Conference misery::feline_v1

    I would get a second opinion.  I suffer from allergies.  My allergist
    told me to get rid of my cat, only because it's a standard thing they
    say.  In reality he knows I am not going to get rid of my cat....so we
    are working out this problem.  He also told me that allergies most of
    the time are a combination of irritants to someone, and getting rid
    of one irritant (the cat) wont necessarily solve the allergy problem.
    
    an allergist will perform a series of scratch tests to see what
    elements one is sensitive too.  It takess about half a day, but for
    me....it was worth it.  
    
    send mail if you want a good recommendation for an allergist in the 
    Boston or Westboro/worcester area.
    
    Michele

    I would really see a good allergist.  There are lots of notes in this
    file from people who were told by their first doctors "get rid of
    the cat" and then found a doctor who would work with the problem
    and helped them with some of the new medications that are available.
    

    My husband, who suffers from asthma, finally went to a doctor after 6
    years of using over the counter inhalers.  The doctor told Ken that he
    would not give him any asthma medication (other than a ventolin
    inhaler) until/unless he saw an allergist to find out if allergies
    where part of the problem.  So, here is the other side of the coin for
    you.  One doctor saying an allegist won't help with asthma, and
    another saying that asthma won't be treated until we find out which
    allergies are causing it.  Maybe there are lots of different kinds of
    asthma.
    
    Jo

    I don't know about this specific type of asthma, but for both my
    husband and myself (to a much lesser degree) our asthma is linked
    to our allergies.  Keeping the allergies under control with medication
    (histamal for Jack, Seldane for myself) is the key to alleviating the
    asthma.  BTW - it is necessary to keep a high enough blood level of
    the medications in your system for a sufficient length of time to
    achieve relief.  So don't take this type of allergy mediation "as
    needed"  (only when you're symptomatic)  it won't work.  
    
    I agree about getting a second opinion.  If you really don't want
    to give up Myles, I'd be very sure that its the only way to avoid
    this problem.
    
    Good luck and keep us posted.
      Nancy DC
    

    Thanks for your help.  I think that I've convinced my husband to see
    an allergist - he was putting up some resistance but I think he
    understands how I feel about Myles now - it only takes a day or two to
    start feeling really attached and I have wanted another cat for years. 
      

    Let us know how you make out.
      Nancy DC

    Since I am in the midst of solving an ongoing allergic reaction to my
    significant others Siamese ("Mouse") and Scottish Fold ("Scotty") cats
    this is more a progress report than anything else. Hope it helps.
    
    My allergy reactions have ranged from moderate to just short of a visit
    to an emergercy room.  I have tried most of the medications mentioned
    in the "notes", currently Seldane, a prescription inhalant (don't have 
    it here at the office) and another prescription for post-nasal drip.
    
    The Seldane worked wonders for about three months, gradually losing
    some of its effectiveness.  The inhalant was added to open up the
    bronchial passages to restore "normal" breathing.  The post-nasal
    medication to shut down that awful drip, drip and resultant coughing.
    
    As of this writing I have had to drop the prescription post-nasal
    medication in favor of an old standby - Actifed, because it works.
    
    My doctor's solution is standard - get rid of the cats.  My response
    echoes my significant other's - get another opinion.  The cats stay.
    
    Between now and finding an allergist (M.D.) I am going to attempt to
    duplicate a mostly allergy-free period with two different cats not
    regularily in my life at that time. 
    
    I was six months into the Pritikin program when I discovered my life
    long allergy to cats gone.  Basically I had cut my fat intake to under 
    25 grams a day, dropped several foods almost entirely from my diet 
    including eggs and milk products, lowered animal protein sources to around
    6 grams a day, etc, etc. I lost not only the weight targeted (60 lbs),
    unexpectedly the cat allergy vanished as well.  
    
    You are probably wondering why I don't go back on the Pritikin program
    and be done with it (assuming Pritikin and not something else was respon-
    sible).  The answer?  Chocolate, pizza, sauces and more.  Maybe I can get 
    close again but this time the chocolate stays!  I am betting on the 
    allergist instead for the cat allergy and moderation plus exercise to deal
    with other things.
    
    In the meantime I am getting along famously with Scotty and learning to
    deal with a very hyper Mouse even if their dander is making my life
    miserable (hopefully not much longer).
    
    Kenneth.... (I never thought I could live with cats) Smith
    
    

I was told for years that my allergic reactions were due to animal dandruff..
and to get rid of the pets.  Needless to say, I resisted.  I had the most
recent round of tests from a new allergist and I find that I am NOT allergic
to cats/dogs...I am allergic to grass AND TREES...so allergic to trees that
I even have a reaction if too many people burn wood in the fireplaces where
I am... The dogs and cats caused reactions because of what their fur carried,
not because of their dander or saliva.

A lesson learned...always see an allergist and get tests before making painful
decisions.