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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Need Advise - Fragrances
        
(Message started by: mathieulives on Dec 8^th, 2006, 11:08am)

Title: Need Advise - Fragrances
Post by mathieulives on Dec 8^th, 2006, 11:08am

I'm back at work... i've been in cycle for 2 months and they are less frequent but i still have triggers. One of the worst is certain fragrances from colleagues - mostly female w/ the lotions, perfumes, and scents >:(

They are instant triggers and within minutes I can have an episode.. I try to get some cool air and hit the red bull fast, but at minimum i'm still shadowing, in a daze, or just completly out of it for hours afterwards.

We are in an open enviornment... WHAT THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO DO??? [smiley=huh.gif]

Please any suggestions would be helpful and thanks!!

ML.

Title: Re: Need Advise - Fragrances
Post by Giovanni on Dec 8^th, 2006, 2:21pm

I remember years ago seeing a sign at the neurologist office requesting that people do not wear perfume because of the headache issue, mainly with the migraine people. Strong smells will trigger a hit to me especially with those strong scented candles, gasoline, solvents (when I'm in cycle).

I would talk to your supervisor and tell him of your problems with fragrances/perfumes and see what he suggest, otherwise, you'll need to speak directly to those who are wearing these perfumes and ask for their understanding.

John

Title: Re: Need Advise - Fragrances
Post by mathieulives on Dec 8^th, 2006, 2:39pm

on 12/08/06 at 14:21:58, Giovanni wrote:

Thanks John. Thats tough I work w/ a lot of people in a high traffic area. Today someone literally just walked by my desk and it triggered. I'm thinking nose plugs of some sort.

Title: Re: Need Advise - Fragrances
Post by CynthiaB on Dec 8^th, 2006, 2:49pm

Good luck, ML. Go with Giovanni's suggestion first, but have a backup plan.

I went to my supervisor when I was in cycle in March-April. I even took a copy of our policy which prohibits perfumes & scented lotions. (I work in a hospital). It did not do any good at all. I also spoke with my colleagues. Some took personal offense, as though I was saying that they were stinky. I tried to be tactful. I do not think that they are stinky at all! I just cannot tolerate it.

Stick up for yourself, in a strong but nice way. I still continue to ask them to please go easy with the scents. Some have been very understanding. Some still offer to share their Eternity lotion with me. [smiley=huh.gif]

My very best advice is to practice what you want to say so that you are not nervous about it. When I hit a brick wall, I try to remember that people don't know CH like they know asthma. They aren't trying to be meanies.

I'm sorry you're having to go through this at work.

Title: Re: Need Advise - Fragrances
Post by Giovanni on Dec 8^th, 2006, 4:51pm

Another suggestion is to place a sign on your desk saying that fragrances/perfumes trigger a migraine headache to me. The reason I say MIGRAINE is that no one will know what a cluster headache is, but all will certainly know what a migraine headache is.

John

Title: Re: Need Advise - Fragrances
Post by ax on Dec 8^th, 2006, 5:05pm

I hear ya.

One thing I found interesting about the sense of smell is that a person can only process three smells at once.
This means if you had an orange, a mint, and say coffee, newly introduced scents would not be processed.

Can I get that in a nasal spray? [smiley=hammer.gif]

Title: Re: Need Advise - Fragrances
Post by lskilly on Dec 8^th, 2006, 7:00pm

When I go to the mall with the wife, she has learned to go into the stores by an entrance that will not take me past the perfume counter. It can put me into an almost instant hit. And normally these are high on the KIP scale. not all the odors just some.

Skilly

Title: Re: Need Advise - Fragrances
Post by Racer1_NC on Dec 8^th, 2006, 7:50pm

Cheap, "old lady" type perfume will set me off in minutes...

Bill