Cat allergy and air filtration systems

I'm allergic to cats, but previously managed if we had just one or two in the house, and I vacuumed every day, changed the sheets and washed the blankets every week, and avoided upholstered furniture, rugs, and drapes. Unfortunately, that's not working any more, and I'm becoming concerned, because my brother died of an asthma attack brought on by cats, and I'm having regular nosebleeds brought on by sneezing, plus asthma attacks. I haven't been able to stay on any of the allergy medicines my doctor prescribed because of another medical condition.
We live in an old house, where central air conditioning isn't an option. We're using combination humidifiers/air filters (Venta, if that says anything to anybody), and have just added ionizers, which are pretty good, but not solving the problem 100%.
My question is: Has anybody else had air filtration systems installed, and have they helped? We've gotten some estimates, and can have wall units put in at about $1,500 apiece; we'll probably need four of them. My husband is all for it, but I'm sceptical, because the "experts" from the companies (3 different ones) have said that I should use both the filtration units and the ionizers, so how good can the filters be?
BTW, rehoming Jamie is totally out of the question; even my allergist wouldn't dare suggest it.

well i have no idea what the best option would be, But DO not rehome jamie, if he has to go away for a bit to do some "home thorough cleaning" with sprays and stuff he can stay here

Originally Posted by fwan

well i have no idea what the best option would be, But DO not rehome jamie, if he has to go away for a bit to do some "home thorough cleaning" with sprays and stuff he can stay here

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Don't worry, Fran. Jamie is in no danger of losing his happy home.

I don't have any advice, I just wanted to say good luck with whatever you try. I understand the misery. I am also allergic to cats and I am surviving with allergy medication and an air purifier.

I also love your new sig!

Originally Posted by AbbysMom

I don't have any advice, I just wanted to say good luck with whatever you try. I understand the misery. I am also allergic to cats and I am surviving with allergy medication and an air purifier.

I also love your new sig!

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That's a "Hope Hacker original"! What kind of an air purifier do you have?

It's a fairly large Honeywell HEPA air purifier that we bought at Sears. I normally use it only in the Fall and Winter when the windows are closed, and I REALLY notice the difference.

I have used a Honeywell Hepa Air Filter for 2 years. I run it almost 24/7 in my bedroom. It makes big difference.

Originally Posted by AbbysMom

It's a fairly large Honeywell HEPA air purifier that we bought at Sears.

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I have a Honeywell too that I bought at Sears, it's really powerful and much better than the Holmes air purifier I had previously. I don't have allergies but Sash does and sinus problems at times. I think this really helped his condition too.

Thanks! I'll have to check and see if Honeywell is available over here. I don't recall seeing any of their products.

My husband and I lived in the house for years with one cat. When we added the second cat to the household his allergies really got bad. We bought every kind of ionizer we could find. He took allergy meds and sprayed his nose twice a day. We finally had no choice but to put our cats outside. We bought what is called a cat fence in system. It attaches to either a chain link or a wooden fence. They have lived in the yard since the year 2000. They have never gotten out of the yard and it also keeps other animals outside. You might consider something like this.

Originally Posted by Bugaboo1

My husband and I lived in the house for years with one cat. When we added the second cat to the household his allergies really got bad. We bought every kind of ionizer we could find. He took allergy meds and sprayed his nose twice a day. We finally had no choice but to put our cats outside. We bought what is called a cat fence in system. It attaches to either a chain link or a wooden fence. They have lived in the yard since the year 2000. They have never gotten out of the yard and it also keeps other animals outside. You might consider something like this.

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I think the winters are too harsh here for that, and Jamie loves the central heating too much!
I did have a brainstorm this morning. The asthma attacks and sneezing might have something to do with the two school cats, that actually "belong" to the school custodian. We moved into a new building in September, and the two of them, who were previously in the main office or teachers' lounge during the day (where I spent little time), now spend their days in the upstairs classrooms or student lounge. I'm in the classrooms all the time, so I ordered some more ionizers today, and will put them on that floor.

Wouldn't it be great if that's the solution!

Originally Posted by rapunzel47

Wouldn't it be great if that's the solution!

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I'm hoping it is, but we're still going to have wall filtration units put in at home, once the contractor finds the time. I can't believe that I never considered that "Sweeties I & II" (my fault: they have actual names, but both only respond to "Sweetie" now, because I'm horrible with names, and most cats seem to like the sound of that word) might be the "problem". The timing is perfect. I give them breakfast and fresh water, and check their litter boxes, weekday mornings, and now that I'm a "captive audience" upstairs, they both tend to hang around wherever I am. Their "Daddy", who rescued them from a dumpster, comes in about 6 p.m., and is usually finished by 2 a.m., so I told him I'd see to their needs in the a.m., provided he did so on weekends.
I called my boss this evening and told him I wanted to put some ionizers in the classrooms I spend most of my time in, and he has no objections. He thinks I might even be able to deduct the costs from my income tax, so I'll have to check that out.

I hope that works for you!

Originally Posted by lisalee

I have a Honeywell too that I bought at Sears, it's really powerful and much better than the Holmes air purifier I had previously. I don't have allergies but Sash does and sinus problems at times. I think this really helped his condition too.

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May I ask what something like this runs$????