Conference misery::feline_v1

    I grew up in a houseful of cats with not allergic tendencies or
    reactions whatsoever.
    
    Then, I moved out on my own and would come home to visit the family
    and the pets.  Lo and behold - my eyes would itch and water terriblly
    and I would sneeze up a storm when one of them jumped on my lap.
    About 5 years after living on my own, I finally acquired two cats,
    hence, Chauncey and Nikki.  It took some time, but now I am back
    to normal.  The only time I ever have a reaction is when Nikki jumps
    onto my lap and slams his face into mine.  Other than that, I'm
    fine; however, I do make it a point to vacuum at least two to three
    times per week since my kitties have long hair.
    
    Hope this helps your situation.
    
    /Roberta
    

    When I met my husband he was very allergic to my three Siamese (as
    well as other) cats.  He loves animals, 'though, and put up with
    the discomfort in order to enjoy giving them attention. (My now
    16 year-old spay was extremely skittish and he was determined to
    win her over). Over a period of a few months he built up an immunity
    to their fur. Sity now believes that Bob is her own personal GOD
    and it is not unusual to find her sleeping draped over Bob's forehead
    or under his chin purring like a motor boat. The only time Bob's
    allergy might revive is during a particularly rough ragweed
    season...then the fur may make it a little worse.. Otherwise it
    doesn't bother him at all.
    So, don't get discouraged, ...it will probably work out fine for
    all of you.  Good luck!!!
    Linda

Other notes covering allergies can be found in 155, 215, 881, and 905.

Pam

                I am allergic to cat dander (as the allergists call it)
        along with other things like house dust (how do you get away
        from that!!). I also have noticed that if I am away from home
        for a long period, or go to someone else's house where there are
        cats, that my allergy will act up. I can get used to the cat(s)
        over a period of time, however (good thing, I do NOT want to
        give up having at least one cat around!!).
                
                Something that I found helps for me (remember, everybody
        is different) is to take an allergy pill BEFORE you start
        noticing symptoms. This doesn't mean to live on pills, but you
        might take one before going to that friends house, or when you
        first get home after a long trip. I think that what it does is
        keep you on an even keel while your body is getting used to the
        allergen again (or the new one in the case of another cat). 
                
                One other thing that I have found is that the
        antihistamine that I take when I get a cold doesn't work for the
        allergy, and visa versa. There are at least two different basic
        antihistamines on the market. You need to look at the active
        ingredients to tell which is which. My doctor also reccomended
        that you get one which is only an antihistamine as frequently
        that is all you need (it's also a lot cheaper!). You do
        sometimes have to look harder to find those. But it is worth it,
        as the generics work just as well as the fancy brands at that
        level.
                
                /s/     Bob

    We are very close with another couple and spend  a lot of time at
    each others homes. The husband is VERY allergic to our cat. Lately
    the mother-in-laws cat in their house has taken to getting up on
    their bed and wanting to be loved, at first it was terrible, (he
    has asthma (sp) also, but he found if the cat did not touch his
    face, and he did not touch his face with his hands after petting
    the cat he was okay. He washes his hands with a deodorant soap
    afterwards.
    
    Since the above worked so well after a few months we got brave enough
    to try it with Mocha. IT WORKED !!!!!  He can pat Mocha, (he didn't
    permit him to touch his clothing at first) but now Mocha can sit
    on his lap and everything. If you ever saw someone have an allergy
    attack and an asthma (sp) attact at the same time you know how
    scary this can be.
    
    So the answer in this case was don't let the cat near your face
    and wash the hand good with deodorant soap afterward touching the
    cat.
    
    With all the allergies I have fortunately I am NOT allergic to animal
    fur or dandruff.
    
    Hope something works out for you.
    
    Barbara
    

    RE: .5 I agree.  I am also allergic to my two cats but have found
    over the last two years I have built up an immunity towards them.
    I still have a problem when their little noses touch my face (I
    break out in hives) and I do get sneezy when I rub my eyes after
    touching them but all in all things usually go well.  Another trick
    I have learned is to take a damp face cloth and rub the cats down
    a few times a week.  This seems to keep the dander down for me and
    keeps them quite clean and fresh smelling at the same time (and
    it's a lot easier than giving them a "real" bath!)
    
    Hope that helps!
    
    Jeanne, Cali, and Sam
    

    I am also allergic to cats/dogs/dust/trees/etc. and I have a cat/
    dog/dust/trees/etc. For me it was the doctors office once a week
    for 3 years to get 5 shots to try to make my life liveable again.
    I also pop prescribed pills morning and night so I can breathe.
    The dog sleeps in the house(keeshond) when he wants as does the
    cat and they both want to sleep in the bedroom with us.  The cat
    sleeps on the bed and the dog would if there was room!!(over my
    wifes dead body! Hum ;-) ).  Any way they make my life miserable
    when they are in the same room with me but I have never said
    no because having the animals meant so much to the wife and kids
    that I chose to suffer.  Some choice- keep the animals and the
    wife/kids or get rid of dog/cat and loose the family too!! ;-)
    Hum....
    
       AH Choo!
    I hope things go better for you!!
     Ken Lucky and family
    

    I'm very allergic to cat/dog dander and everything else they test
    you for, but made the decision that "quality of life" to me means
    having pets.  7 years of shots helped boost my immunity levels,
    but by no means "cured" me.  (Besides, they kill the animals to
    get the dander under the skin for the syrum -- my doctor tells me
    this in my 7th year of shots!  No thanks...)  Your body CAN build
    up natural levels of tolerance over prolonged periods of exposure
    (to your cats).  If Dristan/Contact/Allerest don't do it for you
    (they're useless on me), try the (cheaper) generic equivalent of
    Drixoral (pseudophedrine sulfate).  It's over-the-counter and doesn't
    seem to be habit-forming, although you may want to check with your
    doctor.

    
    	Thanks very much for all the responses!!  As mentioned
    	in one of the other notes (sorry! don't remember which
    	one) I also have allergies to dust, pollen (and everything
    	else that flies around in the air at this time of year),
    	and unfortutely horses (by far the worst).  So Brandi
    	just bothered my system a little more than usual.  I
    	called my doctor and he's put me on Seldane.  Supposedly
    	the latest 'wonder drug' for allergies.  It's working
    	pretty well.  I can pick Brandi up again and she won't
    	make me sneeze as much.  I also wash my hands after
    	petting her because I know if I don't I'll forget and
    	put my hands to my eyes. (having contacts doesn't make
    	matters any better)
    
    	So I think things should be ok....we're moving in a week
    	and will hopefully be able to adopt another kitten.
    
    	I was never able to raise a kitten before because
    	my parents don't like cats.  We do have a dog and I
    	don't think I could live anywhere without having
    	a pet.
    
    	Thanks again !!
    
    	Judy, Cary, and Brandi