else has a scent that may trigger me, I put my own musk up to my nose and kind of "block out" their perfume. It usually works. Although, I've been known to change seats in a movie theatre from time to time.
Here's some more information on triggers: Common Migraine Triggers Stackable Triggers Teri Robert, our Lead Expert, did a great letter for people who don't understand what we go through as Migraineurs: Migraine Education for Those “Who Don’t Get It” Take care, Laura Forum Moderator |
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Guru |
Frangrances are hard to avoid in public. You may have some options for dealing with perfumes at work, though. See this article:
Tips for Handling Migraines At Work Good luck! I'm fortunate enough not to have frangrances as triggers, so I don't have much in the way of personal experience to offer. |
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Guru |
Fragrances are a big trigger for me, too. Aside of the Migraine issue, I'm also allergic to many of them - I've been using scent-free products since I was a kid.
It's difficult to deal with, especially out in public. My best trick is probably carrying Altoids with me at all times - both peppermint and ginger. I mostly use them for nausea (I have chronic nausea along with my Migraines), but they're also a strong enough taste that it helps with fragrances sometimes. Sounds weird but it works. The other thing I do is wear a scarf. Then, if I end up somewhere stinky (the elevator in my apartment in particular), I can pull the scarf up over my nose and mouth. Again, sounds weird but it works. I've also tried some aromatherapy - I have a "headache relief" stick that is a mixture of peppermint, lavender and sweet almond oil. These help take the edge off my head pain, and are a strong enough scent that it helps mask other odors. I had a big problem earlier this year, because someone living in one of the apartments below me burned incense almost constantly. Big Migraine trigger for me, and I was allergic to boot. DBF and I did talk to our leasing office who eventually was able to help, but in the meantime we used Febreeze odor reducing spray. (I can't remember what it's called.) It has a slight scent to it, but does a good job of neutralizing odor. At my last job, I had an air purifier on my desk that helped some with fragrance issues. I have purifiers in both the living room and bedroom, too - helps with both the allergies and any stray smells that come in. Hopefully this gives you some ideas...  -MJ my blog: http://rhymeswithmigraine.blogspot.com "What will you do, if it does not turn out how you expect?" "I do not know. Nor shall I worry about it until it happens. I still have an action left to take; until I have exhausted it, I shall not despair." - Robin Hobb, Assassin's Quest  |
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Apprentice |
I was going to suggest an air purifier too. It doesn't help when out in public, but the one I have kicks in when it senses smells or dust. I don't know how it senses these things, but it's just great!
I can only tolerate natural smells - things scented with essential oils or other natural smells. Incense, perfume and cigarette smoke are some of the worst smells for me! There are good days and bad days - here's hoping for lots of good days! |
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Master |
I do know just how you feel!! It is horrible to be sitting in a movie theater, church, restaurant, plane and be trapped where you know you know you are going to get a migraine!! I've taken to just getting up and moving or expressing my need, but people frequently just don't get it.
I was even taken before the office of civil rights for asking my employees to make our office a scent free office (one in particular refused and led to so much stress that I finally quit my job). I've been on a plane where a lady had a cat under her seat - a trigger for me because of my allergies - and the airline actually told me that the cat had has many rights as I and that I could book for a later flight if I wanted. I love summer and outdoor concerts and parties, but frequently have to leave due to citronella. Shopping is a nightmare because of all the scents - some stores I open the door and know I can't go in. Scented candles, room deoderizer, lysol, pinesol, the list goes on. For me, it' not a successive build up of the fragrance until I get a migraine - it's an immediate shooting pain in my eye with nausea that I know means a migraine is upon me! I just sent out an email to my family (we've just added to sets of steps) asking that we have a scent free holiday due to my migraines. My own sister who knows her perfume makes me sick - now wears the lotion of it thinking it won't make me sick - bless her sweet heart  They just don't get it!!!They all think I'm crazy - maybe I am!!! BTW, I was surprised to see Lavendar in so many people's toolkit - it is an immediate migraine trigger for me. So far though  the peppermint has been a good idea.Oh - and can you smell things that no one else in the room can smell - things from far away???? "Life is too short, forgive quickly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, play with children, and never regret anything that made you smile. Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here, we should dance! " |
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Fledgling |
It sounds like I am reading my own story this is exactly how I react to any type frangresec , it is immeadiate and people dont get it at all. As a matter of fact I was in my doctors office last week and they have a freshener and it made me sick within 10 minutes , I intend to let them know about it and change doctors if I have to because it is not worth the risk of getting sick and in the bed for three days with the exposure. Lavender is a trigger for me also... Mu family too was made aware that it will be scent free at my house of they will be ask to leave. My husband handled his side of the family and we will see how it works next week. I do a lot of very early shopping at Walmart when there are not many people there in hopes that it scales down running into someone that has bathed in their perfume. So far that has worked pretty well. But forget going out to eat, last three times we had to leave due to someone wearing something that was going to set me into a tail spin. I am not sure that medications will help this issue and it is a real struggle in my work place. To make a long story short I did take a letter from my doctor to work and they ask the people in my group not to wear it but some just wanted to push the envelope and nothing was done to resolve that problem. I am currently out of work now and will see where it is when I get back. Hoping you have a wonderful scent free holiday.... |
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Community Moderator Supreme Guru  |
I had a HUGE problem with a co worker over this. She was spoken to many times, not only by myself, but by my boss as well.
Finally it got to the point that if I smelled the perfume, I would just leave work. I was not going to put myself at risk of a Migraine because someone is not able to follow the rules. She finally got the picture and stopped wearing it. Sometimes she wears another pefume that gets to me. It's like why don't you just bathe in it before you come in? That would be great!  Believe it or not, I find this to be the worst when I go pick up at the hospital I work for. A lot of the older folks I guess don't have as keen a sense of smell as they used to....especially the men....and they tend to bathe in cheap after shave or something. I walk through the hospital covering my nose. Thank goodness I only go once a week and I'm only there for like 10 mins. At work, I now have Teri's letter for "those who don't get it" hanging in my cubicle with my particular triggers highlighted. I don't know what good it does, but at least I have it there and for those who want to learn, they can. I am lucky that my section at work is only two other women....one of which also suffers from Migraines, although not as often as I do....and they both suffer badly from allergies, so at least my immidiate "work family" is on my side! Eileen Gray Community Moderator eileen@helpforheadaches.com "The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to over come, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater then our suffering." - Ben Okri Please donate!!! Click below to donate to the AHDA - THANK YOU!!! http://www.networkforgood.org/....aspx?badgeId=102755 my blog: http://fireinmybrain.blogspot.com |
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Apprentice |
My favorite is department stores (Macy's) that make you walk through the perfume section to get to the rest of the store. I feel like putting on a gas mask when I go in there. And then there's the people that actually want to spray perfume on you! I give them a look like "Get that stuff away from me!" and they usually leave me alone....
I guess I'm really lucky where I work. The only person into perfumes usually uses natural stuff that doesn't get to me. Plus her office is really far from mine.... I'm sorry you guys have had co-worker problems with this, but I think it's just not very well-known yet. I see more and more signs around though, that ask people not to wear scents. Maybe we're getting somewhere. There are good days and bad days - here's hoping for lots of good days! |
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Apprentice |
Oh, and by the way. My boyfriend was on a plane once where a woman was using nail polish remover and then painted her nails. That's instant migraine for me. I just wonder where people get the nerve to do stuff like that....
There are good days and bad days - here's hoping for lots of good days! |
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Newbie |
 Oh I can so relate, I cannot even go to my local shopping mall any more because of all the smell in there. My last 3 doosey's of migraine came from shopping, which I LOVE to do. I had to give it up. Most everything now is online, it's not the same. I also work at a courthouse so you can amagine the smells I get down there  Smells seem to be my biggest triggers.Good Luck and I feel your pain!!! |
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Apprentice |
What kind of air purifier do you have? the name? I would like to purchase one? parisbabe |
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Forum Moderator Supreme Guru  |
Hi, Parisbabe, and welcome to the forum.
Please take a few minutes and visit our Start Folder if you haven't had a chance to. You'll find policy info and other useful things there. I'm not overly familiar with air purifiers. We had a desktop model once upon a time, which was a filter and ionizer type model. I don't think it did much, personally.  Dragondrool Forum Moderator ~~8=:>>>> |
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Apprentice |
I saw your post and noticed it was from November 08' so don't know if I will hear from you but I wanted to tell you that I am exactly the same way you are. And I am also on 150 mg of Topamax and my doctor wants me to increase it to 200 but when I try, I am so sleepy and loopy! Plus if it is not going to help with fragrance issue, then what is the point. It sounds like from your post, it didn't help with yours? My doctor told me he couldn't do anything about the fragrance issue. But he got upset with me that I was isolating myself as he said that was no way to live. He's right but neither is having a migraine everyday just because you get triggered to someone else's fragrance. I have learned how to navigate grocery shopping and many things. Clothes shopping at the mall is out as is going to the movie theater. My family get togethers are a problem and I had to stop going to church. I have thought about getting a heavy duty mask to wear out in public, and actually have a medical one I do wear sometimes. I can control my food triggers and my stress triggers but I cannot control this. I will be praying for you and everyone else on this site that has this same horrible trigger!! May God bless us with strength to endure.
What doesn't kill us, truly does make us stronger! |
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Fledgling |
My life story. Fragrances are my biggest trigger. Cigarette smoke is especially bad. I find that the terrible pain is not the worst thing - the worst thing is that people, even family, don't understand that the consequence of their Axe body spray is that I am going to sit at home for the next two days and vomit. I think you guys can relate to the anger that builds up.
At work my office did for my sake make an attempt to go "scent free" which unfortunately backfired because in Canada tolerance of doing things like wearing the fragrance of your choice is very important. So in the end it was a battle to get anyone to actually enforce it and the whole scenario ended up being a "Jackie has problems with what people like to do" scenario and the scent free policy was removed immediately after I left that job. So my words of advice are to ensure that you have very good support from your boss and everyone is the office. Get all your colleagues to support the idea before putting it in place. I have not yet found a way to approach smokers with major negative reaction as I find smokers often feel very frustrated with their addiction in the first place and are usually not open to be told that their smoke makes people like us sick. Any suggestions on how to approach smokers? Jackie |
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