Fibromyalgia Support Group

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Muscles & Bones
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SMELLS

meme0426
meme0426
Hi guys,

I need to vent for a few minutes. We all know how smells can be a trigger for us. I really can't handle anything strong loud perfumes, lotions, cleaning supplies, diesel exhaust, etc. There is someone in our office who refreshes their lotion every morning and it's killing me. I have talked to our head supervisor about this and he said he would take care of it. Needless to say he hasn't because if he had they wouldn't still be doing it. People don't understand how hard it is to go from being normal to living in world where you don't know what normal is anymore. I try my best to cope and not bother people to much. But this is just the worse, the smell of this crap lingers for hours. I don't want to say anything to the person because I'm pretty sure it won't come out right. What do I do? What can I do? How do you keep going like this? Will this ever come to an end? The daily thoughts that run through my mind at this job. Thanks for listening.

Meme
greenwolverine
greenwolverine
I had a similar situation when I worked where one supervisor would douse herself in perfume thinking it masked her cigarette smoke. I finally had to tell my boss that it made me sick. He talked to her, and she toned it down.

Look into hostile work environment if they refuse to deal with the situation.
jcpmoore
jcpmoore
Skip the head supervisor and talk to HR. They tend to be more effective in getting people to change such things. Good luck.
gramybear
gramybear
I hope you are able to get some help from your boss or HR. If nothing happens, I believe you can talk with this gal, explain what you now have to go through with your Fibro and hopefully she will respect you enough to tone down the smell. I know how horrible a person wearing strong smells can make a person feel. Let us know how it all turns out. Hugs GB
Fantod
Fantod
Go back to your supervisor and reiterate that the lotion this person is using is making you sick. Maybe print out something about how smells can affect some people. He may or may not have already talked to her about it. Some people are very resistant to changing these habits. If that doesn't change things, go straight to HR. Good luck and take care.
meme0426
meme0426
My boss called me in for a meeting this morning and it is all taken care of. He talked to the person who is wearing the lotion. I'm so glad that this has finally been resolved!! Now I can get back to work!! Thanks for your responses, sometimes it just helps to talk to people who know what you are going through.

Meme
marsharebel
marsharebel
Great that you got some help with this. Honestly, somebody needs to teach perfume wearers HOW to wear it. You don't put it directly on your skin, but spray into the air and walk into it. I mean, who wants to leave an odor trail as they walk by?
kimberh
kimberh
People who wear too much scent drive me crazy too! It is inconsiderate even if they are not around fibromites. It is just unbearable for those of us who suffer. Glad your supervisor is going to take care of it!
marioncooper1
marioncooper1
Glad to hear that your supervisor stood up for you. Chemical sensitivities are common for fibromites.

gentle hugs
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