Living with allergies is causing depression / health issues

Allergies, blood and immune system
1

Hello,

Need some help as I am really unsure what to do. 

So my partner of 6 years recently bought a cat (2 years ago) of which I had no say, I didn't want one because I was allergic. We lived in a house back then and the cat was an outdoor cat, so it was rarely in the house. My allergies where there / noticablable but manageable, thought we'd give it a go seeing as it was already home and hope I could get use to it.

4 months ago though we moved into a small flat and now the cat is stuck indoors. 

It's hell. Everyday I wake up with headaches (all day!), congestion 24/7. Sleep problems due to blocked nose / phelgm on my chest and throat. Breathing probems, just wheezy and I am sure this is due to my phelgm building up. I am just shattered constantly. Every 5 minutes I have to run the toliet to cough up phelgm (sorry it's horrible I know).

I feel horrible constantly and it's really affecting my motivation to do anything. I struggle to exercise with the breathing and dizziness, the mornings are 10 times worse as it's build up over night. Work is a hell of a struggle at the moment with the headaches, congestion and dizziness, though I do get better ish after about 6/7 hours out the house. 

I am currently on 6 weeks of antibiotics because my neck has swollen right up (has been swollen for around 6 months now!) and getting scans done this week to see what's causing it - though to me its obvious.

I am only 25! gah! - I have been the doctors about it and perscription antihistamines, nasal sprays etc do nothing. They think it's more anxiety / depression now. I am refusing to take antidepressants due to a cat!.

I love my partner, really I do, but I can't cope living like this anymore and I don't want to split up over a freaking cat - we are buying our first house soon. I have spoken to her numerous of times about re-homing the cat but she is doing everything to drag her feet and not part with it.

She is currently giving it to a mate to hold for a few months to see if I get better! The thing is, it'll probably take months for me to get better and I am starting to get seriously worried about long term health impacts that it's having.

Suppose I just wanted to rant more than anything but has anyone got any advice on what to do / how to cope?. 

 

2

I'm allergic to cats, so I can relate very well to your problem. I think you wrote about it a month ago or so, or was it someone else?

Anyway cat allergy is a very serious and annoying problem, however can be easily fixed. There is no meds for it, antihistamies won;t help you so the very only thing you can and you MUST do is either get rid of the cat or move out. There is no other way.

If your partner can't understand it, than maybe you shouldn't be together. 

Allergies can worsen so from a simple cat allergy you can develop breathing problems and so on. Get rid of it!

3

I suggest that while the cat's away have a really good clean of the house to get rid of any hairs because you're probably recover quickly if you get rid of all traces of the allergen.

All the best with it; it's a horrible problem! By the way I agree with the prevoius comment; if she chooses the cat over you it's time to move on.

4

Can you give us an update? Have you resolved the cat issue yet?

5

Hi Georgia

I am in the same boat if it is any consolation. I hope you do not mind my writing as this is an old post. How are you doing?

Harriet

x

6

Hi Harriet,

I'm not allergic to cats but I am allergic to dust mites and other things so I know how horrible allergies can be. I'm doing ok though thanks. 

Are you allergic to cats?

7

Yes I am allergic to cats plus almost everything including food tolerances.

It gets me down bigtime!! Never mind, have to keep going.

8

I know what you mean.

One of the worst things for me is perfumes/aftershaves etc because it really isolates me. I can't go anywhere near most people. When my shopping is delivered I have to ask the people to stand way back, put the shopping down outside and let me take the shopping out.

I'd like to take a yoga or tai chi class or something to I'm getting out but I can't do anything that involves other people. Is that the same for you?

9

I have found an organisation that does allergy testing . Do u want the details?

10

Sorry just came across your message.

Just getting some details about allergy testing for someone when I saw your message.

​Theere are various allergy testng centres in London and elsewhere. Many are NHS ones. They sound really thorough.

11

Thanks! I've got an allergy testing kit that I haven't used yet. I must dig it out.

My doctor said they don't do allergy testing on the NHS when I asked him; perhaps he meant his practice no longer sends people for testing.

12

Make sure your self test kit is still in date.

The GP is mistaken in saying that they do not do allergt testing under the NHS. If you google allergy testing in the NHS you will see various hospitals have professors of alleries and immunology. Try the major teaching hospitals first. If out of your area then perhaps you could phone up and ask the pa to the allergy consultant of shhe knows of any local to tou.

We are not allowed to put links on this forum. Happy New Year.

13

Hi again

​Can you google sulphite sensitivities please. There is also an organisation with the word allergies in the title.

There is also allergies campaign. if yougoogle allergies to milk there are lots of links that come up.

​My dr hs referredme to a professor of allergy under the NHS.

d

14

Happy New Year Eileen! 

I think my doctor's restricted in what his practice will allow him to do. I asked for a referral to an online CBT course and he looked into it but said he couldn't because it would cost £200. I couldn't do it without his referral.

I think different practices allow certain budgets for certain things.

I just go by whatever gives me symptoms, such as palpitations, anxious feelings, hot flushes etc but it'd be nice to pinpoint all the sensitivities.

15

Hi again

​I looked at one advertised on this forum and it was a free Mindfullness course of five weeks .  if it pops up again I will take the details. All the best

16

I took a free Mindfulness course with futurelearn. It was pretty good. 

I wouldn't want to do CBT now I know more about it. I suffer from ME and I just wouldn't have the motivation required. Mindfulness is better for me.

17

That good. I am glad that you found something that helps. I had cbt but found it too challenging and stressful after three sessions. It may have had something to do wiht the counsellor. I employed him privately. I stopped the sessions.

18

I find herbs to be the most helpful thing for me psychologically and physically.

19

which ones

20

SORRY  msg sent prematurely.

I am a newbie so will make this brief if that is okay.

​I saw your posting and was wondering which herbs help you.

​Some people recommend camolmile tea- sorryI can spell that word!

Have you ever tried it and if you have was it helpful at all?

Thanks.