the comment kat just made about reminding friends maybe isn't such a bad idea....it may seem unusual, but......

recently i had a few people over for lunch, one was a new colleague and i remembered her wearing very strong perfume for her interview, perfume i was very allergic to. i simply asked in the email i sent out with directions to my house to please refrain from wearing perfume or cologne as i am very allergic to some. i didn't want to single out the one colleague and make her feel uncomfortable, so i sent out a blanket statement. it worked. i did it as low key and discretely as i could. i don't know if they thought i was making a big fuss, but at least i could enjoy the day.

my allergies aren't simply a few stiffles or watery eyes, i really get very ill when exposed to some perfumes. i even take allergy medicine every day and that helps a lot (with some allergens at least). thank goodness not many people (in my line of work at least) tend to wear it these days. one time i had to have the airline steward(ess) change my seat (on a full plane) because i honestly couldn't physically sit next to someone.

it feels odd to have to make such requests, but if we have to, then so be it. i think in this day of more food allergies with young children, more people talking about chronic illnesses, i do think people are understanding once they've been reminded. i just don't think that people think about these things until they are politely reminded.


sue

Spondyloarthropathy, HLAB27 negative
Humira (still methylprednisone for flares, just not as often. Aleve if needed, rarely.)
LDN/zanaflex/flector patches over SI/ice
vits C, D. probiotics. hyaluronic acid. CoQ, Mg, Ca, K.
chiro
walk, bike
no dairy (casein sensitivity), limited eggs, limited yeast (bread)