allergist appointment

[moxie1]

So I went to see an allergist today because I've been getting sick pretty much non-stop since December (colds, sinus infections, etc).  We got our dog at about the same time and I wanted to see what allergy testing would tell us.
Well, they tested me for about 40 things and I reacted to 38 of the 40.  The only thing I wasn't allergic to was maple trees and birch trees. 
I did test positive for dogs (but not as much as some things) and now we're wondering what to do.  I can't imagine not having animals in my life.  We had miniature schnauzers before which don't shed, (our new dog sheds alot) but the allergist said it was the dander, not the hair.  I still think that if they're not shedding, you're not going to have as much dander floating around, so I'm trying to justify a schnauzer if we can't keep our wolf-hound mix.
Anyway, we could find a home for our dog, but that is not going to change the fact that I am still exposed to grass, trees, pollen, etc.  I can't stay inside and live in a bubble.
We've decided to take a couple of steps immediately.
1) get a hepa air purifier for our bedroom
2) buy allergen casings for our mattress and pillows.
There's also a spray that you can buy for your pet that might be worth a try.
Anyone else have any advice or suggestions?
Oh and I forgot to mention that I will probably be having sinus surgery sometime soon since I've never had it in my 35 years.  The ENT said while it is not urgent, things are pretty nasty up there.  So this could also be contributing to my illnesses.

 

[moxie1]

So I went to see an allergist today because I've been getting sick pretty much non-stop since December (colds, sinus infections, etc). We got our dog at about the same time and I wanted to see what allergy testing would tell us.
Well, they tested me for about 40 things and I reacted to 38 of the 40. The only thing I wasn't allergic to was maple trees and birch trees.
I did test positive for dogs (but not as much as some things)and now we're wondering what to do. I can't imagine not having animals in my life. We had miniature schnauzers before which don't shed, (our new dog sheds alot) but the allergist said it was the dander, not the hair. I still think that if they're not shedding, you're not going to have as much dander floating around, so I'm trying to justify a schnauzer if we can't keep our wolf-hound mix.
Anyway, we could find a home for our dog, but that is not going to change the fact that I am still exposed to grass, trees, pollen, etc. I can't stay inside and live in a bubble.
We've decided to take a couple of steps immediately.
1) get a hepa air purifier for our bedroom
2) buy allergen casings for our mattress and pillows.
There's also a spray that you can buy for your pet that might be worth a try.
Anyone else have any advice or suggestions?
Oh and I forgot to mention that I will probably be having sinus surgery sometime soonsince I've never had it in my 35 years. The ENT said while it is not urgent, things are pretty nasty up there. So this could also be contributing to my illnesses.

 

[moxie1]

<p>So I went to see an allergist today because I've been getting sick pretty much non-stop since December (colds, sinus infections, etc). We got our dog at about the same time and I wanted to see what allergy testing would tell us.
<p>Well, they tested me for about 40 things and I reacted to 38 of the 40. The only thing I wasn't allergic to was maple trees and birch trees.
<p>I did test positive for dogs (but not as much as some things)and now we're wondering what to do. I can't imagine not having animals in my life. We had miniature schnauzers before which don't shed, (our new dog sheds alot) but the allergist said it was the dander, not the hair. I still think that if they're not shedding, you're not going to have as much dander floating around, so I'm trying to justify a schnauzer if we can't keep our wolf-hound mix.
<p>Anyway, we could find a home for our dog, but that is not going to change the fact that I am still exposed to grass, trees, pollen, etc. I can't stay inside and live in a bubble.
<p>We've decided to take a couple of steps immediately.
<p>1) get a hepa air purifier for our bedroom
<p>2) buy allergen casings for our mattress and pillows.
<p>There's also a spray that you can buy for your pet that might be worth a try.
<p>Anyone else have any advice or suggestions?
<p>Oh and I forgot to mention that I will probably be having sinus surgery sometime soonsince I've never had it in my 35 years. The ENT said while it is not urgent, things are pretty nasty up there. So this could also be contributing to my illnesses.

 

[Beccamom]

Best wishes to you.I don't have CF, but I do have allergies to just about everything.  I get weekly allergy shots and they have helped a lot.  In the house we tried room air purifiers, but they didn't seem to be very helpful.  Recently we went and replaced our heat and A/C unit and bought a hospital grade filter.  If your sister is newer a hospital grade system may be able to be attached to it.  We have virtually no dust even on dark wood furniture.  Also it is possible to have your duct work cleaned in your house.  Look into federal and statewide incentives to make your house more energy effecient we were able to save a lot of money with these programs.  As for the dog we have 2 miniature snauzers and my dr recommended not letting them upstairs or atleast not into the bedrooms.  When we cuddle the dogs on the coach everyone uses the same blanket so the dogs don't touch the furniture and then I wash that blanket every time I put a load of wash in.  Grass is my biggest problem and we solved that when we bought our current home by choosing a house with a pool and a moslty concrete back yard.  I can really enjoy my backyard which most people wouldn't want.  Even with all of these efforts I am also heading for sinus surgery just waiting on the CT scan results to determine which surgery. Best wishes to you. 
 

 

[Beccamom]

Best wishes to you.I don't have CF, but I do have allergies to just about everything. I get weekly allergy shots and they have helped a lot. In the house we tried room air purifiers, but they didn't seem to be very helpful. Recently we went and replaced our heat and A/C unit and bought a hospital grade filter. If your sister is newer a hospital grade system may be able to be attached to it. We have virtually no dust even on dark wood furniture. Also it is possible to have your duct work cleaned in your house. Look into federal and statewide incentives to make your house more energy effecient we were able to save a lot of money with these programs. As for the dog we have 2 miniature snauzers and my dr recommended not letting them upstairs or atleast not into the bedrooms. When we cuddle the dogs on the coach everyone uses the same blanket sothe dogsdon't touch the furniture and then I wash that blanket every time I put a load of washin. Grass is my biggest problem and we solved that when we bought our current home by choosing a house with a pool and a moslty concrete back yard. I can really enjoy my backyard which most people wouldn't want. Even with all of these efforts I am also heading for sinus surgery just waiting on the CT scan results to determine which surgery.Best wishes to you.

 

[Beccamom]

<p>Best wishes to you.I don't have CF, but I do have allergies to just about everything. I get weekly allergy shots and they have helped a lot. In the house we tried room air purifiers, but they didn't seem to be very helpful. Recently we went and replaced our heat and A/C unit and bought a hospital grade filter. If your sister is newer a hospital grade system may be able to be attached to it. We have virtually no dust even on dark wood furniture. Also it is possible to have your duct work cleaned in your house. Look into federal and statewide incentives to make your house more energy effecient we were able to save a lot of money with these programs. As for the dog we have 2 miniature snauzers and my dr recommended not letting them upstairs or atleast not into the bedrooms. When we cuddle the dogs on the coach everyone uses the same blanket sothe dogsdon't touch the furniture and then I wash that blanket every time I put a load of washin. Grass is my biggest problem and we solved that when we bought our current home by choosing a house with a pool and a moslty concrete back yard. I can really enjoy my backyard which most people wouldn't want. Even with all of these efforts I am also heading for sinus surgery just waiting on the CT scan results to determine which surgery.Best wishes to you.
<p>