Conference misery::feline_v1

    I forgot to say that Bubble has been spayed.
    
    Eileen
    

    Also, if anyone has any information on being successfully desensitized,
    please let me know.
    
    Thanks.
    
    Eileen

    I too am allergic to cats, but have a siamese - Do not want to pretend
    to be a doctor, but would recommend to see a reputable allergist and
    see what can be done - I told my doctor that if he could make me
    comfortable with all the other things that I am allergic to he could
    fit the cat in also and it's working.
    

    And be sure you have an allergist who wants to work with you on this
    problem, as opposed to one who is rigid-minded about cats.  Various
    allergists have even been known to say "the cat goes" without testing
    to see if the person is actually allergic to the cat and not something
    else.  Several people in here have reported relief from cat allergies
    with Seldane, and I think there is even some newer product whose name
    escapes me.  Also somewhere there are notes about the beneficial
    effects of washing or wiping down the cat with a damp facecloth
    periodically, since its oftenb the saliva or pollen etc in the fur
    that's aggravating hte allergy.
    

    I just made an appointment with an allergist. It's for next Monday.
    Can you let me know what your doctor suggested? This doctor said
    it's a question of the severity of the reaction, and I would say
    that mine is at least moderately severe.
    
    The allergist also said that I can't take the allergy medication
    for two days before the appointment, so if you can suggest any
    ways to get through Monday and Tuesday nights I would appreciate 
    it.
    
    Thanks.
    
    Eileen

    >>The allergist also said that I can't take the allergy medication
    >>for two days before the appointment, so if you can suggest any
    >>ways to get through Monday and Tuesday nights I would appreciate 
    >>it.
    
    One way might be to not let the cat in your bedroom at night if you
    aren't already doing this.  Have the cat bathed, either do it yourself
    or have a groomer do it.
    
    Also, my husband has severe allergies and asthma, but the cats aren't
    his problem.  Neither is the dog.  He put off seeing an allergist for
    years because he was afraid it was the cat.  When he and I first
    started dating, he had severe reactions to the cats.  But he wasn't
    allergy tested back then.  So, it appears that he built immunity to the
    cats, but we have no proof of that.
    
    Ken takes Hismanal for his allergies.  He also takes medication for the
    asthma, a Maxair inhaler (albuterol) and Slow-bid (theophyllin).  We
    are currently living with about 12 adult cats, 4 kittens, and a very
    large dog.
    
    I am glad that you are going to see an allergist.  When we found Ken's
    allergist, I quized the nurses before making the appointment "how does
    Dr. X feel about patients with allergies having pets??"  Then I made
    the appointment with the one that said "we will have to see the test
    results and then work out a plan suited to the patient" rather than the
    one that said "patients with allergies should not own pets".
    
    Jo

    Forgot to mention, if you wish to read about other's allergy problems
    and how they dealt with them, type "show key/full allergy" at the notes
    prompt and it will bring up a list of topic numbers of topics that are
    keyed to allergy.  There are a ton of topics in this file about
    allergies.
    
    Jo

    I am so glad you are going to see the allergist. Of all the things
    I am allergic to cat/dog or animal fur is not one of them. I don't
    take shots or never have, we control it with medication. Seldane
    (prescription only) which is a pill and a nose spray (prescription)
    called Bekanaise (sp). I have them both and the doctor lets me med-
    icate myself according to how severe things are.
    
    If you don't like what the one allergist says, FIND ANOTHER. My doctor
    says, you can't heal the patient when you kill their soul by taking
    away the things they hold dear.
    
    Let us know what happens
    
    Barbara and her 3 kitties (also had Saint Bernards with cats not too
                                long ago)

	Re. getting through the couple of nights before the appointment.
	
	You didn't say what your symptoms are, but if it's nasal, perhaps
	an over-the-counter nose spray will clear things up.  If it's
	bronchial, one of the inhalers.  I don't know if these count as
	ingested medication - I believe they work by dilating the passages.

	Sandy

    Over the counter inhalers contain adrenalin (epinephrine) which could
    screw up the allergy test.  It is one of the things that they give Ken
    to stop an asthma attack.  Contact the allergist and ask him how you
    should get through the couple of days before the test.  Maybe he will
    say that the inhalers would be okay.  Just seems to me that since that
    is what stops my husband's attacks, that it might mess up your allergy
    test results.
    
    Jo
    

    Re .8 -
    
    What a nice thing your doctor said.....

    I am allergic to all sorts of animals.....but that dosen't stop me from 
    being around them.  My allergist perscribed Seldane, Nolex LA and 
    beconase (nasal spary) and eye drops.  I rarely use the eye drops
    or spray, but some mornings I feel like death, and they help.  For the 
    most part I've learned how to deal with the allergies and animals, but
    it's not just animals that I'm allergic too, so why give them up?  I
    may get cranky once in awhile when I get `on of those headaches'.....
    but I can deal with it.
    
    On getting thru the nite till your appointment.....try lots of hot,
    steamy showers (or hot cloth over your sinuses)it helps me when
    I get `on of those headaches'.
    
    
    A couple of other things I do is vacuumm alot, my cat rarely comes in
    my room, and she goes out alot (I'm not allergic to pollens so I don't
    have to worry about her bringing them in-----others have their own
    opinions).  All other animanls live in the barn.
    
    Good luck and let us know how it works out.
    
    Michele
    
    

    I started taking Seldane last Thursday, and as of yesterday (Sunday)
    it had not started helping at all. Worse, my allergy has worsened.
    My eyes and nose swelled up and I broke out in hives. A neighbor
    has Bubble until Friday, and I find I can be in the apartment
    without her, but if I go to my neighbor's apartment and pet Bubble
    in a half hour or so I'm back to where I started.
    
    Thanks for all the suggestions. Taking her for a bath might work.
    She overgrooms under the least stress though, and I think it might
    also turn into a vicious circle. I will print out all the suggestions.
    
    Eileen 

    When I started with my allergist I made a point of telling him
    that I knew I had allergies, didn't exactly know what they were to,
    had 3 cats, getting rid of them was not an option and, knowing that,
    what could we do to fix this problem.  He still thinks I should get
    rid of the cats but he's learning to live with the idea that I won't
    do it.  I also promised his receptionist I would find one of those 
    T-shirts that says something about getting rid of the children because 
    the cats were allergic and wearing it to one of my appointments.
    
    I was tested for allergies and have discovered that I am very allergic
    to house dust and dust mites and mold (my worst allergies), moderately
    allergic to cats and some grass and feather mix.  I am getting shots
    on a weekly basis (luckily they fit all my allergies into one shot
    per week instead of 2 or 3).  I take Seldane once or twice a day as
    needed, have 2 inhalers (one is a preventive, the other for attacks),
    use a nasal spray, Vancenase if necessary and take Uniphyl at night
    to control any wheezing, which, for me, is worse at night.
    
    I use one of those hospital or painters type masks when I vacuum and
    I take a spray of my preventive inhaler before I start.  I also bath
    my cats reasonably regularly.  My doctor recommends once a week but
    since I've quit showing them I'm a bit lazy and it usually works out
    to about once per month.
    
    I have been diagnosed with asthma too.  I spend alot more time reading
    labels on cleaning products now because some of them are not
    recommended for use around people with asthma.  So ruling out products
    not good for asthma sufferers and those that might be toxic to cats,
    really cuts down on the amount of stuff available.  Oh darn, now I
    can't clean as much ;-).  Actually this is a vicious circle.  Most of
    the products that help get rid of mold and mildew in the shower are
    also not recommended for use by people with asthma.
    
    Sorry for rambling on like that.  Just realized its time to leave for
    my weekly allergy shot.
    
    See ya later,
    
    Jan
    
    

    The "We got rid of the kids, the cat was allergic" sweatshirts and
    tshirts are from HepCat, which advertises in cat magazines and may also
    have an address in here.  If not, I can root it up.

    Jan - You sound like me, I can smell/react to mold that is miles
    away from me. The shower was my biggest problem. We now change
    shower curtains once a month. Also have found a spray called X14
    that is great.  I spray the tile walls, and the tub and run out of
    the bathroom and downstairs to the living room.  Tim usually will
    spray the bathroom for me but ALWAYS rinses down the shower/ tub
    for me. We find using this weekly in the summer and every two weeks
    in the winter that NO mold has time to form. Our bathroom is in the
    middle of our top floor in our townhouse so doesn't have a window
    for any ventilation, the exhaust fan works some but mold does form
    easily if not kept up with.
    
    This time of the year is my worst. The fall leaves are falling
    and then it rains and mold forms under them and it's like that
    until the first good snow. (Four inches or more.) Occasionally
    I loose my mind and decided to go to my sisters and help rake 
    leaves in her humungust yard with lots of trees.!! I love being
    out in the fall when it's chilly and the air is crisp but it
    usually puts me down flat for a couple of day. Seldane or Beconaise
    help but it seems INDOOR rest gets me back on my feet quicker.
    
    You might try to find that X14. (We don't have any trouble with
    the cats while using it, BUT don't let them into the bathroom until
    it's rinsed and aired out.
    
    Barbara & her 3M's (I also wouldn't give up my cats.)
    

    I believe I've seen canvas shower curtains advertised int eh Country
    Store catalog.  I would think you could throw these in the washer and
    dryer and save yourself a bundle.
    

    How about a T-shirt that says " I got rid of my 
    Allergist, instead!"
    

    Barbara,
    
    Thanks for the info on X14.  I bought that and then noticed the
    warning for asthma sufferers.  I have been hesitant to use it
    since then.
    
    I have a brochure I got from the doctor that lists several products
    for allergy sufferers.  Its mostly geared towards dust and mold
    allergies.  They have a product in there called "No More Mildew".
    It is billed as "ideal for allergy sufferers and homeowners".  The
    ad says it is non-toxic, odorless and will not harm any surface. 
    It does not specifically say anything about not using it if you 
    suffer from asthma.  Guess I'll have to buy it and read the fine
    print before using.  
    
    This brochure has lots of great stuff in it.  HEPA vacuum cleaner 
    that eliminates 99.997% of vacuum cleaner exhaust dust (only $499.00), 
    dust & pollen masks, "magnetic" dust cloths, dust mite eliminator 
    carpet treatment.  Gee, all kinds of stuff I can't afford.   
    
    One item in here my Dr. did recommend is the Allergy Control Solution.
    The brochure says it "Inactivates allergy-causing substances in dust
    in carpets and upholstered furniture--including dust mite particles and
    animal dander.  My Dr. says it contains 3% tannic acid.  I don't really
    know what that means.  I don't remember why he made a note of what was
    in it unless it was because I asked if it was toxic to cats.
    
    If anyone is interested in these products, send me mail and I'll make 
    a copy of the brochure for you.
    
    Jan (who is feeling fine since receiving her weekly allergy shot)
    
    P.S.  I'm so proud of myself.  When I first started shots I was very
          bad about the needles.  It was so bad...that I would jump before
          the needle went into my arm.  I hate shots!  But, I have been
          making a concious effort to relax when I get the shot and today
          I didn't jump at all.  Gimme them gold stars folks.  And, I
          don't have a lump in the muscle like I usually get when I've
          tensed or jumped.   Just think, it only took a year to get to
          this point.

    I had no idea there were this many asthmatics in this file!
    Add me to the list.  My doctor understood from the beginning
    that the furnishings and the cats were not negotiable (house
    full of antiques and knick-knacks).  I am rather big on the
    quality of life and besides I'm not fond of sleek, contemporary-
    type furniture.... ;-) I am fond of big comfy chairs for cats to
    relax in.... ;-)  I have two inhalers, plus theophylline, plus
    hismanal when the allergies kick up, plus a steroid inhaler when
    things get real bad (fortunately not very often). I find that
    bathing the cats monthly and cleaning the carpets twice a year
    helps greatly.  Hismanal I like much better than Seldane, simply
    because 1 little pill lasts 24 hours and I'm forever forgetting
    to take my medication....
    
    Mary-Michael

    I tried Hismanal, gained 10 pounds and switched back to Seldane.
    The one little side effect my doctor neglected to mention before
    having me try Hismanal was the possible weight gain.  Went in
    to seen him 2 months later and it was whoops, back on Seldane.
    
    Jan

    One thing I didn't know about cleaning carpets is that if your carpet
    is wool and its an "area rug" (one of mine is 6x9 feet, which still
    counts as an area) you can take them to places that care for oriental
    rugs and say "wash it please" and talk to them about what products
    they'll use.  This can avoid various chemicals that are sometimes used.
    
    I learned this because Holly pees on rugs, sigh, from time to time, and
    I used to have them dry cleaned until the cleaner mentioned this to me.
    

    Yep, the Hismanal can cause increased appetite and weight gain.  It is
    listed in the contraindications section of the package insert.  Ask to
    see it sometime.  The insert says something like 60% of people will
    gain 6-8 pounds.  Or as my husband the hismanal user likes to say "6-8%
    of the people will gain 60 pounds" 8'D
    
    Between the hismanal, the steroid inhaler, and the prednisone, the poor
    guy has put on some weight lately. :'}
    
    But seriously, and this asthma stuff can be serious, you gotta take
    care of your health.  I have seen first hand how dangerous asthma can
    be to the sufferer.  Most of you already know what happened to Ken back
    in July, but I am going to tell it again for those who don't because I
    think it is important for people to know.  Asthma can be *fatal*. I
    know of two people that died of asthma, both were in their 30's.  
    
    My husband had an asthma attack on July 11th, 1991 that culminated in
    respiratory and cardiac arrest, and we almost lost him.  
    
    We were in the car at the time and I managed to get him to the hospital 
    just in time.  He was completely blue from lack of oxygen, and it was 
    just like a scene from Rescue 911 when they pulled me away and started 
    to work on trying to revive him.  We were lucky, they were able to 
    restart his heart and get him breathing.  Bringing him to consciousness 
    took a while, but he is alive today and didn't suffer any lasting after
    effects other than some loss of short term memory (which he won't admit
    to but I KNOW is true).
    
    Anyway, the point is, if you do have asthma, you must respect your
    illness and do what you have to do.  We have had several more close
    calls with Ken in the last few months, including an attack the other
    night while we were visiting Marlene at her house.  Thank God for the
    Epipen, and for giving me the good sense to always have one with us. 
    We gave him the Epipen in the car and within 12 minutes he was doing
    much better.  But even the Epipen isn't enough sometimes.
    
    BTW, those with severe allergies and asthma, check into getting
    yourself an Epipen.  It is a predosed shot of Epinephrine (Adrenalin)
    and can buy you time to get to the hospital if a major attack should
    come on.
    
    Jo

    wow...all sort of good information in here.  
    
    Jan, I like the idea about using the masks when vacumming.....i hate 
    doing it because I feel so miserable afterwards.  Where can I get
    those?
    
    I liked the Seldane better than the hismanal because the Nolax is a 12
    hr drug like seldane and it is easier to take 2 twice a day than try to
    remember to take this one and then 12 hour later the other one.....and
    I got more headaches on the hismanal....I didn't think it was effective 
    enough.
    
    Jo, my cousin lost her SO to an asthmaht (SPP)  attack, she said it
    happened so fast she didn't know what hit her.  THey lived in CA up
    your way.
    
    I forgot about the epipen, never had to use it, but I'm allergic to 
    peanuts (peanut oil.....) and wasps, so I have it just in case.  (I've
    been rushed to the emergency room for reactions and they would give me
    the adrenilan shots)
    
    I can't believe so many folks in here are afflicted.....Michele

    This has been a very informative note!! My daughter has problems with
    allergies and asthma, which is the reason I haven't had a cat until
    recently. She's at college right now, but I feel like I am well armed
    now for when she comes home and has to deal with Eddie Haskell.
    
    ng

    My husband is allergic to cats, dust and dust mites.  He also has
    asthma.  I have mild allergies to cats, dogs, ash trees, various
    pollens and my biggie is MOLD.  Both of us take Hismanal.  Jack
    also takes Slo-bid.
    
    One thing that has helped us a great deal is an ALPINE AIR air
    filter.  We bought the heavy duty C150 because we have a cattery.
    That cost about $500.
    
    I have been considering becoming a dealer for Alpine Air so if
    you'd like more info contact me off line.
    
    Nancy DC
    

    I called HCHP Pharmacy to ask the pharmacist about the weight gain
    from Hismanal.  He didn't know offhand but dug out the insert and
    read it.  What he found is that studies have indicated that
    3.6% of people on hismanal showed increased appetite and weight
    gain.
    
    Think I'll go back to Seldane.
    

    Bad news from the allergist. And all the asthma sufferers in the file
    confirm what he said. He said I have the worst type of allergy and
    gave me two conditions under which I could keep the cat. Neither of
    them will work with my cat. Plus, he said that no matter what I did
    a day would come when I had to give up the cat. His own daughter had
    my symptoms, and he still did not give up the cat, but his cat could
    live with the conditions. The conditions are that you bath the cat once
    a week and not allow her to sleep in the same room at night.
    
    Since I live alone and am gone all day, not letting Bubble sleep with
    me would be torture for her, as that's her favorite part of the day.
    Since she overgrooms under stress, and was not taught to tolerate
    baths as a kitten, I think baths would just mean over grooming.
    He said he does everything possible to help people keep their
    animals, but he has never seen anyone with my symptoms that has
    succeeded.
    
    The worst symptoms are a slight reaction at first that becomes worse
    with time and spreads to other nonanimal substances. He said shots
    usually don't work with this type of allergy, and even if you are lucky
    and they do, if you go away from the cat for any period of time, you
    are right back where you started. He gave his daughter shots every
    day forever, and then when she went to Israel she lost all the
    immunity. Most of my immediate family live overseas, unfortunately.
    
    He also said that no matter what anyone tells you there is no
    substitute for bathing: none of the things you put on the cat
    work.
    
    I have been a basket case emotionally since seeing him. This experience
    is killing me, and Bubble is stressed out, too. The least bad news
    that there is a wonderful person who may be able to take her.
    
    Eileen

    RE: -1
    
    I meant to say that his daughter eventually moved out of the house,
    so that's why he didn't have to give up his own cat.
    
    Eileen

    Eileen,
    
    I am so sorry that the news is bad.  This must be so difficult for you. 
    But, keeping Bubble under these circumstances could mean a serious
    health risk for you.  I hope that someone can come through with a good
    home for Bubble.  You have my sympathies.
    
    Jo

    Eileen,
    
    Your health is very important.  I know how hard it must be for you
    to give Bubble up but under the circumstances, I don't see how you
    can avoid it.  I hope the lead you have on a new home pays off and
    that Bubble will settle in nicely.  Take care of yourself.  
    
    I have only recently realized how serious allergies and asthma can 
    be.  I have both but never really had that much trouble.  It wasn't 
    until my brother-in-law (Ken) went through so much trouble that it 
    began to become more real to me.  Jo Ann reminded me just the other 
    day how serious it could be.  When I entered my note earlier in this
    topic I was giving information on how I deal with my problems and
    did forget that not everyone can work around their allergies if they
    are more severe.
    
    Wishing the best for you and Bubble,
    
    Jan

    Eileen-
    
    I'm so sorry to have to hear your news....but like the others said,
    your health is more important.
    
    I really feel for you and if you think Bubbles would survive in a barn
    type situation, I can check to find out if my friend would have a
    problem (which I seriously doubt).
    
    Please let me know if you'd like to consider this option, and I can
    give you more information.
    
    Michele & Nippa
    

    Thank you all for your sympathy and advice. I've been crying a lot,
    but people's sympathy has helped a lot. A friend gave me a little
    ceramic model of a cat that she was planning to give me for Christmas,
    and it looks just like Bubble.
    
    This afternoon I'm taking her to see someone in my church, who sounds
    like the perfect owner. She is looking for a mature cat who never
    goes outdoors, and she's really nice. She has a 5-year-old boy
    whose cat died and he has been begging her for a cat!
     
    I will let you know how this works out. I did send Michele mail also.
    
    Eileen

    As of Friday, Bubble has had a very nice new owner. I saw the new
    owner at church on Sunday, and she said Bubble was already sleeping
    on their bed. I miss her terribly. It's much worse than I thought
    it would be. I have dreams that I have abandoned a child! But at
    least I know she has a good home.
    
    To make matters worse, my allergy is now worse than ever. I'm
    now just as allergic to the apartment as to Bubble. My doctor is
    calling me today, and I'm having professional cleaners come in
    today as well, so hopefully this will not go on forever. If anyone
    knows a good way to get the dried saliva out of the house, please
    let me know.
    
    Thanks again for all your support and sympathy.
    
    Eileen

    My allergist (Dr. Goldman in Cambridge and Lexington) gave me the
    following number to call to order a spray for carpets and upholstery:
    
    	800 422 DUST
    
    Eileen

    re: .21
    >I tried Hismanal, gained 10 pounds and switched back to Seldane.
    
    All of my life I've been one of those people that couldn't gain
    weight. Until about a year ago, and I've put on 10 pounds that I can't
    shake. Interestingly enough this weight gain coincides with my
    switching from Seldane to Hismanal. And all this time I just thot
    my metabolism was changing.
    
    Deb
    

    Well, I'm back to Seldane which is proving to be not quite as effective
    as the Hismanal.  My urge to eat everything and anything is subsiding,
    Thank GOD!  Now maybe I can get back to a reasonable weight.
      Nancy  DC
    

    hi nancy,
    
    i've been a read-only noter for some time now but i too have allergies,
    (not to my cat - thank god!) and was on the seldane but found that
    after a short time, my immunity built up and it wasn't quite doing the
    trick.  i've been on something called trinilan (sp?) and that in
    conjuction with my monthly allergy shots have really proven effective.
    good luck!  
    
    --sue

    Was listening to a radio talk show program last night and two
    allergists were the guests. They were saying that if you eliminate
    sugar, dairy products, wheat and corn from your diet you have a 70%
    chance that your allergies will subside on their own (regardless if
    those are things that you are allergic to or not). They said that these
    things in your diet will aggravate any allergy you do have.
    
    I haven't had a chance to check this out with Ken's allergist, but hey,
    at this point, I am willing to try anything with him. 
    
    Jo

    
    
    	Well looks like I'll have to suffer. =)  I have a sweet
    	tooth something fierce, love milk and cheese, and corn is
    	my favorite veggie.  sigh......
    
    	JJ
    

    actually, what is often thot to be a "mysterious allergy" is often a
    food intolorance, which is something that happens when you lack an
    enzyme that would help digest certain types of food. Symptoms can be
    similar to allergies in that they can cause congestion and swelling,
    or can cause mild to *SEVERE* intestinal discomfort, food is undigested
    and as a result, you obtain no nutritional value from it . Lactose
    intolorance is perhaps the best known of these, but corn and wheat
    gluten are very common. (As much as I love corn, I get horrible cramps
    from it, and it, uh, comes out recognisible).  
    
    Probably the biggest difference between allergies and food intolerances
    is that an allergy could kill you, but an intollerance will only cause
    discomfort (except in the case of favaism, where the missing enzyme
    would detoxify a substance in the fava bean; unless you are of Greek,
    Armenian or "Arab-world" decent, you don't need to be concerned).
    
    Deb

    RE: -1
    
    Speaking as a person who's first visit to the emergency room
    for an asthma attack was promopted by, of all things, ingesting
    Velveeta (what a way to go, huh? :-), there is such a thing as
    allergic asthma.  I am allergic to dairy products - from
    September to April.  My asthma is much worse in fall and winter, 
    from cold, wood smoke, stale air and whatever leftover spores of
    something which float around outside.  I suspect I improve enough
    between April-September that the dairy allergy is much less
    noticeable (of course this occurs during prime ice cream season!)
    I find that dairy products make me so miserable in the winter
    I don't even crave them.  
    
    Mary-Michael
    

    Is Velveeta a dairy product? I thought it was a type of plastic. ;-)
    
    Linda
    

    Re:  .42
    
    Thanks for mentioning the connection of your allergies and the
    colder weather.  I thought I was going nuts because I've been 
    having the worst allergies since the weather started cooling off 
    here in Calif.
    
    It has been cooler now for about a week and 1/2 and I've been
    really having some problems.  Sinus headaches every day, lots
    more congestion.  So maybe my problems are aggrevated by the
    weather too.  This is so weird.  Just as I get my allergist
    to drop me down to shots every other week instead of weekly, I
    start having more problems.
    
    Jan

    Jan,
    
    I work up in the San Francisco Office and just about everyone is
    complaining about sinus headaches and congestion.  I'm just getting
    over some wierd thing that hit me on Monday, lost my voice, soar
    throat, chest congestion - the whole 9 yards and nothing I took
    (prescription or otherwise) put a dent in it.
    
    I'm just wondering if there is extra pollution due to the Fire we had
    across the bay????
    
    Giudi

    Giudi,
    
    Come to think of it, my allergy escalation did coincide with the
    fire, the rain and the cooler weather...didn't that all that happen 
    in the same weekend?  Maybe once the air clears out some it'll get 
    better.  I've been dragging in to work everyday this week feeling 
    miserable.  I usually feel a bit better as the day goes on but 
    never quite get completely back to normal.
    
    Jan

    Eileen,
    
    Call me, I might be interested.  Looking for a companion for my cat
    Kiki.  Kiki is declawed also.
    
    My number is DTN 264-6486.  Call asap!
    
    Rosemary
    

    I found out that there are two cat breeds that people are less likely
    to become allergic to: Scottish Rex and Devon Rex. At this point I'm
    scared to try them because of the emotional upheaval if things
    didn't work out, so I've decided to get one of the two breeds of
    dogs (poodles and Basenjis) that I could have.
    
    The diet information is very interesting. Wheat, sugar, and dairy
    products are a big part of my diet and I increased the wheat in the
    past year in attempting to eliminate fats.
    
    Eileen

    Eileen
    
    I think that you may mean Cornish Rex.
    
    Jo

    Also, the Spinix, since it is hairless.
    
    Deb

	Eileen,	

	You also might think about a Tonkinese.. I'm very allergic to cats and
	have had bad reactions to all breeds except Tonks.  I have two girls
	and the only time they bother me allergy wise is when they have been
	pretending to be dust cloths. 

	-Rob 

    Tonks are one of my favorite breeds too!  They are just beautiful.  I
    know a couple of good breeders if you are interested.
    
    re: Scottish Rex - Hm....that shoulds interesting.  Would that be a
    Scottish fold with a perm??  ;^)
    

    Thanks for the note on the Tonkinese, Rob. I'm delighted that I may be
    able to have a cat after all. I will wait for my allergy to subside
    and then contact you. I'm contemplating getting the dogs you can't
    become allergic to, too. I will have to look in the file and see if 
    there's anything about cats and dogs getting along. I am a little
    nervous about getting other animals, since you can develop other
    animal-dander allergies once you have one, but I will definitely 
    get some after checking all this out.
    
    Eileen