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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / July 2005The absolute WORST day........(long and kinda OT)
My brain is so tired it's hard to think, but i think i'll let it operate a little more so I can vent. First of all...... AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (pantpant) Okay that's a little better now.... I get up this morning at 6:30 and get ready for school. (I'm taking Microbiology this summer) I'm trying to study for the first test and this teacher is really really BORING. I leave a little bit after 7 am. On my way to school, I suddenly notice this van on the side of the road. Then I notice there is a small FIRE under the van. I'm slowly passing and noticing that this fire is getting bigger and no one seemed to be doing anything about it. I pull into the passing lane in the middle of the street, put the car in park and turn on my emergency blinkers. I grab my fire extinguiser from the trunk and traffic stops momentarily as I run across the street. There is this woman who apparently owns the van and is trying to get my help. After a few spurts the extinguiser dies. I'm guessing since it had been in the trunk for a while the pressure got really low. But it didn't really matter anyway, because the fire was catching this fluid that was draining from the bottom of the car. It looked like liquid fire and even though i had put some of the flames out it was still growing. Uh-oh.... Okay, by this time, still no one had called the fire department, so I pull out my cell (thank god it was in my pocket and not my backpack which was still in the car) and dial 911. As I'm explaining the situation suddenly a lot more fluid falls from the van and catches fire. The woman and I are backing up further and further as the whole van eventually catches fire. Then I look at the time and realize it is 7:40, and my test starts at 8 am. I call my classmate and as she answers there's a loud pop from the car and I jump and back up even further. I tell her the situation and tell her to pass the message to the professor. Finally the fire engine shows up and by this time the entire van was in flames. Out come the hoses and the guys start putting the fire out. Then I notice that to get to the fire, the engine had pulled across the two lanes of traffic and was blocking the oncoming traffic. So people were trying to pull into the passing lane to get around. I then realized that my car was kinda in the way so after briefly speaking with the firemen, I get into my car and head on my way. WHEW!!! My adrenaline is totally running and I'm trying to figure out everything. Oh yeah, and I have a test to take. I managed to get through the test and class. Then I have to speed over to Kaiser hospital for a doctor's appt. A few months ago, my asthma had really gotten bad after a cold and instead of going to my allergist, I had gone to my primary doctor. Before I go on, some background info. Some of you might remember that my allergist had already advised me to try to keep my cats off the bed or out of the bedroom. I didn't want to hear this again so I went to my primary doctor because I had a cold and I also wanted a second opinion on my asthma. This was in April and today was a checkup appt. My primary doctor comes in and asks me about my asthma, which had been up and down, but since I got sick after finals at the beginning of June it was acting up again. There were days I would be using my inhaler a LOT more than I was supposed to, and sometimes it didn't seem to have an effect. The doctor leveled with me and said that due to my asthma and my last pulmonary function test (you blow into a tube hooked up to a machine) that I was developing the early signs of COPD, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. A condition normally associated with smokers and chronic asthma. He said that at 26 I should not have this and if I didn't make some drastic changes I would end up being needing an oxygen tank by the time I'm 50. And while I'm basking in the shock from this statement, I ask him what I can do. He says, "Get rid of your cats." I told him that getting rid of my cats would be like getting rid of my children. He said, "Yes, I understand that you would rather die than get rid of your cats, but unless you do something, that's exactly what is going to happen." I told him that I work in a vet clinic, and I'm a year away from getting my license as a vet technician. He shrugged and said he didn't know what to tell me. We talked a bit more and by this time I was crying and he highly recommended that talk to my allergist and figure something out because this is so serious. He's talking to me and kinda escorting me out at the same time. So now I'm crying and somehow I manage to get to the appointment phone. I wanted to see my allergist NOW. Or at least today and get everything explained. It's now noon and the only appt they have is at 2 pm. I'm still crying and I have to call my trainer to cancel my appt. I then have to call work and talk to my supervisor and tell her I'm going to be late and why. I then spent the next two hours either crying or trying not to completely freak out. I got a pamphlet from the Health Education center on COPD, and all these thoughts started running through my head... ....How the heck am I supposed to exercise? ....I might have to get rid of my cats. ....I might have to quit my job. ....I might even have to change my CAREER. ....What the heck are my parents going to say? ....Am I going to have to have those oxygen tanks? I also call my best friend and vent a little and again spent the time sitting in a chair trying to think things out. I would start shaking and crying and then I would calm down and then it would start again. Finally at 1:40 I checked in for my allergist appt. While I was waiting they did another pulmonary function test, which is standard procedure. I had a hard time with it cause I would blow out and suddenly start coughing. Great.... Waiting in the exam room felt like forever and then my allergist comes in. "Hello, how are we today?" "Not so good." I start explaining everything and then I get to the part where my primary doctor had said I had the early signs of COPD. My allergist frowned and looked at my file. Then he looked up and said. "You don't have COPD. Your pulmonary function test is normal for someone with asthma and it just looks like your asthma is acting up and we need to change your regime." It felt like twenty pounds got lifted from my shoulders. All of that worrying and it turns out I'm okay. My primary doctor made it sound so horrible and it turned out to be for nothing, and as a result I spent two hours a nrevous wreck. But then I snap back to reality as we started talking treatment. He's upping some of my meds and putting me on Serovent. He wants to get my asthma under control so I only have to use my fast acting inhaler, Albuterol, a few times a week. He said he knows that I'm not about to get rid of the cats, and he also knows that I'm not about to change my career. HOWEVER he did say that something needed to change. And he strongly recommended again that I get the cats out of the bedroom. I asked about air filters and stuff and he said if I'm still constanly exposing myself to the allergens then I'll just be wasting money and electricity. We talked about allergy shots, and I said it would probably be a good idea since I'm getting into the animal care field. So we're going to do allergy shots but not until my asthma is under control. I'm at high risk for anaphylaxis right now and even when I do get it under control I'll still be at high risk because I'll be exposed to the allergen, if not at home but at work. He prescribed Epi-pens for me and said I won't be able to get the allergy shots unless I have it with me. But that will be at least a few weeks away since the first step will be to get my asthma under control. When I got out of there I felt I huge headache coming on and my body was starting to shut down after this emotional roller coaster. About $400 later after getting all my drugs from the pharmacy, I'm dragging my butt to work. Seeing both doctors cost me $25 each and the new inhaler cost me about $285, grrrrr and I've reached my deductible for the year. Now I'm on the phone with the bank to make sure I have enough money in my account. My mom had just transferred money and fortunately there's enough, but it's going to be close and I don't get my next paycheck until the 8th. And after all of this I drag myself into work and manage to finish out the day. And then to my surprise i managed to go to the gym and take out my frustrations on the treadmill for 20 minutes. So I'm going to start this new drug regime and look for a new primary physician. But right now I'm going to relax a little. One thing I will do though is still continue to find a home for Mayhem. Since she's a long haired kitty, all the extra fur is probably why my allergies/asthma has acted up. I love her, but three cats is too much for me to handle and I should find her a home. But I'll worry about that another day. Until then.. Kristi At least now I know where one of the idiots that tried to treat my asthma is now practicing medicine. Blooming idiot. Basically told me I could never have any pets and should live in a climate controlled apartment somewhere. And at a time when my nerves were too frayed to question his edicts. I was devastated. That was over thirty years ago. Yes I've had trouble with asthma in the past thirty years. But I'm now almost sixty years old, my asthma is stable, and both my cats sleep on the bed. I've taken allergy shots off and on for about fifteen years. They help a lot. Present treatments for asthma are far superior to anything that was available 30 years ago. But you do have to get your twitchy lungs settled down and stop messing with the albuterol. That stuff can really mess you up if you overdo it. Best wishes and all. And hairballs to the first doctor. Jo Firey > My brain is so tired it's hard to think, but i think i'll let it > operate a little more so I can vent. [quoted text clipped - 194 lines] > > Kristi > My brain is so tired it's hard to think, but i think i'll let it operate a > little more so I can vent. [quoted text clipped - 188 lines] > > Kristi Sounds like hell just boiled over! Suggestions: get rid of carpeting. Bare floors (or linoleum) are easier to dust. Wash bedding frequently or at least put it through air cycle weekly. Be sure your pillow is hypoallergenic material. No drapes. Air filters will help if you keep the filters clean. Have you been tested for food allergies? Best wishes for you and purrs for the fur kids who cannot sleep with you. MLB > Finally at 1:40 I checked in for my allergist appt. While I was > waiting they did another pulmonary function test, which is standard [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > idea since I'm getting into the animal care field. So we're going to > do allergy shots but not until my asthma is under control. Mischief--I am so sorry your general practitioner put you through this. You realize that when you get your allergies under control, the asthma will get better, right? I have to ask--why are you jumping right to allergy shots? What have you taken for your allergies so far? My GP also told me to get rid of my cats after I developed severe asthma. I just looked at him like he was out of his mind. Anyway--once I found an allergy medicine that worked on the cat allergies--in my case OTC Claritin--and stuck to my Advair regime (250/50) I am just fine. I am almost ten years older than you. I test lung capacity with a peak flow meter and hardly ever use my albuterol. What else are you allergic to? Maybe if you work hard to eliminate all the others, your cat allergies will not bother you so much. (Also: you are in school and very stressed out now. There is a chance your asthma is stress triggered. Mine is--but only in the case of severe upset: somebody pretty much has to die before my lungs seize up. I've been on Albuterol for several years and for the last year or so Qvar. I just take normal Benedryl for allergies. I'm not that allergic to cats, and personally I think I'm fine, but I think with the addition of Mayhem the buildup of dander is making my asthma worse, mainly causing chest tightness and shortness of breath and I find myself using the albuterol way too much. So I need to cut down on my exposure and since I'm going into a veterinary field it probably would be a good idea to at least try the shots since I'm exposed both at home and work. Kristi > I've been on Albuterol for several years and for the last year or so > Qvar. I just take normal Benedryl for allergies. Kristi--please try Claritin. It works well and does not make you sleepy. > I'm not that allergic to cats, and personally I think I'm fine, but I > think with the addition of Mayhem the buildup of dander is making my [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > probably would be a good idea to at least try the shots since I'm > exposed both at home and work. The shots have some pretty hefty side effects. If you have not tried anything but benedryl your doctor has been seriously remiss. If not Claritin, then perhaps Zyrtec. >> I've been on Albuterol for several years and for the last year or so >> Qvar. I just take normal Benedryl for allergies. [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > anything but benedryl your doctor has been seriously remiss. If > not Claritin, then perhaps Zyrtec. I'd forgotten about my zyrtec. I've been taking it for years. Love that stuff. Jo > >> I've been on Albuterol for several years and for the last year or so > >> Qvar. I just take normal Benedryl for allergies. [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > I'd forgotten about my zyrtec. I've been taking it for years. Love that > stuff. You know, Jo, it worked on me, but too well--it seemed too strong, dried me out and wired me too. I tried Claritin and it does what we all look for--at least for me--it removes the allergy symptoms without producing sleepiness or speediness! And it does not dry me out totally so that my throat feels funny. The doctor also told me to take Claratin and I got some at the pharmacy. Kristi > The doctor also told me to take Claratin and I got some at the > pharmacy. Kristi!! Major purrs that it works for you as well as it works for me. I have no plant allergies, just cat, dust and mold, but I think it works for every thing. Another tip: it costs over a dollar a tablet, the generic name is Loratidine, and some grocery stores have generic brands that work the same and are much cheaper. If you have Kroger where you are, they sell 90 loratidine tablets for $20. That many, if you bought Claritin brand, would we well over $100. (I hate paying more than I need to for anything.) Kristi, have you considered changing doctors? It sounds as if this guy doesn't know what he's talking about and has no "bedside manner" whatsoever. He majorly misdiagnosed you, scared you to death, and then, from what you wrote, seemed to be more concerned with ushering you out the door as fast as possible! Thank goodness for your allergist! (maybe s/he could recommend someone?) Jeanne Hedge, as directed by Natasha ============ http://www.jhedge.com >Kristi, have you considered changing doctors? It sounds as if this guy >doesn't know what he's talking about and has no "bedside manner" [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >Thank goodness for your allergist! (maybe s/he could recommend >someone?) My thoughts exactly. Thanks, Jeanne! Kristi, you have my hugs and purrs for what you have been going through and I hope it settles soon to a tolerable level. -- CATherine >>Kristi, have you considered changing doctors? It sounds as if this guy >>doesn't know what he's talking about and has no "bedside manner" [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >> >My thoughts exactly. Thanks, Jeanne! I'm just a little sensitive about jerky MDs. My mom fell last summer and spent 3 months listening to her MD telling her her wrist injury was "just a sprain", even though it was still swollen and not getting any better. Finally she talked another doctor in the practice into referring her to a specialist, who glanced at her 3 month-old x-rays and said her wrist was broken. She had to have surgery, pins, physical therapy, and it's still not entirely healed (and never will be) - but it might have been had she had correct treatment from the outset. Mom doesn't like this doctor - she says for years she's felt like he doesn't think she's of any importance and he doesn't listen to what she has to say (but does listen to what Dad says). The entire family is trying to get her to change doctors, but she's dug in - she's been going to this practice for years and doesn't want to change at all. I don't understand why she still wants to go to a doctor who she doesn't like or trust, but there you go... >Kristi, you have my hugs and >purrs for what you have been going through and I hope it settles soon >to a tolerable level. Me too! Jeanne Hedge, as directed by Natasha ============ http://www.jhedge.com Wow! You *did* have a day! I'm glad your allergist has some sense, anyway. It sounds like a long, expensive haul, but eventually things should be under control. I assume your allergist has you on some sort of medication to help prevent attacks? I haven't had a severe asthma attack since my doctor put me on Singulaire. Of course, I only had a few really bad ones, so obviously my asthma isn't nearly as bad as yours. Purrs for your to be under control quickly so you can start on the shots. Also, purrs for a good home for Mayhem to be found soon. Joy > My brain is so tired it's hard to think, but i think i'll let it > operate a little more so I can vent. > > First of all...... AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU UUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! > (pantpant) Okay that's a little better now.... > [quoted text clipped - 187 lines] > > Kristi Arrgghh - what a day!!! Doesn't get much more stressful than that! P urrs for your allergies to be controllable, and I think you are wise to continue looking for a new home for Mayhem... as sad as it is, Imp and Mischief will be thankful for it, not to mention your lungs :-) Deb.  Signaturehttp://www.scientific-art.com "He looked a fierce and quarrelsome cat, but claw he never would; He only bit the ones he loved, because they tasted good." S. Greenfield I'm glad the allergist disagreed about the test. Ummmm. Correct me here though. Maybe it's not a good idea to take a breathing test on the same day you were breathing fumes from a car fire. I mean....you had to have had some punishment from that even standing down wind. Hope that you get some good ideas about minimal change from folks here. I still firmly believe getting rid of carpets is probably more helpful to you than getting rid of cats! Actually I was kind upwind and my exposure was small. and the breathing test happened like 6 hours later Kristi Whew!! Well, I haven't been there, but I'm On My Way. The pulmonologist that I just saw told me that I needed to get rid of my cat. No way. But, I told him, I will keep it down to ONE, and she is a short hair. AND, I bought myself a nice purple Dyson vacuum cleaner, which cleans the carpeting beautifully and keeps the fur down. (I haven't told him about the extra 2 cats just yet. They're only temporary anyway) Yeah, unfortunately Mayhem has to go. I hope you find a lovely home for her. And try to train the cats to stay, if not OFF the bed, at least away from your face. My last cat was trained to sleep on a table, on his own pillow, next to the bed. He's get petted for a few minutes, then moves to his pillow to sleep. It worked very well for both of us. I'll be sorry to see Mayhem go, but boy do I understand. As much as I'd love to be a bitty mommy with 42 cats, I just don't have the time an energy to clean 24 hours a day just so I can breath. Jane - owned and operated by Princess Rita, Orca(t), and Spot >One thing I will do though is still continue to find a home for Mayhem. > Since she's a long haired kitty, all the extra fur is probably why my >allergies/asthma has acted up. I love her, but three cats is too much >for me to handle and I should find her a home. > >But I'll worry about that another day. Until then.. > But I'll worry about that another day. Until then.. Poor girl, what a day you had. Good for you for helping to put out the fire. Very dirty litterbox offerings and soggy regurgitated clumps of grass to your doc for sending you on such an emotional trainwreck. What a horrible thing to have to go through! Purrs for your new regime of meds to work really well, and I hope you find a great new doctor. SignatureMarina, Frank and Miranda. In loving memory of Nikki. marina (dot) kurten (at) iki (dot) fi Pics at http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/frankiennikki/ and http://community.webshots.com/user/frankiennikki It may be a good idea to ban the cats from your bedroom. With all the exposure to animal dander at work, you need a break, at least when you sleep. I keep my bedroom door closed all the time so Rusty can't go in. Only open it when I sleep and Rusty is sleeping in another room with closed door. He is used to it and often even goes to his own room to sleep. But whenever he can, he tries to sneak into my bedroom. I had an allergy test before I adopted Rusty. I am not allergic to cats, but my allergist still warned me of developing an allergy if I keep a cat. My vet has some allergy to animals but he seems to be doing fine. If it gets really bad, you can wear a mask at work. Purrs you feel better soon. Winnie > My brain is so tired it's hard to think, but i think i'll let it > operate a little more so I can vent. [quoted text clipped - 194 lines] > > Kristi I heard a VERY interesting thing about allergen help today that I've never seen suggested before. Take a shower before you go to bed. It will remove allergens that have collected on you and your hair during the day. I thought that was interestig. > I heard a VERY interesting thing about allergen help today that I've never > seen suggested before. Take a shower before you go to bed. It will remove > allergens that have collected on you and your hair during the day. I thought > that was interestig. Also, have never tried them myself, but have you looked into the allergen-removing wipes for pets that you can get? e.g. http://www.woofnwhiskers.com/info-store/petal-cleanse.htm Deb. Signaturehttp://www.scientific-art.com "He looked a fierce and quarrelsome cat, but claw he never would; He only bit the ones he loved, because they tasted good." S. Greenfield > > I heard a VERY interesting thing about allergen help today that I've never > > seen suggested before. Take a shower before you go to bed. It will remove [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > allergen-removing wipes for pets that you can get? > e.g. http://www.woofnwhiskers.com/info-store/petal-cleanse.htm Never tried those but the nightly showers help. I take one in the morning too, so at night I skip the soap to avoid drying out my skin too much. >> I heard a VERY interesting thing about allergen help today that I've >> never [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Deb. The wipes for cats help. So does bathing the cats. Remember it is mostly the cat spit we are allergic to. Interesting point. When I had my major series of allergy tests prior to the creation of my last round of allergy shot serum. There were separate tests for domestic cats in general and for Siamese Cats. Which must mean you can be allergic to one and not the other. I had less reaction to the Siamese test. And I'm much more allergic to dogs than I am to cats. Didn't have too much trouble with my tiny poodles. Really have to limit my exposure to horses. When my daughter is planning to visit, the cats get a bath, the house gets a good cleaning, and the furnace filter gets cleaned. As it was explained to me, when you have allergies, everything you are allergic to get put into a pile. Once the pile gets past a certain point, it falls over and you have a reaction. It doesn't matter what you take out of the pile to make it smaller. Keep the cats and be more meticulous about avoiding outdoor allergens and about cleaning. Keep the cats and buy new non=allergic pillows and replace them often. Keep the cats and avoid perfumes and scented cleaning and laundry supplies. (My bedding is washed quite often and with Tide Free and no softener) If you exercise outdoors, find out what times of day are better and check the internet for marginal days to stay inside. Marry someone who will do the vacuuming while you go shopping. If you keep unused pillows and blankets and stuff like that around, keep it in sealed plastic bags. Consider a water bed. With a full pedestal. No under the bed to collect dust. No padding to collect mites. Go online for millions of other ideas. Jo >>> I heard a VERY interesting thing about allergen help today that I've >>> never [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] > avoid perfumes and scented cleaning and laundry supplies. (My bedding is > washed quite often and with Tide Free and no softener) As I have sensitive skin, (I can't even go into a pool without breaking out) my doc told me to repeat the final rinse and add vinegar to acidify the wash. She said etergents are too alkaline for our skin. Winnie > If you exercise outdoors, find out what times of day are better and check > the internet for marginal days to stay inside. [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Jo > The wipes for cats help. So does bathing the cats. Remember it is mostly > the cat spit we are allergic to. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > too much trouble with my tiny poodles. Really have to limit my exposure to > horses. OMG that would kill me. I"ve been so stressed over Pearl I actually couldn't eat and was on the verge of tears all the time. I had a nice long horse riding lesson last night and feel like a new person. I've decided horses are better than counselors. >> The wipes for cats help. So does bathing the cats. Remember it is >> mostly [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > are > better than counselors. Karen, I've been wodering how Pearl is doing? Winnie > My brain is so tired it's hard to think, but i think i'll let it > operate a little more so I can vent. > > Kristi Kristi, What a miserable day. A couple of things did occur to me when I saw your reference to dander. First, could you *temporarily* board Mayhem for awhile to see if that really makes a difference? Long hair does not necessarily cause more allergies than short hair; as you have noted, the problem is likely dander, and that is not always related to length of fur. Second, do you feed dry or canned cat food? Holly is an all-black cat, so dander shows readily on her coat. She was always a very healthy cat with a beautiful, glossy coat; but I could always see some dander. The vet felt that she was in excellent condition. Then I switched from dry food to a premium canned food, although the decision to change was based on other nutritional and health considerations (Wellness - various flavors). I wasn't expecting it, so it came as a total surprise when I suddenly realized that there was no longer any sign of dandruff on her fur! That might be something for you to consider. You could also wipe each cat with a cloth moistened in distilled water, several times a week. Mlbriggs made some excellent suggestions of changes you could make in your environment. Good luck! It sounds like you are really going through some rough times. MaryL Here's a thought: I have heard of people whose asthma and allergies completely vanished within six months of stopping the consumption of all dairy products and other mucus-producing foods including peanut butter and refined flour products. It may be a course of action to consider that certainly couldn't hurt you. If you're one of those folks who worries about where you'll get your calcium without dairy, it's mostly a result of propaganda by the dairy industry. I've managed without dairy products my whole life including infancy. There are many more (and better) sources of calcium, with some of the best being whole sesame seeds, leafy green vegetables (except spinach, which actually leaches calcium from the body due its oxalic acid, which must be buffered somehow), and seaweeds (which can be taken in the form of pills if you don't know how to incorporate them directly into your diet). Do yourself a favor, before you make a decision on this, read as much as you can at the following website: www.notmilk.com Whoops! I just found out the notmilk site is gone! It was there for years and was very thorough! If you're interested in more info however I am sure something can be found online.... To get an idea what the site contained before it vanished (and I have no idea why it vanished) check here: http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:gQBVSA__D-AJ:www.notmilk.com/+notmilk&hl=en > I managed to get through the test and class. Then I have to speed over > to Kaiser hospital for a doctor's appt. A few months ago, my asthma [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > didn't make some drastic changes I would end up being needing an oxygen > tank by the time I'm 50. Your primary doctor is not exactly current on COPD treatment if he didn't prescribe an ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) inhaler. The principal use of that is lower airway disease (e.g., COPD), and it's also helpful to many asthmatics. > And while I'm basking in the shock from this statement, I ask him what > I can do. [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > everything explained. It's now noon and the only appt they have is at > 2 pm. d > Finally at 1:40 I checked in for my allergist appt. While I was > waiting they did another pulmonary function test, which is standard [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > get my asthma under control so I only have to use my fast acting > inhaler, Albuterol, a few times a week. Let me do a quick review of the classes of meds for asthma. First, let me reinforce the modern approach to controlling asthma: treat the inflammatory aspects, and only then treat the brochospasm when and if it breaks through. It sounds like you need to have a mixture. Anti-inflammatory drugs ----------------------- 1.1 Corticosteroids 1.1.1 Inhaled -- virtually no side effects 1.1.2 Oral -- OK for short term, careful consideration for long-term If you need long-term oral, there may be benefit to using low- dose methotrexate with it. 1.2 Cromolyns 1.3 Leukotriene inhibitors (e.g., zafirleukast) Sort of intermediate -------------------- 2.1 Serevent (long-acting beta-adrenergic agonist). There's some inconclusive evidence that it may be anti-inflammatory 2.2 Antichlolinergics (ipratropium/Atrovent) Pure Brochodilators ------------------- 3.1 Short-acting beta-adrenergic agonists (e.g., albuterol) There are now pocket-sized ultrasonic nebulizers that are almost as good as the classical breathing treatment. 3.2 Theophylline (long-acting and fairly toxic) 3.3 (for some people) Atrovent > He said he knows that I'm not about to get rid of the cats, and he also > knows that I'm not about to change my career. HOWEVER he did say that [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > that will be at least a few weeks away since the first step will be to > get my asthma under control. Good thinking. You might ask him if he feels you should carry diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Gravol) to take if you think you are moving toward anaphylaxis, and certainly to take for longer effect if you use an Epi-Pen. Leukotriene inhibitors may also be more appropriate, as they help treat what is called the "late anaphylactic reaction". > When I got out of there I felt I huge headache coming on and my body > was starting to shut down after this emotional roller coaster. [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > So I'm going to start this new drug regime and look for a new primary > physician. Agreed. That was lousy care -- if he did diagnose COPD, why didn't he prescribe appropriate medication for it? >But right now I'm going to relax a little. > > One thing I will do though is still continue to find a home for Mayhem. > Since she's a long haired kitty, all the extra fur is probably why my > allergies/asthma has acted up. I love her, but three cats is too much > for me to handle and I should find her a home. Good luck. The best for you and Mayhem. (snip) <<<<Poor Kristi. >>>> Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com Atrovent does not work for all asthmatics, nor does theophaline. My daughter is a chronic asthmatic, and reacts badly to both...Singulair works well, but is very expensive in Australia. " > > <<<<Poor Kristi. >>>> > > Theresa > Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh > My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com > Atrovent does not work for all asthmatics, nor does theophaline. My > daughter is a chronic asthmatic, and reacts badly to both...Singulair > works > well, but is very expensive in Australia. No single drug works for all asthmatics. The thing that concerns me is that theophylline is not an anti-inflammatory drug, and ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) is not primarily anti-inflammatory. If anyone has asthma that's more serious than needing 2-3 puffs per week on a short-acting bronchodilator, such as albuterol, the consensus of all asthma authorities is that you MUST prescribe anti-inflammatories to prevent or reduce the number of episodes. This usually starts with a corticosteroid or cromolyn inhaler. > > Atrovent does not work for all asthmatics, nor does theophaline. My > > daughter is a chronic asthmatic, and reacts badly to both...Singulair [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > prevent or reduce the number of episodes. This usually starts with a > corticosteroid or cromolyn inhaler. Advair has anti-inflammatories, right? I think it does because I will never forget the immense relief I felt the first week I took it. I had been suffering from asthma for a while before I was diagnosed and had grown to think the tightness in my chest was "normal." I have cough variant asthma, so never had full blown attacks but would see black spots and nearly pass out under certain conditions because my lungs were taking in so little air. I have only used my "rescue inhaler" (Albuterol) three times in two years. > > > Atrovent does not work for all asthmatics, nor does theophaline. My > > > daughter is a chronic asthmatic, and reacts badly to [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Advair has anti-inflammatories, right? Yes. It is a combination of fluticasone, an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid, and salmeterol, a long-acting beta-adrenergic agonist bronchodilator (opens the breathing passages). Albuterol, in contrast, is short-acting. Salmeterol is also slow in onset, so never use it when you are feeling "tight" -- use albuterol. While salmeterol is principally used as a stabilizing bronchodilators, there are some studies that suggest it has an anti-inflammatory effect, and others that suggest it doesn't. In general, it's a very good drug. Some adverse reports turned out to be someone trying to use it for rescue, which it won't do. >I think it does because I will > never [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > so little air. I have only used my "rescue inhaler" (Albuterol) three > times in two years. I'm currently now taking Serovent and Qvar for maintence, and so far it's been great. I didn't have to use my inhaler a lot today. Yay! Kristi > I'm currently now taking Serovent and Qvar for maintence, and so far > it's been great. I didn't have to use my inhaler a lot today. Yay! Very good news! Asthma is not so scary once you get it under control. You will be amazed at the difference when you get your allergies under control too. >My brain is so tired it's hard to think, but i think i'll let it >operate a little more so I can vent. [quoted text clipped - 194 lines] > >Kristi Ouch, {{{{{Kristi}}}}} That was kind of you to try to help the other lady with her van. Good for you. Glad you made it through the test okay, and I hope your grade is good! So sorry about the misdiagnosis. I hate it when that happens. I *do* have COPD, no doubt about it, but "only" had asthma for many years. I hope the Serevent helps. Sometimes, it can take awhile to find the right combination of meds to really help the asthma. I hope you can get it under control. Wishing you best of luck, Ginger-lyn Home Pages: http://www.spiritrealm.com/summer/ http://www.angelfire.com/folk/glsummer (homepage & cats) http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~summer/index.htm (genealogy) http://www.movieanimals.bravehost.com/ (The Violence Against Animals in Movies Website) You have COPD and you still have cats? How do you manage that? Kristi >You have COPD and you still have cats? How do you manage that? > >Kristi Very carefully ;-) I did one of those all over the back allergy tests a few years back, after all these years. And to my joy, I am *not* allergic to cats. I *am* allergic to dust, so that is the big problem for me. Of course, they do pick it up on their coats, so in that way it probably makes it worse, but heck, I don't care. They can hook me up to a portable oxygen tank for all I care; the cats will always be with me. :-) Ginger-lyn Home Pages: http://www.spiritrealm.com/summer/ http://www.angelfire.com/folk/glsummer (homepage & cats) http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~summer/index.htm (genealogy) http://www.movieanimals.bravehost.com/ (The Violence Against Animals in Movies Website) I'm so sorry to hear you had such a bad day, but am very glad to hear you do not have COPD. Lots of purrs and best wishes for the new medicine to get your asthma under control, SignaturePolonca & Soncek <snip>Then I have to speed over > to Kaiser hospital for a doctor's appt. A few months ago, my asthma > had really gotten bad after a cold and instead of going to my [quoted text clipped - 84 lines] > someone with asthma and it just looks like your asthma is acting up and > we need to change your regime." <snip> Kristi That was such an awful day. (hugs) I once had two days like this myself, when I had enormous bruising, my doc said he wouldn't refer me to the hospital unless it was something really serious. A week later a letter came from the hospital asking me to attend the leukaemia clinic and there was no-one at my surgery who could explain this to me as my doc had taken himself off for a holiday in India. I could slap doctors sometimes. I don't think they realise the impact of what they say to you. And what is more THEY MAY NOT BE RIGHT!!! I did not have leukaemia, just like I told him one of my dogs had jumped hard on my leg (but it did seem like much more bruise than it should have been, so I thought I'd check it out.) I came home from the hospital just a few weeks ago after being told I would probably certainly die and spent two weeks trying to arrange everything in case I did. I turned out to be one those who one of the doctors said "surprise us." I think they should be far more careful about what they tell us and how. I know they do it all the time and they forget it in an instant. The patient who is told something serious in a flippant or dismissive way does not. Purrs for you and prayers your asthma will soon get under control. Tweed > Kristi > That was such an awful day. (hugs) [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > > Tweed That doctor obviously doesn't know about the power of the purr. SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy & Bagheera) A house is not a home, without a cat. Hi, I didn't get a chance to read through all the messages, but I wanted to suggest something that really worked for me. I have asthma that is triggered from inhaling grass and tree pollen during the spring. Many years ago a new allergist prescribed Intal inhaler for me. It blocks the histamine reaction for inhaled allergens. It worked wonders for me. Spring was the only time I had problems and I haven't had to use any other medicine since I started using the Intal regularly. You might ask your doctor about it. Debbie dberry@mitre.org > My brain is so tired it's hard to think, but i think i'll let it > operate a little more so I can vent. [quoted text clipped - 194 lines] > > Kristi |
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