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Allergies Community

Reply: coughing?

A persistent cough *could* be caused by allergies (the post-nasal drip that runs down your...

It's never too late to be what you might have been. ~ George Eliot. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Posted by Aqua14

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:coughing? A persistent cough *could* be caused by allergies (the post-nasal drip that runs down your...

Reply: No health Insurance, Best Thing To Take?

Try Zyrtec and Zaditor/Alaway. Zyrtec (generic cetirizine) is a great antihistamine. If it...

It's never too late to be what you might have been. ~ George Eliot. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Posted by Aqua14

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:No health Insurance, Best Thing To Take? Try Zyrtec and Zaditor/Alaway. Zyrtec (generic cetirizine) is a great antihistamine. If it...

Reply: Allergy shot experience?

I'm in my 7th year of allergy shots and I've had a very positive experience with them. My...

It's never too late to be what you might have been. ~ George Eliot. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Posted by Aqua14

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Allergy shot experience? I'm in my 7th year of allergy shots and I've had a very positive experience with them. My...

Reply: Breathing problems/ Allergic to my kittens

The breathing problems likely mean that you've developed (or are experiencing increased...

It's never too late to be what you might have been. ~ George Eliot. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Posted by Aqua14

The breathing problems likely mean that you've developed (or are experiencing increased symptoms of) allergic asthma as a result of being around the cats. As the cats grow older, they throw off more dander, which may be why you didn't have that reaction when the kitties were younger. Four cats will eventually produce a LOT of dander. Did you get them spayed/neutered?

Any allergist would advise you that in order to get you properly treated, they need to start with an allergy test. But there are other shorter-acting antihistamines that could be used in lieu of Zyrtec during that week before the test, such as Benadryl or Tavist or Chlor-trimeton. Still, you would have to abstain from an antihistamine completely for at least 1 day before the test. You would have to discuss specifics with the allergist as every allergist's practice is different in this respect.

Some allergists will strictly advise you to get rid of pets to which you're allergic, some will not -- you'll have to call around and see.

There are some tactics you can use to minimize your exposure to cat dander -- e.g., keeping the cats out of your bedroom and getting a HEPA air cleaner for your living quarters and for your bedroom, getting a HEPA vacuum cleaner, washing the cats weekly to minimize dander, things like that.

And if your shortness of breath is asthma, then there are asthma meds you can use to control your symptoms -- usually a daily asthma controller along with a short-acting inhaler would be prescribed. You should know that keeping the cats will cost you in worse health (increased asthma, problems with asthma flaring after a cold or flu) and increased medication costs. Zyrtec or other allergy meds are not going to help.

You could also pursue allergy shots, which will help reduce your allergic reactions long-term, but that's a 3-5 year process before you see best results. Allergy shots will help improve allergic asthma by reducing your sensitivity to allergens. I've been on allergy shots for 6 years and my allergic asthma has improved a lot.

Hope these thoughts help. Take care & good luck.View Thread

It's never too late to be what you might have been. ~ George Eliot. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Posted byAqua14

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Breathing problems/ Allergic to my kittens The breathing problems likely mean that you've developed (or are experiencing increased...

Reply: Chroniic Hives (Ulticaria)...HELP

Here's the link to the article from Monday 2/25's New York Times: ...

It's never too late to be what you might have been. ~ George Eliot. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Posted by Aqua14

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Chroniic Hives (Ulticaria)...HELP Here's the link to the article from Monday 2/25's New York Times: ...

Reply: Chroniic Hives (Ulticaria)...HELP

There was just an article about a clinical trial showing efficacy of Xolair for treating...

It's never too late to be what you might have been. ~ George Eliot. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Posted by Aqua14

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Chroniic Hives (Ulticaria)...HELP There was just an article about a clinical trial showing efficacy of Xolair for treating...

Reply: Everyone has different reactions and is also alle...

In my experience, starting allergy shots was the best decision for a long-lasting treatment...

It's never too late to be what you might have been. ~ George Eliot. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Posted by Aqua14

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Everyone has different reactions and is also allergic to different substances. What are some natural strategy to allergies? In my experience, starting allergy shots was the best decision for a long-lasting treatment...

Reply: Abnormal reaction to allergy shot?

How long have you been taking the prednisone? If more than one day with no change in...

It's never too late to be what you might have been. ~ George Eliot. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Posted by Aqua14

4 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Abnormal reaction to allergy shot? How long have you been taking the prednisone? If more than one day with no change in...

Reply: mucus phlegm and vomiting

Have you tried any of the following? ** Atrovent nasal spray. (The only action this has is...

It's never too late to be what you might have been. ~ George Eliot. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Posted by Aqua14

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:mucus phlegm and vomiting Have you tried any of the following? ** Atrovent nasal spray. (The only action this has is...

Reply: Hives, Anaphylaxis, Fatigue, Abdominal Pain...can ...

Are you taking any other medications -- whether prescribed or herbal? Just a thought. ...

It's never too late to be what you might have been. ~ George Eliot. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Posted by Aqua14

7 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Hives, Anaphylaxis, Fatigue, Abdominal Pain...can anything help me? Are you taking any other medications -- whether prescribed or herbal? Just a thought. ...

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