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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by AMD on December 28, 2005, at 9:17:23
My girlfriend just brought her cat into the house and immediately I began itching, sneezing, my eyes watering up. The cat also scratched me and my arm welted up.
Now I'm worried that such an extreme allergic reaction might cause me brain damage. Is this possible? I've read that allergies cause cognitive decline. True? I'm a bit freaked. I've finally stablized my mood and I don't want to introduce any factors to upset that.
Related: last night I took Benadryl to cope with the cat. It knocked me out, and this morning I'm still tired and a bit zonked out. Did I do permanent damage and can I expect this feeling to go away. Cognitive damage?
For the record, I'm taking Celexa (and SSRI) and Lamictal (anticonvulsant).
Let me know if I'm needlessly freaking and whether I can expect my mood and mind to return once the medicine has worn off.
Thanks,
amd
Posted by Racer on December 28, 2005, at 10:18:55
In reply to Benadryl/cat allergies - brain damage?, posted by AMD on December 28, 2005, at 9:17:23
> My girlfriend just brought her cat into the house and immediately I began itching, sneezing, my eyes watering up. The cat also scratched me and my arm welted up.
That's what happens to me when a cat scratches me -- it's being innoculated with an allergen. But it's no more serious than the runny nose part of the allergy. Wash the scratch with gentle soap -- like Ivory -- and maybe put some hydrogen peroxide on it. You'll be FINE.
>
> Now I'm worried that such an extreme allergic reaction might cause me brain damage. Is this possible? I've read that allergies cause cognitive decline. True? I'm a bit freaked. I've finally stablized my mood and I don't want to introduce any factors to upset that.Nope. Allergies may make you feel dull, cognitively, but that's only because it hurts to think when you're suffering. :-P I have never read anything about allergies causing any sort of cognitive decline, beyond the point that you can breathe again. Stop freaking yourself out over this.
>
> Related: last night I took Benadryl to cope with the cat. It knocked me out, and this morning I'm still tired and a bit zonked out. Did I do permanent damage and can I expect this feeling to go away. Cognitive damage?No. Antihistimines knock people out. That's what they do. It will wear off. Your best bet, if you have a lot of contact with this cat, is to talk to your doctor about a non-drowsy anti-histimine. They exist.
>
> Let me know if I'm needlessly freaking and whether I can expect my mood and mind to return once the medicine has worn off.
>Yes. You are needlessly freaking yourself out -- but I notice that you sound much less freaked out than previously, and congratulate you on your progress. You'll be fine, and your mind will return as soon as you're less drowsy from the Benadryl and allergy.
For what it's worth, I am allergic to cats -- and live with two of them. I hope I haven't had too much cognitive decline, but will say that any I do have is more age related than cat related.
Good luck.
Posted by jamestheyonger on December 28, 2005, at 10:23:11
In reply to Benadryl/cat allergies - brain damage?, posted by AMD on December 28, 2005, at 9:17:23
Given how common cat allergies are it is way over the top to bring "brain damage" into the picture.
Posted by Phillipa on December 28, 2005, at 20:11:50
In reply to Re: Benadryl/cat allergies - brain damage?, posted by jamestheyonger on December 28, 2005, at 10:23:11
AMD, you sound great other than the cat! Don't worry about that. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Wildflower on December 28, 2005, at 21:00:44
In reply to Benadryl/cat allergies - brain damage?, posted by AMD on December 28, 2005, at 9:17:23
I just went through something similar. Please check with your doc to see if the antihistimine in benedryl will interact with any of your other meds. I have been taking an antihistimine wondering why I was so tired and had trouble remember things (short-term). Turns out that the two cannot be taken together. I doubt that you'll get any type of brain damage but you might check it the interaction.
Posted by JenStar on December 29, 2005, at 0:27:27
In reply to Benadryl/cat allergies - brain damage?, posted by AMD on December 28, 2005, at 9:17:23
hi AMD,
allergies won't cause you cognitive decline. They may cause you itching, swelling and runny nose, though! I suffer from allergies myself, esp. hayfever, so I can really sympathize with you.For long term use, you may want to see a doctor and get something like Claritin or Clarinex. I think Benadryl works GREAT, but it does make people sleepy, and I'm not sure it's the right one for long-term use.
Did you know that some people use Benadryl as a gentle relaxant when they're stressed or want to sleep better? Since it makes one sleepy, some people claim it can relax them a bit.
How are you feeling today? Is the cat still there?
good luck!
JenStar
Posted by summerflowers on December 29, 2005, at 18:50:24
In reply to Re: Benadryl/cat allergies - brain damage? » AMD, posted by JenStar on December 29, 2005, at 0:27:27
I dont mean to freak you but cats can pass on toxoplasmosis,which has been linked to certain things,but dont worry you have to actually have touched thier poo first......cat allergies are very very common,its something to do with thier fur.Maybe the allergy is natures way of saying stay away from cats?
Posted by Racer on December 30, 2005, at 0:27:40
In reply to Re: Benadryl/cat allergies - brain damage?, posted by summerflowers on December 29, 2005, at 18:50:24
> I dont mean to freak you but cats can pass on toxoplasmosis,which has been linked to certain things,but dont worry you have to actually have touched thier poo first.
Toxoplasmosis is a virus which many cats do carry. It can be fatal to fetuses, so AMD, if you're pregnant right now, don't clean the catbox. In adults, though, unless you've got a seriously impaired immune system -- as in AIDS, or severe autoimmune disorders, or being on immunosuppressants for organ transplant -- toxoplasmosis is like having a cold. It's not a serious illness.
It's certainly not something to worry about. And AMD? You know that you find things to worry about, so find something more realistic than toxoplasmosis, 'K? Worry that the UN will bring charges against our government in the ICC, over the war in Iraq, or that the delicate ecosystem in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska will be damaged by drilling so that your neighbor can drive a Hummer. Worry that the supermarket is repricing merchandise on the shelves, against federal laws. Something that might be real.
And enjoy the cat. What's the story? Is the cat moving in with you? If so, you'll likely get immune to that one cat over time -- that's what's happened to me with mine, and I'm told that it's common. What's more, if you give the cat a bath, it will remove the allergens -- which are in the saliva, not the fur -- AND cats hate baths. That can be a real bonus, if you're feeling vengeful for the itchy eyes and cough and runny nose.
(OK, funny story: I was living with a boyfriend when we got my Big Cat. He swore up and down that he was allergic to cats, then one day decided we needed to get a cat. Within days, I was so sick I even went to my doctor. She diagnosed my allergy -- I would never have thought of that. He was fine. No problem, never. "allergic" was apparently his way of saying he had never liked cats... After we broke up, he got a new cat right away...)
Posted by summerflowers on December 30, 2005, at 5:54:25
In reply to REALITY CHECK, posted by Racer on December 30, 2005, at 0:27:40
yeah,Im so sorry AMD,cats are fine,youl be fine.We have a big fat ginger fluffy cat,he sleeps on the roof in summer,and lies on the side of the pool with his paws in the water like a lion.Only thing is its a blow up pool and he pops it every time.Well,I am sorry,cats are there to enjoy and nearly everyone has them,I dont know much about allergies.(arina)
Posted by AMD on January 26, 2006, at 7:59:25
In reply to REALITY CHECK, posted by Racer on December 30, 2005, at 0:27:40
I survived the cat, but I finally made my girlfriend return it to its rightful owner, her ex-boyfriend, whose presense as a "third wheel" in our relationship has been a non-ignorable aspect of our interactions. (Read: fun weekend fights.)
Sorry I haven't checked in in so long. You have all been very supportive, and I appreciate it.
Racer, the post below really made me laugh. I'll remember the bath tip.
amd
> > I dont mean to freak you but cats can pass on toxoplasmosis,which has been linked to certain things,but dont worry you have to actually have touched thier poo first.
>
> Toxoplasmosis is a virus which many cats do carry. It can be fatal to fetuses, so AMD, if you're pregnant right now, don't clean the catbox. In adults, though, unless you've got a seriously impaired immune system -- as in AIDS, or severe autoimmune disorders, or being on immunosuppressants for organ transplant -- toxoplasmosis is like having a cold. It's not a serious illness.
>
> It's certainly not something to worry about. And AMD? You know that you find things to worry about, so find something more realistic than toxoplasmosis, 'K? Worry that the UN will bring charges against our government in the ICC, over the war in Iraq, or that the delicate ecosystem in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska will be damaged by drilling so that your neighbor can drive a Hummer. Worry that the supermarket is repricing merchandise on the shelves, against federal laws. Something that might be real.
>
> And enjoy the cat. What's the story? Is the cat moving in with you? If so, you'll likely get immune to that one cat over time -- that's what's happened to me with mine, and I'm told that it's common. What's more, if you give the cat a bath, it will remove the allergens -- which are in the saliva, not the fur -- AND cats hate baths. That can be a real bonus, if you're feeling vengeful for the itchy eyes and cough and runny nose.
>
> (OK, funny story: I was living with a boyfriend when we got my Big Cat. He swore up and down that he was allergic to cats, then one day decided we needed to get a cat. Within days, I was so sick I even went to my doctor. She diagnosed my allergy -- I would never have thought of that. He was fine. No problem, never. "allergic" was apparently his way of saying he had never liked cats... After we broke up, he got a new cat right away...)
>
Posted by greywolf on January 29, 2006, at 14:17:33
In reply to Re: REALITY CHECK, posted by summerflowers on December 30, 2005, at 5:54:25
There was an interesting article a few months ago in Esquire about a researcher (one of the magazine's "best and brightest" for 2005) who has spent a couple decades researching the connection between cats and schizophrenia. Seems that a number of studies have noticed a statistically significant parallel between the presence of cats in households with children and later development of schizophrenia. Speculation is that the toxoplasmosis (if I have that right) organism that inhabits felines may be a contributor.
My understanding is that they don't have any firm connection yet, but it's an interesting theory.
Posted by summerflowers on January 29, 2006, at 14:54:53
In reply to Re: REALITY CHECK, posted by greywolf on January 29, 2006, at 14:17:33
Sorry thats the thing that freaked me out 2.Here in NZ it was on the news,and I instantly thought of getting rid of our poor cat.But the kids love that cat so HOW could we?Its only a study thats non conclusive so??????who knows.
Posted by summerflowers on January 29, 2006, at 16:49:57
In reply to Re: Benadryl/cat allergies - brain damage?, posted by Wildflower on December 28, 2005, at 21:00:44
the ones at risk would be children.I can see the connection because damage can be done if an unborn baby is exposed to toxo,so if a young child caught toxo,the disease could lay dormant in the bady then reemerge years later when schizophrenia usually shows its first symptoms.That would mean that if toxo were caught in childhood and treated correctly,so it is not dormant in the system,maybe in 15 years time there will be less or no schizophrenia?????Thats if there were a connection.Or maybe they should look at developing a vaccine for all children if the evidence becomes clear????It still gives me the creeps with my own children,I read a book long time ago called Davids mother Im sure if my memory is right that the boy caught toxo.
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