I am very allergic to dogs and cats. When I've had the slightest exposure, I have a systemic allergy attack that turns into weeks or months of sjs flare up. It's severely limited my life since "service" dogs are now allowed everywhere in Berkeley. Does anyone else have this problem? I find that even bringing up dog allergies to most people seems to elicit anger from pet lovers.
Yeah, anything that causes inflammation (allergies, illness) is likely to trigger a flare.
Then everything cascades into utter misery, until you can get it under control (any part of it, really) and then things settle down for a while.
It's always something.
Hugs
Keep breathing.
Stay away from cats and dogs.
Oh yeah, "love me, love my dog/cat"
Animal owners are often more devoted than parents, I've found.
I adore my cats, and want a dog. I'm a pet lover, big time.
BUT, people don't want to understand that their baby is a problem for others....or their cigarette smoke, perfume, peanuts, whatever.
I wish life were perfect.
But it's always something.
Keep breathing (preferably AWAY from animals).
Hugs
Elaine
Quote from: Helene on April 19, 2013, 11:31:46 AM
I am very allergic to dogs and cats. When I've had the slightest exposure, I have a systemic allergy attack that turns into weeks or months of sjs flare up. It's severely limited my life since "service" dogs are now allowed everywhere in Berkeley. Does anyone else have this problem? I find that even bringing up dog allergies to most people seems to elicit anger from pet lovers.
Are you seeing an allergist? They can often help.
Sharon
Is there nothing they can do, my cousin is allergic to animals and they did some desensitization stuff with him, and shots. Otherwise he wouldnt be able to leave the house
Thanks so much for your responses. I know that service animals are not pets, though some people stretch that category because they love being with their pets. I understand and accept that there are places I can't go. Recently though people are bringing dogs into new places like restaurants and grocery stores so I am considering paying someone to shop for me though I can't really afford it.
I had to explain why I can't accompany my best friend to chemo-- because I got sicker than she did because some people brought their dogs for comfort. I felt terrible guilt for not being able to be there for her.
I'm so grateful for people who respect that others might have allergies.
I've seen allergists and asked about shots. They've always said they wouldn't help. I may try again since SS is making my allergies so serious.
This board is so helpful. I hadn't really understood all my symptoms- like flares and painful legs and feet. I've wasted so much effort feeling guilty about my fatigue and sensitivities.
Thank you so much. Your answers were the most thoughtful I've ever gotten. I too have reactions to scents and "music" in public spaces. For the music I bought sound blocking earphones for my iPod. This doesn't work well when I'm out with friends who take it personally ;-).
Once I was in a book group and someone played a "prank" on me. She put a rabbit in a cage behind the couch (I'm allergic to rabbits too). I think she wanted to prove something. I got chills and felt faint and then couldn't breathe. Finally she "remembered" the rabbit. Everybody was shocked at what she had done, but the reading group was over.
This board is so helpful. I am finally allowing myself to use enough pain meds to sleep and using the air conditioner even when it isn't so hot. I am less miserable.
Thank you all so much.
Over the last few years I've developed an allergy to perfume. I'm finding it pretty awkward. Obviously lots of people wear perfume and if I end up next to them in pubs, restaurants, shops or buses I end up having awful coughing fits - and start wheezing.
It's difficult.
I can't imagine what you're going through that sounds incredibly difficult. If certain stores and places can't accommodate you or allow animals could you try doing some errands in the middle of the week like on a Monday or Tuesday during the day or in the morning? Even on a lunch break if its long enough? I am fortunate to have a Monday off and have noticed less people are there on Monday mornings.
Hope you feel better and find a solution, take care!
Quote from: litliwlowa on April 20, 2013, 04:02:34 AM
Quote from: Helene on April 19, 2013, 08:47:16 PM
Helene, there is nothing to feel guilty about concerning your fatigue and sensitivities. Truly.
I encounter allergy issues myself, such as multiple chemical sensitivities. I get anywhere near someone wearing scented products, flare either my migraines, asthma or both. That includes even body washes and some hairsprays. I do understand your dilemma quite well. Oh and when I was still able to work? Now that was a nightmare. Sometimes coworkers would make accommodation (such as one example regarding body wash, she agreed to move up her shower in the morning rather than just before leaving for work so the fragrance would be mostly dissipated by the time she got to work.) Other times, coworkers would make crude remarks and show up the next day dowsed more heavily with perfume and such. Once, a coworker had the audacity while I was at lunch to pull a prank by spraying perfurme all over my work area
LitliWlowa
Do I ever understand perfume and chemical allergies! I used to work in a small office where one woman who claimed ADA would douse herself heavily in perfume every day. I would have repeated severe asthma attacks to the point where I was on the verge of passing out. The EMT's had to respond several times. My supervisor tried to talk to her and she said she had the legal right to do what she wanted. She was advised that I had the right to breathe and she should please stop using the offensive sprays. When it didn't stop and the ambulance was on its way the Administrator created a policy regarding the use of perfumed sprays and made everyone sign off on it. This woman's perfume nearly killed me on several occasions.
It is so hard to function in an environment that triggers everyday items that are a danger to those with sensitivities. I no longer work in a large place and my breathing has become easier without triggers.
I am lucky that I don't have allergies to animals because I have 3 dogs. Two of them are seniors and I can't imagine my life without them. My golden has been my lifesaver. When I can't pull myself out of bed or out of a chair I just call him and he helps me to get up. He is not a trained service dog but just has a sensitivity towards helping.
Helene I hope that you can find a solution so that you can worry less about triggering flares.
Thanks again. I actually plan my shopping very carefully. I shop at 2pm on Mondays (after other people's lunch breaks and before school lets out). If nothing else, it makes it a shorter time. I too have chemical sensitivities to perfume and whatever chemicals they put on clothes. I can no longer shop in many department stores and I have to buy washable clothes so I can launder them before wearing them. Some of them have lingering perfume from other customers. Some brands don't come out even in the wash and I have to discard them. I can't ever buy a used car because the previous owner might have had a dog in the car. I actually buy most of my clothes from LLBean and a lot of my ordinary products from Amazon.com. I am grateful for the internet.
Quote from: Helene on April 19, 2013, 08:47:16 PM
I'm so grateful for people who respect that others might have allergies.
I've seen allergists and asked about shots. They've always said they wouldn't help. I may try again since SS is making my allergies so serious.
This board is so helpful. I hadn't really understood all my symptoms- like flares and painful legs and feet. I've wasted so much effort feeling guilty about my fatigue and sensitivities.
It's interesting that your allergists said shots wouldn't help. I have allergies, which give me flares. I have gone for allergy shots for 1-1/2 years now; and while it's expensive and demands commitment, I have to say there is definite improvement for me. Especially since you are ultra-sensitive to so many things, I can't understand why your allergist wouldn't recommend trying shots.
My allergist was just referring to animal allergies. He said that I should feel lucky that I'm not a vet. It is getting harder and harder to avoid animals though. A cat crawled into my basement and by the time a friend got it out, I was sick for months. Then there was the dog at my friend's chemo center. It's hard to know where I'll encounter a dog or cat, though I rarely go over to other people's houses just for that reason. I am going to talk to the allergist again though. Maybe there is something new I could try.
I tested positive in the medium range (there is a scale for sensitivity) for cat and dog dander, and it IS included in my allergy shot regimen (I have 3 big dogs); my allergist has been a top doctor for over a decade (whatever that is worth) and is well regarded here in California. So, I am being treated for animal allergies with shots.
What part of California? I live in Berkeley. Can anyone recommend a good allergist nearby?
I am in southern California, near Newport Beach....a bit of distance from you, unfortunately!
It was just for animal allergies. I think shots work better for pollen and dust. Now I'm afraid that the smallest amount of animal dander in the shots would set off an allergic reaction. Last time I did a skin patch test I had a major attack- hives all over my body. Now I just get MAST tests. Though now I know what i'm allergic to and testing seems moot.