Allergies Suck.
In the midst off all of my many, many doctor appointments, we found time to do a little allergy testing. The news was not good. I am allergic to every grass God ever planted. I am allergic to dust, which explains why I get sick every time I clean. I am allergic to my cats! And of all of the things they tested me for, what came back as the most severe allergy? Oh the cats, yup- they so won. 2007 gets yet another vote for suckiest year EVER.
So that sucks. I admit, I did see it coming, I was tipped off by the urge to tear my eyeballs out of their sockets every time I loved on Lissy or Gus, and then having a sneezing fit, and waking up wheezing after Gus slept on my pillow all night.
Because I have gone in to anaphylactic shock twice in the past year with no concrete reason why, we have to assume that I have a threshold for how much dander, pollen, dust, nuts, etc I can take at one time. And when that threshold is reached, my throat closes. Score! Fun times.
The responsible thing to do would be to get rid of both cats, tear up all of my carpeting (ha, wouldn’t military housing love that!), and breathe through a filtered mask until I can move to a place where allergies can be seasonal, California not included since it lacks the ability to have actual seasons.
The allergist is going to help me find some more realistic ways of dealing with things, which will probably include a new medication. The Claritan isn’t cutting it. However, I have to wait for two more weeks to make that appointment because they sent out several blood tests to determine which foods I can eat and by which insects I can safely be stung. I am waiting for the results before we create a plan of attack, since some of these allergies can really alter the situation.
I did bite the bullet and return Gus to the rescue because I really needed to reduce the allergens somehow. I feel like a total jerk, but my health? It’s kind of important. The ability to breath? More than a fleeting hobby.
The good news is that we got Gus from a rescue that has a lifetime commitment to their cats, so I know he is safe, and he will be extremely well looked after until they find him a new family. When I brought him back, Gus immediately picked a up a girlfriend, and this shocked the rescue owners because this tiny lady kitty didn’t usually take to other cats, but the minute she saw my sexy silver smoke, she jumped right in the kennel with him to love him up. That made me feel good. Plus, the people at the rescue welcomed him with open arms, oohing and ahhing over how completely gorgeous he was and how much they liked him, and remembered him from before.
Despite all of this, it wasn’t an easy choice to make. I cried over it for a week, and when I went to drop him off, I pulled up and just sat there in the car sobbing until the nice rescue people came out and got me. They said most people return cats are kind of “Here. Take him.” Then they zoom away, so having someone who really hated what she had to do was a little different. I felt a like a boob crying getting all snotty and emotional, but at least I was with people who got it and who understood.
Chris was bummed. Gus was more his cat than mine. But Lissy was here first and since she showed up starving after being dumped by her previous owners, she has no place to go. That and I owe this cat. She was with me through one of the worst periods of my life. I know God has a lot of angels, and some of them are in cat form. She didn’t show up at my door because she needed me; she showed up because I needed her. So I owe her, and I’m going to do everything I can to hold on to her. And, even though it makes me a little sad to admit it, Lissy shows no remorse at all over being a single cat again. She is back to her overly affectionate self and loves that all the food is hers and hers alone. I’m sure she is also loving the fact that I am feeling so guilty I’m spoiling the only cat I have left rotten, buying the really fancy cat food.
I am planning on trying allergy shots and checking into air filters. I’m doing the obvious things like keeping my bedroom cat free. I’m trying not to go outside too much until we can get me on a better drug for the grass. I am totally open to suggestions for how to manage this. My favorite one would be to hire a cleaning lady, but cleaning ladies? They like to be paid.
i feel for you. we live in the south with all the stufff that bothers you. i have the same problems—my bad foods are corn,soybeans and potatoes—and milk or milk products—and we also have a cat
i hope you can find some help or good drugs
good luck
Comment by t — October 24, 2007 @ 8:34 pm
I’m so sorry. My ds is allergic to grasses and trees, my dd is constantly stuffed up and according to the allerigst is allergic to nothing (huh??) and I am in the same boat as her minus the allergy testing.
I think Claritin is crap. I know some people like it, but it hasn’t done anything for my family. Allegra seems to work good but I take it at night as it kind of makes me feel spacey. Other than that I’m in the same situation…just trying to figure this all out.
Comment by Monica — October 24, 2007 @ 10:15 pm
Bummer, girl! I am allergic to trees, grass, and mold. BUT- a much fewer number after I had allergy shots. They really did the trick for me. I did them for about 3 years, stopped because I moved and got married, insurance changed, cost, etc. But they really are worth trying, just don’t expect overnight results. Start bathing Lissy. She’ll get used to it, and it will help the dander thing. Do not leave your windows open at night, that’s when trees pollinate. Maybe wet mop, vs. sweeping? Hepa filter for your bedroom. The thing about ripping up carpet is, wood floors are really dirty and dusty. Buy a very expensive, but supposed to be the BEST, Meile vacuum cleaner (it’s going to be my next one). Don’t go bagless- they’re DIRTY. The vacuum repair guy said Meile’s are the absolute best, better that Dyson. He said the company did a study with ADHD, problem kids- the moms had to vacuum every day. They saw a huge improvement- turns out their immune systems were on overdrive from all of the allergens in the house. Might be worth a try. Sorry about Gus, but breathing is much better!!
Comment by Lee W — October 25, 2007 @ 6:12 am
I’m sorry you had to go through the tough decision to return Gus. I think you did the right, responsible thing, though, and you can take comfort in the fact that he’ll find a good home. Love Lissy as much as you can without your lungs convulsing!
Comment by Mome-rath — October 25, 2007 @ 6:18 am
I have been silently reading your blog for a while now, but thought I would respond to this post. I have had pretty bad allergies too in the past and one tip I heard of when I was living in TN was to buy honey collected within a 10 mile radius of your home beause the bees are collecting pollen from plants that are right around you and therefore helps your immune system beause they are the same plants causing your allergies. I used to put the honey in my hot tea so that I knew I got some every day! Really sorry about Gus.
Comment by Autumn — October 25, 2007 @ 9:56 am
Lou, go to http://www.purehealthresource.com/
check out their air purifiers, they are wonderful, i have allergies and since i got one of these it’s been wonderful i highly recommend them.
Comment by Maggie — October 25, 2007 @ 7:46 pm
Hi Leah,
I periodically read your blog, but rarely comment, but wanted to let you know that you can live with your favorite allergen.
Like you, I’m allergic to trees, grasses, flowers, and my cats. However, I refuse to live cat-free!
I’ve been getting allergy shots for several years now. I went from once a week to every other week to once a month. I take Allegra twice a day, Flovent twice a day, and Singulaire once a day. The Singulaire is what has made the biggest difference in managing my allergies and asthma.
So, ask your physician about it.
You’ve got to keep at least one room cat free. That should probably be your bedroom. Buy a vacuum cleaner that has a hepa filter, but better yet, have your dh or kids vacuum for you. Air purifiers in several rooms of your house is a good idea too.
I know this is long, but I wanted to commisserate with you about Gus, but also wanted to give you some hope.
If you want more info from someone who lives/loves her allergic triggers, email me!
Comment by Kathi — October 28, 2007 @ 10:08 pm
Singular and Zyrtec..HELPED…Try it. I am allergic to everything however I take them at night and seems to be so much better for me. It took a little while to kick in however have not used my Neb in months…Good Luck
Comment by Cherie — November 5, 2007 @ 12:42 pm