Posted by Shyone on June 20, 2010, at 5:18:19
In reply to Re: Xanax, Benzodiazepines, and Breathing Problems » Shyone, posted by Phillipa on June 19, 2010, at 22:00:40
Hi Philipa,
I noticed that when I went to sleep in my smaller bedroom, I felt better. I was told in the past to sleep in a room where my cat is not allowed. So this gives me some new hope. And with any illness or distress, it's after all hope that keeps us going.
The therapist I was seeing for a pretty long time who gave me some of the best advice and support I ever got in my life, and who unfortunately died of lung cancer 3 years ago, used to tell me that depression usually happens when we lose all hope. My not being able to breathe without coughing my lungs up every second of the day has been slowly plunging me into a deep depression. I know the feeling because I've been there before.
I will now also have to find some type of antihistamine that could give me some more help with what seems to be a srong allergy to my "Sweetie" -- even though the tests came back negative? Who knows if they were even done accurately. I'm convinced the doctor who did them rushed through the process, as it was the end of the day and she was in a rush to get out.
I also seem to remember that around the times I was on a Benzodiazepine, coincidentally I had a cat -- for a total of 23 out of the 40 odd years I've been on them. And when I've worn a surgical type mask recently, things seemed to improve. The warnings I've read on Xanax say to take it with caution if you have asthma, chronic bronchitis, etc. That's why most people don't have such a reaction, because their breathing is normal in the first place.
I'll try to find some antihistamine that doesn't have too many side effects and take it together with some Ace Inhibitor to help bring down my blood pressure. Then I could increase my Xanax to three times a day. I'll also avoid the cat as much as possible and replace all my carpeting with hardwood floors -- so she can't bring me the dust from the carpeting that gets on her hair, where I breathe it in -- when I do have any contact with her. She's 12 1/2 and I figure 16 could be a good age for her to be put to sleep (even though it would still kill me when that time comes).
No-kill shelters are all full. I've already checked, just in case I have no more choice but to give her away immediately. So I just need to manage for another 3 1/2 years. After age 16, they start getting sick just like an 80 year old person would be -- since the equivalent is 5 to 1 between cat and human years. And vet bills can cost in the thousands to maintain a sick cat, which I just can't afford.
I just hope I'm on the right track. Thanks again for your concern.
Suzanne
poster:Shyone
thread:951510
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100615/msgs/951575.html