posted
So after 3 years of treatment for a 25 year-old undiagnosed illness, 4 kids with congenital lyme, and endless hours of research and reading, I am finally facing the mold issue (as seen in my recent thread "We have Lyme, we are broke, and we have mold."
I have been figuring out the "how to" as far as paying 6,000 for mold remediation. I have figured out a payment plan and also put in a claim for the mold through my home owners (which covers $20,000 in biological damage but ONLY if they think it was caused by certain things...
And now as I walk around my house and hear my annoying cat meowing, I can't help but wonder if any of us are allergic to her.
When I first got the cat, my 7 year old was 2. The SAME week we got the cat, she (my daughter) coughed sooooo much that I actually had to take her to the E.R., where they said it was just a virus.
I also took her to the pediatrician, and asked him if he thought there could be a connection between her hacking cough and our new little kitty. He said, "Not a chance."
So, I never thought of it again, until 2008 when my lyme disease went crazy and I was practically bedridden, not having a CLUE as to what was wrong with me.
Started researching, found LLMD, began treatment. I am better, somewhat....but none of us are well.
I am 100% certain that the mold is wreaking havoc in our bodies. I am scheduled for remediation in a month.
When my brothers and sister visit, they never stay long because they are always sick from the cat. I am wondering if my daughter in particular (and possibly me) could be allergic to this cat that we have had for years? Couldn't her dander be so embedded in our home that we simply have become "used to" it, but perhaps it still effects us?
Should I have my daughter tested for cat and other allergies?
Does anyone want a cat? (just kidding).
Thanks yet again....cb
Posts: 114 | From NY | Registered: Jul 2011
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jackie51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14233
posted
It's highly possible that cat allergies were there or brought on later. There's only so much our bodies can handle.
I don't know how accurate allergy testing reallly is but if she's willing...
It's possible your extended family is getting sick from the mold too, not just the cat.
Posts: 1374 | From Crazy Town | Registered: Dec 2007
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
Allergy tests are not completely accurate. My reaction to cats is much more severe than my reaction to dogs. I'm 3+ to dogs, 1+ to cats on the tests (range=0-4+, with 0 = no reaction, 4+ = severe reaction). The only way to know if the cat is a problem is to get rid of the cat or go on vacation to a cat-free location.
If it were me, I'd get the mold issue dealt with first because you know for a fact that mold is a problem for healing.
Then, once the mold is dealt with, re-assess whether or not the cat may be a problem.
And yes, allergies stress the immune system, thus have the potential to interfere with complete recovery from Lyme/co's.
Just my $.02...
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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GiGi
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 259
posted
Cats are carriers of Cat Scratch Disease, aka Rickettsiae/Bartonella.
Also consider that some 40% of the population suffer with Toxoplasmosis gondii, a parasite, also transmitted by cats. You may want to read up on this. Some people have that right along with Lyme and it is often overlooked. One reason why extensive parasite treatment is so important.
Reading your history, I would make the cat situation my priority and think of mold after that.
All the best to you and family.
Posts: 9834 | From Washington State | Registered: Oct 2000
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Sammi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 110
posted
My guess is that it is mold.
Posts: 4681 | Registered: Oct 2000
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Jamers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28016
posted
I agree that its mold. I have 2 dogs and rate highly allergic to them (4++) but I have no symptoms and have seen much improvement on antibiotics.
I think its viruses, mold, parasites, candida, and lyme bacteria that are suppressing the immune system. So, please don't go throwing your cat out!
Besides, allergies usually are caused by a toxic system or from being allergic to something one is eating (ie milk)
-------------------- Diagnosed Pos. Lyme Nov. 17, 2010, Igx. Pos. Babesia Duncani March 2011, Igx. Clinical diagnosis for Bartonella Posts: 1127 | From North Carolina | Registered: Sep 2010
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momlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 27775
posted
Mold can bring the immune system down.
My daughter had allergy testing while we were (unknowingly) living in a moldy home. She was allergic to nearly everything they tested her for. She was diagnosed with asthma and put on allergy shots, weekly, then bi-weekly.
We discovered the mold in April of this year. We moved out April 16th.
My daughter no longer needs her asthma medicine and she is not on the allergy shots either. She has not had the coughing or breathing problems she had when we were in that house. She just had her yearly check-up and she passed with flying colors. They had her blow into a thing that measures her breath and she was normal.
Besides this... she had behavior problems when we were in that home. These are also all but gone. Every kid has some behavior problems... hers were extreme crying, fits, yelling and unreasonable reactions to many things. She is soooo much better.
There are so many miraculous things that have happened to our family since getting out of the mold... mold is a huge factor in our health and wellness.
-------------------- May health be with you!
Toxic mold was suppressing our immune systems, causing extreme pain, brain fog and magnifying symptoms. Four days after moving out, the healing began. Posts: 2007 | From NY/VT Border | Registered: Aug 2010
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Catgirl
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 31149
posted
It's probably the mold. Mold is so serious. Did you see & hear the ILADS doctor (recent ILADS conference, on line) speak about mold? She said that mold causes hypersensitivity. The cat might be allergic to it too.
Your relatives may think it's the cat, but I would bet it's the mold.
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
Problem solving 101: #1. Identify the problem (name and location) #2. Discuss and consider all possible solutions. #3. Apply EASIEST solution first ! #4. Observe. apply next most difficult solution. Continue process until until problem is completely resolved.
Posts: 160 | From Mid-east USA | Registered: Jan 2010
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