Fibromyalgia Support Group

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Wierd one, help please

luna991
luna991
Hiya

Hoping someone can help me, longshot but hope
Im

Needing some advice, I sometimes react to chemicals, paint, new carpet etc by getting a headache if I'm around those things

A few days ago I had my annual car service and ever since whenever I'm in the car I have an awful headache that persists for hours after, there was a slight burning smell when I got the car back and I assume this sometimes is a bit of oil burning off, but now the smell is gone but thenheadach persists.

I have had someone check to make sure it's not fires or carbon monoxide so I don't know what I'm reacting too

I feel awful and everyone thinks I'm crazy

Any ideas what it is I'm reacting to its horrible

Luna x
Fantod
Fantod
Were protective paper mats/seat covers used on the car when it went in for service? It is possible that the person/mechanic who moved the car had brake fluid or something else on their clothes or shoes that transferred to the interior. Brake fluid and tires will really set me off. Being in a tire store will make me sick for days.

You are not crazy. If they didn't use protective paper mats on the floor, pull your floor mats out and see if that helps. You may have to shampoo them, let them air and then put them back.

Hope this helps!
Fantod
Fantod
Also, leave your windows cracked a bit especially when driving to get some fresh air into the car.
fibrolizzy
fibrolizzy
Fantod's advice is very good, and I agree. I react like that to strong smells, too. They even affect my stomach.
Fantod
Fantod
Also, does your car have a cabin air filter? Most new cars do have one. They are usually located behind the glove box. My mother has a Ford Escape that periodically develops a funky smell in the cabin. It is a design flaw. They replace the cabin air filter and use a chemical spray of some description to get rid of the smell.

Just throwing ideas out for you to consider.
Bobbii
Bobbii
Oh I've had this issue. We just had ours in for recall. The guy had something on his hands and it got on the steering wheel. I smelled it right away and husband didn't at all. I'm very sensitive to odors and I get a terrible headache too. We drove with the window cracked and left the window down in the garage overnight. Wiped the wheel with cleansing wipe. I keep tissues in my car so I can breathe through that if it's really bad. I have asthma so this kind of thing can trigger it. I hope you can rid the car of the smell.
luna991
luna991
ink the problem may be a grease they applied in the doors think it's called lithium grease its a thick white substance and can't imagine it's very easy to remove :(
Hate how this affects every part of my life :( "
herdingcats
herdingcats
You have a migraine. That is a classic symptom. Sometimes strong smells give me migraines. Suggest you see a doc about that in addition to the fibro.

I wonder what the frequency is of migraine patients and fibro patients. Curious thought cause I have both.
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