Conference misery::feline_v1

        Karen,
    
    	Check out the allergies first.  I thought I was allergic until
    	I went to an allergist.  It turns out I was slightly allergic
    	but mostly allergic to house dust, tree pollen, grass ect so
    	giving away my cat wouldn't have done anygood.  My allergist
    	told me that most people who are allergic to pets are allergic
        to house dust and many other things.  Any way after having a
    	cat for a year my allergy slowly went away, slowly sensitized
    	just like the allergy shots.  When I have any allergy troubles
    	I take Seldane (prescribed by my doctor).  It has no side effects.
    	Including not making you sleepy.  Now I live with 5 cats and
    	have no more allergy problems except for when I cut the grass.
    
    	What Im trying to say is that you are probably allergic to many
        things, giving your cat away probably wont help (see an allergist).
    	Seldane is an excellent antihistimine to offset the allergy
        effects (see your doctor).
    
    	Elaine

    Elaine,
    
    This is a bit of a diversion from the topic but...I take Seldane
    too (I have 3 cats to be allergic to now) and it does work really 
    well.  I was under the impression that there were no side effects 
    too but my younger sister was just prescribed Seldane by Kaiser 
    and she was told she might notice more hair coming out in her comb 
    when she was taking it.  Have you noticed anything like that.  I 
    didn't notice till she mentioned it but now it seems like it may be 
    true.  'Course maybe now I'm just paranoid.  It isn't enough of
    a problem that I'll quit taking the Seldane though.
    
    Jan

    I'll NEVER give up my seldane!!  (Unless they come up with something
    better)  For years I suffered with my allergies because I couldn't
    take anything, perscription or otherwise, that was on the market
    because the side effects were worse than the allergy!  This is
    great.
    
    I think I already sent you some mail  but at the risk of repeating
    myself - I agree with the previous notes.  Go see an allergist 
    before you give up the cat.
    

    	
    I also have to agree with the others, see an allergist before giving up 
    your kitty.  I have just gone thru the hole 9 yards, with pollen as the
    suspect....but come to find out I am allergic to animals (I have daily
    contact with more types of animals) and very allergic to house dust!
    
    They have many recomendations for cleaning/keeping a room dust free....
    and I have noticed a difference.  Also, My kitty has never been allowed
    upstairs, so I don't have to deal with re-training her.  My Dr.
    told me as long as I wash my hands after being with the animals, keep
    my room dust free and take some prescription stuff, I should be all
    set. Also, I have noticed that it is others peoples cats that bother me 
    more than my own (I've had her for 3 years), with the exception of her
    shedding season, so you can desentize your self over a peroid of time.
    
    RE: Seldane
    
    My dr. Perscribed Seldane and Nolex (and a nose spray which I can't
    bring my self to use) because the Seldane alone was not enough!  Nolex
    is an antihistimine, with virtually no side effect except that I drink 
    more water.  I have not noticed any more hair loss than usual.....and
    my dr. never mentioned anything like it.
    
    RE: ndc
    
    They are coming out with something better than Seldane soon, called 
    Seldane-D its seldane with the antihistime included.  
    
    m&n

    Michele, seldane IS an antihistamine.  I suspect that the D is for
    decongestant.  Seldane is referred to as a second or third generation
    antihistamine.  Don't ask me what that means.  I have heard of some
    new drugs in this class which you only take once a day, or once
    every two or three days.  I'll let you know if I hear any more
    about them.  I suspect they won't be available thru HCHP for a bit.
    At least until they come up with a generic equivalent.
      Oh - and try an air filter.  You can get them, on sale, for under
    $100 at Sears.  They also have a charcoal filter in them and keep
    the air smelling fresh.  Its especially nice in the winter.  Jack's
    allergist wanted us to spend about $400 on some super-duper air
    filtration system for the bedroom, but we've been able to make do
    with this.
      Nancy DC
    

    One of my engineers has allergies to dust, pollen, animal fur,
    grass, hay etc. He went to an allergist and rather than put
    him on shots, (after all the needle testing) he suggested a nasal
    spray called VANCENASE, you have to have a prescription for it
    and you use it like 4 x a day for the first week, 3 x the next till
    you get down to once a day, and then you use that for the rest of
    the "bad" allergy season and then on demand. He hasn't experienced
    any side effects, and they family has even gone out and bought a
    puppy for their two kids.
    
    This man has suffered for so many years and can't believe that
    this nose spray does the trick.
    
    Barbara

    Jan,
    
    I haven't noticed any hair loss due to the seldane.  I also have
    the nose spray that people have been talking about, but I find that
    the Seldane is enough.  My prescription drug book does not list
    hair loss as a side effect of the drug so it may be a coincidence.
    
    Elaine

    Boy, we've really gotten off the mainstream here, haven't we.
    I HATE Seldane!  The doctor keeps giving it to me and says to take it
    with a decongestant.  What's the point?  I might as well take the
    Sudafed or Drixoral by itself.  Besides, the nurse at work has good
    allergy medicine!
    
    Re: .1  I agree, see an allergist.  My husband (then boyfriend) claimed
    he was  allergic to my cats.  Finally, he went to an allergist and
    found he was allergic to EVERYTHING except pine trees!  Getting rid of
    the cats wouldn't change a thing, although he still insists it's the
    cats!  He won't admit to the severity of his other allergies.  Figures.
    
    Mary

    Well Seldane doesn't work for everyone - my allergist told me that.
    Try another allergist.
      Good luck