sublingual immunotherapy for cat dander allergy

[CDasthma]

hello all. I am a 41 yr old diagnosed with asthma aged 37 after a viral respiratory infection. Asthma was mild and extremely well controlled up until March 2022. We have had 2 cats at home for the last 11 years without any allergic issues fyi. In March 2022 I underwent fertility treatment and 7 weeks into the pregnancy I had a sudden frightening flare - chest tightness along with stuffed nose and stuffed sinuses. At the time there was also a covid outbreak at work- I only tested once which was neg. Sadly I miscarried . Went to respiratory doc who did skin prick tests showing allergies to cat dog pollen etc. started Relvar inhaler and course of steroids and gradually over the next 3-4 months things stabilised. Felt perfectly well august and September 2022 then caught covid with a positive test in October 2022 and asthma out of control since then despite steroid courses etc. don’t know if I’m dealing with a new cat allergy making symptoms worse, long covid, worse asthma because of the hormonal shifts last spring … considering immunotherapy to get a handle on any potential cat allergy (the thought of rehoming our long term pets at present is too much to deal with ). If anyone has any personal experience with this I would be interested to hear. Many thanks all.

[Poobah]

I'm sorry for your loss, it sounds like you've really had a challenging time. Unfortunately, it is possible to develop new allergies at any time, sometimes we can pinpoint a virus or life event but sometimes there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to why we suddenly become allergic to something. I haven't had experience of immunology or desensitisation, being in the UK it's not main stream treatment for asthma allergies, unless we go private or have anaphylatic reactions. But my cat allergies are better controlled since I started Montelukast (Singulair). I can now stay with family (we're all cat people) without experiencing a reaction to the cats.

BTW, breathing exercises are recommended for covid recovery. You may want to consult a respiratory physiotherapist, but there's quite good information online provided by physios and Buteyko practitioners.

I hope your recovery goes well.

[CDasthma in reply to Poobah]

thank you so much for this. I’m in Ireland and there is a clinic for desensitisation to the cat allergen felD1 so I will give it a shot and hope for the best. Your response is much appreciated thank you

[Poobah in reply to CDasthma]

As you're in Ireland, check out Patrick McKeown and the Buteyko breathing technique on YouTube. He's an excellent Buteyko practitioner and has good advice on covid breathing exercises. All the best.

[CDasthma in reply to Poobah]

thank you so much. As an fyi are you able to keep a pet yourself now that you are on the right meds ?

[Poobah in reply to CDasthma]

If I didn't travel so much I would have a cat or two.

[Patk1]

Ru taking antihistamines?

[CDasthma in reply to Patk1]

yes I am but they don’t seem to be making much difference

[Patk1 in reply to CDasthma]

There r different types.i find fenofexadine and loratidine helpful

[CDasthma in reply to Patk1]

thank you I will look into another type- I hear telfast is good

[Patk1 in reply to CDasthma]

I think telfast is brand name for fenofexadine.it is the best I've had.my son said that people at work are still coughing for 10/12 wk after covid/flju/ bad colds.i hope u soon feel better x

[Homely2 Administrator]

I had a nasty attack at a rental property infested with dog hair.

However I am not allergic to dog hair and am very used to dogs.

The cause of the attack was pet dander leading to dust mites, rather than the more obvious dog hair.

I talked to a cleaner, and he said it was all about the furnishings at the rental property.

So maybe you can reduce your cat issues by having furniture that is easy to wipe down and clean, reduce the amount of carpets, keep the cats out of the bedroom etc. Buy an air purifier.

[CDasthma in reply to Homely2]

thank you very much for sharing - very interesting re dust mite - we have wood floors only and mostly leather chairs / sofa so thankfully easy to wipe - glad to hear you can be around dogs ! ❤️

[Pipsqueak77]

Hi

Everyone has given you really good advice.. but don’t underestimate the role that hormones can play in asthma.

My hormones play absolute havoc with mine and I still don’t have any ideas after many years of how to deal with it. ☹️However maybe it’s worth mentioning to your asthma team?

Just wanted to put it in there… hope you feel better soon. 😊👍

[CDasthma in reply to Pipsqueak77]

thank you- really useful to hear this - I agree with you and I’m sorry you’re having such trouble yourself with the asthma. I truly think that the short lived pregnancy did something to my immune system - I have never been pregnant before that and I am now terrified to try it ever again unfortunately ! If I can keep my pets I will be able to accept no children . My resp doc didn’t have much to say about the hormonal implications to asthma and I believe there is a lot of work to be done in the area - thank you again and wishing you well x

[Pipsqueak77 in reply to CDasthma]

You are absolutely right… medics push it under the carpet as there is not a lot of knowledge out there on this subject.

Don’t give up though… if it’s something you really want. You will find a way…. take care😊🤞🙏

[Hidden]

My understanding of this treatment is that it is non-approved and non-regulated both here and in the US. So you may be wasting your money.

[fraid]

I am actually allergic to cats and have had them all my life. They may add to my asthma a bit but I can’t live without them. I find Cetirizine works best for me when bad, also wipe a damp cloth over cat, esp. when brings in pollens summertime. Don’t touch eyes,face after cuddle cat, wash hands, eyes etc. I use hoover on duvets or magic brush to keep hair down but I agree it’s probably most likely dander which adds to dust mites which give me asthma. Sorry you have had such a dreadful time and understand the last thing you need is to get rid of cats, they are so calming too. So hope you can find a way round your allergy and things improve for you. 🤞

[CDasthma in reply to fraid]

I’m the same as you - just can’t do without them - thank you for sharing !

[SmilesForMiles]

I don't have cat allergy but I do have pollen allergy and am doing immunotherapy (SLIT) for 2 types of pollen. Where I live SLIT is only approved for ragweed, grass and dust mite.

The other interesting thing I read that might help you were some studies looking at cat dander levels present in public spaces - for example this one where they looked at schools. jacionline.org/article/S009...

It's an old study (and I'm sure in the late 90s they cleaned schools never), but it also might be worth considering ways to minimize your exposure say at work or in other places in which you spend a lot of time + how to reduce the cat dander you carry with you when you leave the house, so that you're not self exposing all day long.

Good luck, hope the SCIT helps. I don't know what I'd do if I was allergic to my dogs (my family doc gave me quite the look the other day when I admitted to allowing our dogs to sleep in our bedroom... )

[CDasthma in reply to SmilesForMiles]

thank you so much for sharing and for your suggestions - All really appreciated. My resp / allergist doc is thankfully not judgemental about my needing my pets (my sister thinks I’m crazy and should just put them outside - easier said than done !). I will have a discussion with doc re options for desensitisation and if SCIT is preferable to SLIT then so be it. I wish you every success with your SLIT - keep us posted on how it goes 🙏

[SmilesForMiles in reply to CDasthma]

thank you 🤞I can’t imagine what you’re going through, I absolutely adore my dogs. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you as well.

Other thing that might be relevant is that asthma can worsen around hormonal changes for women (puberty, menopause, pregnancy). Might be worth asking about as well? (and sorry for your loss)

[strongmouse]

Sounds as though you have had a rough time.

Just to let you know that it is possible to neutralise any dander from the cats. I am allergic to both cats and dogs. Our son needed us to look after his dog for a few weeks while he went to Australia. I said only if I don't react to his fur. We used 'Petal Cleanse' from Healthy House on his fur and it worked a treat. My other son has also used it on their cats before I visited their house.

The problem with allergies I find, is 'load'. There are some things I react to badly no matter what, but other things I can tolerate a little of but with any infection or stress on my immune system and it goes into overdrive. It sounds like your body has gone into overdrive and needs to reset. Have you tried taking antihistamines? Also, I use a hepa airfilter which helps to keep the air free of things you might react to such as pollens and dust mites.

My son has had immunotherapy (injections) which were effective for him in dealing with dust mite allergy.

[CDasthma in reply to strongmouse]

hi there and thank you for all of this- I will certainly get some petal cleanse and give it a go… I started telfast and got the HEPA filter for our bedroom - and I agree I need a reset ! It was the toughest time these past 18 months - a few months before the miscarriage my sister in law died unexpectedly leaving 2 toddlers behind so I do think stress had rewired my immune system along with virus etc. glad to hear you and family have managed to keep allergies under control and uplifting to hear that allergy shots helped your son with the dust allergy. Best to you all and thank you again 🙏

[Horsemadfamily]

Hi sorry for the rambling response.

I'm a 58 year old male who has severe allergies that have gradually worsened over the years. I can't be in a property with cat for more than a couple of hours without being unable to breath. With a dog its about 10 minutes.

However with a horse its seconds what ever they measure your tolerance in above 0.5 is considered allergic. To cats I'm 2.4, dogs 3.5 horses 54. Occasionally I have to take a hay bale into my daughters stables and I do my best to hold my breath. Salbutamol has no effect only Symbicort now works as a reliever.

Allergies were and have made my life a misery. I can't go on holiday unless it can be proved absolutely no pets allowed. Can't visit family or friends. Can't go outside in summer much.

I had totally given up and in my own mind decided I would end up dying early like both my grandfathers. One 55 from Asthma. One 63 from Asthma and Chronic bronchitis.

Finally after years of pressing the NHS I was referred to specialist immunology. They prescribed Montelukast. I was very very sceptical given the comments on forums. But guess what within 2 weeks of taking them I can now go in the stables for 30 minutes with no discernable reaction. Under guidance of my consultant I am gradually increasing my exposure to the horses. I love horses and have high Hope's I can spend lots more time with them.

So far this has changed my life. Fingers crossed. I do get some sleep disturbance but it's a price worth paying to be able to breath. From using steroids daily I'm now virtually off them. Hope my rambling answer helps others. Cheers

[CDasthma in reply to Horsemadfamily]

thank you for sharing - very helpful and encouraging and I’m delighted there is hope for you now to be with your horses…🙏