Hey kids, TJL here.

I'm not allergic to many things, but one thing I am allergic to is cats.

No, not the musical, the little furry four legged things that chase mice.

Okay, the musical makes me uncomfortable too.

Anyway, I have a ceetain ladyfriend who has moved into Manhattan recently, and she has a few cats in her place. Since I would like to hopefully be invited to her place again, what can I do to keep me from sneezing and wheezing while i'm there?

Anyone know any good over the counter medicines or potions I can take?

I have the same problem. If I remember, I take Alavert (Claritin has the same active ingredient) or Chlor-Trimeton a couple hours before I go to my aunt's house (she has two cats) and it at least minimizes the symptoms. You won't be sitting there sneezing every 2 seconds anyway. Chlor-Trimeton makes me drowsy, so you may try the other 2 first.

Does she know you're allergic to cats? If not then my advice would be to let her know before you have a sneezing fit. There's no harm in confining them to one or two rooms while you're there. It seems logical to me that she wouldn't want your visit to be an uncomfortable one and of course the cats can roam freely again after you leave.

Ooooh, I wish you good luck. I have that problem too, except my allergy is baaaad news. I haven't found anything that helps me at all, but I bet mine is worse than yours. I have eyes, nose, and throat swell shut, wherever the cat or cat hair touches me I break out in giant welts, and I'll be sick for the next two days. I'm afraid to actually come in contact with an actual cat for fear it will kill me! I can't even have them confined to one room because if they've ever been in the room that I'm in before all of that will still happen. It can even happen to a lesser degree if I brush up against someone's coat in the coat closet at work who owns a cat. Once I visited a friend's home and she had maybe 8 or 9 cats inside her house and I didn't even go in, all I did was stand outside the front door on the porch and I thought I was gonna die! It was awful and I was really embarrassed. I hope yours isn't that bad and I hope you find something to help...if you do, pass the secret on to me!

Does she know you're allergic to cats? If not then my advice would be to let her know before you have a sneezing fit. There's no harm in confining them to one or two rooms while you're there. It seems logical to me that she wouldn't want your visit to be an uncomfortable one and of course the cats can roam freely again after you leave.

If their hair and dander is in the room, it might not matter where the actual cat is though.

If their hair and dander is in the room, it might not matter where the actual cat is though.

Good point, I never considered that.

If their hair and dander is in the room, it might not matter where the actual cat is though.

Plus, it's a small NYC one bedroom apartment, so keeping them in another room isn't going to help.

I could try this...

My friend (who is allergic to cats as well) takes non-drowsy Benadryl before she comes to my house. It seems to help her a lot (she takes it about a half hour before she comes over).

Plus, it's a small NYC one bedroom apartment, so keeping them in another room isn't going to help.

I obviously didn't know that. :)

I obviously didn't know that. :)

No worries. Personally i would love to move them as far away from me as possible.

Brooklyn would be nice.

;)

No worries. Personally i would love to move them as far away from me as possible.

Brooklyn would be nice.

;)

:lol: I'd take them but I have 6 already. :)

:lol: I'd take them but I have 6 already. :)
I have 3 - my mom won't less us get anymore. :lol:

If things heat up with this lady, you could have a serious problem. For now, perhaps she can spend time at your place. After she's head over heels in love with you, she'll get rid of the felines. Fat chance. I don't mean to make light of it. It can be a real problem for people. You could ask your doctor for suggestions.

If I may veer slightly off topic for a moment, I'd like to share this Dear Abby letter I read back in July. This woman is in a similar situation but apparently doesn't know where her priorities lie and the fact that she had to ask Abby for advice ensures her enshrinement in the Bonehead Hall of Fame. :rolleyes:

Link (http://www.denverpost.com/lifestyles/ci_6362169)

Dear Abby: I have started seeing a guy I love very much. I'll call him "Mitch." We spend a lot of time together. I have stayed with him while my 2-year-old son, "Caleb," visits his daddy.

I recently introduced Caleb to Mitch, and last weekend we both stayed at Mitch's place. The problem is, Mitch has a large dog that is very territorial and protective and isn't used to company. The dog, "Crusher," has shown aggression toward me, but it was nothing we couldn't handle. However, the dog is now being aggressive toward Caleb. On a couple of occasions, Crusher charged my son and left scratches.

Mitch and I have resorted to separating the two when Caleb is over. By "separating," I mean we have brought a few of Caleb's toys and his TV to set up in a room just for him. The problem is, Caleb is in the room with the door closed most of the time, while Crusher runs free in the house.

Abby, my son's life was turned upside down when my husband and I divorced. Now he has had to adjust to the fact that when he's with Mitch and me, he must be carried around for fear of the dog. I haven't come out and asked Mitch to get rid of Crusher, or even to limit him when we are in the house. Is this something I have a right to ask?

Mitch has been a bachelor all his life, and I'm afraid if I confront him about this he will feel I am making him choose between me and his dog. Please give me some advice. - Torn in Two

Dear Torn: It is your duty as Caleb's mother to make sure that he is safe at all times. Your little boy is only 2 and can't speak on his own behalf. Shutting a child alone in a room "most of the time" isn't protecting him - it is neglect. If you do not confront your boyfriend about his dangerous animal, you are choosing him and his dog over your son!

The wrong critter is being confined. When Caleb was attacked the first time, your boyfriend should have volunteered to confine his dog. That he didn't is appalling. That you said nothing is worse. As a mother, your child's interests must come before your love interest.

No worries. Personally i would love to move them as far away from me as possible.

Brooklyn would be nice.

;)
Staten Island is farther away than Brooklyn. :lol:

Staten Island is farther away than Brooklyn. :lol:


Hey now, don't send those cats over here! I am allergic too! lol

Seriously TJL, there is an allergy shot that you can take for cats, dogs, etc. That might be something worth looking into.

I could try this...

LOL yeah and just say that your really paranoid! :lol:

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I have my shopping list, so I'll let you know what happens. I might be going over there this weekend, so keep your fingers crossed.


I hope the medications work. I really don't feel like getting shots.

Unless they were covered by my work insurance....

Oh!

Uh, insurance fraud is bad kids. And stay in school!

;)

I am allergic to cats but I have 3, it usually takes me about 3 weeks to build up an immunity to a particular cat but other cats set my allergies off.

I would try a non drowsy anti-histamine (sorry no drinks for you when you take them though) and hopefully you build up a tolerance

I would try a non drowsy anti-histamine (sorry no drinks for you when you take them though) and hopefully you build up a tolerance

Whoa whoa whoa waaaaaaaaaaaait a minute....

No drinks?

I think i have to reconsider this relationship.

;)

i used to be allergic to cats until we got one. now im not.

I think my dad's insurance covers his allergy shots...so it's not impossible!

Whoa whoa whoa waaaaaaaaaaaait a minute....

No drinks?

I think i have to reconsider this relationship.

;)

I thought that may be a problem

You could have 1 maybe two but you would feel the effects pretty d### quick (maybe not totally a bad thing)

I feel so bad for you! When I was little all my life I wasn't allergic to cats but now I am BIG TIME and I HATE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just started to be allergic to cats like 2 years ago and now I think it is getting better but i dont know. Anyways I hope you can get better and maybe me too...

I'm allergic to cats and Reactine helps.

Hey TJL :cat: I saw this thread and wondered. :cat: Where the hell is TJL. :wave: How did things turn out by the way. :cat: