The first time I got sick in a hotel I thought maybe it was a coincidence but now the second time in under a year, the hotel stay (two different places) made me and husband sick. We had muscle pain hot flashes and just feeling ill.
We used to live in a moldy home. I don't know if we are reacting to mold, emf, or chemicals.
Has anyone had a similar experience or does this sound like something you recognize?
I think if I could figure this out maybe it will give me more understanding of what makes me sick and how to eliminate it.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Why? So many reasons. So many others experience the same reaction. I certainly have.
How to eliminate it? Research hotels that are "safe" through MCS organizations. Be aware that a "green hotel" is not the same as one safe for someone with MCS. "Green" mostly means now lower cost for energy, not necessary safe products.
Some hotels will run an ozone air purifier BEFORE you sign in. This can help reduce previous guests' scents that can linger.
Some are strict, non-smoking DEDICATED rooms. A must, of course.
Most are not scent and chemical free, however. Vinyl shower curtains, the rugs, the textiles, and now likely sprays to address bed bugs . . . there is much to consider.
With the flu all around, they may also spray to blast that away between hotel guests.
But - there are options. I don't have the best direct links but you can find your way to start with links below. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Even if you don't have "official MCS" these groups can be of great service for better living. -------------
(She is NOT A LLMD, however, she understands the kind of toxicity issues faced by many with lyme. She did not have lyme but overcame very serious MCS. She spoke at the 2011 & 2012 annual ILADS conferences.) -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Many good hits from a Google search for:
MCS safe hotels -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Re: EMF, those issues may be addressed by some of the above groups, although you may need to look elsewhere for hints on where in the hotel to be situated away from transformers, etc.
SmartMeters are a huge issue now, too. It's nearly impossible to avoid but be sure to get as far away as you can (without then getting close to those on neighboring properties).
In your room, when not watching TV, UNPLUG it. First, call the front desk to be sure this will not trigger a silent burgarly alarm in their office and sent them running to your room.
Do not charge your cell phone next to your bed, etc.
Often, if you can just avoid a hotel and find other lodging, that can be a great advantage on many levels.
Bed & Breakfasts may cost more - often are smelly as all get out but you'd be consulting some MCS group to guide you.
There are also other lodging options to fill in the gap between the B & B and couch surfers. During college breaks, some campuses rent out rooms. Likely far less chemically dowsed than the typical hotel room. -
Posted by desertwind (Member # 25256) on :
Keebler already hit on pretty much everything...
I have MCS (thanks lyme...) and when I go to a hotel I typically have problems.
The very FIRST thing I do is clean the filter in the air conditioner/heating unit. Most hotels have those wall units and you can pull the filter out. 10 times out of 10 they are disgustingly dirty with black crap all over them; dust mold etc..I rinse them and clean them with GSE...
I will use my own sheets and linens if it is a long stay over. My own pillow for sure with my dist mite covers on.
Again, if it is a long stay over I will bring my portable air purifier. And of course non-smoking.
If possible open the window because the outdoor air is going to be better then some of the indoor air. I like to air the room out.
Yes, hotels can be a challegne..
Posted by jjourneys (Member # 39813) on :
I travel alot - I too have issues in some hotel rooms. Never thought about the air filters being an issue.
But I have found the wallpaper, carpets, bedspreads and curtains - depending on their designs will drive me crazy!!!!
Lighting also messes with me bad!!!! I play with the lights in the room until I get them "right" for me - includings blinds opened, closed, curtains open or closed, etc.
I find noises in the rooms drive me crazy sometimes, TV going quiet and loud, refrigerator, air conditioner, etc.
This all BEFORE I knew I had Lyme. I always attributed it to the FMS.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
It's the cleaning products, furniture, newer construction, fragrance, etc....
If you have MCS is practically impossible to stay in a typical hotel room.
Gigimac, I believe you've posted before about having problems with chemicals.
Please learn about MCS so you can get the best accommodations for you needs.
There are websites that specialize more in chemical-free accommodations.
Let me know if you need the links and I'll dig them up for you.
If I need to travel, I do a thorough interview of the place. first
I ask if there's been construction lately, road paving, etc.... I request for them to NOT use pledge or other products like that. I ask for a room on a top floor AWAY from smokers or exhaust vents in low traffic areas.
It helps to make a lot of requests and pre-screen places for you stay.
You can ask them stuff like if the place has re-carpeted or painted recently.
Just tell them you have respiratory problems and have special needs.
Ask them to clean with just baking soda and hot water. Those are the kind of things that will help make your stay better.
I also bring my own sheets and bedding if I can.
Posted by MichaelTampa (Member # 24868) on :
Essentially all hotels these days now have wireless routers. Most have fluorescent lights.
Others have touched on the chemicals/mold issues.
It comes down to knowing ahead what things are bad for you and then doing what you can to avoid/remediate them.
Posted by beaches (Member # 38251) on :
Well I for one just love staying at hotels. I call ahead and ask that the housekeepers don't spray the air freshener in the room.
I also check out the room for any funky smells before checking in, and I've been known to examine several rooms before agreeing to accept one.
I prefer recently renovated rooms, but not those SO recently renovated that I smell the off-gasses of the carpeting.
I am very sensitive to mold and can smell it a mile away, so any hotel room that has even a mild funky smell is off limits to me.
The lights don't bother me at all. If they did I figure I could turn them off.
I'm not good with bringing my own linens to a place I have to pay to stay. I always ask that my linens/bedspread be newly washed. That's a trend that some hotels are following anyway.
And I really appreciate hotel/motel rooms with windows that you can actually open! Fresh air is a good thing!
It's also good to be aware of lodging that permits pets if you have allergies. They say that they clean those rooms thoroughly, but if you're allergic to dogs or cats, that's something to consider.
Posted by ThatDarnTick (Member # 39987) on :
My best guess would be that you're reacting to the chemicals. I never thought about it until my neighbor, who worked at a hotel, stole a large 5-gallon container of the hotel's laundry detergent (he wasn't a very good person). I live in half-a-house, so our back porches are connected and I only noticed the bucket because the label had so many warning symbols on it. When he wasn't home, I snuck over and read it.
Each time his wife did laundry, I couldn't even be outside...the smell coming from the dryer vent was so nauseating and my throat would feel like it was swelling up and I'd have an asthma attack.
I'm exceptionally sensitive to chemicals. I also avoid Wal-Mart because if I walk through the clothing aisle, the chemicals coming off of the clothes makes me sick.
Posted by gigimac (Member # 33353) on :
The thing is outside of hotels nothing else really makes me react that way. I can go to the mall and other stores and I am fine. The only time this happened outside of a hotel was when I went to big lots and something hit me out of nowhere.
For the most part I am not bothered by scented stuff or anything and I don't think i fit the MCS label.
I have had a couple things bother me, like when my mom got a new car and some strong cleaners which i don't use in my house anymore.
I dunno I wish i knew what it was. i guess overload of chemicals on a system that is already overloaded
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
I never thought about the filters and the EMFs but I am sure they are a big part of the problem. I always thought it was off gassing from the carpets, drapes, etc.
I am very chemical sensitive to certain public restrooms (also hotels) like target, bed bath beyond, or home depot. The chemicals used to clean the bathrooms actually make me turn red within seconds of entering them. I feel like I can barely make it out of them without having a heart attack.
Posted by ThatDarnTick (Member # 39987) on :
Hotel rooms are notoriously poorly ventilated, so that could be one contributing factor, but my guess is that even though it's only hotel rooms that impact you, it's because you are sensitive to a certain chemical they use in cleaning or manufacturing some product in that room. You might not encounter it elsewhere in such an enclosed space.
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
I'm surprised no one here mentioned bed bugs...
Hotels & motels are very dirty places... You are in a space where people have sex on the beds & leave bodily fluids, change their baby's diapers, walk around barefoot with foot fungus, etc. People party there, too - & you know what happens with that.
Need I say more? I don't dislike hotels/motels - but that's the facts. They aren't exactly sterilized between people staying there. Not to mention all the other stuff like mold in the AC filters, dirt in the carpets, wi-fi, etc.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
"For the most part I am not bothered by scented stuff"
Fragrance sensitivity and MCS are two different things, but they frequently go hand in hand. People can have one or the other.
Most VOCs are odorless and they build up INDOORS.
New cars are notorious for VOCs because of the glues and epoxy resins.
Most people with severe MCS need a car that's AT LEAST 7 years old.
If you want to avoid this stuff that makes you sick, please educate yourself about MCS.
You may just have a mild case right now, but this illness snowballs the more you are exposed and can take you down really fast.
As I said before VOCs can be odorless. Please read the link I posted before so you can protect yourself.
Posted by GiGi (Member # 259) on :
The only way to start solving any of these sensitivity problems is by detoxing. Usually the toxic metals and chemicals in our body set off the autonomic nervous system and our body is not able to react with balancing.
I used to be the same way. In general, I detoxed more than I treated Lyme and Co.
And a big problem are the overgrowth of parasites that move into every body part and deplete our body of most important nutrients. They flourish with B12. and some of them lay 200,000 eggs around every full moon. I found a bunch of them today doing MMS. This all happens while and because our body, immune system, is too tired to fight it all.
Reducing the toxic load is the only way out. That is my experience.
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
Wow, I never made the connection to MCS with metals & parasites! Thanks Gigi. That's scary about the B-12 though.
Posted by gigimac (Member # 33353) on :
Thanks guys I do think I have noticed more sensitivities the longer I am sick.
I am gonna start sauna soon and will try to up the detox
GIGI, do u think taking b12 can exacerbate symptoms if u have parasites?
Posted by lightfoot (Member # 2536) on :
Good advice and info here. I would just add a note from our experience because while you are healing and getting better you have to have some strategies.
When we were so bad....we would carry our own bedding. B & B' are another option and usually 'cleaner' and safer than motels, we found.
We also found some of the most classy motels were worse in this respect than average motels.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
They had a feature on two companies that work with home owners to rent out rooms as an option to hotels, similar to a B & B style, but not quite the same.
Both room providers and renters are vetted.
With that key detail above, you can find the feature and the agencies' detail. You may also find such agencies that have listings for MCS safe room rentals. -
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That's scary about the B-12 though.