New Insight

[Gaining Strength]

I was away for 10 days, staying with family and friends.  I got up early everyday, walked the dog and exercised, read the paper and prepared b-fast all before my early bird woke up.  I was able to get everyday responsibilities done with little effort.  I was organized, planned and followed through.  I thought I had a break through and THEN I got home and the same thing started all over again - but one thing was different.  My allergies went haywire.  These aren't new allergies - they are to my cats and have always been there.  But because I was away for 10 days my allergies cleared until I got home - my eyes have been watering, swollen, irritated.  Fatigue has taken over and lethargy.  But FINALLY I understand that there is a significant physical component - ALLERGIES. 

This gives me a new direction to work in.  This is a huge insight for me.  I think I will make a big breakthrough when I find a way to overcome or treat this issue.  Hurray!

[Ami]

Dear GS
 I am glad you made a breakthrough.  Your true you is distorted in your mind from the parental messages.
 Under the introjects, distortions and lies your N parents told you is a healthy person. I see it.             Ami

[sKePTiKal]

ah yes, GS.... I think you're on to something! Sometimes I can't separate emotions from physical feelings... and the physical is a whole lot easier to "fix", most of the time.

I hope you enjoyed yourself on your break! That's a kind of "work" on yourself, too. I missed you!

[Hopalong]

GS, that's huge!
What an epiphany if half the paralysis has been to feeling assailed by your immune system, not emotions alone.
That's really great.

I have a friend who is TERRIBLY disabled by allergies.
Absolutely zero energy.

I wrote chapters on allergies for a publisher...

Once the house is clean, maintain with a HEPA vaccum.

No carpet, no draperies...smooth Zen floors and minimal clutter.

It really will help.

As to cats, start using AllerPet once a week, it cuts their dander output tremendously.

An immunologist I interviewed told me the coolest thing (I developed an allergy late in my cat's life):

Start with 2 young kittens and once a week, take them in the shower with you and use very mild shampoo on them with a gentle stream of warm water.
When you start with very young ones (6 weeks, as soon as weaned) they'll adapt just fine and think it's normal.
AND YOU WON'T SUFFER YOUR CAT ALLERGIES!

After all, think about it...some tigers swim. Cats can be bathed. Just have to start it young.

I just love that idea. One day, 2 new kitties for me, and I'll be happy to cuddle freely.

So happy for you that you've had this epiphany about your health.

You and I are on such parallel paths...I did do my bedroom and bathroom last weekend and it's brought me joy all week.

love,
Hops

[Gaining Strength]

That is so awesome!

[Ami]

How are you doing, GS ? Thinking of you.      Ami

[HeartofPilgrimage]

That's very neat that you have figured this out. I don't have much to add except to say we now live in the country and have an indoor-outdoor cat. He does not have an inside litterbox. Everybody in my family has an allergy when cats live indoors, but somehow they don't bother us as long as the cat spends half his time outside. I know not everybody can do this, since cats get out of the yard if you live in a city, but if it's an option you might try it. Even my son who used to have asthma never got an attack with an indoor-outdoor cat ... now the cat even sleeps on his bed.

[Hopalong]

Hullo Pilgrim--

That's fascinating!

Do you have any idea what that might be about?

I wonder if a cat's actual body chemistry changes somehow as a result of access to pollens, etc., outdoors, that causes them, themselves, to produce less allergen?

No idea, just wondering...

Sure seems to suggest that living things should be outdoors more, I know I should be...

Hops