Thought I forgot about my blog? Nope. Just been distracted and constantly not knowing what to post about.
I was thinking about something though: Service animals and emotional support animals.
I am in the frustrating place of being an animal lover and highly allergic to pretty much anything with fur. I wonder if part of the reason why my cat allergies are so bad is that I tried to keep my 2 cats long after I developed allergies.
I never want to deny anyone their service animal or their support animal, but its been getting harder for me to deal with as more and more people have them. When I can, I'll leave the area, or get as far away as I can and suffer through it. I don't want to complain to any of the people or make an issue, but I wonder if there is a better way for me to deal with it.
Belive me, I'd rather be able to be near them and talk to the owners about how much I like their animals, but my allergies are just too severe. It just sucks having to avoid something you really like and not really being able to fully avoid it anyway.
Oh, I should mention an allergy-related dream I had recently:
A company had these 3 flowers that were useful in many ways. They had to keep them in sperate rooms otherwise they would react somehow and damage each other and they just had one of each. For me, if I was exposed to them in a certain order it would neutralize all my allergies for an couple of hours. I had to expose myself to them in the reverse order before time was up or all my allergies would return and the flowers would never work for me again. The reverse order however would bring some of my allergies back for a couple of hours - and it was random which ones. After that I could let the time elapse and my allergies would slowly return to normal but I could still use the flowers. If I was exposed to the flowers in any other order, nothing happened.
So, that's it for today. I still exist so feel free to drop me a line or chat. sneezykate@hotmail.com works for e-mail, skype, and hangouts.
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Sunday, September 30, 2018
Bad allergy weekend
Big apologies for not posting in so long. I really suck at this! I had a pretty bad allergy experience this weekend which I will explain below. I also had a few dreams since my last post involving my allergies, but I can't remember them anymore other than in one many people were very curious about/concerned about me and blowing my nose.
The bad allergy weekend - Allison and I went with some friends to stay at a cabin and my allergies were horrible the whole time. Something about the cabin (no idea what) set off my allergies badly, and outside ragweed and probably other things bothered me too. I didn't want to ruin the weekend/make Allison leave so I suffered through it. I couldn't really do much, and so people would check-up on me from time to time. I had one of the longest sneezing fits I think I have ever had. One of our friends was there for it and he said he thinks it was 147 sneezes long. Anyway, I am home now but still feeling pretty allergically miserable.
Here is a little Q+A:
Q: YOu wrote a while ago that paper products bother you. So do you mean that you can't touch paper or it makes you sneeze? How do you avoid these things because they are everywhere? Is is a strong reaction?
A: Touching things dosen't bother me. Mostly its any paper dust I think makes my nose react. Something about newsprint seems to set my allergies off a bit too. Its strong enough to be noticable, but not as bad as say pollen or animal dander, etc.
Q: Now that you're years older since you started this blog, do you still have issues with colleagues making comments about your allergies? If so ,can you give some examples?
A: Not much of a problem, especially compared to HS and undergrad. I'll more get comments at some public places - like all my sneezing is seen as disruptive at the movies, I'll get weird reactions on mass transit, etc. At work people I think are pretty used to it. Sometimes someone might say 'there she goes again' or ' I wonder how long til she stops sneezing' but that's about it.
Q: You said before that someone you knew somehow sabotaged you/your allergies before you were going to meet up with a guy I was interested in, and your allergies got so bad that it screwed it all up. What happened that day, can you describe the date?
A: I might have made a prior blog post about it. It was back in HS when I was still trying to like guys (I thought I was Bisexual for a time). Someone who was jealous and wanted to date him I think somehow got pollen or something on my jacket without me knowing. As the date when on I was sneezing a lot and my eyes got all watery and red, I kept having to wipe my nose and go off to the bathroom when my fits were going on. It really interfered with the date and he seemed kind of turned off by it all. We didn't go on a date again, although he never went out with the girl who did it to me as he had no interest in her - He didn't know anything about it and I didn't find out til after the fact anyway.
That is all I have for today. I'll try to post a bit more often but its hard to remember to do. I am always happy to chat online however. Skype and google hangouts are the best ways to get in touch with me, or via e-mail. sneezykate@hotmail.com should get you to me on any of those.
Thanks for sticking around to keep reading :)
The bad allergy weekend - Allison and I went with some friends to stay at a cabin and my allergies were horrible the whole time. Something about the cabin (no idea what) set off my allergies badly, and outside ragweed and probably other things bothered me too. I didn't want to ruin the weekend/make Allison leave so I suffered through it. I couldn't really do much, and so people would check-up on me from time to time. I had one of the longest sneezing fits I think I have ever had. One of our friends was there for it and he said he thinks it was 147 sneezes long. Anyway, I am home now but still feeling pretty allergically miserable.
Here is a little Q+A:
Q: YOu wrote a while ago that paper products bother you. So do you mean that you can't touch paper or it makes you sneeze? How do you avoid these things because they are everywhere? Is is a strong reaction?
A: Touching things dosen't bother me. Mostly its any paper dust I think makes my nose react. Something about newsprint seems to set my allergies off a bit too. Its strong enough to be noticable, but not as bad as say pollen or animal dander, etc.
Q: Now that you're years older since you started this blog, do you still have issues with colleagues making comments about your allergies? If so ,can you give some examples?
A: Not much of a problem, especially compared to HS and undergrad. I'll more get comments at some public places - like all my sneezing is seen as disruptive at the movies, I'll get weird reactions on mass transit, etc. At work people I think are pretty used to it. Sometimes someone might say 'there she goes again' or ' I wonder how long til she stops sneezing' but that's about it.
Q: You said before that someone you knew somehow sabotaged you/your allergies before you were going to meet up with a guy I was interested in, and your allergies got so bad that it screwed it all up. What happened that day, can you describe the date?
A: I might have made a prior blog post about it. It was back in HS when I was still trying to like guys (I thought I was Bisexual for a time). Someone who was jealous and wanted to date him I think somehow got pollen or something on my jacket without me knowing. As the date when on I was sneezing a lot and my eyes got all watery and red, I kept having to wipe my nose and go off to the bathroom when my fits were going on. It really interfered with the date and he seemed kind of turned off by it all. We didn't go on a date again, although he never went out with the girl who did it to me as he had no interest in her - He didn't know anything about it and I didn't find out til after the fact anyway.
That is all I have for today. I'll try to post a bit more often but its hard to remember to do. I am always happy to chat online however. Skype and google hangouts are the best ways to get in touch with me, or via e-mail. sneezykate@hotmail.com should get you to me on any of those.
Thanks for sticking around to keep reading :)
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Sorry for the wait!
I am sorry I have been so bad again at posting to my blog again. Life gets busy and motivation gets low.
Tree pollen season has started, so my allergies have been starting to get worse. Although the snowstorms have helped dip the pollen levels. I just saw the following article. I guess its not in my head that my allergies have been feeling worse each year:
https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/3/14/17109336/allergies-climate-change-pollen
I had an allergy related dream a few weeks ago. I just remember that my nose was running literally non-stop, and I had no tissues or anything to deal with it. As people came by, they would pinch my nose closed and the runniness would stop, and then start back up again after they left. If I tried to pinch my own nose it wouldn't work and I would have a sneezing fit. Kinda weird, and its the only part i can remember.
I have a bit of Q+A:
Q: How many times do you sneeze in a row?
A: Depends on the time of year. On average, less than 10 in the winter, can be over 20 at the height of allergy season. That's average. there is the rare occasion i will only sneeze a few times, and occasionally I sneeze non-stop for a long time, so now way to keep track of how many they are.
Q: Does sneezing relieve pressure and make you feel better or make you feel worse?
A: It doesn't make me really feel any better, but it doesn't make me feel worse. Mostly seems like it has no impact on how I feel, other than tiring me out and embarrassing me.
Q: Are allergies frustrating for you or are you used to them?
A: Both. I am used to having them, but they are still very frustrating and I am used to having the frustration.
Q: Is it ever hard for you to fall asleep due to sneezing or allergies?
A: Plenty of times. Sometimes during allergy season I will get very little sleep or even no sleep at night for days and will end up dozing off for a few mins randomly throughout the days.
Q: Do you ever stifle?
A: Not usually. For some reason its hard for me to do. When i can do it, it hurt my sinuses and usually ends up making me sneeze more in the end.
As always, feel free to contact me to chat. sneezykate@hotmail.com for skype or e-mail is always best.
Tree pollen season has started, so my allergies have been starting to get worse. Although the snowstorms have helped dip the pollen levels. I just saw the following article. I guess its not in my head that my allergies have been feeling worse each year:
https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/3/14/17109336/allergies-climate-change-pollen
I had an allergy related dream a few weeks ago. I just remember that my nose was running literally non-stop, and I had no tissues or anything to deal with it. As people came by, they would pinch my nose closed and the runniness would stop, and then start back up again after they left. If I tried to pinch my own nose it wouldn't work and I would have a sneezing fit. Kinda weird, and its the only part i can remember.
I have a bit of Q+A:
Q: How many times do you sneeze in a row?
A: Depends on the time of year. On average, less than 10 in the winter, can be over 20 at the height of allergy season. That's average. there is the rare occasion i will only sneeze a few times, and occasionally I sneeze non-stop for a long time, so now way to keep track of how many they are.
Q: Does sneezing relieve pressure and make you feel better or make you feel worse?
A: It doesn't make me really feel any better, but it doesn't make me feel worse. Mostly seems like it has no impact on how I feel, other than tiring me out and embarrassing me.
Q: Are allergies frustrating for you or are you used to them?
A: Both. I am used to having them, but they are still very frustrating and I am used to having the frustration.
Q: Is it ever hard for you to fall asleep due to sneezing or allergies?
A: Plenty of times. Sometimes during allergy season I will get very little sleep or even no sleep at night for days and will end up dozing off for a few mins randomly throughout the days.
Q: Do you ever stifle?
A: Not usually. For some reason its hard for me to do. When i can do it, it hurt my sinuses and usually ends up making me sneeze more in the end.
As always, feel free to contact me to chat. sneezykate@hotmail.com for skype or e-mail is always best.
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Miserable Day
I am in WA for the holidays. I had to fly, and that usually is very bad on my sinuses. I have a cold too, so it made it even worse this time. I am also PMSing, so that makes everything just feel worse. I took stuff to make me sleep but I kept waking up in so much pain - like my sinuses were going to make my head explode. I'm still in so much pain its making me cry. I don't know how well I will be able to sleep tonight, and I will probably need all of tomorrow to recover enough to feel normal-ish. I wish I could just drill holes into my sinuses.
Here is a quick question, as I am trying to distract myself from how bad I feel.
Q: Do you track pollen counts? If so do you find consistency in when the number is high you are suffering more? And at what number do you know you are going to have a tough day?
A: I kind of do. I used to pay more attention to it. Higher numbers does mean I will suffer more. Even really low numbers will affect me though. That combined with the fact that I usually can't change what I am doing on a particular day anyway, made me realize paying close attention to pollen counts doesn't help me much.
Sorry this post is so short. Please contact/message me on skype/e-mail if you want - I might be in the need of company if I am not feeling like I am dying so much that I can't get online.
Here is a quick question, as I am trying to distract myself from how bad I feel.
Q: Do you track pollen counts? If so do you find consistency in when the number is high you are suffering more? And at what number do you know you are going to have a tough day?
A: I kind of do. I used to pay more attention to it. Higher numbers does mean I will suffer more. Even really low numbers will affect me though. That combined with the fact that I usually can't change what I am doing on a particular day anyway, made me realize paying close attention to pollen counts doesn't help me much.
Sorry this post is so short. Please contact/message me on skype/e-mail if you want - I might be in the need of company if I am not feeling like I am dying so much that I can't get online.
Friday, November 24, 2017
Catching up
Sorry again that it has been so long since I made a post. Ragweed season ended, but it lasted long than usual because of how warm it was n October. My allergies are a bit better now since I don't have pollen to deal with for a few months. Now its mainly dust and molds i have to watch out for. of course there is still all the other stuff I'm allergic to, but they arent as hard to avoid as pollens, dust, and molds.
A couple of days ago, someone pointed out to me there is a comic book series called 'Snotgirl'. They said it reminded them of me. I read some of it online and the story is kinda weird and the characters are very superficial and mean, but the main character has very bad allergies she tries to hide - that does remind me a bit of me, lol. I think she often does a better job than me as she doesn't seem to sneeze that much, just snot and congestion. Its a bit of an amusing read.
I do have a bit of Q to A:
Q: What has made this the worst it has ever been?
A: Part of it was how long and warm the season was - so possibly more pollen than usual and for a longer time. Sometimes I don't know if my allergies keep getting worse or if its just more pollen.
Q: Can you talk about a typical day with your allergies? Examples like, Is there a time of day that is worse than others, what do you feel when you wake up, how many times you think you may sneeze or blow your nose, taking OTC medication because symptoms are too much.
A: I can't pinpoint any time of day that is always worse or always better. It also depends on time of year, what allergens I might be being exposed to, etc. I usually wake up with a sneezing fit and my eyes are all goopy and my nose is all snotty. I usually sit in bed for a bit dealing with all that. I sneeze tons, so its hard to keep track. I usually can't blow my nose because my congestion is too bad. Sometimes in the winter I can. I on a number of medications, but prescription and OTC. They don't help too much, except for benadryl It really knocks me out though so I only use it if things are really bad, i can't sleep from my allergies, and I know I don't have much to do the next day - I don't know if it actually stops my allergies or if it just makes me sleep - I'll sleep from it and when it wears off ill be awake but really groggy and my allergies will be back. I use sudafed pretty often as that can keep my sinus pressure from becoming pain much of the time.
As always, please feel free to ask more questions, or contact/chat with me on e-mail or skype via sneezykate@hotmail.com
A couple of days ago, someone pointed out to me there is a comic book series called 'Snotgirl'. They said it reminded them of me. I read some of it online and the story is kinda weird and the characters are very superficial and mean, but the main character has very bad allergies she tries to hide - that does remind me a bit of me, lol. I think she often does a better job than me as she doesn't seem to sneeze that much, just snot and congestion. Its a bit of an amusing read.
I do have a bit of Q to A:
Q: What has made this the worst it has ever been?
A: Part of it was how long and warm the season was - so possibly more pollen than usual and for a longer time. Sometimes I don't know if my allergies keep getting worse or if its just more pollen.
Q: Can you talk about a typical day with your allergies? Examples like, Is there a time of day that is worse than others, what do you feel when you wake up, how many times you think you may sneeze or blow your nose, taking OTC medication because symptoms are too much.
A: I can't pinpoint any time of day that is always worse or always better. It also depends on time of year, what allergens I might be being exposed to, etc. I usually wake up with a sneezing fit and my eyes are all goopy and my nose is all snotty. I usually sit in bed for a bit dealing with all that. I sneeze tons, so its hard to keep track. I usually can't blow my nose because my congestion is too bad. Sometimes in the winter I can. I on a number of medications, but prescription and OTC. They don't help too much, except for benadryl It really knocks me out though so I only use it if things are really bad, i can't sleep from my allergies, and I know I don't have much to do the next day - I don't know if it actually stops my allergies or if it just makes me sleep - I'll sleep from it and when it wears off ill be awake but really groggy and my allergies will be back. I use sudafed pretty often as that can keep my sinus pressure from becoming pain much of the time.
As always, please feel free to ask more questions, or contact/chat with me on e-mail or skype via sneezykate@hotmail.com
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Short - Post and Q+A
Ragweed is one of my worst allergies, and this ragweed season has been horrible for me. I can't wait for it to end. This is probably the worst it has ever been. I have missed work a number of times, and I haven't really been able to go out and do anything fun. Its been a lot of staying at home being an allergic mess. My sleeping has been really crappy because of it too. I'm tired and worn out all the time.
I have one Q to A:
Q: When you first started to realize you had allergies did you ever experiment on your own to confirm or just go to an allergist?
A: It was going to the doctor where I found out I have allergies. My parents thought I was getting a lot of colds, so they took me to the doctor, and she said I had allergies and she sent me to an allergist to get tested. I have experimented on my own, as I sometimes would think "I can't be allergic to THAT!" In the past I have also tested myself on things I wasn't sure about that either I knew I might be around when I went somewhere or it was something that someone I was dating liked.
If anyone wants to keep me company in my misery, as usual, skype and e-mail is sneezykate@hotmail.com
I have one Q to A:
Q: When you first started to realize you had allergies did you ever experiment on your own to confirm or just go to an allergist?
A: It was going to the doctor where I found out I have allergies. My parents thought I was getting a lot of colds, so they took me to the doctor, and she said I had allergies and she sent me to an allergist to get tested. I have experimented on my own, as I sometimes would think "I can't be allergic to THAT!" In the past I have also tested myself on things I wasn't sure about that either I knew I might be around when I went somewhere or it was something that someone I was dating liked.
If anyone wants to keep me company in my misery, as usual, skype and e-mail is sneezykate@hotmail.com
Friday, August 4, 2017
Its been way too long
I am so sorry! I kept thinking about making a post and I kept putting it aside. I still have a hard time figuring out what to post.
This summer has been a very bad allergy season for me, and ragweed season is starting soon. Feel like my life since the spring has just been work and allergies.
I even had a dream related to allergies I wanted to share, but its been so long I forgot what it was!
I really just have one question to answer:
Q: Tell me about your most allergic day so far this year? What is a typical day for you like when your allergies are flared up?
A: On my most allergic days I am pretty much non-functional. I have sneezing fits with not much break in between, I constantly feel like I am about to sneeze, my nose is very red and sore and itchy and tickly/tingly. I am totally congested and can feel the pressure in my nose and sinuses. My eyes are puffy and red and very watery and itchy. My ears feel clogged and itchy, and I'm constantly dealing with snot coming out of my nostrils. It makes it difficult to eat/sleep/do almost anything. It all makes me pretty worn out and tired.
This summer has been a very bad allergy season for me, and ragweed season is starting soon. Feel like my life since the spring has just been work and allergies.
I even had a dream related to allergies I wanted to share, but its been so long I forgot what it was!
I really just have one question to answer:
Q: Tell me about your most allergic day so far this year? What is a typical day for you like when your allergies are flared up?
A: On my most allergic days I am pretty much non-functional. I have sneezing fits with not much break in between, I constantly feel like I am about to sneeze, my nose is very red and sore and itchy and tickly/tingly. I am totally congested and can feel the pressure in my nose and sinuses. My eyes are puffy and red and very watery and itchy. My ears feel clogged and itchy, and I'm constantly dealing with snot coming out of my nostrils. It makes it difficult to eat/sleep/do almost anything. It all makes me pretty worn out and tired.
Sorry this is such a short one. I am spending a lot of time this season just dealing with my allergies, so feel free to message/e-mail me to keep me company/give me something to do. As usual sneezykate@hotmail.com for e-mail and skype.
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Sorry its been so long, some Q+A
I haven't posted in a while because I have been very busy, sorry about that. This will be a short post.
This spring my allergies have been very bad. I'm sneezing and snotting all over the place and my nose and eyes are always very itchy and swollen.
I had a weird allergy dream a few weeks ago, but I only remember 2 small parts. I was in a group of people who had allergies. They all had tissues and were blowing their noses but I didn't have any tissues. They told me I had to stop sneezing to be able to use any tissues, but I couldn't stop from sneezing. In another part, I was with a group of people again, and there was someone with me and my nose would run for a little bit, she'd wipe my nose with a really rough paper towel of some kind, then that would make me be about to start a sneezing fit and she'd put her finger under my nose until the feeling went away, then my nose would start to run for a bit, and that just kept repeating, and I just felt like I really needed to sneeze the whole time.
Q: How have you been?
A: Allergies have been bad. Otherwise pretty good
Q:Has this blog helped you at its original goal?
A: Not too much, maybe a little bit.
Q:What's your fav song/movie?
A: That's way too hard to say. A recent movie I have been thinking about a lot is 'Arrival'
That's all for today. Please contact me if you'd like with questions for my blog, or if you just want to chat.
This spring my allergies have been very bad. I'm sneezing and snotting all over the place and my nose and eyes are always very itchy and swollen.
I had a weird allergy dream a few weeks ago, but I only remember 2 small parts. I was in a group of people who had allergies. They all had tissues and were blowing their noses but I didn't have any tissues. They told me I had to stop sneezing to be able to use any tissues, but I couldn't stop from sneezing. In another part, I was with a group of people again, and there was someone with me and my nose would run for a little bit, she'd wipe my nose with a really rough paper towel of some kind, then that would make me be about to start a sneezing fit and she'd put her finger under my nose until the feeling went away, then my nose would start to run for a bit, and that just kept repeating, and I just felt like I really needed to sneeze the whole time.
Q: How have you been?
A: Allergies have been bad. Otherwise pretty good
Q:Has this blog helped you at its original goal?
A: Not too much, maybe a little bit.
Q:What's your fav song/movie?
A: That's way too hard to say. A recent movie I have been thinking about a lot is 'Arrival'
That's all for today. Please contact me if you'd like with questions for my blog, or if you just want to chat.
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Updating, Weird Things, and Q+A
Just finished my first week at my research job. I'm very happy. Both to finally be finished with school, and to be able to start doing good stuff!
As I mentioned before, my congestion is always very bad. I usually can not sniffle or blow my nose because of it. In the winters however, I have times where my congestion is low enough that I can do those thing. I'll tend to blow my nose way too much, which causes irritation, but its just so nice to be able to do it. The other thing I do sometimes might be a bit gross. Sometimes when I'm alone, I'll look in the mirror when I have snot hanging out of my nostrils. I'll sniffle and most of it will come back up into my nostrils. It will come back out eventually and I'll sniffle it up again, etc. I just like that I am able to sniffle it back up like that. Sorry if that's silly or gross.
Here is a bit of Q to A again:
Q: Is going to the dentist ever problematic?
A: Luckily I have very good teeth. I go once a year (or 2) or so for a check-up/cleaning and that's about it. I of course do it outside of pollen season, and before I pick a dentist, I hang out in the waiting room/office for a while to see if anything starts to bother my allergies.
Q: Are there any foods you're allergic to? Are the symptoms the same as with scents and plants?
A: I'm allergic to dairy. It makes my asthma much worse. Asthma used to be a really big problem, but once we found the dairy issue, now its not a problem except sometimes when I'm sick. I'll just get wheezy when my allergies are bad. I can eat small amounts without a problem, but more than a mouthful of ice cream, or a few sips of milk, and then its a problem. Other than that, I don't think so. Some fruits and nuts might make my mouth a bit itchy at times, but I don't know if its a consistent thing.
Q: Would you say your sneezes are loud or soft?
A: On the softer side of normal I think. If I sneezed just once or twice, it probably wouldn't be too noticeable
Q: You said in this post scents are causing you a reaction. Are these perfumes and colognes or candles and other things?
A: Yes, those things. I think pretty much any strong scent, but definitely perfumes, colognes, air fresheners, scented candles, etc.
Q: How do you get rid of dust in your home? Do you suck it up and clean it or does Allison do it?
A: She has a dust allergy too, but not as bad as mine. We both tend to do it.
As I mentioned before, my congestion is always very bad. I usually can not sniffle or blow my nose because of it. In the winters however, I have times where my congestion is low enough that I can do those thing. I'll tend to blow my nose way too much, which causes irritation, but its just so nice to be able to do it. The other thing I do sometimes might be a bit gross. Sometimes when I'm alone, I'll look in the mirror when I have snot hanging out of my nostrils. I'll sniffle and most of it will come back up into my nostrils. It will come back out eventually and I'll sniffle it up again, etc. I just like that I am able to sniffle it back up like that. Sorry if that's silly or gross.
Here is a bit of Q to A again:
Q: Is going to the dentist ever problematic?
A: Luckily I have very good teeth. I go once a year (or 2) or so for a check-up/cleaning and that's about it. I of course do it outside of pollen season, and before I pick a dentist, I hang out in the waiting room/office for a while to see if anything starts to bother my allergies.
Q: Are there any foods you're allergic to? Are the symptoms the same as with scents and plants?
A: I'm allergic to dairy. It makes my asthma much worse. Asthma used to be a really big problem, but once we found the dairy issue, now its not a problem except sometimes when I'm sick. I'll just get wheezy when my allergies are bad. I can eat small amounts without a problem, but more than a mouthful of ice cream, or a few sips of milk, and then its a problem. Other than that, I don't think so. Some fruits and nuts might make my mouth a bit itchy at times, but I don't know if its a consistent thing.
Q: Would you say your sneezes are loud or soft?
A: On the softer side of normal I think. If I sneezed just once or twice, it probably wouldn't be too noticeable
Q: You said in this post scents are causing you a reaction. Are these perfumes and colognes or candles and other things?
A: Yes, those things. I think pretty much any strong scent, but definitely perfumes, colognes, air fresheners, scented candles, etc.
Q: How do you get rid of dust in your home? Do you suck it up and clean it or does Allison do it?
A: She has a dust allergy too, but not as bad as mine. We both tend to do it.
Q: I was wondering if things have changed for you in terms of mornings. A long time ago you wrote those were the worst, that you had to set aside a lot of time in the morning for your allergies. Is it still like that, every day since then? Do you ever find yourself needing to sleep over somewhere else where this gets extra difficult for you in the morning?
A: Yes, its still pretty bad in the mornings. When my allergies are bad and I'm having problems sleeping in general because of how bad they are, I'll try to sleep in another room as not keep waking up Allison.
Q: Why do you think the shower makes you sneeze? I was surprised to read that since typically flushing with water helps allergies.
Q: Why do you think the shower makes you sneeze? I was surprised to read that since typically flushing with water helps allergies.
A: I have no idea. Maybe the heat of the shower?
Q: How is your new job and the people there?
Q: How is your new job and the people there?
A: Its only been one week so far, but I am enjoying it.
Q: You often say that you want to run away to a bathroom when you're having a sneezing fit in public. Wouldn't people also head you in there? I know plenty of people that would feel awkward with someone constantly sneezing in the stall next to them. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, I'm just wondering.
A: Its easier for me not to think about other people hearing me if I don't see them. Its all the looking at me, focusing on me, etc. that is the worst part.
I hope that answers the questions well. As always, feel free to comment, or contact me directly. I use skype the most now, but e-mailing works too. I think both are sneezykate@hotmail.com
Saturday, December 10, 2016
Not just allergies
Its been a long time since last post. I have been busy because I am getting ready to graduate in a bit over a week! Then I'll have a break for about a month, then start my job at the lab I have been doing the internship. Between that and not having any questions to answer and not much in the way of ideas for posts, well time got away from me.
My allergies have been getting a bit better, but still kinda bad. I think dust and mold is really getting to me, between heating systems, decorations, x-mas tress, scents, etc.
I also found out that besides allergies, I also have vasomotor rhinitis. That's pretty much things causing similar symptoms, but not an actual allergic response. Mainly its just a label for the fact that my nose is oversensitive to everything. I also have turbinate hypertrophy. That's part of the chronic inflammation in my nose and me always being congested.
I don't have much else to add now. No idea if I will post again before the new year.
As usual, please feel free to say hi on skype or by email. sneezykate@hotmail.com works for both I think. I'd love questions to answer too. Happy holidays!
My allergies have been getting a bit better, but still kinda bad. I think dust and mold is really getting to me, between heating systems, decorations, x-mas tress, scents, etc.
I also found out that besides allergies, I also have vasomotor rhinitis. That's pretty much things causing similar symptoms, but not an actual allergic response. Mainly its just a label for the fact that my nose is oversensitive to everything. I also have turbinate hypertrophy. That's part of the chronic inflammation in my nose and me always being congested.
I don't have much else to add now. No idea if I will post again before the new year.
As usual, please feel free to say hi on skype or by email. sneezykate@hotmail.com works for both I think. I'd love questions to answer too. Happy holidays!
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
A New Post So Soon!
I happened across some interesting articles I wanted to share. They both have to do with explaining what its like having allergies:
http://www.lifehack.org/309337/5-things-allergy-sufferers-want-you-know
https://www.buzzfeed.com/allergiesbelike/things-people-with-allergies-need-you-to-unders?utm_term=.uc5amem0K#.pdVBObOX5
What does everyone think about these? Does anyone else have any other resources that discuss what its like for people with allergies?
I have a couple of questions:
Q: You mentioned earlier that Allison bends over backwards to help you with your allergies, and I'm wondering, does she ever "fuss" over you, or coddle you when your allergies are bad, or does that bother you?
Also, does she really *never * say "bless you?" I know that in general the concept of blessing embarrasses you in public, especially when people say it after every sneeze and are mean about it. But is she allowed to say it sometimes? I always think of it as a way of expressing sympathy, so after a particularly bad fit does she never say one, single " Bless you"? I can't imagine having a S/O who sneezes all the time ( especially if they are truly suffering) and *never * blessing them?
A: The fussing and cuddling is nice. Its great having someone so helpful like she is :)
She will say it every once in a while, once or twice a day at the most though.
Q: How much would you say your allergies affect your eating habits/ enjoyment of food? I know you don't eat much when your allergies are bad, just due to not really feeling hungry, but what about in general? I know you have trouble tasting, but do you still get at least some enjoyment out of food ? How about compared to before your allergies starting? I kind of imagined you as not eating enough and being, almost, frail? Because your posts make it seem like you can't enjoy eating at all D:
A: It affects it a lot. Food doesn't have much taste for me, so I don't find it that interesting to eat. Maybe my allergies in general too make me less interested in the hassles around eating. Before I got allergies, I ate more, but even then I'd often get sidetracked by other things and forget to eat at times.
Sorry this post wasn't too long, but its nice to get one up so soon after the last one. I am interested t get your answers to my questions this time! As always, feel free to say hi and chat.
http://www.lifehack.org/309337/5-things-allergy-sufferers-want-you-know
https://www.buzzfeed.com/allergiesbelike/things-people-with-allergies-need-you-to-unders?utm_term=.uc5amem0K#.pdVBObOX5
What does everyone think about these? Does anyone else have any other resources that discuss what its like for people with allergies?
I have a couple of questions:
Q: You mentioned earlier that Allison bends over backwards to help you with your allergies, and I'm wondering, does she ever "fuss" over you, or coddle you when your allergies are bad, or does that bother you?
Also, does she really *never * say "bless you?" I know that in general the concept of blessing embarrasses you in public, especially when people say it after every sneeze and are mean about it. But is she allowed to say it sometimes? I always think of it as a way of expressing sympathy, so after a particularly bad fit does she never say one, single " Bless you"? I can't imagine having a S/O who sneezes all the time ( especially if they are truly suffering) and *never * blessing them?
A: The fussing and cuddling is nice. Its great having someone so helpful like she is :)
She will say it every once in a while, once or twice a day at the most though.
Q: How much would you say your allergies affect your eating habits/ enjoyment of food? I know you don't eat much when your allergies are bad, just due to not really feeling hungry, but what about in general? I know you have trouble tasting, but do you still get at least some enjoyment out of food ? How about compared to before your allergies starting? I kind of imagined you as not eating enough and being, almost, frail? Because your posts make it seem like you can't enjoy eating at all D:
A: It affects it a lot. Food doesn't have much taste for me, so I don't find it that interesting to eat. Maybe my allergies in general too make me less interested in the hassles around eating. Before I got allergies, I ate more, but even then I'd often get sidetracked by other things and forget to eat at times.
Sorry this post wasn't too long, but its nice to get one up so soon after the last one. I am interested t get your answers to my questions this time! As always, feel free to say hi and chat.
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Oct update and Q+A
Mid Oct and the ragweed levels have been coming down, so my allergies are slowly starting to get a bit better. It takes my nose a while to not be as sensitive though. The longer my allergies are bad, the more sensitive I get to everything so it takes some time for that to calm down. I have to keep remembering though when I say 'my allergies aren't that bad' most others see it as really bad, lol.
I have some Qs to A:
Q: Also, do you use corticosteriod nasal sprays ? Or are you too congested to try them?
Q: Would you consider yourself a spoonie? ( "spoons" are this system for measuring how much energy a person with a chronic illness has. Generally applies to chronic fatigue/pain disorders, but since your allergies are soo severe I feel like it may apply)
I am still on yahoo chat, but its not that great anymore. Skype chat might be better. I think the best way to find me there is my e-mail: sneezykate@hotmail.com
Thanks, and keep commenting, asking questions, and saying hi!
I have some Qs to A:
Q: Also, do you use corticosteriod nasal sprays ? Or are you too congested to try them?
A: Tried them and not only is the congestion the problem, but when I try to use sprays, I start sneezing like crazy and my nose gets all runny so the medication just doesn't stay in.
Q: How much do would you say allergies affect your performance in school? Are you so sued to it, so focused, etc. that except for the *really* intense days , or does it actually affect your grades. Has it taken you longer to finish your PhD because of this?
A: They have certainly affected school and work. Missed days, not able to do as much as id like on many others, etc. It has taken me longer because of my allergies.
A: They have certainly affected school and work. Missed days, not able to do as much as id like on many others, etc. It has taken me longer because of my allergies.
Q: Would you consider yourself a spoonie? ( "spoons" are this system for measuring how much energy a person with a chronic illness has. Generally applies to chronic fatigue/pain disorders, but since your allergies are soo severe I feel like it may apply)
A: I didn't really know about this until you asked. I don't think I would. What I can do all depends on how bad my allergies are that day which is dependent upon what and how much I get exposed to.
Q: Do you ever lament about how mild your allergies started?
A: Not really. They got pretty bad pretty quickly. I more lament how I used to not have any allergies.
Q: Do you still take allergy shots.
A: No, not anymore. I had them for a few years when I was younger, and they made no difference.I am still on yahoo chat, but its not that great anymore. Skype chat might be better. I think the best way to find me there is my e-mail: sneezykate@hotmail.com
Thanks, and keep commenting, asking questions, and saying hi!
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Finally a Post and a bit of Q+A
Sorry it has been so long. Things got crazy between the internship, and school happening again, etc. As a quick summary for the internship - my allergies were making me miserable and I was having all sorts of problems and people having issues. One of the people in charge realized how bad it was for me, so he was able to get me moved to something where I am not around animals at all, so I am doing better there now, and much less embarrassing. Out of control allergies in a mask really sucks!
Ragweed season is still making me pretty miserable overall though. I have a little bit of Q to A, so here we go:
Q: Have you gotten any more information about what you will be doing? From what you do know about the job what do you think will be the biggest obstacle regarding your allergies?
A: I guess the above answered that.
Q: Has your job started Kate? How has it been?
A: Also, see above, lol.
Q: I was just wondering how you cope when you start sneezing in a situation where it is difficult to leave - have you ever had a bad experience for example at a wedding, during an exam, on a plane etc?
A: Yes, its happened a number of times over the years. Mainly I just have to sit there and let it happen. Sometimes all the sneezing is disruptive to others, and I usually get very embarrassed. It hasn't happened often, but occasionally for one reason or another I can't keep my snot totally under control and it grosses out other people. That's the worst.
Q: I'm wondering, if maybe you're a little a too embarassed about your allergies? I don't doubt that some people are terrible and unreasonable and just don't behave like adults, but I feel like you're a little too sheepish by it? If you could say something like " I can't control it, you're being an ass." And act less embarrassed, people would mock you less? I almost feel like because you act so meek about it, people feel more like they can mock you for something you can't control.
A: Not really sure how to reply to this. I'm embarrassed by them, that's just how it is. And they ARE pretty embarrassing! Its also hard to reply much when I'm in the middle of an allergy attack, etc.
Q: I"m wondering how your parents reacted to this, and if they were supportive? I know they don't have allergies, but it can't be easy to watch your happy, athletic, popular kid's life suddenly decline due to remarkably severe allergies. I'd imagine it depressed them, too.
A: They have been pretty ok about it. Concerned and all that. They took me to lots of doctors and lots of tests over the years.
I hope the answers were interesting. I want to note that with the new way yahoo chat is, its hard to tell if someone is online or not. I am still using it, so feel free to say hi there. I am also on skype (just type chat, no video or voice), so you can message me on there too also at sneezykate. E-mail works too, but I tend to like chat better. As always, please give me feedback and more questions!
Ragweed season is still making me pretty miserable overall though. I have a little bit of Q to A, so here we go:
Q: Have you gotten any more information about what you will be doing? From what you do know about the job what do you think will be the biggest obstacle regarding your allergies?
A: I guess the above answered that.
Q: Has your job started Kate? How has it been?
A: Also, see above, lol.
Q: I was just wondering how you cope when you start sneezing in a situation where it is difficult to leave - have you ever had a bad experience for example at a wedding, during an exam, on a plane etc?
A: Yes, its happened a number of times over the years. Mainly I just have to sit there and let it happen. Sometimes all the sneezing is disruptive to others, and I usually get very embarrassed. It hasn't happened often, but occasionally for one reason or another I can't keep my snot totally under control and it grosses out other people. That's the worst.
Q: I'm wondering, if maybe you're a little a too embarassed about your allergies? I don't doubt that some people are terrible and unreasonable and just don't behave like adults, but I feel like you're a little too sheepish by it? If you could say something like " I can't control it, you're being an ass." And act less embarrassed, people would mock you less? I almost feel like because you act so meek about it, people feel more like they can mock you for something you can't control.
A: Not really sure how to reply to this. I'm embarrassed by them, that's just how it is. And they ARE pretty embarrassing! Its also hard to reply much when I'm in the middle of an allergy attack, etc.
Q: I"m wondering how your parents reacted to this, and if they were supportive? I know they don't have allergies, but it can't be easy to watch your happy, athletic, popular kid's life suddenly decline due to remarkably severe allergies. I'd imagine it depressed them, too.
A: They have been pretty ok about it. Concerned and all that. They took me to lots of doctors and lots of tests over the years.
I hope the answers were interesting. I want to note that with the new way yahoo chat is, its hard to tell if someone is online or not. I am still using it, so feel free to say hi there. I am also on skype (just type chat, no video or voice), so you can message me on there too also at sneezykate. E-mail works too, but I tend to like chat better. As always, please give me feedback and more questions!
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Too long without a post
Sorry, I let time get away from me again. I am going to take the internship/job, and see how it goes. They are willing to be accommodating, but I know it is still going to be problematic for me. I hope it works out ok. It starts in a bit over a month.
I only have a couple of questions this time.
Q: When you are having a sneezing fit in front of other people, are you usually sneezing into your elbow or into a tissue? And, in between sneezes, do you take it away from your face so people can see your 'about to sneeze face'? Or, do you just keep your face covered?
A: Always into tissues. During fits I usually keep the tissues pretty close to my nose. I can get very snotty and I do all I can to make sure others don't see it.
Q: when on interviews, I'd imagine that your allergies still show themselves. Do you explain about it to the interviewer? Do they ever say anything in regards to your allergies?
A: Interviews can be annoying since I usually can't just run off in the middle of them. They will usually ask something, like if I have a cold, or if I am ok, etc., then I will explain. since I kind of have to.
This was a short one this time. As usual, I am happy to have feedback, comments, messages, etc.
I only have a couple of questions this time.
Q: When you are having a sneezing fit in front of other people, are you usually sneezing into your elbow or into a tissue? And, in between sneezes, do you take it away from your face so people can see your 'about to sneeze face'? Or, do you just keep your face covered?
A: Always into tissues. During fits I usually keep the tissues pretty close to my nose. I can get very snotty and I do all I can to make sure others don't see it.
Q: when on interviews, I'd imagine that your allergies still show themselves. Do you explain about it to the interviewer? Do they ever say anything in regards to your allergies?
A: Interviews can be annoying since I usually can't just run off in the middle of them. They will usually ask something, like if I have a cold, or if I am ok, etc., then I will explain. since I kind of have to.
This was a short one this time. As usual, I am happy to have feedback, comments, messages, etc.
Friday, June 3, 2016
Early June Q+A!
2 posts in one week, crazy right? I felt bad for making such a downer post, and I got an influx of questions so I wanted to post while I have motivation to do so. Allergies are still being very bad. Now on to the questions:
Q: Does sunlight cause sneezing fits for you?
A: Not a whole sneezing fit, but the moment I'm in the sunlight I'll sneeze a few times.
Q: Imagine you could get rid of one allergy symptom but "in exchange" would have to accept another one getting twice as bad as it is now. Which symptoms would you choose, or would you decide against such a "trade"?
A: It would be to get rid of sneezing, and the one to make twice as bad would be my eyes being red, since that's probably the one I notice/affects me the least.
Q: If you weren't so congested and could sniffle and wipe your nose, how would you deal with it? Would you blow your nose often to avoid the sniffling or would you do with the sniffling?
A: I'd do both. It would really be nice to be able to blow my nose, but I'd not want to do it constantly and I'd probably sniffle a lot without realizing it.
Q: If you weren't so congested, could it be that your nose would even be more snotty than it already is because it would be easier for the snot to run through your nostrils?
A: I'd think it would be just as snotty, and it would probably be easier to deal with. I'd think I could get more to come out at once and I'd have some small breaks at least between my nose running all over the place, since I'd be able to empty it. The one problem might be that if my nostrils were more open, more allergens might be able to get into my nose.
Q: We know that you get various symptoms from your allergies, sometimes five or six at once. Are you always aware of them, or does it happen that you don't recognize one symptom because the others are stronger?
A: They are all pretty easy to notice. Some I don't worry about as much as others, but none cover up any others.
Q: How do you deal with watery eyes when noone else is around? Do you wipe the tears away or do you let them run down your face?
A: When noone is around I let them run more. The more I wipe my watery eyes, the more tempted I am to rub them, and even thought it feels great in the moment, it makes my eyes worse.
Q: When was your most recent best day? How severe was that day?
A: I am not sure what you mean by 'best' day recently. I will say that on my best days in general, I am at about the level a normal person would think of as 'bad allergies' lol.
Q: What season for you is the best? You have told us in the past that spring and fall are the worst (because of hay fever and rage weed) but what season seems to be the easiest for you?
A: Winter is. When I say that, people think that means I am allergy-free in winters. that's not true, they are still pretty bad. I am allergic to pretty much anything you can be allergic to, so there is still plenty out there. Winter is the only season without pollen of some kind all over the place however, so that helps my symptoms.
Q: Do different allergens affect you in different ways? Besides how severe each allergen is, do certain ones cause a runnier nose or more powerful sneezes?
A: Kind of. The main difference I can think of is that dust tends to be more of a burring itch in my nose and eyes. Scents don't make me as congested. Animals I think tend to make my eyes more swollen, and pollens might make me more sneezy by a little bit.
Q: Lastly, when you made this blog did you expect people with the fetish to read it for amusement?
A: It really didn't enter my mind at all. I don't mind why people read, I am just glad they do and comment. I do wish I could find more people who have very bad allergies to read and comment too though as its nice to be able to communicate with others who understand well.
Thanks for all the questions! As always, feel free to comment and/or contact me directly!
Q: Does sunlight cause sneezing fits for you?
A: Not a whole sneezing fit, but the moment I'm in the sunlight I'll sneeze a few times.
Q: Imagine you could get rid of one allergy symptom but "in exchange" would have to accept another one getting twice as bad as it is now. Which symptoms would you choose, or would you decide against such a "trade"?
A: It would be to get rid of sneezing, and the one to make twice as bad would be my eyes being red, since that's probably the one I notice/affects me the least.
Q: If you weren't so congested and could sniffle and wipe your nose, how would you deal with it? Would you blow your nose often to avoid the sniffling or would you do with the sniffling?
A: I'd do both. It would really be nice to be able to blow my nose, but I'd not want to do it constantly and I'd probably sniffle a lot without realizing it.
Q: If you weren't so congested, could it be that your nose would even be more snotty than it already is because it would be easier for the snot to run through your nostrils?
A: I'd think it would be just as snotty, and it would probably be easier to deal with. I'd think I could get more to come out at once and I'd have some small breaks at least between my nose running all over the place, since I'd be able to empty it. The one problem might be that if my nostrils were more open, more allergens might be able to get into my nose.
Q: We know that you get various symptoms from your allergies, sometimes five or six at once. Are you always aware of them, or does it happen that you don't recognize one symptom because the others are stronger?
A: They are all pretty easy to notice. Some I don't worry about as much as others, but none cover up any others.
Q: How do you deal with watery eyes when noone else is around? Do you wipe the tears away or do you let them run down your face?
A: When noone is around I let them run more. The more I wipe my watery eyes, the more tempted I am to rub them, and even thought it feels great in the moment, it makes my eyes worse.
Q: When was your most recent best day? How severe was that day?
A: I am not sure what you mean by 'best' day recently. I will say that on my best days in general, I am at about the level a normal person would think of as 'bad allergies' lol.
Q: What season for you is the best? You have told us in the past that spring and fall are the worst (because of hay fever and rage weed) but what season seems to be the easiest for you?
A: Winter is. When I say that, people think that means I am allergy-free in winters. that's not true, they are still pretty bad. I am allergic to pretty much anything you can be allergic to, so there is still plenty out there. Winter is the only season without pollen of some kind all over the place however, so that helps my symptoms.
Q: Do different allergens affect you in different ways? Besides how severe each allergen is, do certain ones cause a runnier nose or more powerful sneezes?
A: Kind of. The main difference I can think of is that dust tends to be more of a burring itch in my nose and eyes. Scents don't make me as congested. Animals I think tend to make my eyes more swollen, and pollens might make me more sneezy by a little bit.
Q: Lastly, when you made this blog did you expect people with the fetish to read it for amusement?
A: It really didn't enter my mind at all. I don't mind why people read, I am just glad they do and comment. I do wish I could find more people who have very bad allergies to read and comment too though as its nice to be able to communicate with others who understand well.
Thanks for all the questions! As always, feel free to comment and/or contact me directly!
Sunday, May 29, 2016
Seeking opinons, and venting about mean stuff
I am getting close to graduating, and I have been trying to find good jobs. I got offered a pretty good opportunity (its the best one I have bene able to find), but there is an issue. Its doing research, but before I can have the job, I need to be an intern (paid) with them for 6 to 9 months. Its a rules thing, and also to make sure I am a good match and I like working there. Intern stuff is mainly being a lab tech. The issue I have is that even though I wont be working directly with animals, I will be near them a lot. I told them about my allergies, and that's why I don't have to actually work with them. So I am wondering what to do - I am worried that my allergies might be so bad that I can't work well, and then they aren't going to want me anymore. Of course I am also worried about being exposed to allergens constantly for so long. The thing is, its a really good opportunity, and once the internship is over I won't have to be around the animals.
I got to thinking about mean things people have said to me about my allergies. Some I wasn't meant to hear, and some I think were misguided attempts to be nice. It got to bugging me lately, so I wanted to list some of the things that have been said within the last week or so:
You'd be very attractive if it wasn't for your allergies
Does she do anything else besides sneeze?
Are you sure its allergies? You might be sick, and I don't want to catch anything
Maybe its all in your head?
Your allergies are being very disruptive
If you would blow your nose your allergies wouldn't be so bad
I also hate when I get 'advice' like the last one, but they don't seem to understand if I tell them I tried/it doesn't work, they should believe me and not argue with me. Ugh!
I haven't gotten any new questions. I am wondering if my last post wasn't very interesting? please feel free to comment and to contact me!
I got to thinking about mean things people have said to me about my allergies. Some I wasn't meant to hear, and some I think were misguided attempts to be nice. It got to bugging me lately, so I wanted to list some of the things that have been said within the last week or so:
You'd be very attractive if it wasn't for your allergies
Does she do anything else besides sneeze?
Are you sure its allergies? You might be sick, and I don't want to catch anything
Maybe its all in your head?
Your allergies are being very disruptive
If you would blow your nose your allergies wouldn't be so bad
I also hate when I get 'advice' like the last one, but they don't seem to understand if I tell them I tried/it doesn't work, they should believe me and not argue with me. Ugh!
I haven't gotten any new questions. I am wondering if my last post wasn't very interesting? please feel free to comment and to contact me!
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Happy Mother's Day and Q+A
I hope everyone is talking to their moms on Mothers Day :)
I have a number of questions to answer, so I will get to them below. For some reason, I am not getting e-mail alerts about comments on my blog posts, so I am sorry if I miss things.
My allergies have been very bad. I mentioned before that they seemed to start up 2 weeks earlier than usual. They got bad a bit quicker than usual, and they are staying more consistently bad than usual, if I am remembering correctly. Of course, what is happening in the moment always seems worse than the past, so I might be wrong on that.
I think I found all the questions:
Q: When you're in the middle of a sneezing fit, how many times would you say you sneeze per minute? And when you're not in a fit, do you sneeze often anyways? If so, I have a kind of strange idea.
A: Per minute? Not sure. When my allergies are bad like this its over 20 sneezes in a fit. I do sneeze often, but its pretty much always in fits. What is your strange idea?
Q: Answer other questions, but every time you sneeze type a symbol or something, just to give us the idea of how often you sneeze in real life.
A: I don't like to do this. One benefit of chatting online is that my allergies get less in the way, especially the sneezing.
Q: When you are in a long sneezing fit, do the sneezes ever cause you to feel relieved? I know a few people who feel relieved after fits which makes them feel better.
A: People tell me I am weird because that doesn't happen to me. My sneezing fits don't make me feel any better, just tire me out. My nose still feels very itchy and tingly after, and I am still congested after.
Q: Another question, have you ever sneezed so much that you couldn't function?
A: Oh yes, it happens often when my allergies are bad.
Q: Lastly (I'm really sorry I'm just super interested) if you could some how be allergy-free, what things would do you differently?
A: Many things. I'd own cats, I'd probably get into horseback riding. I'd swim more, play more sports, maybe get back into singing. I'd have more job possibilities, and I'd go out much more often.
Q: We know that you get various symptoms from your allergies. Is there some "interdependence" between them in a way that one certain symptom is annoying especially when another certain symptom is there?
A: Its a bit hard to say. I know lots of sneezing makes my sinuses feel worse and makes my nose more snotty. I think the itchiness and tingles in my nose makes my eyes water more. I don't think I can tell much more as I do not get symptoms in isolation from each other.
Q:You wrote that your sense of taste is affected from your allergies because it is dependent upon smelling which is affected because of the congestion. What does that mean for your eating? How does it feel for you to eat or drink something when you cannot properly taste it? Do you recognize whether something you eat is spicy?
A: Its like eating when you have a bad cold - nothing has much flavor. I can taste things being salty or sweet or the other tongue flavors, but that's about it. Yes, I can tell spicy because that it a tongue/mouth thing. If you ever had a bad cold where you are all stuffed up, eat something, and that's what its like for me.
Q:Does it happen that your allergies get so bad that it's difficult or even dangerous for you to walk into the street, e.g. because dizziness or blurry vision due to watery eyes?
A: I am not sure if 'dangerous' is the word, but it certainly is difficult. It is the blurry vision, the dizziness, and also the distraction with all the symptoms, and lots of sneezing will interrupt me. Its also a problem if I get a bad allergy attack outside because then I can't really go anywhere and I am unable to get away from what it causing the allergy attack.
Q: Are there other people but Allison with whom you talk about your allergies in real life?
A: Yes, my best friend Jessie, but she lives in Washington so I don't see her very often since I started grad school.
Q: Imagine that every day you could choose one allergy symptom not to appear. Would you choose the same symptom every day or would you vary between different ones? And which symptom(s) would you choose?
A: In general it would be sneezing. That is the thing that causes me the most problems. If there was a day I had to do a lot of talking, but noone would see me, like lots of phone calls, maybe I'd choose congestion. I'd think about snotty/runny nose, but if I wasn't sneezing that would be more under control anyway.
Q:Imagine that you could live without any allergies for a week by some miracle. Which things would you do during this week?
A: Play with cats, spend lots of time outside, be as active as I can, go visit people I usually can't because of there pets. Probably also do a crazy amount of cleaning (not having to worry about dust).
Thanks for all the questions. keep them coming, and please feel free to contact me directly. With my allergies being bad I'm stuck at home and online more often.
I have a number of questions to answer, so I will get to them below. For some reason, I am not getting e-mail alerts about comments on my blog posts, so I am sorry if I miss things.
My allergies have been very bad. I mentioned before that they seemed to start up 2 weeks earlier than usual. They got bad a bit quicker than usual, and they are staying more consistently bad than usual, if I am remembering correctly. Of course, what is happening in the moment always seems worse than the past, so I might be wrong on that.
I think I found all the questions:
Q: When you're in the middle of a sneezing fit, how many times would you say you sneeze per minute? And when you're not in a fit, do you sneeze often anyways? If so, I have a kind of strange idea.
A: Per minute? Not sure. When my allergies are bad like this its over 20 sneezes in a fit. I do sneeze often, but its pretty much always in fits. What is your strange idea?
Q: Answer other questions, but every time you sneeze type a symbol or something, just to give us the idea of how often you sneeze in real life.
A: I don't like to do this. One benefit of chatting online is that my allergies get less in the way, especially the sneezing.
Q: When you are in a long sneezing fit, do the sneezes ever cause you to feel relieved? I know a few people who feel relieved after fits which makes them feel better.
A: People tell me I am weird because that doesn't happen to me. My sneezing fits don't make me feel any better, just tire me out. My nose still feels very itchy and tingly after, and I am still congested after.
Q: Another question, have you ever sneezed so much that you couldn't function?
A: Oh yes, it happens often when my allergies are bad.
Q: Lastly (I'm really sorry I'm just super interested) if you could some how be allergy-free, what things would do you differently?
A: Many things. I'd own cats, I'd probably get into horseback riding. I'd swim more, play more sports, maybe get back into singing. I'd have more job possibilities, and I'd go out much more often.
Q: We know that you get various symptoms from your allergies. Is there some "interdependence" between them in a way that one certain symptom is annoying especially when another certain symptom is there?
A: Its a bit hard to say. I know lots of sneezing makes my sinuses feel worse and makes my nose more snotty. I think the itchiness and tingles in my nose makes my eyes water more. I don't think I can tell much more as I do not get symptoms in isolation from each other.
Q:You wrote that your sense of taste is affected from your allergies because it is dependent upon smelling which is affected because of the congestion. What does that mean for your eating? How does it feel for you to eat or drink something when you cannot properly taste it? Do you recognize whether something you eat is spicy?
A: Its like eating when you have a bad cold - nothing has much flavor. I can taste things being salty or sweet or the other tongue flavors, but that's about it. Yes, I can tell spicy because that it a tongue/mouth thing. If you ever had a bad cold where you are all stuffed up, eat something, and that's what its like for me.
Q:Does it happen that your allergies get so bad that it's difficult or even dangerous for you to walk into the street, e.g. because dizziness or blurry vision due to watery eyes?
A: I am not sure if 'dangerous' is the word, but it certainly is difficult. It is the blurry vision, the dizziness, and also the distraction with all the symptoms, and lots of sneezing will interrupt me. Its also a problem if I get a bad allergy attack outside because then I can't really go anywhere and I am unable to get away from what it causing the allergy attack.
Q: Are there other people but Allison with whom you talk about your allergies in real life?
A: Yes, my best friend Jessie, but she lives in Washington so I don't see her very often since I started grad school.
Q: Imagine that every day you could choose one allergy symptom not to appear. Would you choose the same symptom every day or would you vary between different ones? And which symptom(s) would you choose?
A: In general it would be sneezing. That is the thing that causes me the most problems. If there was a day I had to do a lot of talking, but noone would see me, like lots of phone calls, maybe I'd choose congestion. I'd think about snotty/runny nose, but if I wasn't sneezing that would be more under control anyway.
Q:Imagine that you could live without any allergies for a week by some miracle. Which things would you do during this week?
A: Play with cats, spend lots of time outside, be as active as I can, go visit people I usually can't because of there pets. Probably also do a crazy amount of cleaning (not having to worry about dust).
Thanks for all the questions. keep them coming, and please feel free to contact me directly. With my allergies being bad I'm stuck at home and online more often.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Embarrassing week
I wanted to make a quick post as a check-in. Allergies have been very bad. Tree pollens are very high, and really affecting me. I don't have any questions to answer, so please ask me some if you can.
A few embarrassing/gross things from this last week or so: While walking down a crowded hallway, I had a sneezing fit come on very quickly while my hands were full carrying things and it was very snotty and people were grossed out and some were laughing. I was dozing off in class (allergies keeping me from getting much sleep), and apparently my nose was dripping but I didn't realize cause I was half asleep and there was again laughter at me and people being grossed out. I was working on a project with someone and my allergies were getting so bad I went into the bathroom and she came in after 20mins to check on me and I couldn't stop sneezing and she got worried I guess and other people came and wanted to call the ambulance and so this group of people were watching me sneeze and sneeze non-stop for so long.
The last embarrassing thing was my doctors appointment. He had 2 others in to look at me too. Lots of observing my allergies and asking questions. They wanted to look in my nose again and that is always problematic, so that was a long snotty embarrassing mess.
Sorry I am not going into too much detail. It feels embarrassing to just write it out. I'd probably be ok chatting about it one on one if you want to know more.
A few embarrassing/gross things from this last week or so: While walking down a crowded hallway, I had a sneezing fit come on very quickly while my hands were full carrying things and it was very snotty and people were grossed out and some were laughing. I was dozing off in class (allergies keeping me from getting much sleep), and apparently my nose was dripping but I didn't realize cause I was half asleep and there was again laughter at me and people being grossed out. I was working on a project with someone and my allergies were getting so bad I went into the bathroom and she came in after 20mins to check on me and I couldn't stop sneezing and she got worried I guess and other people came and wanted to call the ambulance and so this group of people were watching me sneeze and sneeze non-stop for so long.
The last embarrassing thing was my doctors appointment. He had 2 others in to look at me too. Lots of observing my allergies and asking questions. They wanted to look in my nose again and that is always problematic, so that was a long snotty embarrassing mess.
Sorry I am not going into too much detail. It feels embarrassing to just write it out. I'd probably be ok chatting about it one on one if you want to know more.
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Spring allergies, dream, and modes of transport
My allergies this spring seem to be coming on quicker than usual. I don't know if it will end up being a worse spring, but it feels like its been coming on about 2 weeks earlier than usual. Like right now my allergies feel like they usually do in the middle of April. Maybe everything is just 2 weeks early this year.
I had a weird/interesting dream a few days ago. I was a consultant for a video game about allergies. The dream got very detailed, but mainly it was a game where you played someone with allergies and had to get through daily life and other things for a set amount of time - like a day or an allergy season or a year or something. There were different difficultly levels, what things you are allergic to, and other settings to choose from. Winning was based on what version of the game you played. I think one was based on finding a cure for your allergy, or a way to keep them totally at bay. Another was minimizing how much resources you needed to use on controlling your allergies, and another was limiting impact your allergies had on your social life. I never saw the actual game in the dream, but it was some game developers talking to me about what they wanted the game to be about and me giving them information on how it would be realistic for someone with allergies, what the challenges are, etc. If you are interested in more, message me and I can probably remember more about it if we chat about it. The dream and game was actually kinda cool. I sort of wish a game like that was being made. I sure could consult on it, lol!
Someone suggested a blog topic to me I want to try. It was talking abut modes of transport and the advantages and disadvantages they have for my allergies. I will mention a few here, and if people want, I can add a few more/talk about ones people suggest. Just note, I am putting the ones down I think have the biggest impact, so off the top of my head, I am not sure how interesting others may be.
Airplanes: This is probably the worst for me. I have mentioned plane trips before. Its not that planes themselves make my allergies bad (I can run into random thing that make me allergic, but that can happen anywhere), but the altitude changes can get very painful for me. My sinuses get really intense pressure and pain and my ears can hurt so badly. The intense pressure and congestion makes me sneeze less, but the sneezes are pretty painful from it. After a trip across the country, I need about a day to recover and feel better.
Cars: This really depends on time of year/pollen season. In the winter I am usually fine. Some days in pollen seasons my allergies are too bad to drive. I also have had times where I have had to pull over if I feel a bad allergy attack coming on. As a passenger, again if pollen isnt an issue, everything is fine. During pollen season, the longer the car ride, the worse my allergies can get. If I am just with Allison, its not that bad, but if I am in the car with other people, its very embarrassing because I can't go run off anywhere, and my bad allergies can become the center of attention in the car.
As I mentioned above, if you want to know about other modes of transport, let me know. For ideas, these are some the person suggested: walking, riding a bicycle, travelling by bus, train, boat/ship.
I will keep trying to make posts more often, so please keep coming up with questions/ideas for me. As always, feel free to contact me to chat.
I had a weird/interesting dream a few days ago. I was a consultant for a video game about allergies. The dream got very detailed, but mainly it was a game where you played someone with allergies and had to get through daily life and other things for a set amount of time - like a day or an allergy season or a year or something. There were different difficultly levels, what things you are allergic to, and other settings to choose from. Winning was based on what version of the game you played. I think one was based on finding a cure for your allergy, or a way to keep them totally at bay. Another was minimizing how much resources you needed to use on controlling your allergies, and another was limiting impact your allergies had on your social life. I never saw the actual game in the dream, but it was some game developers talking to me about what they wanted the game to be about and me giving them information on how it would be realistic for someone with allergies, what the challenges are, etc. If you are interested in more, message me and I can probably remember more about it if we chat about it. The dream and game was actually kinda cool. I sort of wish a game like that was being made. I sure could consult on it, lol!
Someone suggested a blog topic to me I want to try. It was talking abut modes of transport and the advantages and disadvantages they have for my allergies. I will mention a few here, and if people want, I can add a few more/talk about ones people suggest. Just note, I am putting the ones down I think have the biggest impact, so off the top of my head, I am not sure how interesting others may be.
Airplanes: This is probably the worst for me. I have mentioned plane trips before. Its not that planes themselves make my allergies bad (I can run into random thing that make me allergic, but that can happen anywhere), but the altitude changes can get very painful for me. My sinuses get really intense pressure and pain and my ears can hurt so badly. The intense pressure and congestion makes me sneeze less, but the sneezes are pretty painful from it. After a trip across the country, I need about a day to recover and feel better.
Cars: This really depends on time of year/pollen season. In the winter I am usually fine. Some days in pollen seasons my allergies are too bad to drive. I also have had times where I have had to pull over if I feel a bad allergy attack coming on. As a passenger, again if pollen isnt an issue, everything is fine. During pollen season, the longer the car ride, the worse my allergies can get. If I am just with Allison, its not that bad, but if I am in the car with other people, its very embarrassing because I can't go run off anywhere, and my bad allergies can become the center of attention in the car.
As I mentioned above, if you want to know about other modes of transport, let me know. For ideas, these are some the person suggested: walking, riding a bicycle, travelling by bus, train, boat/ship.
I will keep trying to make posts more often, so please keep coming up with questions/ideas for me. As always, feel free to contact me to chat.
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Sorry it has been so long, and a Q+A
It has been a really long time, and I am sorry it took so long. I was kinda busy with school, I was sick a few times, time got away from me, and I kept putting off posting.
Over the winter I have had a few colds, 2 turned into sinus infections, and one was a sinus infection, strep throat, and pneumonia. That then got my asthma a bit bothersome for a while. I'm all recovered now though.
The weather has been fluctuating a lot between cold and warm and I bet that has something to do with it. My allergies have also been more bothersome than usual for winters. Someone said the temp fluctuations might be making mold more of an issue. It hasn't been severe, but just more allergic than usual.
I have a number of questions, so I will get right to them:
Q: When you are talking to someone and you have to start sneezing, do you say anything to them? Like, "I have to sneeze.." or do you just start sneezing without saying anything? And do you just walk to the bathroom or do you tell them you are leaving?
A: I don't say anything when I am going to sneeze. I'll often just walk off, especially if its people I know. Otherwise I'll say something like "I'll be back in a bit" or "I have to go to the bathroom"
Q: Do you have time to get out a tissue or do you just sneeze into your elbow and get a tissue later?
A: Luckily I usually have time to get out tissues before I start sneezing. Its not much time, but I have practice getting tissues quickly. If its bad enough that I don't have time, I am often staying at home/away from people anyway. My sneezes can be pretty snotty, so I put a lot of effort into making sure no one sees that. Its very embarrassing the few times I am not able to get a tissue out in time.
Q: You've mentioned doctor's visits before- do you still go regularly to an allergist? What kind of things specifically do they do to examine you, and you've mentioned they use you as a patients for students to learn from- can you give more detail?
A: Yes I still do. Now its mainly just checking in, seeing how things are going, trying out different meds, etc. I am a pretty unique case I guess, so they sometimes bring in students or other docs to look at me, ask questions, do exams, etc. Its kind of boring and embarrassing at the same time. Its the same questions and the same stuff over and over again - they talk about my case, they ask me a lot of questions, and they observe and examine me. Its embarrassing because I have all these people interested in my allergies and watching them in me, and I can't run off and hide. Exam-wise, its a lot of looking up my nose (which gets problematic) and in my ear and in my throat, etc.
Q: Have you ever spoken to family or friends about how they feel about your allergies and how it affects them? How do they feel?
A: Not really. I don't like talking about my allergies in real life. I'm not really sure how they feel. I guess kind of concerned, but it seems they are used to how I am.
Q: What's your worst nightmare relating to your allergies?
A: Two I guess - that they will keep getting worse and worse and I won't be able to do anything ever. And having really long allergy attacks that won't ever stop in public and be unable to talk/tell people what is going on or get away from lots of people staring at me while it happens.
Q: Is there anything you're concerned or worried about relating to them in the future?
A: Mainly them getting worse, and just more of what is already been happening - being embarrassed by them, them interfering in things, making me miss stuff, etc.
Q: Have you ever tried that herbal, powdery stuff called Chhinkni to help clear your stuffy nose? It's supposed to help clear your sinuses but usually makes you sneeze a little first. Supposed to smell like eucalyptus or Vicks.
A: I have heard of he stuff, but I have no interest. It apparently makes you sneeze a lot, and I already sneeze a lot. Sneezing doesn't help clear my nose. My nose isn't all stuffed up from snot, although I do get very snotty, its stuffed up because the nasal passages are smaller than they should be, and they get swollen shut easily.
A: Oh, this is a repeat of one above, just check out that answer :) I will add that my family and my good friends don't seem bothered by my allergies. Many people have been bothered by them, but not anyone who is a close friend.
Q: Would love to chat when you're homebound and bored! You mentioned yahoo and fb chats- what are your names for each?
A: Absolutely! I always would like that. On skype and yahoo I am sneezykate (in skype you might need to use sneezykate@hotmail.com). I am not on FB too much though.
I am sorry if some answers are short. I like to fully answer the questions, but sometimes I can't think of much to say. Let me know if you have any follow-ups.
As usual, please keep the feedback and questions and ideas coming! And as I mentioned in the last answer, feel free to contact me!
Over the winter I have had a few colds, 2 turned into sinus infections, and one was a sinus infection, strep throat, and pneumonia. That then got my asthma a bit bothersome for a while. I'm all recovered now though.
The weather has been fluctuating a lot between cold and warm and I bet that has something to do with it. My allergies have also been more bothersome than usual for winters. Someone said the temp fluctuations might be making mold more of an issue. It hasn't been severe, but just more allergic than usual.
I have a number of questions, so I will get right to them:
Q: When you are talking to someone and you have to start sneezing, do you say anything to them? Like, "I have to sneeze.." or do you just start sneezing without saying anything? And do you just walk to the bathroom or do you tell them you are leaving?
A: I don't say anything when I am going to sneeze. I'll often just walk off, especially if its people I know. Otherwise I'll say something like "I'll be back in a bit" or "I have to go to the bathroom"
Q: Do you have time to get out a tissue or do you just sneeze into your elbow and get a tissue later?
A: Luckily I usually have time to get out tissues before I start sneezing. Its not much time, but I have practice getting tissues quickly. If its bad enough that I don't have time, I am often staying at home/away from people anyway. My sneezes can be pretty snotty, so I put a lot of effort into making sure no one sees that. Its very embarrassing the few times I am not able to get a tissue out in time.
Q: You've mentioned doctor's visits before- do you still go regularly to an allergist? What kind of things specifically do they do to examine you, and you've mentioned they use you as a patients for students to learn from- can you give more detail?
A: Yes I still do. Now its mainly just checking in, seeing how things are going, trying out different meds, etc. I am a pretty unique case I guess, so they sometimes bring in students or other docs to look at me, ask questions, do exams, etc. Its kind of boring and embarrassing at the same time. Its the same questions and the same stuff over and over again - they talk about my case, they ask me a lot of questions, and they observe and examine me. Its embarrassing because I have all these people interested in my allergies and watching them in me, and I can't run off and hide. Exam-wise, its a lot of looking up my nose (which gets problematic) and in my ear and in my throat, etc.
Q: Have you ever spoken to family or friends about how they feel about your allergies and how it affects them? How do they feel?
A: Not really. I don't like talking about my allergies in real life. I'm not really sure how they feel. I guess kind of concerned, but it seems they are used to how I am.
Q: What's your worst nightmare relating to your allergies?
A: Two I guess - that they will keep getting worse and worse and I won't be able to do anything ever. And having really long allergy attacks that won't ever stop in public and be unable to talk/tell people what is going on or get away from lots of people staring at me while it happens.
Q: Is there anything you're concerned or worried about relating to them in the future?
A: Mainly them getting worse, and just more of what is already been happening - being embarrassed by them, them interfering in things, making me miss stuff, etc.
Q: Have you ever tried that herbal, powdery stuff called Chhinkni to help clear your stuffy nose? It's supposed to help clear your sinuses but usually makes you sneeze a little first. Supposed to smell like eucalyptus or Vicks.
A: I have heard of he stuff, but I have no interest. It apparently makes you sneeze a lot, and I already sneeze a lot. Sneezing doesn't help clear my nose. My nose isn't all stuffed up from snot, although I do get very snotty, its stuffed up because the nasal passages are smaller than they should be, and they get swollen shut easily.
A: Oh, this is a repeat of one above, just check out that answer :) I will add that my family and my good friends don't seem bothered by my allergies. Many people have been bothered by them, but not anyone who is a close friend.
Q: Would love to chat when you're homebound and bored! You mentioned yahoo and fb chats- what are your names for each?
A: Absolutely! I always would like that. On skype and yahoo I am sneezykate (in skype you might need to use sneezykate@hotmail.com). I am not on FB too much though.
I am sorry if some answers are short. I like to fully answer the questions, but sometimes I can't think of much to say. Let me know if you have any follow-ups.
As usual, please keep the feedback and questions and ideas coming! And as I mentioned in the last answer, feel free to contact me!
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