Thanks for the tips DeAnne. I appreciate it. I also want to get a Shark because of it’s anti-allergen complete seal technology. Sounds like an excellent product. Yes we do what we have to do to help ourselves and making the investment is worth it.
Clara and Victoria you both mentioned punctal plugs. My eye doc suggested this to me a long time ago for my dry eyes. I didn’t do it. Can you actually feel them? Can you tell they are there?
Thanks for the replies - am reading! Think something more serious is going on and I am trying to avoid a hospital admit. Serious chest pain. Time will tell.
I’m pretty new here, but I thought I could give some insight on the punctal plugs. You only notice them for a day or two then you don’t feel them@ all. They work well for me. Also, the artificial tears that come in unidose they don’t have preservatives that can irritate your eyes more. I’ve been dealing with lupus and sjogrens for 8 years. Goodluck. KKeep us updated.
Serious chest pain, you should get that checked. I wish I lived closer to you, so I could help you out since you are suffering so badly right now. It’s a shame on the people closest to us when they can’t take the time to help maintain the upkeep of the home. It can lead to all sorts of complications. I hope your chest pain isn’t from something more serious like pneumonia or blood clot. I think you should get checked out.
ohsoperplexed said:
Thanks for the replies - am reading! Think something more serious is going on and I am trying to avoid a hospital admit. Serious chest pain. Time will tell.
Janelle thanks for that bit of info. about your personal experience with the punctal plugs. You put my mind at ease. I’m going to give the plugs a try. I use the preservative free drops and they don’t irritate my eyes which is good, but I’m just so tired of eye drops. It would be nice to not have to use them anymore.
Janelle Kendrick said:
I’m pretty new here, but I thought I could give some insight on the punctal plugs. You only notice them for a day or two then you don’t feel them@ all. They work well for me. Also, the artificial tears that come in unidose they don’t have preservatives that can irritate your eyes more. I
Hello! Regarding the punctual plugs, my doctor told me he thought it’s best to try them prior to Restasis. My husband was so worried about the plug procedure, he wanted to be there for me. We get to the office, doctor put the plugs in within a minute or two and done! 
I started to laugh since it was easier on me than plucking an eyebrow. (It was still nice to know my hubby cares.)
What works best for me is Refresh Lacri-Lube. It is expensive, but worth the try.
Thank you Keep. You are so sweet.
Not able to eat but a few bites at a time the last few days, upper ab pain and swelling, chest hurts but not classic heart attack symptoms, rib pain on side where broke 3 (years ago), almost passing out, etc. My trachea burns, and throat is swollen. Think maybe viral or something and my body having a go at itself. I have a code word with my husband if he asks what is wrong and am determined not to give it power by acknowledging it. I used it, he brought me straight home from a dinner date I ate none of, and I slept 3 hours.
So putting myself on a soft food and liquids diet until I break down. At the mercy of the ER until week from Monday, and I will avoid it.
Keepkeepinon said:
Serious chest pain, you should get that checked. I wish I lived closer to you, so I could help you out since you are suffering so badly right now. It's a shame on the people closest to us when they can't take the time to help maintain the upkeep of the home. It can lead to all sorts of complications. I hope your chest pain isn't from something more serious like pneumonia or blood clot. I think you should get checked out.
ohsoperplexed said:Thanks for the replies - am reading! Think something more serious is going on and I am trying to avoid a hospital admit. Serious chest pain. Time will tell.
Restasys is amazing! I was in the trial group for it. I love it!
Washable, reusable big microfiber clothes are a big help here. I got a big pack at a discount store, they are large and made for wiping down boats, rv's, cars, etc. They cling to dust and dirt like nobody's business! No chemicals either? Someone told me there are also some made for cleaning glass too. A temporary help maybe until you can get air cleaners or a rainbow?
Wash dog bedding, your bedding often. Dust mites live off dander and the bodies of other dead mites. cannibals. an allergy cover for your mattress can help, also big throws for furniture that too can be washed. I use soft lightweight queen or king sized blankets for this. (cheapest in January)
Also I sometimes line our heat and a/c room vents with cheesecloth. Change the intake filter 1 time a month insead of every 3-6.
pooped. going. hugs
Keepkeepinon said:
DeAnne your husband sounds great. I can't get anyone to help me with our dust, so if I don't do it, it won't get done. For a while there I couldn't "dust" because I was too sick. When speaking of dusting I don't mean "dry" dusting. People with allergies, asthma or breathing difficulties should NEVER "dry" dust. All that does is make the dust fly around and redistribute it elsewhere. I use a wet rag to wipe down the dust. Wet, ring out, wipe, rinse, repeat. I also bought one of those magnetic dusters that supposed to attract the dry dust when you wipe it. It works, is faster than using a damp rag, but you have to shake it off outside frequently and the dust just flies all around you. I sometimes wear a surgical mask when cleaning the dust, vacuuming or emptying out the vacuum cleaner cup. This helps tremendously. Of course what would help the most is if someone else would do it, but that's not gonna happen in my house. If I don't do it it won't get done. I was so sick for a few years that I just couldn't wipe down the dust or vacuum. That made things even worse for my health. I used to have an allergy to ragweed only in the fall, but then developed year round allergies. Now I have to take medication all year long for my allergies. I think being exposed to indoor allergens (the dust, dog hair and dander) caused this. What can you do when you have no help, you can't do it yourself, and you can't afford to pay someone else to do it? If I could turn back time I would have asked a relative to come over and help me during my worst.
An air purifier. I want to invest in one of those so badly. We can't afford it right now. That's one of the things on my wish list. I want to get the "Rainbow" air cleaner. No filters to clean. It just sucks the dust out of the air into the container of water, then you pour it out and add fresh water. So simple, yet so expensive! It costs about $1000. My sisters have them and the air in their houses smells so light and fresh despite each having 2 dogs. They've had their Rainbows for over 20 years. They are definitely durable.
whathappensinvegas said:I try NOT to dust (I know it seems counterproductive) but my husband does it when I am not in the house. We have a couple of air purifiers that are hard to keep clean but are totally worth it in combo with a medium size humidifier by my bed. While no dogs are truly hypo-allergenic our two are Lhasa mixes and there is little to no dander or hair.
These are just suggestions, but sometimes it is worth it to pay someone to do some of the dirtier jobs around the house like dusting, sweeping and vacuuming. Things that can aggravate your conditions.
Hope you find helpful suggestions...looks like you already have a lot :)
Best,
DeAnne
All great tips. I wash my bedding twice a week because I have sensitive skin on my face that breaks out easily. Our sofa and recliner are vinyl and not fabric. I’d love a fabric sofa, but not while living with 3 dogs. I am able to wipe my vinyl couches whenever necessary. The material isn’t very comfortable against your skin in the summer, but it’s very easy to quickly clean. I also don’t have any rugs. We pulled them out when my allergies became year round allergies 2 years ago. Our hardwood floors could use a sanding and varnish, but I’ll take ugly and practical over having rugs that trap allergens in the house. Even without a rug we have to change the intake filter once a week when we use the heat or A/C.
Great suggestion about the mattress covers. I put those on my sons mattresses because I don’t want the dogs to dirty the mattress and because my son has eczema.
I’m gonna get me some of those microfiber cloths to see if they work any better than washcloths which is what I currently use.
ohsoperplexed said:
Washable, reusable big microfiber clothes are a big help here. I got a big pack at a discount store, they are large and made for wiping down boats, rv’s, cars, etc. They cling to dust and dirt like nobody’s business! No chemicals either? Someone told me there are also some made for cleaning glass too. A temporary help maybe until you can get air cleaners or a rainbow?
Wash dog bedding, your bedding often. Dust mites live off dander and the bodies of other dead mites. cannibals. an allergy cover for your mattress can help, also big throws for furniture that too can be washed. I use soft lightweight queen or king sized blankets for this. (cheapest in January)
Also I sometimes line our heat and a/c room vents with cheesecloth. Change the intake filter 1 time a month insead of every 3-6.
pooped. going. hugs
You don’t sound too good and a week from Monday sounds so far off. Is your doc out of town?
ohsoperplexed said:
Not able to eat but a few bites at a time the last few days, upper ab pain and swelling, chest hurts but not classic heart attack symptoms, rib pain on side where broke 3 (years ago), almost passing out, etc. My trachea burns, and throat is swollen. Think maybe viral or something and my body having a go at itself. I have a code word with my husband if he asks what is wrong and am determined not to give it power by acknowledging it. I used it, he brought me straight home from a dinner date I ate none of, and I slept 3 hours.
So putting myself on a soft food and liquids diet until I break down. At the mercy of the ER until week from Monday, and I will avoid it.