I was diagnosed with severe allergies today!

Truth is I always knew, as a kid I used to go for allergy shots. Well I havent gone for years and I have been fine, sometimes I get sneezy or itchy eyes when I visit people with pets, but nothing too serious.

Well my bloodwork today showed that my concentration level was 973 (anything over 100 was severe) and I have allergies to dust, maple and oak trees, timothy grass, dogs, cats, and cockroaches (no great loss there).

But it also said shrimp, and I love shrimp!!! This upset me, I never noticed any problem. So what do I do about that.

I was also told to get an air purifier, and dust covers for my mattress and pillows.

I dont know why I am so shocked by this but its really upsetting me. I have been sick with bronchitiis for the past 6 weeks, and they also found out I have been infected with a few different types of bacterias that could be attributing.

Does anyone with severe allergies have any tips for me?

Thanks for letting me vent.

Re: I was diagnosed with severe allergies today!

i am sorry to hear this!!

Re: I was diagnosed with severe allergies today!

thanks.

and does anyone know if there is some specific sort of dust cover I need?

Re: I was diagnosed with severe allergies today!

I've always had severe allergies and last year I started allergy shots. The thing that helps me the most is drinking a lot of water. I also take zyrtec and use rhino cort nasal spray. also, have an air purifier in your bedroom. do you have carpeting ? I grew up with carpeting, and now DH and I have all hard wood floors in our coop and my allergies are soooo much better here. I don't have a dust cover on my mattress, just a regular cover. Also, I try not to put face on my pillow I try to always sleep on my back to avoid any dust. I hope you feel better one more thing, in the spring/ fall you have to keep your windows closed. It stinks but you will feel better

Re: I was diagnosed with severe allergies today!

thanks, we do have carperting, but I have no way to avoid it. We are on the 2nd floor of a co-op so it requires 80% carpeting and if I didnt have carpets my downstairs neighbor would shoot me (especially the way my 3 year odl stomps)

I have some allergy medicine but I never take it, I guess I better ask for it again.

Re: I was diagnosed with severe allergies today!

Re: I was diagnosed with severe allergies today!

Feel better girl!!!
allergies are the worst!!!

Re: I was diagnosed with severe allergies today!

my fh and his family have severe allergies. they basically have a really good purifier and when their allergies are the worst they don't open the windows in the house. so that pollen and stuff don't get in. also change clothes once inside.

Re: I was diagnosed with severe allergies today!

I wish I had some advice for you but I suffer just about everyday and the only thing that helps me is Benedryl but it makes me feel like a zombie. I hope your bronchitis gets better soon.
I'd be careful with the shrimp b/c it could progressively get worse and the last thing you want is a severe reaction (Anaphalactic) sp?. Do you have an Epi pen? Good luck. I hope you feel better

Re: I was diagnosed with severe allergies today!

i have severe allergies -especially to dust

I get my dust mite mattress bag and pillow covers from bed bath and beyond because i can use the 20% percent off coupons - also tape the zippers shut -it helps

wash alll sheets in hot water to kill dust mites

i used to take claritan D - now i am on singular - i am trying to avoid shots -

also the filter for heating can be switched to a dust mite filter

there are lots of websites with helpful hints for dust mite proofing your house

Re: I was diagnosed with severe allergies today!

Re: I was diagnosed with severe allergies today!

I have severe allergies as well. I used to go for the shots, which really did help. However I stopped and now just suffer. I can't be around when DH cleans or I'll have an asthma attack. I recently bought a few face masks to wear when DH cleans. It sounds excessive but I have to do it if I want to breathe. What I do do it take Clarinex daily. If I pet an animal or touch something dusty, I wash my hands immediately. I also take showers frequently in the summer/fall when there's a lot of pollen/dust flying around.

Good luck!

Re: I was diagnosed with severe allergies today!

I don't know much about allergies, but I'm glad they diagnosed you! It means you'll feel better soon!!

Re: I was diagnosed with severe allergies today!

feel better soon!

Re: I was diagnosed with severe allergies today!

Oh man, Pauline...that s u x!

Allergic to dust, huh??? Give G the # for my cleaning lady!!!

How could one be allergic to cockroaches??? W T F??? How were you tested for THAT?

At least now that you know what it is, you can take steps to feeling better!!

Re: I was diagnosed with severe allergies today!

Posted by joenick

Oh man, Pauline...that s u x!

Allergic to dust, huh??? Give G the # for my cleaning lady!!!

How could one be allergic to cockroaches??? W T F??? How were you tested for THAT?

At least now that you know what it is, you can take steps to feeling better!!

Re: I was diagnosed with severe allergies today!

we ripped out all the carpet in our house b/c I was allergic to dust and other particles as well - we now have granite....

we buy a high count for bedsheets and pillowcases, and we have these special pillows that protect from "dust" and other stuff...forgot the name and what it does exactly...

at first i thought the doc was nuts...but i found it to be true - whenever i walk into someone's house or WORK that's covered with carpet i seriously cannot breathe comfortably.