Migraine

I need some help... and hugs.

DBF and I have a neighbor who loves stinky incense. Almost every day - sometimes twice a day - we smell stinky incense coming in our windows and have to close them, or turn our window fans to exhaust. This is becoming a big problem. I can't tell if the incense is a trigger or not, but undoubtedly it makes me more nauseous and dizzy whenever I smell it and I'm possibly allergic to it as well.

Here's the thing - I have no idea what to do about it.

There's no easy way to figure out whose incense it is. Our apartment building faces into an alleyway with another apartment building. Our building has 4 stories of apartments, and the facing building has 3 stories of apartments, and somewhere in one of those apartments someone is burning stinky incense. One of those buildings isn't even in our complex, which means our leasing office wouldn't have any control over that resident.

So what do we do?? I can't go through the summer with our windows closed. We don't have A/C. We can't leave the window open with the incense making me sick. Fresh air is one of the few things that ever makes my head feel better, so we leave our windows open almost all the time. Lately I've been waking up every morning to a bedroom stinking of incense and it takes the whole day to vent it out again.

Help... please? Any ideas?

MJ,

The only thing I can think to do would be to post a letter to all the residents asking them to not burn incents and explain to them the reason why. I would do this anonoumously, of course. Perhaps, this might help.

Here are some . I hope you get to feeling better soon.

I think first I would ask using the flyer as suggested. Next, I would go to http://www.natlallergy.com/product.asp?pn=1155&eid=froogle&tid=froogle and look at the window filters. I use them during allergy season sometimes to air out my room. Maybe they would help.

Hi MJ

That's what I was thinking. Some kind of window fan or window filter...maybe the others will be in to lend a hand shortly.

Maybe in addition to the window filter you can use an air purifier with a HEPA filter? I can only imagine how frustrating this is for you. Grrrr!!

I say all of the above.

I think a note in the lobby or maybe the common mail area of your building is a good way to start.

And window/air filters are a good idea too. I know when my allergies flare it triggers migraines. I recently got a window fan w/ a pollen filter and it has made a huge difference. So I think maybe an air filter would be a good idea to clean the air and dilute the scent.

I'm also going to recommend thinking about getting at least one AC (unless that is a trigger for you). At least maybe for the bedroom. I know when I have a migraine, the colder the room the better I feel. You can usually get one for around $100 at a Walmart or Target. Just a thought!

I feel your pain tho. I don't have a stinky inscence problem. I have a neighbor with 3 screaming kids that she lets run around the hallway like its a playground.

Are ya sure they are not burning it to cover up burning something else??????

UGH seriously people!!! Why do people insist on burning things that smell, wearing stinky perfume, having smelly cars, making stinky cleaning product!! I just don't get it! LOL

MJ - Honey - I feel for you - you know I do girl! After what I went through with perfume girl - and to know you have to deal with this in your home?? I would be going crazy.

I would send DBF around sniffing to see if you can narrow down who it is. Then, in the spirit of National Headache Awareness week, I'd slip Teri's "those who don't get it" letter under their door anonomusly just saying "I live in your building and I am very sensitive to the incense you burn"

I mean it's not like you would be rude about it, you understand everyone is entitled to do what they want, but maybe if you could suggest another option for them that does not trigger you, like those fabreeze or oust sprays and maybe buy them one - it would keep them not thinking of it in a negative way.

Yep, I'm rambling.

where did you find a fan with a filter - that would be awesome - that is the downside of the plain filters - they block some airflow - but with a fan... sweet!

MJ,

I think writing a letter to nieghboors is a great answer. But I think air conditioner's other's mentions is a great idea. I can ask DH how to stop the stuff coming into you place if you need me to or which air cond. to buy. (remember he is a general contrator and we own a contracting com.)
Dar

MJ- I just noticed this thread. So sorry about the incense! Smells and noise are 2 of my big triggers, so I know it must be frustrating! The air purifier Laura suggested is a great idea- we got one for our bedroom, and it did make a difference in the number of migraines I was getting.
The downside is having to spend money on some of these things- so frustrating! How much incense can one burn?!

Valerie

MJ, they also sell odor absorbers that are like a solid wax that work really well. And Oust makes a neutral-smell spray that even takes care of cooked fish smell! I am very sensitive to odors and both of those products help me enormously.

Everyone has good ideas & suggestions.

I'm sorry you're dealing with this. It's frustrating when other people's habits cause you problems, especially when there is no clear way to stop what they're doing.

Diana

Thanks for your suggestions, everyone. DBF and I are going to talk to our leasing office first to at least let them know what the problem is. I think we'll also post a letter in the common area near our mailboxes. Luckily it's been rainy and gross here all week so our windows have been closed, but if the summer ever comes back this is going to be a problem again.

We do have air purifiers in both the bedroom and living room, which help get rid of the smell eventually. We will definitely be looking into the other suggestions here as well.

Thanks again for your help. I'll keep you guys updated with what happens. Oh, and Eileen, we're pretty well convinced the incense is a coverup for other smelly activities that may be occurring...