I had horrible bronchitis and a scratchy throat for three months while my (former) co-op was being renovated and I'm sure it was from the dust from demolishing interior walls. This even though I moved out during the renovation and was usually there for only an hour or two a day.

Miserable as I was, the results were worth it. Hold that thought.

I had a terrible time with "colds", allergies, sinus issues. It eventually got better, but either the dust and crud or the fact that we have now lived here longer have changed my allergy issues.

I thought I'd get horrible allergies and breathing trouble, as that is what happens when I breathe bad stuff, but actually they did an incredible job of keeping dust out of the rest of the house.

I did develop something called perioral dermatitis, bumps and a rash around my mouth/chin/nose. My doctor asked if I was under any stress, and I thought, well, no, and then realized my entire first floor and backyard had been under construction for the previous 4 months...

YES! Today I had my first migraine in 15 years. After a day of tile and sink shopping I sat down at the computer to sort through saved images and I started getting the flashing lights in front of everything...within a half an hour I was barely able to see and my head was pounding. I have 3 months to go until this all over. Must stay healthy otherwise my husband will have to make all the decisions!!!

Yeah I felt sick for a few days during the second week of the renovation. Allergies? Stress? I was very run down and not myself.

I have a brutal sore throat--and headache. I am sure it is from the dust and allergies. Oh--I think I am losing my mind too--that just doesn't seem to be working well lately. I wonder if I can blame that on the renovation too?

My dog got really sick and would spend her entire day walking around hacking and barfing up goo. The vet looked at her lungs and said they looked like an asbestos victim. Once we got a specialist involved, he said that during our remodeling demolition, all of the drywall would hit the ground and some of the dust would float up (the stuff gets everywhere). Because she was low to the ground, she got much more than taller people. She was in such bad shape, they told us she would not live. After crying my eyes out and then coming up with a plan to get her out out of the house for a bit (and my 1 and 3 year olds --- also close to the ground) she had a perfect recovery. It turned out she had severe dust allergies and the remodel generated crazy amounts of dust. So, those of you with dust allergies, try hard to block off the space with all of the dust --- it still gets everywhere, but you can definitely reduce it with some effort.

6 years later, she is a healthy 11 year old....

What a cute pic with your dog under the umbrella.
I have been nauseated for a couple weeks sort of like morning sickness. I seriously think it's nerves over the planning of my kitchen - because I know it ain't morning sickness.

Nausea and vomiting from the fumes burned off from the new oven (?PTFE) and the floor refinishing solution. It was awful even with all windows opened and range hood and fans going on high.

I'm not sure, I'm in a fog.

Eyeglasses are in constant smudge mode. Be sure to wash your eyeglasses before shining them up. Have scratched the coating on mine because I didn't take the time to clean them right. Now I see rainbows and blurs in every direction and I squint too much. New pair in 6 months, sigh.

ack, i'm really worried about this. dh has a badly compromised immune systema fter repeated courses of chemo. i think i'll move him out of the house during demo at least. next month we're building a new septic system and terracing the backyard, he's going to have to leave for that too. too many germs and bacteria in the ground will get stirred up to keep him safe. ugh...

Fallingwaters, the biggest problem is dust -- much more than bacteria, but would it help to delay things a bit? If he needs to be in the house, do what you can to barricade the area, turn off the AC until the dust settles and then use a super cleaning filter for a short while, then change it. Sounds like he should be able to avoid the work zone outdoors and you can shed shoes, work clothes and do a hand washing anytime you or someone else comes indoors. May not be as bad as you think -- but check with the doctor if you are concerned.

I forgot about my dog (mostly) and me getting sick from a gas leak when the appliances were first put in. The range top was fine, but the connection had a small leak and the regulator had to be replaced and the connection cleaned up. Our lab was throwing up and not eating -- I was getting really worried about her when we found out what was wrong. It was worse for her because she is smaller an because the natural gas itself is heavier than air and settles closer to the ground. The odorant would rise, but it was noticed mainly when we opened a drawer and they told us it was just the tiny bit that you might get when turning on the burners getting trapped in the drawer and nothing to worry about at first.

Don't. Ask.

Falling Waters, I was dx with cancer just 3 weeks into our project and went through my first course of chemo/radiation during the height of demo/building. We put a big sheet of plastic between us and the "new area" and sealed it tightly off with wide tape. We vacuumed often and washed hands incessantly, and wiped well over areas that had been touched and worked on by the crew during the day if we were using them after work hours. (We avoided it as much as we could). Because I was leery of how well dishes were being washed in dishpans set in the tub (and because most of the time, I wasn't the one doing it, and even when I was doing it I hated it) we switched to paper and plastic utensils. Besides some allergies, for which we had medication, I did OK and did not pick up any bugs or bacteria that caused me trouble. That said, if getting him out and away from the destruction is a viable option for you, it's probably not a bad idea. But, letting him live at home is not necessarily unworkable or hazardous to his health.

Good luck to you, and to your DH as well.
Cj

We found carpenter ants during the remodel and had to spray inside. It was a carefully done and minimal job.

I will always wonder what that had to do with DH's subsequent unexplained illness that led to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and chronic pain.

Drywall dust is HORRIBLE for your skin. Use moisturizing body wash and lots of lotions.