Cat allergies & asthma

[helexis]

I am among many with cat allergies. Which has given me asthma.... Unfortunately, I feel I can't get rid of the cat - so I spend money on finding medication so I can keep my cat - sound crazy? The doc gave me Proventil for the "tough times", and I was taking it quite frequently along with Claritin for the sneezing. Flovent was given to me to cut down the frequency on the Proventil. The Flovent - I think - gave me laryngitis around Christmas time and I stopped using it. The doc also gave me Serevent. What I have been reading on this message board is something about thrush - no one ever told me I needed to rinse my mouth out after inhaling. Could this be the reason my mouth feels raw? Is this thrush? Because of the laryngitis the doc stopped the flovent and gave me samples of accolate. Has anyone felt any side effects from accolate? I have been having a tough time during the night. Has anyone tried any of the air cleaners? Sorry for the lengthy note - appreciate any comments - thanks!

[jim breagy]

I trust you had an allergy test which revealed the cat connection. Air cleaners are good that is ( in your case ) if the cat isn't benefiting from the unit also by sleeping in your bedroom.
My allergist changed my usage of Azmacort to Flovent on 01/23/01 emphasizing the importance of using a spacer which I did for 3 days slowly resulting in a progressively getting worse sore throat to the point wher I returned to Azmacort. Perhaps ?? if I did both ( used a spacer and wash out my mouth each time )I may not have had a sore throat.
Accolate was prescribed for my wheezing associated with asthma with no side effects. I was given Serevent to be used at night time. It takes a long time to get started but lasts a long time. Haven't used it for 6 months.
Hate to say it but your health is more important than a healthy cat.Good luck.




[This message has been edited by jim breagy (edited 02-25-2001).]

[destinytb]

Well, if you're allergic to cats and you're trying to keep one totally blows me away. In my own view point that's self mutilating and completely naive. You may be putting your life on the line just for a cat. Cat dander could take months and possibly years to get out of your home and your asthma can only worsen with your present thoughts. Your immune system is paying the ultimate price, so I suggest you do some research of the facts before it's too late.

[rosilita1]

i have the same problem you do only i have a dog (whom i am allergic to) if it makes you feel better the pulmologist i saw said he would tell me to get rid of the dog if he thought that was the only thing triggering the asthma. he said with asthmatics there is usually more than one trigger. he said if my asthma goes down hill. my breathing gets worse then i would have to get rid of him. i would reccomend getting a pft(breathing test) to get records of your breathing, its simple and takes minuetes. i take flovent and it has cut my wheezing down to being very rare. i do get laringytis from it too, but then i am real careful about gargling, or drink a lot of water and it goes away. to me its well worth it not to wheeze. i know how you feel its hard to get rid of a member of your family

[bj]

Has anyone told you that asthma can kill you? I know you must love your cat, but is it worth possibly giving up your life? Cat allergin is very invasive and hard to get rid of. When you get rid of your cat, you are going to have to do extensive cleaning and even get rid of a lot of things that you cannot get the allergin out of. I suffered greatly from cat allergin and it took about a year to totally get rid of all the allergin. You will improve though, as it lessens in your enviroment. If I were your doctor, I would refuse you as a patient, if you refused to get rid of the cat. Instead of helping yourself, you want someone to give you medicine so you won't have to! Ask God to give you the strength to find your cat a new home. Air cleaners are great, but get rid of the cat first. Good luck.