Siggmin Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 I went to an allergist maybe two years ago, to see if I was allergic to my not so darling cat, Lindor. He said I wasn't, but that I have Chronic Rhinitis (hay fever), although I can't remember if he said it was Allergic Chronic Rhinitis or Nonalleric, and am also allergic to ragweed and pollen. He gave me a steroid nasal spray, Flonase I think, with a lifetime prescription for it. I lost the bottle and can no longer get refills.Anyway, since September of this year, I have had at least nine ear infections, with fluid in my ears. My dumb doctor didn't know about my trip to the allergist. When an ER doctor found this out, she said this problem with my ears could all be due to my allergies, which might be getting worse. The only thing is, I never go outside. So I'm not around ragweed or pollen. Could the allergist have been wrong? Could I be allergic to the not so lovely Lindor? My eyes get itchy and watery, my nose drains into my throat so badly I feel stomach sick, I've developed some hives on my feet where she rubs against me, my nose is stuffy... I mean, I guess it could be the ragweed or pollen allergy, but I can't see how when I'm always inside with the windows closed.I see an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist on Tuesday about my ears, hopefully she'll be able to steer me in the right direction. To see if it's really my ears or allergies. In the meantime, I have some Reactine to take. The pharmacist said it was the safest to mix with my meds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrTastybutt Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Idk, but is your cat a totally inside cat? I think the pollen can get in through the windows. I have an allergy to tree pollen that makes me hack. It comes in through the closed windows and ac unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissaw72 Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Maybe call the allergist back up to be seen and/or for a new Flonase prescription? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siggmin Posted April 23, 2014 Author Share Posted April 23, 2014 My cat is a totally indoor cat, yes. She goes outside once a year in her cage to go to the vet.Maybe I will do that, Melissa. I just don't know if I'd have to have a referral again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimako Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Also, hidden mold in your house. We found some behind some wallpaper long years ago that was making my oldest have allergy symptoms all the time. Like others said, visit your allergist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siggmin Posted April 23, 2014 Author Share Posted April 23, 2014 I called the allergist and the receptionist said I will need another referral. Hopefully the ENT can do this if she thinks it's a problem with my allergies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissaw72 Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 I called the allergist and the receptionist said I will need another referral. Hopefully the ENT can do this if she thinks it's a problem with my allergies. Do you mean a referral from an insurance company or from another DR? Can you get a referral from your GP? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siggmin Posted April 24, 2014 Author Share Posted April 24, 2014 Melissa, I need a referral from a doctor. My GP is kind of an ass, though, and I just saw him for issues with high BP. While I was inpatient it was high every day and they wanted me to see my GP about it. I don't like to see him too often. I'm hoping if the ENT thinks it's not a problem with my ears, and it's allergies, that she can refer me to an allergist. I'd rather not see my GP. He ruined me getting disability, by listing a lot of random diagnoses from hospital stays and not the ones my psychiatrist has diagnosed and sent him the notes to say that's what she has diagnosed. He's just not my favourite person to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissaw72 Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 Melissa, I need a referral from a doctor. My GP is kind of an ass, though, and I just saw him for issues with high BP. While I was inpatient it was high every day and they wanted me to see my GP about it. I don't like to see him too often. I'm hoping if the ENT thinks it's not a problem with my ears, and it's allergies, that she can refer me to an allergist. I'd rather not see my GP. He ruined me getting disability, by listing a lot of random diagnoses from hospital stays and not the ones my psychiatrist has diagnosed and sent him the notes to say that's what she has diagnosed. He's just not my favourite person to see. Oh ok, I totally get where you are coming from ... I don't like seeing/dealing with certain DRs either, especially from my past. I hope it all works out that your ENT can refer you to someone if need be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siggmin Posted April 24, 2014 Author Share Posted April 24, 2014 Oh ok, I totally get where you are coming from ... I don't like seeing/dealing with certain DRs either, especially from my past. I hope it all works out that your ENT can refer you to someone if need be.I hope so too. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brainweather Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 (edited) my seasonal allergies affect me strongly even if i spend most of my time in the house. comes through window, doors, probably off my family members clothing. you could have indoor allergies that are not related to your cat (dust, mold). you can get re-tested to see if you've developed a cat allergy, too, and you can find the problem through a process of elimination. it's not fun, but having bad allergic reactions like that 24/7 is NOT fun and i know from experience. good luck!! eta: i would try to get a referral for an allergist if i were you. they tested me for like 30 different things and it really helped me figure out what it was that was causing the worst symptoms (apparently anything involving nature). i usually hate most doctors i meet but my allergist is great for some reason. maybe you'll get lucky too. Edited April 24, 2014 by brainweather Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siggmin Posted April 24, 2014 Author Share Posted April 24, 2014 my seasonal allergies affect me strongly even if i spend most of my time in the house. comes through window, doors, probably off my family members clothing. you could have indoor allergies that are not related to your cat (dust, mold). you can get re-tested to see if you've developed a cat allergy, too, and you can find the problem through a process of elimination. it's not fun, but having bad allergic reactions like that 24/7 is NOT fun and i know from experience. good luck!! eta: i would try to get a referral for an allergist if i were you. they tested me for like 30 different things and it really helped me figure out what it was that was causing the worst symptoms (apparently anything involving nature). i usually hate most doctors i meet but my allergist is great for some reason. maybe you'll get lucky too.When the allergist did the skin test, he said I had three reactions: pollen, ragweed, and cat. The pollen and ragweed were severe. The cat, not so much, and therefore he didn't feel it warranted being labelled as an "allergy". I guess it is possible that it's gotten worse, though, as I'm guessing allergies can. I started taking Reactine, and it helped yesterday. Forgot to take it this morning; my eyes are on fire! I will see about a referral back to the allergist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brainweather Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 i take anti-histamines most of the year in addition to using a nasal spray, and use visine when i need it (the kind for allergies). allergies can get worse or develop later in life (unfortunately). they can also get better. it's a pain in the ass. i hope you get some relief. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siggmin Posted April 25, 2014 Author Share Posted April 25, 2014 I was prescribed Omnaris (a nasal spray) when I went to the allergist last. I phoned and asked. They said I need a new appointment (and a new referral) for a refill. But last time I didn't have the hives and itchy eyes. Just my nose draining into my throat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brainweather Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 personally what i get hives and itchy eyes from most often is contact with pet dander/saliva. i hope you don't have to give away your cat, though. maybe its something else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siggmin Posted April 26, 2014 Author Share Posted April 26, 2014 personally what i get hives and itchy eyes from most often is contact with pet dander/saliva. i hope you don't have to give away your cat, though. maybe its something else.Oh we won't be giving away Lindor, even if I am allergic. My grandpa won't part with her. He says I'll just have to continue to take the Reactine every day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crtclms Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 Lindor sounds larger than life. Have you ever tried a cat dander removal spray or shampoo? I had to leave my cat for a year with a friend who was allergic to cats, and was already living with one. He put an anti-dander spray on her, and he said it was MUCH better. He also said he could tell when the month was coming to an end, because he started sniffling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siggmin Posted May 7, 2014 Author Share Posted May 7, 2014 Lindor is the little cutie in my avatar picture. Cute, but evil... Lol I've never heard of that. My grandparents just gave her a normal bath tonight, she was getting pretty stinky... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
condition Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 (edited) Hi I am a veteran allergic patient and I have tried almost everything. ATM during spring my meds are: - avamys (veramyst) fluticasone nasal spray to help me breath from the nose - afluon (astelin) Azelastine hydrochloride. This is antihistamines in a nasal spray format that helps enormously with allergic rhinitis, maybe the best single med for serious allergic rhinitis. - oral antihistamines mainly xyzal (Levocetirizine). Oral antihistamines are not as effective for allergic rhinitis as is astelin spray but helps also with hives. - symbicort inhaler or better turbohaler for asthma. As a kid I didn't suffer from asthma, this was introduced later because of the allergic rhinitis. That is why is so important to fight serious allergic rhinitis cases, as most of them result in permanent asthma at later stages. - allergy shots every month by my allergist that help combat my allergy in pollen from wild grasses, that unfortunately is present during summer months also not only spring, so I am using the nasal sprays during summer also. At autumn-winter I don't use the sprays only the asthma inhaler and 3-4 times per week oral antihistamines. As OTC for allergic rhinitis, nasal wash with isotonic water by a neti pot is a must. It won't open the nose like nasal spray, but it really helps to clear all the nasal route from the allergens, so its really helpful to use before the sprays. If I combine all above I can breath normally, but when I discontinued the allergy shots for 2 years the rest of the medication was not helping with allergic rhinitis and during May these two years I ended up with sinusitis and antibiotics. Before all these of course I suggest a detailed allergy test to be certain about the correct percentage on some allergens. edit: I forgot to add that my daughter inherited some of my allergies and this spring she had fluid in the ears and otitis and took antibiotics for 10 days. As the doc said this came from rhinitis and we should start her nasal spray during end of Feb otherwise it may too late. Edited May 14, 2014 by condition Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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