Fiancee has "choky" feeling from incense

[James924]

My fiancée and I love the extraordinary mass, particularly the High Mass. Recently she has expressed that she has a “choked up” feeling that seems to be caused by the incense in which she has trouble drawing a full deep breath.

I suggested that we go to the 11am low Mass from now on but she said she prefers the music at the High Mass. But I don’t want her to suffer, obviously.

I wonder if this could be solved by an asthma inhaler or something?

Has anyone had any experience with breathing problems resulting from incense? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[yinekka]

She could try the asthma inhaler but failing that sit right at the back of the church or go to the Ordinary Form of the Mass.

 

[James924]

She could try the asthma inhaler but failing that sit right at the back of the church or go to the Ordinary Form of the Mass.

I don’t know anything about athsma inhalers. Do you think that could help? I’ll look into it.

 

[bpbasilphx]

It could be the brand of incense. Different formulas have different ingredients.

As your priest if you can buy a pound of Gloria Incense (available from Christ the Savior Seminary in Johnstown, I think). It’s specially blended to be non-choking.

 

[sarahraegraham]

I’m not sure how long you both have been attending, but my husband and I used to have problems with it as well, but after a month or so, we now don’t even notice the incense at all. Maybe our bodies get used to it?

 

[Rence]

It could be the brand of incense. Different formulas have different ingredients.

As your priest if you can buy a pound of Gloria Incense (available from Christ the Savior Seminary in Johnstown, I think). It’s specially blended to be non-choking.

Yep, and she might be allergic to one or more ingredients. I’d have her ask her doctor, he might be able to suggest an antihistamine or inhaler or something that might help.

I’d get a hold of the Gloria Incense that bpbasilphx recommends and see if that doesn’t work for her.

Just wondering, does she have any other allergies that you know of?

 

[Mrs_Sally]

No one can give medical advice on this forum. An allergist would tell her to try and avoid incense if that is the only thing that triggers the reaction. If she will not change Masses, try to sit further away or out of the ‘direct line’ of the incense. If she wants a treatment for the condition, she should see her doctor.

 

[Toni]

We have adoration every month at our school. Every month there are two girls that have asthma outside the door. They still participate in adoration but from a distance. I agree that you should sit farther away from the incense.

 

[malphono]

It’s probably not an allergy at all. I am not “allergic” to either normal smoke or incense (or and good thing too: Orientals use far more incense than do the Latins), but some blends do emit a rather acrid smoke that has choked even me. I recall one time the horrid smoke from whatever blend was being used choked the bishop too! (That particular blend was disposed of the same day.) There are quite a few blends available.

 

[Onegin]

Perhaps it is the brand of incense?

I usually am not bothered but at my old church I used to get terrible sneezing/eyes watering/sniffing etc so perhaps whatever was in that particular blend was problematic? I just remember having a very hayfever-like reaction.

 

[searn77]

When I went to an Orthodox monastery I saw a woman actually wearing one of those large gas masks because of the incense.

 

[Filioque]

If it an older parish, you may want to investigate if they have a crying room.

 

[bpbasilphx]

When I went to an Orthodox monastery I saw a woman actually wearing one of those large gas masks because of the incense.

May I ask which monastery?

Again, it could have been the formulation of the incense.

I’ve never seen this at any Orthodox Church or monastery I’ve been in. Was the woman Orthodox?

I’ve heard stories of priests using an empty censer, and the same people would hack and choke as if it were going full blast.

 

[LoyalViews]

Like some of the other posters have said, the blend would have alot to do with the “choky” feeling. Tell the priest to never to spend under 20 bucks for the stuff! hehe. I will pray for your fiancee though, that her “choky” feeling may fly out the window!

 

[Eris_Discordia]

I know a lot of people who used to get that from the incense. I think it has to do with the kind. She might be allergic, so you can ask a priest what is in it and have a doctor test for it. Also, as others have said, it might be asthma, so you can also talk to your doctor. If nothing else works, try sitting away from the incense, preferably near ventilation so it isn’t as strong. Good luck

 

[searn77]

May I ask which monastery?

Again, it could have been the formulation of the incense.

I’ve never seen this at any Orthodox Church or monastery I’ve been in. Was the woman Orthodox?

I’ve heard stories of priests using an empty censer, and the same people would hack and choke as if it were going full blast.

Holy Transfiguration in Ellwood, PA.

She looked Orthodox but I couldn’t say for certain.

It didn’t seem as if she was looking to gain attention. She appeared not to be in the best of health. She just had it on for matins because matins was held inside where it was a small and crowded chapel. Divine Liturgy took place outside and I don’t think she had it on out there. I was just surprised to see this.