Unemployed again, and a rant

Ok, so I had to quit my new job for valid reasons.

Story:

So I was hired as a guest room attendant at a local casino/resort.
Great job, though hard, great crew, great department head.
Since I started, I'd been having breathing difficulty, I chalked it up to being out of shape, and working exclusively in rooms were smoking was allowed.

Yesterday I started my first day on my own.
I couldn't keep pace, I couldn't get enough air into my lungs.
These were all non-smoking rooms...
I told my floor supervisor I was having difficulty breathing and that I thought it was the cleaning chemicals.

I was getting behind and my floor supervisor knew it, yet at 3:40, she tells me one of my rooms needs to be finished by 4:00.
This is a room that she told me had to wait till last because it was just shampooed.

I got started on the room, and two minutes later she asks if I'm done yet, I tell her of course not, I can't get enough air.
By this time I sound like an old percolator as I breathe.
She tells me to go do the bathroom while she does the beds.
As soon as I start scrubbing the tub I can barely breath, I'm having a full blown asthma attack, you could hear me gurgling and gasping for air.
Instead of calling the office to get me medical help, she badgers me into working faster.
I did inform the department head of this supervisor's actions, I seriously hope she gets reprimanded and some training in how to handle the situation in the future. I also told her that a dust mask does nothing to stop chemical fumes, respirators are required.

Today, I still can't breath properly, and I have chemical burn in my nostrils, on my tongue and an ulcer in my mouth.

I won't be going back.
As badly as I need money, I'm not going to risk my life for it

Oh my goodness, that is so scary! Asthma attacks are nothing to fool with. Stupid supervisor.

What were you cleaning with?! I'm sensitive to some chemicals (especially pesticides and insecticides) but have never had cleaners bother me that dramatically... except for that Mean Green stuff.

I'm asthmatic to begin with, and I think it was an allergic reaction that triggered the attack.
As for what? No clue, industrial stuff they mix themselves with no labels beyond use and safe handling.
Room deodorizer, Anti-bacterial, and Fungicide.

I have the same problem with cleaners. I can't use anything with a spray. The supervisor should be fired. Asthma is life threatening, she should have gotten you medical attention immediately.

Maybe the deodorizer is the main culprit? Neither DH (who has asthma) or I can be around the stuff. After you've already triggered that reaction it wouldn't take much to make it worse.

Maybe see if someone needs a hostess/desk clerk/receptionist somewhere? Surely that would be safe. This has to be rather discouraging for you, but just know that it's not your fault. I don't think most people realize how much everyday things that don't bother them can affect someone else.

Pretty sure it was the deodorizer, pleasant smelling stuff too.
At least I know that physically I can work and work hard.

After whiplash from a hit and run in 96 my back hasn't been what it used to be, so at least I know the pain is down to tolerable, normal levels again.

Unfortunately, the casino only has openings in housekeeping right now, but I'll keep right on looking.

That's a huge bummer, but at least it was a learning experience to discover just what exactly you can do physically! Are you looking for a job that keeps you moving rather than sitting all day?

I'd prefer moving to sitting, I need a weightloss job

That really sucks!! I'm so sorry. I hate hearing about injustices. I cannot believe your ex boss did this!! Normally if someone doesn't feel well at the job the FICA stuff covers it!! My dad got hurt once his first day on a job, well he twisted an ankle or something but it didn't become apparent how serious it was until well after the day was over. He realized he couldn't work the next day, and called in, and they sent him to a concentra and got everything taken care of. I know that if this is systematic or you have allergies to the products you may not be able to work there anyway, but they should have offered for you to go to a clinic and write up a report!! It's sooo wrong that they didn't...What if the fumes really had done very big damage to your lungs? They would have to take responsibility for it by law, and IMO they broke the law by not giving it enough attention.

Aww im sorry!! That supervisor should get introuble for that!!! Sending ood vibes your way

I feel your pain. I once worked at a chain daycare center, and the cleaning solution (sanitizer/disinfectant) they used to clean the changing table after each diaper change made me develop have a horrible allergic reaction which I had never had before. I had symptoms similar to yours, but I also had a terrible, choking cough. It was similar to having Whooping Cough, but with bad wheezing. I ended up quitting, for that and other reasons, and within a few days I started feeling better. I had "asthma" for about a year or two afterward, but it eventually went away and I haven't had any asthma symptoms since. It has been probably 4 or 5 years? I can't remember exactly.

I'm sorry for what you are going through. I would do exactly the same thing.

Originally Posted by kara_leigh

I feel your pain. I once worked at a chain daycare center, and the cleaning solution (sanitizer/disinfectant) they used to clean the changing table after each diaper change made me develop have a horrible allergic reaction which I had never had before. I had symptoms similar to yours, but I also had a terrible, choking cough. It was similar to having Whooping Cough, but with bad wheezing. I ended up quitting, for that and other reasons, and within a few days I started feeling better. I had "asthma" for about a year or two afterward, but it eventually went away and I haven't had any asthma symptoms since. It has been probably 4 or 5 years? I can't remember exactly.

Click to expand...

I was reading about Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome (RADS) and irritant asthma earlier - you probably had some form of that and if exposed to the same or similar chemicals again would develop those symptoms.

I actually strongly suspect I have some sort of chemical hypersensitivity (common complaint in many with dysautonomia) that kicks into over drive when I breath in certain chemicals. It's mostly short lasting but it leaves me coughing and unable to breath until I or the offending chemical leave the area. One of the ways they test for this is a measured dose of inhaled capsicum - which sounds like torture!

My initial guess earlier was correct - perfumes/scented stuff tend to act as a sensitizer and the chemicals would be the irritant. A bit of an overload for a person to deal with in such a short time period.

Oh my! I'm sorry you went through all of that.

It sounds like you had a very severe reaction. If this ever happens again, please do not try and work through it. Please leave the area, even if it is work, and seek medical treatment immediately. No job is worth risking your health, or life for.

Aw that's a real bummer. Sending you some you get a more suitable job that doesn't compromise your health

I'm sorry to hear that, Arlyn. That sounds quite frightening and I'm apalled at how badly your supervisor handled the situation.