I am utterly devastated

[Ditty]

My hubby may have bird keepers lung.  He has never had asthma but was having a hard time breathing for a few weeks before his trip to Utah.  Well he left and was fine, came back and within a week now has the same issues.  He is seeing his doctor and he thinks it may be Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis aka bird keepers lung.

So what now?

[BrilliantFids]

Oh man..Ditty I sure hope its not that  If it is, he may be ok with just Yoshi... Devyns dad has it, they still have their birds, they blocked off the bird areas really well and for a while I think it helped, but today she was saying her 2 tiels may have to go because they are a big part of the dust factor. However they also have a grey, Marley, and I know they cant bring themselves to give her up. I just cant imagine..Ill be thinking of you guys!

[AdminBuffaloParrot]

I sure as heck hope this isn't the case!  Wait and see what the Doc says and all the testing etc is done before thinking the worse.  You do have a rabbit in the house, right?  I say this because I had my rabbit (Bigley) in my house a long time ago and eventually had a hard time breathing as I developed an allergy to him.  Just something else to ponder and mention to the Doc if not already.  I sure hope this is not pet related and will have everything crossed for you guys!

[BPMar]

Oh I hope your hubby is ok!
Do you have air purifiers?  We actually got another one at an estate sale a few weeks ago.  It is a large tower like one that you don't have to buy filters for, for $6.00!
Are the fids in a separate room?
Keep us posted!

[Debz]

Me too, ditty!  I've been having trouble breathing for the past month or so. Yes Mar, still. I keep thinking to myself it's just this stupid flu thing.. or maybe having to do with being a smoker for so long...anything but bird keeper lung. Truth is It's been in the back of my mind. I hope a really good air purifier will do the trick. like the one that is advertised monthly in BT.  Little by little I'm saving money to get a really good purifing system. My fids are my fids and never ever will they go anywhere and be without their mommy. Even if I have to wear a space suit around them! 

[Jadesmom]

Oh I hope it all works out. Stay calm until all tests are in. Man, its always something!

[Debz]

Ok, sorry, Ditty. I sounded a wee crazy there. Had some time to think on this some.
1. arm yourself with as much info as possible.
2.Get your avian vet's opinion on the subject as well.
3. Are there degrees of illness to this?  In other words, will taking certain steps to lessen the symptoms help? ex. A better ventilation system including air purifiers through out.

[Ditty]

Ok so he saw the lung guy today.  The lab was positive for high allergic reaction. Not good news. And he has bronchitis but bacterial, viral or allergic is still not known.  Put him on antibiotics, claritin, robitussin, and prednisone and in a few days will repeat the lab if not better.
Honestly, I didn't want to mention it to the regular doc cuz God forbid if it was positive, but I dont want damage to his lung either.
There is 3 stages of it and in the 3rd it can be fatal Deb.
We do have air filters throughout the house.  Problem is it is an open concept so I can't put her in another room.
So I would like to keep my hopes up but I am too worried about losing Zuri.   Hopes high right now is just not an option.  so I will keep ya posted.

[chance]

I have bird keepers lung, I have for a year now, there are many things that can help, I am on steroids , and inhalers , also I have purifiers all over , and it does help. I hope hubby will be ok.

[Debz]

 

[BPMar]

How often do you bathe them?  As I am sure you know this will help to keep the dander down.  We will find a way to conquer the Jeep man's illness.....even if I have to build a plastic bubble!...question is, will it be for him or the fids>>>
You are in our thoughts!!

[Ditty]

I saw you back on fb and was gonna pm you chance. 
Ok Mar get going on that bubble...oh wait, my kids love to pop bubble wrap

[AdminBuffaloParrot]

Did you mention your Rabbit to the Doc?  Like I said I had one of my Rabbits live in my house and had the same symptoms you are describing.  If things don't get better for Hubby maybe they could test him for an allergy to Rabbits?  Like I said, just a thought and is better to cover all bases.  Make hubby those wicked hot wings I showed you to make and that will clear him up and lift his spirits!

[chance]

The one thing that helps is always vacuuming  the dander, do not sweep it all that does is push the dander into the air. if you have a room you can move the birds to away from hubby that will help as well.make sure you have a purifier in your bedroom and run it when you are sleeping, with heat on more dander and dust is blowing in the air, and when you are sleeping you are breathing alot in.   

[looniebirds]

Oh, Ditty, I don't know what to say.   I pray that's not what is.

[Debz]

You know what? I'm going to go with Chance on this.  It's been on my mind all day, and what do I have to show? More worry lines and anxiety. Chance, what kind of air purifiers do u use?

[Heartlets]

I'm so sorry Ditty! Unfortunately I don't have any suggestions. I hope everything turns out okay.

[zimbasmom]

So sorry Ditty, hope you can work things out & still keep the fids (fingers crossed!)and hope the hubby gets better soon.

[sophiemae]

So sorry to hear about your hubby Ditty  I hope he'll be much better after the course of meds and will not need further testing. Sending thoughts and prayers your way.

[wishforabird]

oh no   with the allergies and asthma at this house, birds like Teils and Greys and Toos are out of the question, although I would love to have them.  we had bunnies grwoing up, and we had a rough time with allergies, they cleared up once the bunnies were gone.   Maybe a more aggressive preventative stance like vaccuming daily, bathing birds much more often, purifiers, wiping down walls, etc will be enough.  I hope everything will work out.  I am so sorry.

Are there more birds than others that can aggravate lungs?

[chance]

Any good quality purifiers will work, just stay away from ones with ozone in them, the ozone is not good for the birds,plus I hate the smell it gives off, also if you have carpet in the house get rid of it, carpet holds so much dander and dust mites and when you walk on it you stir it up into the air,Don't worry you and hubs can get through this 

[NH Bird Mom]

Oh, Ditty, so sorry!  I hope that is not what it is!  I was told by a doctor 25 years ago that I should not have birds but I have them anyway-along with inhalers!  I refuse to give up my fiddies.  You can't ask that of hubby though.  I will keep my fingers crossed though for a good report. 

[EriNes11]

Ditty im terribly sorry...  But chance shows you can live with it.  Best of luck Ditty with everything but i hope its not so that so you dont have to worry.