Friday, June 06, 2008
Either way, I think the situation has been taken care of. I thought you all would want to know.
I thank you for all of your encouragement and advise through out this matter. 
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I think the perfume issue is handled
6/12/08 1:09pm
last time i went to the ER from a not scent free non profit i had to tear off and dispose of the airfreshener in the ER restroom.
any place says no tobacco should be scent free for all health needs. migriane allergy asthma etc.....not jsut the pc thing of the day.
are any advocates working on this?
ANY PETITONS OUT THERE?
6/14/08 11:37am
Talking seemed to have worked better than going through an intermediary like your boss or supervisor. Perhaps you've even made a new acquaintance at work that could evolve over time into a friendship of sorts. I work with a bunch of women as well and it can be easy to misinterpret each other's motives. Good luck!
6/21/08 4:00pm
Glad that is is maybe taken of. You said what kind of perfume that it was like you were kinda guilty that it was expensive? I was given a large bottle of Chanel #5 that I wore one time - instant migraine. I handed it over to my very grateful and excited older sister. My MIL got a bottle also, she gave hers as a gift to a good friend. If you are feeling guilty, find out what kind of bath soaps that she likes and acquire and gift her those.
7/ 2/08 10:21am
I had the same problem with a colleague of mine (who also happens to be a friend) anytime she wore Angel (which contains Patchouli). After suffering migraines and nausea a few times, I decided to just tell her. I believe that I may have a form of MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) that is triggered by certain smells...
Anyway, I nicely but honestly explained to her that the perfume (and anything with Patchouli in it) makes me violently ill and migraine and that it was nothing to do with her but could she please not wear it in the office (where there are no windows or outside air circulating).
She was a bit surprised but very apologetic and accommodating.
She forgot once and wore the perfume again once and after I jokingly asked her to warn me before coming to my side of the office, she realized what she'd done. As a friend, I know she realized I was being honest and she didn't want to make me ill so since then, she never wears that scent around me and I wholeheartedly appreciate it.
I think oftentimes people thing these issues are "all in our heads" but they don't realize how real and debilitating it can be to sufferers!
I really hope your co-worker respects you enough not to wear the offending perfume again!
7/ 2/08 12:59pm
By Eileen Gray— Last Modified: 09/04/10, First Published: 06/06/08
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I am so glad to hear this has a happy ending and hopefully your work environment will remain perfume free. I know just how frustrating this can be. After going through it myself, I hope everyday that we won't hire someone new who puts me back in the same situation. Jobs just don't fall in your lap and one shouldn't have to feel like they need to leave theirs or that they are causing the problem, because of someone else's behavior.
I still think back and get angry when I think about the fact that when this happened to me, I was just starting to get my headaches under control. I had just come back from spending my hard-earned vacation time in a headache clinic (not fun!). To go through all that and then go back to work to have someone triggering my headaches everyday was devasting. And then not getting any action on the part of my employer was crushing. Today I am back at square one. Taking daily meds everyday. Constent headaches, and still trying to pay off the hospital bills that insurance wouldn't cover. I know I shouldn't dwell on this, but I feel like part of my life was robbed. I wish the got it.
I totally understand where you are coming from! This issue was so bad, I was going to quit my job, even if it ment I had to do anything else to survive.
It sounds like we were in very similar situations. I too feel like I am finally getting some control over my migraines, and to have something as stupid or rediculous as perfume set me back, no way!
Thanks for the comments! I wish you well too! We can only do as much as we can do.....I hope you find a treatment that works for you again. I know how frustrating it is when your medications start to fail.
Good luck to you!