Needing to find something to help

Posted by joeclark @joeclark, Oct 23 7:40am

Hello, this is my first post and I have been seeking help for some time.

I am dealing with some form of unknown autoimmune issue. The best that I can tell is that when I am exposed to what I call "antagonizing allergens" my body reacts by attacking itself. The problem is that these allergens are everywhere I have tried to live. They are composed of molds, pollens, danders, grasses, etc. I have been to the rheumatologists and immunologists and have tried the drugs they offered with little relief. The rheumatologists by far have not had any interest in performing any tests, I am currently waiting for my first appointment at the University Of Michigan Medicine rheumatology dept and that is many months away. The best advice I have gotten so far has been from my first immunologist which has been to do my best to avoid the allergens that inflame the condition, this has worked wonderfully when I am able to find places where I can do that. So far this has meant staying near the ocean where the air is fresh after coming for miles and miles over the water. This has worked so well that we now live on a sailboat along the east coast of the US, not a glamorous life as we have to constantly be on the move to stay within the weather envelope that allows us to keep all the windows open and there are times that we just simply cannot afford to do much aside from sit there and rock around on anchor as power boats wake us. This is causing a lot of problems with access to medicine, schooling for the five year old, and accommodating the dogs. This disease has taken our home, business, and my means of making income and having to travel like this is compounding the problems. Since we live in no one state we cannot get access to any resources to help with anything, going back to our home state is a death sentence for me. When I am experiencing flares my entire body seems to be under attack. I have sever arthritis, loss of hearing and vestibular issues from my estation tubes swelling shut, GI issues, cognitive and memory problems so sever I can't remember anything from day to day some times, respiratory issues, and more. These onset between two weeks and several months. I am at the end of my rope in trying to deal with this and the complete lack of support and empathy from agencies people is astounding. Just because I am able to walk sometimes, and because we are living on a boat seems to cause people to think that we're off living a life of luxury and ease while refusing to work. I just don't know where to turn or how to get access to any resources at this time and the desperation gets worse as we start to run out of food. If you know of anything to help please let me know.

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I have lived with horrible allergies all my life and they have gotten worse as I’ve gotten older. As a kid, I was allergic to my own skin, Pemphigus Foliaceous, diagnosed at age 10. Was on high doses of steroids for 5 years and then they added chemo for 5.5 years. I am allergic to all animal dander, mold, dust, dust mites, trees, grasses, weeds pollen, alpha gal and 60 different foods. I also have asthma . I can barely go outside. I take up to 6 allergy meds a day. I just went to Cleveland clinic for all these allergies. And they recommend I take 1 Zyrtec twice a day and if needed I can go up to four a day. Plus nasal sprays , all my asthma medicine. My IgE was 1019, normal is 0-214. My immune system is fighting itself and thinking I’m allergic to everything!
I do wonder if you are allergic to dog dander. It’s very common.
Have you had extensive allergy testing done, blood or skin?

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I have gotten off most ms medicine. I decided to no longer take Ampyra and Amantadine also, medicine for spasticity. I would like to no longer take Ocrevus if that is possible. I sometimes feel I am just a pawn in this game and other people are getting rich off of me. Just my thoughts.

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@angielewis1959

I have gotten off most ms medicine. I decided to no longer take Ampyra and Amantadine also, medicine for spasticity. I would like to no longer take Ocrevus if that is possible. I sometimes feel I am just a pawn in this game and other people are getting rich off of me. Just my thoughts.

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I think your right. The medical field treats symptoms. Drugs are designed to treat symptoms. We very seldom treat to cure. I am sure a cure is the ultimate goal but treating symptoms does pay better. But as Newtons law states for every action there is a reaction. Sure holds true the more we intervene in the bodies response.

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@fessenbeck65

I have lived with horrible allergies all my life and they have gotten worse as I’ve gotten older. As a kid, I was allergic to my own skin, Pemphigus Foliaceous, diagnosed at age 10. Was on high doses of steroids for 5 years and then they added chemo for 5.5 years. I am allergic to all animal dander, mold, dust, dust mites, trees, grasses, weeds pollen, alpha gal and 60 different foods. I also have asthma . I can barely go outside. I take up to 6 allergy meds a day. I just went to Cleveland clinic for all these allergies. And they recommend I take 1 Zyrtec twice a day and if needed I can go up to four a day. Plus nasal sprays , all my asthma medicine. My IgE was 1019, normal is 0-214. My immune system is fighting itself and thinking I’m allergic to everything!
I do wonder if you are allergic to dog dander. It’s very common.
Have you had extensive allergy testing done, blood or skin?

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I have had multiple allergy tests and there has not been a reaction to dog.

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@joeclark

I have had multiple allergy tests and there has not been a reaction to dog.

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@joeclark did you get a dander specific allergy test?

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