Question: Hi--soon after I moved into an apartment in a very old house(due to divorce), I began having increased SOB, wheezing, coughing, and increased fatigue. I an 60, and on disability, but this has reached a severe state. I also have cats; one cat has died, and 2 weeks ago, another cat when comatose, and the others were having the same symptoms I've been having. The SOB is severe at times, with cyanosis present as well. When I got the comatose cat to the vet, she said his CXR was consistent with an environmental issue. Everytime the cats and I go back into the apt, the one cat slips back into a comatose state & stops breathing, and the rest of us are not much better. When away from the apt, my symptoms are still present, but greatly reduced. We moved into a temp. apt., and they had the apt. tested. It supposedly came back negative for black mold and asbestos. Can you shed any light on the situation PLEASE? Thank you.

Thank you for your response. The inhaler I'm on is Dulera 200mcg/5mcg; 2 puffs BID. No, I have not undergone any allergy testing. The allergy doc said I didn't have allergies. I have to take anywhere from 2-5 24hr-dose allergy pills/day, as well as a decongestant 0-4/day. I developed adult onset asthma, but it doesn't usually give me trouble, unless I'm around something too strong or back in that apartment. My hair was literally falling out by the handfulls, I had no appetite, and my brain was even more "fuzzy" than usual(I have severe fibromyaglia + a host of other hlth issues). But have never had the severe SOB & wheezing like I have been experiencing. They got the air samples report back; it states that it was a "limited" test, but on that level, did not indicate a problem with mold or asbestos. But, there's GOT to be SOMETHING in that apt. My cats were having the exact same symptoms as myself; they had stopped eating totally, & were totally lethargic, coughing, and sneezing too. I use the highest level of allergy filtration air filter that's supposed to last 3 months;mine was full and nearly black in a matter of weeks. But no one will listen to me! Now they say I have to move out of the temporary apt too. Since being here, my cats are eating me out of the house, playful again, & doing fine....but they received treatment. I'm better in the new apt, but not improving as no one will take me seriously, so no real treatment. Now they all think I'm just some nut case. I'm not an MD, but worked in the hlth field x 15 years as an EMT/Corpsman, Resp. Therapist, Telemetry Tech, did just about anything. This is not normal for me. When I go to the "old" apt to get clothes, etc. my nose & throat burn, and the SOB/wheezing gets worse. Sir, where do I go from here if no one will listen. I'm a f/t student too, and all my professors have witnessed everything, as have other students. Spasmodic coughing requires that I leave class some times. If no one will help me or believe me, where do I go from here?? Will this be a long-term or chronic issue now?

Yes, I did have a PFT done, and was so SOB I barely made it through it. He said it was "normal." While it has been a long time since having one, due to scoliosis & kyphosis, I don't have full lung capacity anyway, and haven't had a "normal" PFT since age 20. I have seen our local pulmonologist, but, forgive me, it's been an absolute waste of time. He never even took a history on me, and sends me out the door so fast, I don't have time to discuss anything with him. I called his office yesterday, to update him on the situation and to see if he would order any labs. I was curtly told to wait until my appt in January to discuss that with him, and they hung up. Like I said, I can't get anyone to listen or do anything. I do now have the name of another pul. doc in VA, but have to wait till Christmas is over now. Unfortunately, hlth care in our town is far less than desireable. I've been to the ER 14 times since XXXXXXX because I don't have proper care. Very frustrating. Is there any agency that I can go to that will follow up on this with me, or contact an attorney, or what? I missed so much class this past semester that I had to get a month extension to get assignments done. Can't take another semester like these last 2. Is there anything I can do to "detox" or anything else to help myself improve? Can all this be printed out? Can I go to a lab and request those tests myself? Thanks.

Thank you for your time and response, but especially for confirming that I'm not loosing my mind, LOL! I take 1 Xyzol at bedtime, and Claritin & Phenyl.decong. during the day, plus the inhaler BID. Just using it BID is better than nothing, but leaves me without a rescue inhaler. I've been given the nickname "Squeaky" because of the audible wheezing. Now that we're closed up with heat running, I keep a vaporizer running nearly 24/7. It has reached the point of completely controlling my life, even more so than any of my other health issues. Amazing how exhausted one can get trying to breathe! I was notified yesterday that the air quality test results are back; "acceptable" levels of asbestos and black mold, but no other comments about any other allergens. I've been given 30 days to get out. My concern isn't just for myself and my cats, but also for whomever may move in after me. If they have a compromised immune system, worse allergy/asthma than I DID have, they could really have trouble. Other than the above info, anything else I can/should be doing to get through this or to "detox?" Thank you!

Can those 2 meds be purchased OTC? If so, is there also a ge?neric choice for them? Any other options for the coughing? I've just been taking the inhaler BID & dextrom. OTC, but still having episodes of spasmodic coughing that leave me severly SOB, usually results in vomiting and bladder leakage unfortunately. If I can't get any help locally, will have to do what I can to get a handle on this before classes start again on 1/15, and be moved out by 1/30. Very difficult to do without physical help AND when you can't breathe. Thank you so very much for all your time, input, and understanding.