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Topic Summary

Posted by: Forever Blue
« on: March 16, 2017, 12:14:39 PM »

Thanks guys!  I live in an apt, so I'm limited to what I can do w/ the filters. 

I last had a (short-haired) dog 4 yrs ago & never had problems, so I think I'm OK w/ dogs.
Posted by: Janelle205
« on: March 15, 2017, 06:11:24 PM »

If you have forced heat/air, you can get filters that go on the registers - it seems to help cut down on the amount of dust.

We have a Roomba as well, and set it to vacuum daily when everyone is asleep.
Posted by: lakeswimr
« on: March 15, 2017, 05:16:22 PM »

i don't know about that but one more thing to consider is that if you have pet, you might want to check and make sure you aren't allergic to it.  The difference between living with a pet to which a person is allergic and not can be flared asthma and asthma under control.  Good luck!
Posted by: Forever Blue
« on: March 15, 2017, 02:31:20 PM »

I think I'll have to dust & vacuum around here a lot more often PLUS, I'm going to clear out a lot because the less stuff lying around, the less stuff dust settles on AND the easier/quicker is it to wipe it clean.

I HATE dust & it forms again so fast after dusting.  Is there some spray or something that makes dust not form again so fast?
Posted by: lakeswimr
« on: March 15, 2017, 06:36:33 AM »

I avoid medication if at all possible and eat natural foods but when my asthma flairs, there is nothing but western medication that is going to work.  There are some herbal things that can help but if a person is having actual asthma, he or she can end up with permanent lung damage (scarring inside and more) if they do not take proper medication.  I'm glad you are going to a pulmo doc. 

I have found that knowing allergic triggers (dust, etc) allows me to not need any asthma meds at all if I avoid those things except when I have a cold and then I am more susceptible to an asthma flare.  Taking meds proactively can prevent this.  A good doc will help you figure out your triggers so you will know how to avoid them.  Good luck!
Posted by: Forever Blue
« on: March 14, 2017, 08:14:46 PM »

Thanks again guys. 

I'm the type of person who doesn't like to take prescription meds.  I try to find all-natural remedies as much as I can.  Over this past weekend, I found out about these tablets called ClearLungs made from Chinese herbs that they sell at a certain health store & I started taking those since Sunday, March 12th.

I've finally really been feeling like I'm on the way to getting back to normal the last 2-3 days!  Today though, I requested that my dr move forward w/ the pulmonologist referral.  I want to see if I've developed asthma.
Posted by: Mr. Barlow
« on: March 13, 2017, 10:15:36 AM »

To OP:

In my opinion these are medical questions about diagnosis you should only seek from an experienced board certified allergist/immunologist with a demonstrable knowledge of food allergy.  Reliable data show overuse of food allergy panels by non-allergist medical professionals lead to inaccurate overdiagnosis. 

I've said this a few times but it bears repeating: I don't doubt you experience symptoms.  You have the right to accurate diagnosis by a competent professional.  It's not enough to get "a" diagnosis, but the correct diagnosis. 

In my opinion the internet should only be used to ask how to live with food allergies after a valid diagnosis of clinical history.  I don't even call my MD friends with medical questions.  I call my own doctors for the same reasons.

If you are going to go down the route of ruling out IgE-mediate response--ask for a physician referral in your area, one of good reputation and credentials.  Don't ask for a diagnosis online even if from a medical professional.  Go to the AAAAI website to use their physician locator to find someone in your area or request 2-3 names of reliable allergists.
Posted by: Ciel
« on: March 13, 2017, 09:06:27 AM »

Something seems off here, with the info you are getting. And the info you are not getting.

Asmanex is a corticosteroid that is meant to be taken daily. To use 'as needed' doesn't make sense, unless the doctor meant something like seasonal use (i.e., for 6-8 weeks during pollen season). It does not work quickly and should not be used in acute situation. I guess it might be prescribed during illness, but it takes time to start working optimally.

Ventolin is a bronchodilator that is used to dilate airways during acute asthma exacerbations, flare-ups (i.e., illness) or sometimes prior to exposure to triggers, exercise, etc.

They are not interchangeable.

It would make sense to see a Respirologist to diagnose or rule out asthma.

I agree that the chest symptoms and pain/tightness sound a lot like they could be reflux. Taking the omeprazole for 4-6 weeks should give you more info there, to see if this helps things improve. Reflux can also cause the throat symptoms you describe. I have similar pain to what you describe -- we are doing tests to rule out other causes but we think probably my reflux meds are just not enough and it is probably breakthrough symptoms.

Also, D.O means doctor of osteopathy (an alternative medicine branch). I'm not sure that an osteopath should be diagnosing IgE allergies without sending you to an Allergist or Internal Medicine specialist, or giving a referral to a Respirologist for asthma, or to a Gastroenterologist for GERD, etc.

Posted by: Forever Blue
« on: March 12, 2017, 11:14:05 PM »

Thanks for your replies!  I kept a DAILY log of how I've been feeling, but these are the main events below.

GoingNuts, just blood test so far. 

I guess the dr wanted to try giving me various things to see if they'll work.  This is a new dr, which I just started going to due for this ordeal.  I noticed she's NOT an MD.  She has a D.O. after her name.  I looked up what that was & it seems just as good if not better.  To break down my ordeal briefly, here's what's happened:

Jan 23 - 1st symptom of very restless sleep due to upper back pain that night, but felt more internal like behind breastbone area, every position I moved in bed was painful. Rest of wk was no problem.

Jan 30 - Nasal congestion & 1st time ever of throat-closed up feeling, restless nights' sleep

Feb 1 - Went to ER due to mod/heavy sinus congestion, closed-throat feeling, & hard time breathing. Diagnosed w/ viral bronchitis. Given generic of Flonase & Zirtec.
Feb 21 - Dr appt #1 & given steroid shot & nebulizer ventrilator treatment of liquid med, chest x-ray, & blood test (to see about any food allergies), got 3 new meds:

1) Amox-Clav (antibiotics)
2) Methylprednisolone - 6-day supply, worked some, not obvious improvement
3) Ventolin HFA inhaler - used 2x so far, helped a bit

Mar 1 - Starting to finally feel better
Mar 10 - Dr appt #2, given EKG to rule that out, was normal. Also:
1) Omeprazole - for acid reflux/digestion - I don't think I need to take that
2) Epi-pen - to take as needed, probably won't have to take
3) Prim...zine - for runny nose/cough - I haven't had either so I probably won't take this...unless it's good for nasal congestion, is it?
4) Asmanex Twisthaler - to take as needed

I was told by a couple acquaintances that you have to call 911 when using the Epi-pen & if so, I really don't need to use it. I haven't had any reactions to any foods, bee stings, etc. at all, except some gas to dairy products the last 1-2 yrs.

Re: Asmanex Twisthaler - I watched a couple youtube vids on how to use because she just handed me that without telling me how it works. And I guess I use this now in place of the Ventolin HFA inhaler

MY MAIN CONCERN - My breathing, which at times feels like the lungs need to expand more &/or that I need more air.  So I'd actually like to see a pulmonologist much more rather than an allergist.

Also, I never had asthma nor been tested for it, but I'm starting to wonder if I have developed this.
Posted by: spacecanada
« on: March 12, 2017, 01:16:00 PM »

Can an admin please merge these two very similar threads? (Here and in Adults). The OP mentions some things in one but not the other.  i.e. no change in symptoms after eating.
Posted by: eragon
« on: March 12, 2017, 08:18:59 AM »

A GP gave those prescriptions but expressed that the allergies are minor? 
why havent you been referred to an allergy clinic or immunologist when GP has offered an auto injector? What was your GP's reasoning behind this?

I would seriously consider pushing for a referral to an allergic clinic,  esp if you are certain you have an ige allergy.

However, milk intolerance, food intolerance can give you chest pains, and it can be severe and painful. But it is not life threatening. just worthy of changing diet.


 
Posted by: GoingNuts
« on: March 12, 2017, 07:51:31 AM »

Forever Blue - did they do scratch tests, or blood tests only?
Posted by: lakeswimr
« on: March 11, 2017, 10:18:11 PM »

You need to know if you have an accurate diagnosis or not.  What you posted sounds like you should see an actual allergist to me. 
Posted by: rebekahc
« on: March 11, 2017, 09:21:45 PM »

Yes, an epipen is a needle, but it's an autoinjector, so you don't see the needle, or push a plunger or anything.  It could save your life if used when your action plan calls for it.

If you really are allergic, it's about so much more than just not eating a peanut butter sandwich. You will need to learn about manufacturer cross contamination, how to read food labels and call manufacturers because the labels are not required to list possible contamination; restaurant (and home prepared) contamination, speaking with wait staff and chefs, avoiding resataurants where contamination is impossible to avoid, leaving restaurants when you gut tells you they just don't get it; etc.
Posted by: Forever Blue
« on: March 11, 2017, 09:01:38 PM »

OP back.  I appreciate the comments guys!

Is an Epi-pen a needle?  I don't even know since I never had to use one before.

I can definitely live without peanut butter/peanuts.  I don't even like it.  I may eat a peanut butter & jelly sandwich once every 2-3 yrs, but I don't even have to do that.
Re: soy, I know soy isn't that good for you, so I'll keep avoiding that as much as possible like I've been doing.