I thought about this while I was laying in bed this morning. I started having breathing problems when I moved into my new place in Nov. Susan shampooed the carpets twice and has cleaned for me but I feel like I could maybe do something else to help these allergies.

First off I am extremely allergic to household dust. What can I do to make sure I get rid of as much as I can of it here. Also grass, and I came home yesterday and my neighbor had cut my grass. I had been taking care of her mothers grass all along so she said she would take turns doing grass. My front yard meets her back yard since I live in a mobile home park. I love it here it is mostly elderly and disabled and it's a very nice kept up park. Also close to everything. Back to the subject though. I feel like I need to do something else here to get rid of the dust or whatever else in here might be making me worse with allergies.

I'm also allergic to horses and guinna pigs. Could I have problems if people come into my home with clothes on that have been handling either. I love horses and I wanted one so bad now I know I won't be able to get one for sure.

I'm also allergic to molds. What causes mold and how to I deal with this issue. I live in a dry climate usually but we have had so much rain and snow since Oct. it has been such a different climate. It's been like living in another place this year here. The humidity has been up almost everyday here. We've never had that problem before.

Thanks for any ideals you guys can give me on this.

Ada

I hate to tell you this, but please think about getting rid of the carpet!!! My friend had such a difficult time with her breathing, until she moved from a house with wall to wall carpet to a house with all hardwood floors. Now she hardly ever needs her inhaler and feels much better overall. When carpets are cleaned the cleaner used is toxic, unless you use something totally green. Plus carpet itself loves dust, hard to get rid of all the germs in carpet. She also has issues with animals, all of her friends have animals and we all visit her, so the fact that we have dander on us must not be a factor. But she can not be inside a house with pet or after a few hours it a trip to the ER. Hope this helps some, it is hard to have to deal with so many different issues. Carose

here's some links with helpful suggestions-
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/allergy/HQ01514
http://www.prevention.com/article/0,...5012-1,00.html


and the whole google results list-
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=Google+Search

hi ada

do you have air conditioning? there are air filters that do help with th finer particles. they really help keep out pollen and dust. i use them. i have lots of glass and chrome.

i agree about taking out the carpet, if it an option for you. it's not just the carpet, but the padding under.

there are table top air purifers. that might help in the room you are in at the time.

dehumidifiers wick out the moisture from the air. they help cut down any mold problems.

bless you ada. i hope you find some relief.

good links jo.

Dear Ada [DreamBeliever128],
I just had to help you out with what you are going through...my son and I have really bad allergies too so I know what your life is like now. I thought I could give you helpful ideas that may solve or limit your allergy problems.

The first thing I could suggest is a dust mite pillow case cover [They are amazing], a dust mite matress cover that zips up and closes the entire matress, a boxspring dust mite cover that zips close and zips up too. I have seen them at Kmart or places like that. I have an allergy catalog that I subscribe to called "National Allergy." They have a web site at www.nationalallergy.com and their telephone number is 1-800-522-1448. I have purchased many things over the years from them and they are very reputable. My allergist told me about them. I would suggest a HEPA filter to put on overnight, which I do every night to help me with my allergies to almost everything except cat dander. I have neighbors that recently moved in and smoke like chimneys so I've had to use my HEPA filter in my apt. during the day and it helps. My biggies are mold, grass and tree pollen. Mold pollen occurs every time it rains, snows, or you have any kind of accumulation of water in your home. You may even want to look into getting a humidifier for your heater to help put some moisture in your home to keep you able to breathe better.

For those that are allergic to animal dander...I have found out that if you are allergic to cats and you visit a home that has cats if they have recently vacummed your allergies will go crazy. If they do not vacuum until after you leave your allergies to the cat will be less because once you vacuum the dander goes through the air. Also, I faithfully use HEPA filters for my vacuum cleaner bags and you may want to get HEPA air filters for your A/C.

I cringed when you said you mowed the grass and then your neighbor moved yours. ALWAYS make sure you are inside for a few hours at least with all your windows completely closed before anyone in the neighborhood mows grass. If you have to mow it you should use a mask over your nose and mouth to protect you against the pollen. The pollen blows everywhere!!!! I usually have to keep my windows clsoed for two days after they mow our grass. Also, at night you need to keep all your windows closed. If you are outside during the day before you go to bed you should shower because all the dander stays in your hair and when you sleep you just place it on your pillow and breathe it in all night.


I also think there is a daily web site called www.pollencount.com that you can contact to find out what pollen is in your area.

I try to control my allergens and my son's allergens as much as possible or otherwise we both suffer alot. I have asthma and my some has it too. I have stopped using all inhalers and only use 10mg of singulair at night to control it and my son takes allegra overnight and we both do well as long as we control it, get plenty of rest. It seems when my stress gets higher my asthma acts up so I try to control it by relaxing my body as much as possible to help maintain it. It has been a hard job since getting RSD and all the other "fun" things that go along with it but I try each day to control my pain and my allergies. I hope what I have told you helps you get some relief. Please feel free to send me an email if you have any other questions that I may help you with.
Take care and good luck,
kathy d.

Thanks for the good ideals.

I talked to Susan this morning and we will take up my carpet and put down tile here soon.

I will go on that website and check on those covers. That sounds like a good ideal.

I have had several boys here lately and I am wondering if they have guinna pigs and/or horses. I have been sleeping in the boys room when they are not here because I like it better where it's at but it seems to be my worse problem.

Dustin and Devin will be cutting my grass for me. Travis told them they have to and Devin did do it the last time before my neighbor did this time. I was really having a bad time this morning and I left and went to an appointment and felt better.

I just don't want to stay on those four meds. I have a hell of a time just remembering when to take the 2 I take.

I am getting a new caregiver next week along with Susan so Wendy said she would help me figure out how to deal with the allergy problem here.

Curious, I have a swamp cooler. In Co. we have them. They have water that runs through a tube into them to help keep a little humidity in the air. CO. is a very dry state most of the time anyway. It sure hasn't been for the past year.

Jo, thanks for the websites. I will read up on them. I am so tired tonight. I went to town for a business appt. today and I am so tired. I came home and cancelled my appts. tomorrow with my Immunologist and my heart Dr. They are both out of town and I just am not up to the trip right now. 3 appts. in one day was just too much. I couldn't get down to the hospital to get my blood work and chest xray done for tomorrow either.

It's very hot today. We have had 4 days around 100 here and I can't handle getting out in it for too long.

Thanks again for the great ideals.

Ada

In addition to a dust mite pillow cover and mattess cover, get a dust mite duvet/comforter cover

http://www.allergycontrol.com/store/...EXUKRKASJ5AN83

(you can also use this companies mattress covers as a duvet cove, it's a bit cheaper)

use a bottom sheet and the duvet cover, wash the covers (pillow and duvet), bottom sheet in Hot water once a week.

these are expensive compared to Kmart ones but they last many years longer, I think they have a lifetime guarentee.

this combo plus a hepa filler really helps because I can't dust really.

Hi Ada,

Hard to pinpoint these things, isn't it, but I'm guessing that if you were OK with your own belongings before you moved, then it may be something in the fabric of the new place (often happens).

3 hours of strong sunshine will kill dust mites, so get someone (ideal for the boys to do) to take all your cushions, blankets, duvets, pillows etc - mattresses and sofa cushions too - outside for a while, just to be on the safe side, and turn them to face the sun now and then. It works and couldn't be cheaper, lol. The Chinese hang their bedding outside as a matter of course...seems to come naturally.

If you do think there could be lurking mold or whatever, you could use a clear sealant to "paint" over the area - this site has all sorts of safe anti-allergy stuff:
http://www.alerg.com/

Do you find antihistamines can make you feel nauseous? I do, phenergan's the worst - I mean it works great on sneezing-type allergies, but then I just feel sick as a dog.

If it's not one thing, it's the other, huh?
all the best

Isn't Phenergan for Nausea? I have it here for that and it also helps me sleep if I can't get to sleep. If I am nauseated I can take 1/4th of a Phenergan and it will knock it right away but will make me sleepy.

I dread starting on those other meds due to having trouble with taking meds. I am going to pick them up tomorrow. I won't mind taking the Alegra but sure don't want to use the other ones.

Thanks for these websites I will look at them Saturday. Tomorrow I have to go see my best friend in the nursing home and then go to see my PCP so that will be a wipeout for me, that's why I cancelled my other two appts.

Artist, most any med makes me sick that's why I am not wanting to take those he prescribed. My side effects never go away. The more I get in my system the worse I get.

I had delt with some allergies over in my other place but not the breathing problems and they soon went away with the weather change out there.

I am itching all over tonight. I don't know if it's my nerves or something that I am allergic to. I thought it was odd that I didn't show positive for cats. I can't stand to be around them, I itch all over.

Thanks again for the help.


Ada

Yup, motion sickness, allergies. I have the same reaction to loratidine (Claritin, rinityn) same kind of stuff....go figure! I start yawning, then sneezing, then feel sick. Maybe I'm allergic to allergy meds
There's quite a lot of meds for itching - although we haven't discussed it here (I don't think), some RSDers have less pain but bad itching,

Hope you get calmed down, poor love,
all the best