Cat Allergies Treatment

The question pretty much says it all. I am wanting a cat but my roommate has allergies. Would keeping the cat in my room, and out of both the living room and his room, keep him from having an allergic reaction?

With so many options out there, how do I choose the right med? I have two cats and getting rid of them is not an option. However, they make my eyes itch and water, my nose stuffy, and I now even suffer from asthma. In fact, I’ve always been quite the athlete, but I can’t even jog a quarter mile now without my inhaler. I never had asthma before I adopted my cats. I even experience itching if my cats lick or scratch me… like a little skin rash. I’m also allergic to pretty much anything else… dust, pollen, pollution… I was never allergic to anything in my younger days but now (I’m 20) it seems that my allergies are peaking. HELP! I want to breathe again.

If I were to get a cat, what could I do to help myself not be so miserable around them, since I am allergic?

I have been allergic to cats and horses for the past 5 years, or so. I used to own a cat, and I also used to horse back ride regularly. I have always LOVED animals, and this is very heartbreaking to me. I want to pursue my career as a Veterinary Technician, and this is really holding me back. It is also eliminating living opportunities. If anyone knows of how I can at least relieve my allergies enough to work with and around cats, I would really appreciate it. Most of all, I want to know if there are ways to eliminate the allergies.

Thank you.