I can breathe freely for the first time in years
By dragon54u
@dragon54u (31634)
United States
February 20, 2018 2:25pm CST
When I moved to Arizona to help my son and his wife with their child 5 years ago I thought that I was having so much trouble because I moved back to a state that (1) I hate with a passion and (2) has a lot of allergy inducing plant life. I even quite smoking after 40 years last October (16 months ago!!
) and still struggled to breathe. My life was at a standstill and I could barely even shop for groceries without being exhausted the rest of the day. 
But I had to move to a new place--long story, I was on my own and all the children and grandchildren moved out, only one to a better life--and to do that I had to find a home for my DIL's dog, That is Tiggy in the photo I included. It was traumatic for me to give her up, she is such a sweetie, but she now has a nice home in an upscale neighborhood with a couple who love her and another dog to keep her company when they are not there. Tiggy is very happy. 
Once I moved to my apartment away from any remnant of poor Tiggy my breathing improved within days, even though I had a bad case of bronchitis. Now, 3 weeks later, I feel like a new person!! I did not realize I was allergic to that adorable dog. It used to wear me out just to cross a room, it left me gasping for air but now I can walk anywhere with no trouble. What a change! 
Have you ever had health problems that turned out to be allergies?
) and still struggled to breathe. My life was at a standstill and I could barely even shop for groceries without being exhausted the rest of the day.
But I had to move to a new place--long story, I was on my own and all the children and grandchildren moved out, only one to a better life--and to do that I had to find a home for my DIL's dog, That is Tiggy in the photo I included. It was traumatic for me to give her up, she is such a sweetie, but she now has a nice home in an upscale neighborhood with a couple who love her and another dog to keep her company when they are not there. Tiggy is very happy.
Once I moved to my apartment away from any remnant of poor Tiggy my breathing improved within days, even though I had a bad case of bronchitis. Now, 3 weeks later, I feel like a new person!! I did not realize I was allergic to that adorable dog. It used to wear me out just to cross a room, it left me gasping for air but now I can walk anywhere with no trouble. What a change!
Have you ever had health problems that turned out to be allergies?15 people like this
15 responses
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
21 Feb 18
Oh, I do! Before I was so miserable and could not do anything, I felt as if I didn't have a life. When one can't breathe, it's so awful. So now everyone is happy and healthy so it turned out great!
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
21 Feb 18
@JudyEv I don't have insurance so I couldn't afford any tests. My doc and I pretty much tried everything we could in guessing what it might be. Now I know! I'll tell her the next time I see her, which I hope is not sometime soon! 
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339574)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Feb 18
@dragon54u Were you never tested for allergies when you were so bad?
1 person likes this
@Starmaiden (9311)
• Canada
29 Mar 18
Ive never been allergic to any of my pets (knowing or unknowing). It's a shame you had to give her away, but your health would not have improved if you didnt.
Im happy that you're feeling better.
Kudos for quitting smoking! :-)
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
29 Mar 18
It's funny about the smoking--people say it's so hard, they relapse, they need nicotine replacements, etc. But I was truly ready, sick and tired of it, and I just said a prayer then threw away everything to do with smoking. I think one has to be ready to quit.
I miss Tiggy but she's happy and I'm healthy. Plus, now that I have no pets to take care of I'm starting to travel. I'm going to see my sister in May! I can't afford to travel much but now I'm free to do so.
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
23 Feb 18
when i lived in tucson,that mulberry out there completely flattened me.i never had to call out from work for an allergy before.
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
27 Feb 18
@dragon54u i moved back to the northeast when my dad got sick.there's other allergens here,but nothing as bad as that.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
25 Feb 18
There was also a mulberry at the house I moved out of. Of course, mulberry bushes were plentiful back in the Midwest where I was born and raised but I don't think I was allergic. Can't be sure because I had asthma until my 30s so maybe that tree contributed to my latest troubles.
Years ago, doctors used to send people to Tucson to cure their allergies and even Tuberculosis but that changed when people back east moved out there and brought their "back east" vegetation with them. Now Tucson forbids such vegetation, thank goodness. Did you move elsewhere from Tucson and did that help your allergies?
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
20 Feb 18
Very pleased for you too.
Its sad about the dog but allergies can ruin your life also.
My youngest was plagued with allergies for a long time till he grew out of them.
Again very glad you have found out the cause at last.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
21 Feb 18
I wish I'd figured it out sooner but better late than never! I'm glad your child grew out of allergies. I used to have asthma as a child but when I became pregnant for the first time it went away and never bothered me again. Strange how the body reacts to aging, change, or other things!
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
21 Feb 18
@dragon54u
He gets the odd attack if he gets stressed out or overworks but nothing more than that.
I had to take him out and be with him in the street every single day till he got cured.
I was more tired than him when I got home and I still had the housework to do also.
@Aquitaine24 (11813)
• San Jose, California
19 Sep 18
Quitting smoking is the best part
1 person likes this
@Telynor (1763)
• United States
28 Mar 18
I'm so glad to hear that you gave up smoking.! I know that it is a tough thing to do and I congratulate you for it. Dreadful to hear about you giving up Tiggy, it must have been heartbreaking. But you also made certain that Tiggy had a good home. Bless you for that.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
29 Mar 18
I would never desert an animal that loves me. She is such a sweetie and I'm glad we are both happy now!
@BarBaraPrz (47274)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
21 Feb 18
I'm glad that you can breathe now. Did you ever try any allergy medication?
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
21 Feb 18
Yes, I did. I tried Claritin and a few others but nothing seemed to work. I don't have insurance so I could not get tested for anything and my doc gave me an inhaler but it didn't do much good. We thought I'd damaged my lungs by smoking for 40 years---which I'm sure I did but I'm glad it's turned out to be not to the extent we thought!
1 person likes this
@quantum2020 (12041)
• Ciudad De Mexico, Mexico
22 Mar 18
I´ve never suffered from allergies or probably I have but I don´t remember which ones. I owned two dogs once. I like dogs. It must have been very difficult decition for you to have given Tiggy for adoption. The good thing is Tiggy is happy at its new home
@Freelanzer (10743)
• Canada
24 Mar 18
So nice you are able to breathe again. Who would have suspected that darling puppy was the source.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
27 Mar 18
I know, it's awful. I love animals and are allergic to nearly all of them--and they love me! I was love-attacked a few weeks ago by a big, beautiful labrador and got a nice, sloppy kiss over half my face. Ten minutes later it had broken out in hives. I'm very glad that Tiggy got a great home and we are both happy!
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
21 Feb 18
I don't have insurance and those tests are very expensive. I'm just glad that things have improved!
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130218)
• Israel
5 Jun 18
@dragon54u
I guess you can say you and the dog both had good endings. Sad you had to give her up but you found a good home with another friend for her. When i moved to where I live I went to an allergist. She told me I might be allergic to this smart plant outside the building. She was never clear as to whether I had allergies or not but now with our weather crazy and my chronic rhinitis coming out with a very bad cough so not sure what is going on. I hopefully meet with him next week and we will see what we do now.
1 person likes this
@Gita17112016 (3611)
• Trinidad And Tobago
28 Feb 18
I am always amazed when the doctor tells me that I am having an allergic reaction to something. I grew up so tough. However I recently had six cats and the doctor said I was becoming allergic.
I am so happy to hear that you have recovered your health and your breathing has eased up. Do you know of the 'Holy Basil' plant (Tulsi)? It is great to breath the air around it (and eat the leaves). It is a wonder plant to have around the house.
1 person likes this
