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How long have you had Pepper? I'm allergic to cats, and had lots of allergy problems when I first got Raina. It took about a year or so, but I finally got acclimated to her and now she doesn't bother me at all. Taking Claritan daily helps, as does the hepa filter (though right now I'm not running that, as I'm favoring my dehumidifier).
Posts: 1805 | Registered: Jun 1999
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Pepper joined our family three years ago. Within the first week, I had allergy reactions such as the itchy eyes and nose. Dealable. I also started having tight lungs. Not so dealable. Started needing some inhalant help if I had a bronchial cold, or heading on day hikes. When I'd leave to go on business, it'd get better.
I have run air purifiers with HEPA filters, vacuum like a fiend, groom her (and have her professionally groomed) - all worth it, because she's a love.
I had double pnuemonia in May, and the recovery has been painfully slow. I am still on two different inhalants, and am not up to speed yet. (I.e., no hiking on real hiking trails up Mt. Rainier or the Olympics, no going up several flights of stairs - one flight slowly with some stops is hard enough.)
The week Pepper was gone while I aired out the house and washed all the bedding and linens, and dusted and vacuumed like a neat-freak (and cried forlornly from missing her), my lungs actually improved enough to allow me to walk and talk at the same time, and to increase flat walking from 1 mile to 2 miles.
So - I will keep her out of the bedroom. Make vacuuming a three times a week deal. And have added several of those "hair and dander collection pads" in all her favorite resting places (which means she now has other favorite resting places *grin*) and really be proactive about daily grooming and monthly professional grooming visits.
And pray that my lungs continue to heal, and continue to look for other ways to be healthy and still have Pepper.
Posts: 5609 | Registered: Jan 2003
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