My cats need a home!

I "inherited" two black cats, Peaches and Cookie, from my son and my mother.  I have been allergic to cats my entire life, but thought that maybe I could control my allergies with allergy medication.  It's not working!  And now that fall has arrived, we can no longer keep the windows open.  The cats are about 7 yr. and 6 yr. old.  They are up to date on vet visits, they are healthy and well-adjusted.  Would love to keep them together.  I need to be able to breathe and it's getting worse.  The thought of a shelter is more than I can bear.  I live in Olympia, WA and am willing to deliver them any reasonable distance.  I have tried and tried to find friends or family to take the cats.  Please no lectures on being a terrible person.  I didn't ask for the cats and was just trying to do the right thing.  Now I need help.

Are there any no-kill shelters in your area? Not all shelters are horrible places, but you do have to really look around. Find one that will not euthanize healthy animals. It's better than advertising on Craigslist. 

You could always try allergy shots. You can also take the cats into the groomer and get them shaved. Just make sure you have warm blankets at home for them to cuddle up in when it gets cold (or keep the heat on).

There are probably 50 types of antihistamines on the market right now. Some need a script, some don't. There are also nasal sprays you can try.  People respond to different antihistamines differently. Some won't work at all, some have bad side effects and some work great.  Best bet is to experiment.

The nasal sprays are the best in my experience as they don't make you sedated and usually don't have the side effect profile as the pills. 

If your eyes burn you can also get allergy eye drops. If you have itching, you would do best with the pills.

I was on nasal spray for years, along with various antihistamines.   I recommend Nasal Chrom.  Afrin was another of my favorites, but my doctor would get mad at me because you are only supposed to use it once a week, as it can cause rebound congestion.

If your sinus issues are bad despite being on antihistamines, than you need to see an ENT and get your sinuses checked. Anyone with allergies can develop polyps in their sinuses. There is also a fungus that can invade your sinuses, or you could have a chronic sinus infection.  My immune system is bad, and I used to get sinus infections 3-4 times a year which needed antibiotics to clear up.

My sinuses are much better now.  I vacuum the house once a week, and avoid smoke or any other fumes... Even a small amount of smoke will really trigger my sinus issues. The doctor said I have a chemical sensitivity- even the cleaning chemicals will mess up my sinuses.  I use chlorhexidine for cleaning as it is pet-safe, non smelly, and doesn't bother me. It is cheap and used by the hospital for cleaning/disinfecting.

I hope you have a solution. We had a problem like that with my husband. We had to put them outside and secure a fenced in area for them. It has worked for many years. I do feel sorry for you and your cats and hope you can find them a good home.