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Dilemma
Jan 19, 2020 4:40:03 GMT -5
Post by biteybird on Jan 19, 2020 4:40:03 GMT -5
I had an allergic reaction (amongst several over the last few years). Last year I got hives on my upper legs and then my upper lip swelled up. This year, a couple of days before Christmas, my eyes swelled (I went into work anyway so they could see that I wasn't just wanting an extra day off prior to a Public Holiday! - my team leader said "Go to the doctor!). So after I went to the GP he ordered a blood test and it showed that my IG level (Immunoglobin?) is 589, when it's meant to be less than 26. I happened to mention to the doctor that I have birds. He asked if I have a dry cough (yes) and feel short of breath (yes). Then he said if I have a condition called 'Bird Fanciers Lung' that it can be fatal, so I have had another blood test done to ascertain if I am allergic to birds. The test isn't back yet. My dilemma is: if I'm allergic to birds, should I rehome Bonnie or should I try to keep her - at a risk to my health? I feel really horrible about the thought of rehoming her...
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Post by cnyguy on Jan 19, 2020 20:41:12 GMT -5
Sorry that you haven't been feeling well. There are a lot of "ifs" here while you wait for more definite information. Having an allergy to birds doesn't necessarily mean that you would have Bird Fancier's Lung (a.k.a. Bird Keeper's Lung), and allergies can often be treated fairly easily. In the worst case, rehoming Bonnie would be more sensible than jeopardizing your own health, though I can't say that I always do what's sensible. I would investigate any options possible that would allow me to keep my parrot and would only rehome if there were no other choice.
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Dilemma
Jan 19, 2020 22:59:48 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Caseysmom on Jan 19, 2020 22:59:48 GMT -5
Sigh, I had never heard of that condition, it does makes you wonder. Your health is important so I guess after you get your results you will have to take your doctor’s advice as hard as that might be. Would a hepa filter system help?
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Dilemma
Jan 20, 2020 4:29:01 GMT -5
Post by biteybird on Jan 20, 2020 4:29:01 GMT -5
I would investigate any options possible that would allow me to keep my parrot and would only rehome if there were no other choice. Yep, that is what I plan to do. I did notice, after actually paying attention for the last few days, that I had bouts of sneezing within half an hour of handling/getting close to Bonnie, so I really hope the test doesn't show an allergy to birds. I'll just have to wait and see. The doctor wanted me to stay away from her for one week, but I don't see the sense in putting her through the confusion of that without knowing more first.
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Post by biteybird on Jan 20, 2020 4:30:36 GMT -5
Would a hepa filter system help? I have been wondering that. It is pretty humid here in Darwin and that means that bacteria multiply more readily. I am considering a humidifier of some sort to purify the air, which might remove some of the dust particles.
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Post by siobhan on Jan 20, 2020 15:37:17 GMT -5
I had an allergic reaction to hair dye years ago and the first thing the doctor asked me was "do you have pets in the house?" When I said I did (no birds at that time, just dogs), she said I had to get rid of them. Didn't even TRY to figure out any other cause for the allergic reaction. Of course I didn't do it -- my first reaction to an edict of any kind is "MAKE me!" Ever since, I am highly suspicious of a doctor blaming pets for things that might well be something else. So look around. Change the furnace (or a/c) filter. Have you changed brands of laundry detergent or floor cleaner or dish soap or anything else that might account for it? Has your neighbor been burning leaves? Could a business nearby be using a solvent or something that you're sensitive to?
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Dilemma
Jan 21, 2020 4:51:34 GMT -5
Post by biteybird on Jan 21, 2020 4:51:34 GMT -5
Be assured, I will look into every possibility. My biggest fear is - what if I'm allergic to alcohol? :0
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Post by Caseysmom on Jan 21, 2020 9:59:52 GMT -5
I was tested once years ago, birds were ok but dust and mould are bad for me. I do occasionally cough a dry cough without being sick. Almost every time in the car when the vents are on. I tried getting the fillers changed. I think it is worse in the winter here when the house is dry. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Good luck I really hope you can figure out something that includes Bonnie
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Post by biteybird on Feb 21, 2020 4:31:23 GMT -5
Hey, good news, my blood test showed I am not allergic to birds! I'm now being tested for autoimmune diseases such as lupus and polymyalgia rheumatoid. So Bonnie gets to boss me around for another decade or two!
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Post by cnyguy on Feb 21, 2020 20:51:40 GMT -5
Congratulations! Hope that whatever is causing you trouble can be easily managed.
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Dilemma
Feb 26, 2020 4:30:31 GMT -5
Post by biteybird on Feb 26, 2020 4:30:31 GMT -5
Congratulations! Hope that whatever is causing you trouble can be easily managed. Thanks Gary, I would be happy with whatever shows up, as the alternative of no diagnosis would be really annoying. At least when you know what the problem is you can set about addressing it!
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Dilemma
Mar 4, 2020 23:21:52 GMT -5
Post by Jan and Shah on Mar 4, 2020 23:21:52 GMT -5
Glad you are okay with Bonnie but the other 2 conditions are a bit of a worry. What's the latest news? You need to come back to cooler climates
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Post by biteybird on Mar 8, 2020 4:48:18 GMT -5
Hi Jan! I tested negative to lupus and rheumatoid (although there is a type of rheumatoid called seronegative that doesn't show up in blood tests). I had to have another blood test for very specific things to see if my allergy symptoms are because of "something happening internally" (immunologist's words)...whatever that means. I had that yesterday. So I still don't have an answer, but at least I can keep Bonnie! I am going to Nhulunbuy (Gove) tomorrow for 5 days for work, so hubby and Bonnie will have to get over their differences whilst I'm away. :0 Hope you're well - this virus thing seems like it might become a pain in the ass.
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Post by cnyguy on Mar 8, 2020 20:30:19 GMT -5
It is helpful to have certain things ruled out, but still frustrating not knowing what is the culprit. Hope you're feeling better anyway. I'm sure that the good news that Bonnie will be able to continue to run your life is welcome.
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Post by newquakermommy on Mar 29, 2020 16:06:32 GMT -5
Hi Jan! I tested negative to lupus and rheumatoid (although there is a type of rheumatoid called seronegative that doesn't show up in blood tests). I had to have another blood test for very specific things to see if my allergy symptoms are because of "something happening internally" (immunologist's words)...whatever that means. I had that yesterday. So I still don't have an answer, but at least I can keep Bonnie! I am going to Nhulunbuy (Gove) tomorrow for 5 days for work, so hubby and Bonnie will have to get over their differences whilst I'm away. :0 Hope you're well - this virus thing seems like it might become a pain in the ass. I have rheumatoid arthritis -started seronagative, evolved to seropositive... I'm also allergic to cats, birds, dogs, and everything that grows. I live in the country, surrounded by growing things, and have cats, dogs, chickens, and now a QP! LOL! I guess I'm a glutton for punishment. Thank heavens for Zyrtec.
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