may have to sell

[quandrea]

We live in fl & the allergies this year specifically have been terrible for everyone. The pollen counts have been pretty consistently high in the last couple months.

We were her for the last two weeks in January. He had symptoms, but they were well controlled. We thought we would be okay this year, seeing as we were here last March. It was about ten days earlier though. If this is a bad year it may explain our trouble. I have him taking his ventolin now. Hopefully it won't be too bad a night. For those of you in Florida. Any pointers?

 

[Dean]

We were her for the last two weeks in January. He had symptoms, but they were well controlled. We thought we would be okay this year, seeing as we were here last March. It was about ten days earlier though. If this is a bad year it may explain our trouble. I have him taking his ventolin now. Hopefully it won't be too bad a night. For those of you in Florida. Any pointers?

Not specific to FL but if he's having asthma issues that aren't controlled, you might discuss with his physician about oral steroids if not already taking them. There are lots of long term options but you may or may not be using all of them. Good luck, I hope he does better soon.

 

[Sammie]

Flowers don't generally produce airborne pollen, for outdoors it's generally trees, grasses, weeds and molds.

True.

 

[DizBub]

He is flying home tomorrow. I will follow as planned with the children later in the week. I think we will keep a few points so I can come with the kids. We will have to vacation elsewhere. Really sad tonight.

So sorry to hear this. I have had some allergies in the past. My doctor told me that sometimes seasonal allergies go in 7 year cycles, they peak and subside. I am actually fairly allergy free after having to spend most of my summers indoors for many years. My DH used to sneeze all the way through Georgia every time we drove back and forth and he doesn't do it any more.

Maybe you could rent your points for a few years and his symptoms will subside in the future. Best of luck.

 

[sookie]

Is he just taking an oral antihistamine or is he taking other things (nasal steriods and antihistamines) to help? Any eye drops?

There are some really good treatment options out there that include both symptomatic treatment and allergy shots to try to reduce his symptoms over time. I'm sorry your husband has been so sick! If you love Disney, I would seek treatment.

I used to be so miserable as a kid. The allergies made me miserable and the antihistamines put me to sleep in class. I started aggressive allergy treatment with pretty much every type of allergy drug you can think of along with allergy shots when I was about 20. Over time, the allergy shots have really helped - it has made my asthma manageable (I'm actually off daily meds now!). Now I only take oral antihistamines as needed during the fall and spring. Sometimes, if I am having a really bad day, I will take some allergy eye drops. That is worlds away from where I used to be.

While everyone has a different outcome, I am glad I started seeing an allergist and went ahead and started allergy shots. My first allergist did not put everyone on immunotherapy (allergy shots), but my current one seems to throw everyone on shots. I'm not sure that I like that - I think that you should only do it if you can't manage your symptoms with more conservative measures due to the risk. But if you are miserable despite trying all the available meds, it is well worth it.

 

[quandrea]

Is he just taking an oral antihistamine or is he taking other things (nasal steriods and antihistamines) to help? Any eye drops?

There are some really good treatment options out there that include both symptomatic treatment and allergy shots to try to reduce his symptoms over time. I'm sorry your husband has been so sick! If you love Disney, I would seek treatment.

I used to be so miserable as a kid. The allergies made me miserable and the antihistamines put me to sleep in class. I started aggressive allergy treatment with pretty much every type of allergy drug you can think of along with allergy shots when I was about 20. Over time, the allergy shots have really helped - it has made my asthma manageable (I'm actually off daily meds now!). Now I only take oral antihistamines as needed during the fall and spring. Sometimes, if I am having a really bad day, I will take some allergy eye drops. That is worlds away from where I used to be.

While everyone has a different outcome, I am glad I started seeing an allergist and went ahead and started allergy shots. My first allergist did not put everyone on immunotherapy (allergy shots), but my current one seems to throw everyone on shots. I'm not sure that I like that - I think that you should only do it if you can't manage your symptoms with more conservative measures due to the risk. But if you are miserable despite trying all the available meds, it is well worth it.

Thank you for your kind words. What makes this situation unique is that his symptoms are well controlled at home. He takes oral antihistamines ( prescription strength). He takes asthma meds as needed. Usually only when sick. I will talk to the allergist, but will he treat for vacation allergies? He is a trooper and is talking about future trips. He says march is out for good. We have October planned and January 2015. We will see what the coming months show us.

I guess the allergist could treat for our Florida stays. For example add eye drops, nasal spray (although these take a few days to work). Will have to ask for a referral.

 

[Greysword]

No problems at other destinations. We have travelled all over the world. We used to think okw was the problem , but he's had trouble now at kidani, ssr and villas at grand floridian.

Sounds like he is allergic to pixie dust!

I think you should test this theory. For the next several vacations you should:

Go on a Disney Cruise using points
Go to Disneyland Paris on points
Go to Tokyo Disney on points
Go to Disneyland Hong Kong on points.

Do not go to Disneyland Beijing, as China's capitol is supposed to be very very smoggy.

Good luck!

As for visiting DLR, you should try it for a small vacation to start using your points from WDW resorts. There is a ton to do in SoCal, and the DLR would make a great base of operations for extended stays. It is just very expensive (point wise) to stay there, so your month may be cut down to two or three weeks (depending on time of year). You can use your points there, though.

As for Disneyland, remember it is in the middle of a city. The Anaheim Angel's stadium is near by, as is many shopping areas. The interstate runs right by the resort, unlike in Florida where the resort is secluded.

 

[Dean]

Thank you for your kind words. What makes this situation unique is that his symptoms are well controlled at home. He takes oral antihistamines ( prescription strength). He takes asthma meds as needed. Usually only when sick. I will talk to the allergist, but will he treat for vacation allergies? He is a trooper and is talking about future trips. He says march is out for good. We have October planned and January 2015. We will see what the coming months show us.

I guess the allergist could treat for our Florida stays. For example add eye drops, nasal spray (although these take a few days to work). Will have to ask for a referral.

Get with the allergist but it's sounding like full court press leading up to and including the FL trip. Good luck, lt us know how it goes esp for next years trip.

 

[quandrea]

Thanks Dean. We are due back mid October for ten days. Fingers crossed along with a good bit of pro activity.

 

[BillPA]

Have you tried an allergist in Florida? They may have a better handle on what's in the air there. Good luck finding a solution.

 

[anna08]

It almost makes me wonder if he could be allergic to a cleaning solution used in the Disney resorts - laundry detergent or carpet shampoo? I used to be have a terrible time every time I had to sleep in the hospital call room - the detergent used to clean the sheets was the only thing we could figure was the problem.

That would be quickly answered by whether or not he gets symptomatic before you hit the resort, or if it's been at other places in FL. Odds are it is something environmental. If it really is going to force you to sell points reluctantly, I would see an Orlando allergist. They will know what plants are in play at which time of year he has symptoms and might be able to tell you exactly which time of year to aim your trips.

There are lots of ways to fine tune allergy treatments, and he could start more aggressive treatments a couple weeks before going. I would definitely get a couple of opinions. As a lifelong allergy sufferer myself, I don't blame him if he doesn't want to go anymore.

 

[SuperRob]

My allergies give me issues in Florida as well. We are rarely there for more than a week, so I just take a decongestant and deal with it. If I was there longer, though, I'd definitely bring a neti pot with me. My allergies have been much easier to deal with since using that. It feels like I'm waterboarding myself, but it works.

Aside from that, I would recommend talking to an allergist in Orlando and see if there is a specific allergy shot your husband can start getting to work on his immunity. Good luck!

 

[Dean]

It almost makes me wonder if he could be allergic to a cleaning solution used in the Disney resorts - laundry detergent or carpet shampoo? I used to be have a terrible time every time I had to sleep in the hospital call room - the detergent used to clean the sheets was the only thing we could figure was the problem.

That was part of the thinking about this not being a true allergy as those type of issues aren't allergic in nature like perfumes, ammonia, runny nose with spicy foods and the like. I'd say it's unlikely to be regular cleaning solutions if they're staying a full month in the same villa but it could be carpet shampoos. It'll be interesting to see where they are once they get more info and are present at a different time of the year.

 

[anonymousegirl]

I have had great success with allergy shots, oral meds, and inhalers. I am allergic to cats, dogs, goats, and horses, 8 kinds of trees and shrubs, dust mites, molds, milk, yeast, sulfates, and spores.
I am 10 years into shots and now only need shots once a month. My asthma is gone and I no longer need my daily or emergency inhalers (but this seems to be partially due to a large weight loss).

During tough allergy seasons like this year, I do have some issues with itchy eyes, but otherwise, I am extremely happy with my shot regimen.

I like the idea of using your points for non WDW vacations.

 

[quandrea]

Everyone says talk to an orlando allergist. Do I just pick up the phone and make an appt?

 

[Dean]

Everyone says talk to an orlando allergist. Do I just pick up the phone and make an appt?

If you're comfortable with your allergist I'm not sure that someone local in Florida offers much and doesn't have the additional history needed to make adjustments over time. If needed, your allergist could put in a call to someone local to see if they had additional suggestions. If you're not comfortable, then a second opinion locally might be better.

 

[anna08]

You could start with this list

-http://www.orlandomagazine.com/Orlando-Magazine/December-2011/Orlandos-Top-Doctors/

There are 10 listed under immunology.

You could also ask your local allergist. Remember if a doctor gets offended that you want a second opinion, you should be looking for another doctor anyway.

 

[mkarizona]

You said he takes asthma meds. The one thing I haven't seen mentioned is how hard the super-high humidity in Orlando is for asthma sufferers. My daughter who after 15 years of using a rescue inhaler was diagnosed with asthma cannot exercise outdoors on a humid day even with her inhaler. I don't even have asthma and the first time I stepped out of MCO I thought I had entered an oxygen-free environment.

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

I live in Kissimmee and this year has been MUCH worse for me than normal. I would not give up on coming here based on this year alone since this year has been worse than normal!

 

[heartsy77]

Find an allergist and look into Xolair injections! Xolair is a an injection, not normally allergy shots. They have saved my husband!