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.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
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!
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Just a quick note
I wanted to let everyone know I am sorry its been a while since I posted. I was planning on making one today, but things got busy. I am hoping to have time to make a post tomorrow sometime. I have plenty of questions to answer, but not sure if I have much else to post about.
Monday, October 26, 2015
Q+A for end of Oct
Sorry, no ideas that fit into a Halloween theme.
Ragweed season is finally slowing down, so my allergies are starting to lighten up a bit. Still will take a while for them to settle down though.
Sorry its been a while since my last post. As usual, its hard for me to think of what to write.
Since I don't have much else to say, lets go to the Q+A:
Q: What kind of mean comments? People are so rude.
A: Yup, they can be. I think I have answered this before in the past, but a few examples: "Can't you control that?", "You are being disruptive", "That sounds pretty gross", "can't you stop sneezing?", etc.
Q: Could you please upload a few seconds of you so we know what you sound like? Will help to relate better to you and what you are writing. You could do an entry by video (without pics if youd prefer), just what you say, instead of typing out the entry and it would be more personal and interesting.
A: Nope, I'm not going to do that, sorry. the benefit of being online is that People can't hear/see me when my allergies are acting up.
Q: You often say that you get mean comments- can you be more specific and tell us specifically people say and have said? Do they say it directly to you and how have you responded?
A: Like I said in the first question, I have talked about it before. I usually don't respond - because my allergies are too bad, or I'm too embarrassed.
Q: High school sounds like it was tough with some mean people- did teachers ever notice and stand up for you or say something?
A: Not usually. Most weren't that understanding. A really good thing about college was that I could leave the rom anytime I wanted instead of sometimes having to stay in the room as I was sneezing like crazy.
Q: When things are getting heated with your SO, do you ever have to stop because of sneezing or dripping or something? Does it happen often and what exactly happens and how does she deal with it?
A: Yes, my allergies make us have to stop often. Allison is very understanding about it. She is very patient and caring. Definitely the best GF I have ever had :)
Q: Are you able to stifle your sneezes? And if yes, do you do it, e.g. when you're among others?
A: I seem to be starting to get questions I already answered :) I usually can't. I have figured out a way to, but it makes me constantly have to stifle, so its pretty obvious and it won't let up til I let myself have a regular fit. Because of that, and because it tends to hurt my sinuses, I don't do it.
Q: When your eyes are watery, do you always wipe the tears away or does it happen that you let them run down your face?
A: Depends on how bad my allergies are. I usually will wipe them away, but if its bad and I'm really worn out, I wont as it becomes too much hassle or I'm too wiped out to keep up.
Q: You wrote that sometimes you get dizzy when your allergies are bad. How bad can this dizziness get? Does it happen that it's difficult for you to walk or ride a bike because of the dizziness?
A: It can be pretty bad when my allergies are bad. Luckily the dizziness doesn't happen much if my allergies aren't really bad. When it does happen, I try to keep my head as still as possible. Turning my head or my body will make it worse at those times, so walking can get a bit difficult, and riding a bike is too hard when my allergies are bad, or a number of reasons.
Q: You wrote that your hearing can be affected when your allergies are bad. Does it happen that you don't understand what others say or have to turn the TV louder because of affected hearing?
A: It feels like my ears are stuffed with cotton so everything sounds muted. I can usually still make out what people are saying, but sometimes I do have to ask again and I probably make the TV a bit louder.
Q: Which allergy-related websites do you visit or look for?
A: I used to look for allergy support groups, but everything online is for food-related allergies. I don't really look around anymore. I do sometimes look at sites for pollen or mold levels. Some allergy-site and weather sites. They all tend to be a bit different so I will try to look at more than one.
Ragweed season is finally slowing down, so my allergies are starting to lighten up a bit. Still will take a while for them to settle down though.
Sorry its been a while since my last post. As usual, its hard for me to think of what to write.
Since I don't have much else to say, lets go to the Q+A:
Q: What kind of mean comments? People are so rude.
A: Yup, they can be. I think I have answered this before in the past, but a few examples: "Can't you control that?", "You are being disruptive", "That sounds pretty gross", "can't you stop sneezing?", etc.
Q: Could you please upload a few seconds of you so we know what you sound like? Will help to relate better to you and what you are writing. You could do an entry by video (without pics if youd prefer), just what you say, instead of typing out the entry and it would be more personal and interesting.
A: Nope, I'm not going to do that, sorry. the benefit of being online is that People can't hear/see me when my allergies are acting up.
Q: You often say that you get mean comments- can you be more specific and tell us specifically people say and have said? Do they say it directly to you and how have you responded?
A: Like I said in the first question, I have talked about it before. I usually don't respond - because my allergies are too bad, or I'm too embarrassed.
Q: High school sounds like it was tough with some mean people- did teachers ever notice and stand up for you or say something?
A: Not usually. Most weren't that understanding. A really good thing about college was that I could leave the rom anytime I wanted instead of sometimes having to stay in the room as I was sneezing like crazy.
Q: When things are getting heated with your SO, do you ever have to stop because of sneezing or dripping or something? Does it happen often and what exactly happens and how does she deal with it?
A: Yes, my allergies make us have to stop often. Allison is very understanding about it. She is very patient and caring. Definitely the best GF I have ever had :)
Q: Are you able to stifle your sneezes? And if yes, do you do it, e.g. when you're among others?
A: I seem to be starting to get questions I already answered :) I usually can't. I have figured out a way to, but it makes me constantly have to stifle, so its pretty obvious and it won't let up til I let myself have a regular fit. Because of that, and because it tends to hurt my sinuses, I don't do it.
Q: When your eyes are watery, do you always wipe the tears away or does it happen that you let them run down your face?
A: Depends on how bad my allergies are. I usually will wipe them away, but if its bad and I'm really worn out, I wont as it becomes too much hassle or I'm too wiped out to keep up.
Q: You wrote that sometimes you get dizzy when your allergies are bad. How bad can this dizziness get? Does it happen that it's difficult for you to walk or ride a bike because of the dizziness?
A: It can be pretty bad when my allergies are bad. Luckily the dizziness doesn't happen much if my allergies aren't really bad. When it does happen, I try to keep my head as still as possible. Turning my head or my body will make it worse at those times, so walking can get a bit difficult, and riding a bike is too hard when my allergies are bad, or a number of reasons.
Q: You wrote that your hearing can be affected when your allergies are bad. Does it happen that you don't understand what others say or have to turn the TV louder because of affected hearing?
A: It feels like my ears are stuffed with cotton so everything sounds muted. I can usually still make out what people are saying, but sometimes I do have to ask again and I probably make the TV a bit louder.
Q: Which allergy-related websites do you visit or look for?
A: I used to look for allergy support groups, but everything online is for food-related allergies. I don't really look around anymore. I do sometimes look at sites for pollen or mold levels. Some allergy-site and weather sites. They all tend to be a bit different so I will try to look at more than one.
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Ragweed sucks and Q+A
Sorry it has been so long since I posted, its just hard to get myself to write sometimes.
Its ragweed season now and I am extremely allergic to it. Most years I at least have some good days, but this year my allergies have been really bad constantly since ragweed started. I haven't been able to do much at all, and I'll be a bit delayed in getting all my stuff done for school. I haven't been out much but I tried to go to a BBQ yesterday, and again today for the holiday, but it ending up being a bad idea. My allergies were just so intense, and I really embarrassed myself, and got a few mean comments.
Because my allergies have been so bad and I haven't been able to do much, I even more than usual would like to chat with anyone to break up the boredom. Yahoo, Skype, or e-mail is best. I am also trying to use FB chat a bit.
Here is some Q+A:
Q: Have you ever noticed if your allergies have led you to develop any habits or certain movements, actions that other people wouldn't do? Like in order to prevent embarrassment or to help yourself deal with allergies.
A: The big ones are carrying around lots of tissues, and running off to the bathroom often. A few others: sitting in the back of class/movie/etc, or near a door. Sit often with a hand casually over my nose and mouth. That's all I can think of right now. There probably are others I just don't realize.
Q: You said that if necessary friends/family will explain to others about your allergies if you can't at the moment. What do they say, how do the people respond, and do you add anything on when you are later able?
A: Usually just something like 'she has bad allergies'. People usually don't say too much in response other than 'oh, ok' sometimes someone might act concerned or feel sorry for me, or sometimes people will say 'are you sure she isn't sick?'. I don't say anything. I find it embarrassing to talk about my allergies at all face to face so I try not to do it at all.
Q: How did your allergies affect your job choice? If you didn't have them would have gone to a different job? How will they affect things after you get your phD?
A: I really am not sure. I never thought about it. I always had an interest and skill in biology, so I probably would be doing something in the field no matter what. Maybe without allergies I might have thought about being a vet or doing outdoor research. I am not sure how it will affect things after I graduate, but it has been affecting things so far, so I bet it will keep affecting me. I know I wont be able to do any thing directly with working with animals. I hate when I have to wear a mask when my allergies are bothering me, but I'll just have to keep dealing with that. Otherwise, I guess it will depend on the specific situation of any job offer/job I try to get.
Q: How often do you get an attack in front of people? What do people unfamiliar with you say about your symptoms?
A: It happens often, much more than I'd like. Most are kind of surprised, some show some concern, a few act grossed out and a few can be kinda rude.
Q: Have you ever sneezed on someone and what happened?
A: Yes. Luckily its only ever been someone I was dating, and maybe a really close friend a few times. Not much happened. Some have found it funny, or not a big deal. One girl I dated was pretty mean about it, but that was a bad relationship in general.
Q: You've said that people (and roomates) have been either mean or uncaring/ not understanding in the past- can you go into more detail? What do people say usually when they see your allergies? And how do you respond when people are not helpful or are rude?
A: That first one is a long response because there have been a few of them and there is probably many details to talk about. I'd be able to answer that better in a chat, as a back-and-forth chat helps me recall more details and to organize my thoughts better. I'd be happy to have a chat with you about it. The second question I kind of answered above in two other questions. I usually don't respond at all, as it will just make me more embarrassed. I'll just try to leave/end the situation as fast as I can.
As usual, I'd love feedback on my post/answers. Thanks!
Its ragweed season now and I am extremely allergic to it. Most years I at least have some good days, but this year my allergies have been really bad constantly since ragweed started. I haven't been able to do much at all, and I'll be a bit delayed in getting all my stuff done for school. I haven't been out much but I tried to go to a BBQ yesterday, and again today for the holiday, but it ending up being a bad idea. My allergies were just so intense, and I really embarrassed myself, and got a few mean comments.
Because my allergies have been so bad and I haven't been able to do much, I even more than usual would like to chat with anyone to break up the boredom. Yahoo, Skype, or e-mail is best. I am also trying to use FB chat a bit.
Here is some Q+A:
Q: Have you ever noticed if your allergies have led you to develop any habits or certain movements, actions that other people wouldn't do? Like in order to prevent embarrassment or to help yourself deal with allergies.
A: The big ones are carrying around lots of tissues, and running off to the bathroom often. A few others: sitting in the back of class/movie/etc, or near a door. Sit often with a hand casually over my nose and mouth. That's all I can think of right now. There probably are others I just don't realize.
Q: You said that if necessary friends/family will explain to others about your allergies if you can't at the moment. What do they say, how do the people respond, and do you add anything on when you are later able?
A: Usually just something like 'she has bad allergies'. People usually don't say too much in response other than 'oh, ok' sometimes someone might act concerned or feel sorry for me, or sometimes people will say 'are you sure she isn't sick?'. I don't say anything. I find it embarrassing to talk about my allergies at all face to face so I try not to do it at all.
Q: How did your allergies affect your job choice? If you didn't have them would have gone to a different job? How will they affect things after you get your phD?
A: I really am not sure. I never thought about it. I always had an interest and skill in biology, so I probably would be doing something in the field no matter what. Maybe without allergies I might have thought about being a vet or doing outdoor research. I am not sure how it will affect things after I graduate, but it has been affecting things so far, so I bet it will keep affecting me. I know I wont be able to do any thing directly with working with animals. I hate when I have to wear a mask when my allergies are bothering me, but I'll just have to keep dealing with that. Otherwise, I guess it will depend on the specific situation of any job offer/job I try to get.
Q: How often do you get an attack in front of people? What do people unfamiliar with you say about your symptoms?
A: It happens often, much more than I'd like. Most are kind of surprised, some show some concern, a few act grossed out and a few can be kinda rude.
Q: Have you ever sneezed on someone and what happened?
A: Yes. Luckily its only ever been someone I was dating, and maybe a really close friend a few times. Not much happened. Some have found it funny, or not a big deal. One girl I dated was pretty mean about it, but that was a bad relationship in general.
Q: You've said that people (and roomates) have been either mean or uncaring/ not understanding in the past- can you go into more detail? What do people say usually when they see your allergies? And how do you respond when people are not helpful or are rude?
A: That first one is a long response because there have been a few of them and there is probably many details to talk about. I'd be able to answer that better in a chat, as a back-and-forth chat helps me recall more details and to organize my thoughts better. I'd be happy to have a chat with you about it. The second question I kind of answered above in two other questions. I usually don't respond at all, as it will just make me more embarrassed. I'll just try to leave/end the situation as fast as I can.
As usual, I'd love feedback on my post/answers. Thanks!
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Short Post
I didn't want to go too long without a post, so here is a bit of a short one. I had some dreams a few nights ago, and 2 small parts had to do with allergies. At one point I was sitting around with 3 people and my nose was stuffy and eyes watering, and one of the others said I have been sniffling too much. He then comes up to me and says he can help and I try to stop him at first but then he starts squeezing the sides of my nose over and over and lots of snot starts coming out of my nose to the floor in front of me and I just let it happen for some reason. At some point later, or maybe another dream, me and Allison are siting in a museum or a university building or something, and we start to kiss but I have to start sneezing so I turn away and grab the 1st thing I can find - her sweater - and have a huge sneezing fit into it and then I try to hide it.
That's all I remember from the dreams. I have a short Q+A too.
Q: Hi Kate. Can you/do you swim? I don't know if it would be difficult or even dangerous with the sneezing.
A: I do swim. I really enjoy it. I am limited with it though. Being underwater makes my sinuses hurt, so I don't go underwater that much. I can't spend too long in a pool because the chlorine makes me a bit sneezy, really burns my eyes and eventually makes my skin itchy.
Q: What kinds of activities do you find impossible or at least very difficult to do because of allergies?
A: Many. As my allergies developed and got worse I had to stop having my cats, I had to stop playing soccer, I got limited in my swimming 9see above Q), all the congestion messed up my singing. Outdoor events can be very difficult at times. I sometimes can't go to events at people's houses if they have pets, or I may need to leave if something in the house bothers my allergies too much. I can't go horseback riding (I made a post about how I found out I was allergic to horses). I can't drive when my allergies are bad. When they are bad, even things like sleeping and eating can be difficult. There are other things too, but these are what I can think of right now. Actually when my allergies are really bad, almost everything is difficult.
Q: If you're unable to respond to people or just start sneezing, do the people that you are with (family/friends) ever explain what is going on with your allergies or say something about them to others that are not familiar with you? What I am asking is how the people you hang out with explain the situation to others.
A: I hate when that happens. They wont usually say anything unless someone asks. They will talk instead or something. If I am getting bad one person might help me go off to the bathroom because they know I hate sneezing that much in front of people.
That's all I have for today. Feel free to reply, to ask more questions, or to chat with me!
That's all I remember from the dreams. I have a short Q+A too.
Q: Hi Kate. Can you/do you swim? I don't know if it would be difficult or even dangerous with the sneezing.
A: I do swim. I really enjoy it. I am limited with it though. Being underwater makes my sinuses hurt, so I don't go underwater that much. I can't spend too long in a pool because the chlorine makes me a bit sneezy, really burns my eyes and eventually makes my skin itchy.
Q: What kinds of activities do you find impossible or at least very difficult to do because of allergies?
A: Many. As my allergies developed and got worse I had to stop having my cats, I had to stop playing soccer, I got limited in my swimming 9see above Q), all the congestion messed up my singing. Outdoor events can be very difficult at times. I sometimes can't go to events at people's houses if they have pets, or I may need to leave if something in the house bothers my allergies too much. I can't go horseback riding (I made a post about how I found out I was allergic to horses). I can't drive when my allergies are bad. When they are bad, even things like sleeping and eating can be difficult. There are other things too, but these are what I can think of right now. Actually when my allergies are really bad, almost everything is difficult.
Q: If you're unable to respond to people or just start sneezing, do the people that you are with (family/friends) ever explain what is going on with your allergies or say something about them to others that are not familiar with you? What I am asking is how the people you hang out with explain the situation to others.
A: I hate when that happens. They wont usually say anything unless someone asks. They will talk instead or something. If I am getting bad one person might help me go off to the bathroom because they know I hate sneezing that much in front of people.
That's all I have for today. Feel free to reply, to ask more questions, or to chat with me!
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