How do I know if I have MCS?

How do you know if you have MCS? Many of us are self-diagnosed because it can be hard to find a doctor who "believes in" MCS.

Finding a doctor: In the USA, mainstream doctors have not yet accepted MCS as a diagnosis. To try to find one who does, do an online search in your area for a doctor who specializes in Environmental Illness. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend the one who diagnosed me because he has retired. He was an Allergist. However, not all Allergists "believe". It is also possible that you may find help from a Naturopath, though insurance may not cover those visits.

Self-diagnosis: Please be reminded that I am not a medical professional and my advive is based on my own experiences and those of other MCS sufferers who I have spoken with as well as some reading. Basically, if you have negative reactions to chemicals, you probably have MCS. The reactions can be in any body system. For me, the reactions are primarily in the respiratory and nervous systems and include headache, irritated lungs, sore throat, and emotional changes. I primarily react to fragrance chemicals in perfumes, lotions, air "fresheners", and cleaning solutions.

MCS reactions can be mild or very severe and often get worse as time goes on. Most of us can trace the beginning of our symptoms to a specific event. For me, it was four years working in a sick building with little air flow.