Seasonal Allergies

[Nela]

Wow... Dang allergies are bugging me quite a bit already :grumpyI'm guessing there are others that are quite affected as well... What are you guys using for treatment? I cannot do the injections yet and I am using prescription allergy meds but alternating with the fast-acting Benadryl horse tranquilizers when needed. Any other remedies out there?

 

[hartleybun]

started last week - itchy watering eyes:grumpy great fun when you wear mascara - or not as the case may be:cry2

 

[BethM]

I heard on the news a couple weeks ago that they were predicting a really bad allergy year this year. Since mine are bad every year, I didn't listen to the reasons.

Zyrtec mostly controls mine. I also have mild asthma, so I take Singulair for that, and Flonase spray to control sinus polyps. All together, they do a decent job. A few weeks ago, I did have a REALLY bad day, but I took one extra Zyrtec (two in one day) and have been better since. Sometimes a bit of a runny nose, otherwise I'm fine.

ETA: Zyrtec is pretty much the only thing that works for me. Everything else I've tried (otc and prescription) either has absolutely no effect, or puts me to sleep instantly.

 

[Nela]

Awww yeah...

Make up and allergies are usually not a good mix I usually forget, eye gets itchy, rub my eye... You can imagine what I look like after that

Yeah when they started talking about it on the news I was like 'We know :grumpy'. I try to avoid the medication but sometimes I have to and it normally results in me sleeping the whole day :shock:Lol. I remember I had taken one at work once, a new kind so I didn't know how bad it would affect me... My boss thought I was drunk. Hehe she had to drive me home that day Ah well.

I have the Singulair and Avamys (like Flonase but less migraine effects for me) but I am not very disciplined with them. I really should make an effort...

Sending you guys a truckload of Puffs 3-ply extra lotion tissues and hoping the allergies won't make you too miserable....

 

[BethM]

Remember that Singulair is meant to control asthma, it is not an allergy drug. It helps keep tissues from swelling and restricting air flow, you have to use it in conjunction with another allergy med to get allergy relief from it. And it only works if you take it every day, it won't do you much good if you only take it occasionally.
Flonase also just shrinks tissues, no actual allergy relief.

I have found that many allergy meds have to be taken every day for about 2 weeks for your body to adjust and to see actual results. (This isn't true for fast-acting things like Benadryl.). For Claritin, Zyrtec, etc, you have to take it every day during allergy season for best effect. This can also help reduce side-effects as your body adjusts.

I'm not into taking a bunch of meds for no reason, but when it comes to allergies, I'd rather just take the drugs that work than be miserable.

 

[kirbyultra]

I agree. I went through a series of them myself recently due to my rabbit hair allergies. I don't have seasonal allergies perse but every so often a really high count of "something" in the air will cause a miserable day. Although I live in NYC so there's not nearly as much pollen, mold, and whatever else causes seasonal allergies in the air anyway. It's not to say that if I walk around the suburbs or woods that I won't be miserable. Usually popping an OTC Claritin will do the trick for that.

For my rabbit allergies I am on a low dose Advair to control the asthma symptoms as well. For the allergy itself, I am on Allegra. I tried Claritin, Zyrtec, Clarinex, Zyxal and all of them either did not work or made stuffing my face into a rabbit's side and taking a deep breath seem like mercy. Some of the prescription drugs for allergies are really brutal. Key is really finding the right combo to suit your needs. Everyone is different!

Puffs 3 ply with lotion is stocked by the cart load whenever it goes on sale at my local megamart!

 

[Nela]

Mm agreed about the Singulair... Allergies make my asthma crazy that's why I really need to get back on it, especiallysince I'm headed to Holland in a few weeks and will probably react strongly since things are different there. The Avamys is important too since I end up with secondary infections due to the secretions. I'm just too indisciplined... In my defense I have a tooon of prescription meds and have been quite frustrated with it all but now with my heart thing I think I will kick myself and get to it. I use a lot of 'steam treatments' to clear my sinuses and lungs out some so that helps too. When it's not too hot at least

I have prescription allergy meds. Not sure which one I have now though to be honest. I've exhausted all over-the-counter meds other than the new Benadryl that I use when I am miserable :biggrin:There are tissues out there that smell like Vicks which can be soothing at times too.

Does anyone do the um nasal wash? Not sure how to describe it... Basically, you flush the sinuses...

 

[Jessyka]

WOO I love Benadryl. I don't think they so much help with allergies as they put you into a coma where you don't care. I use Neilmed nasal rinses and they're awesome. They help out a lot especially if you have a sinus infection.

 

[Nela]

You might be right about the Benadryl I'm a chicken poop when it comes to the nasal rinses... My doc told me when I was young that it would feel like choking on waterin the pool so I never worked up the courage to do it. :expressionless

 

[BethM]

I I also use the NeilMed sinus rinses. It does feel weird at first, but I've never had a problem with it. I tilt me head forward over the sink, so the water can't go down my throat, thus no choking sensation. I don't know why your doctor would try to discourage you from using the rinse, unless he's trying to push more drugs on you. My doctor is all about the sinus rinses, to help reduce drug over-use. (Though he won't deny me meds if I need them, of course!).

I especially like using the rinse on high-pollen days, leaves me feeling clean and I can breathe better after. I like the NeilMed kit, it's easy to use.

 

[Nela]

Mm I think I would definitely need to consider trying it then. Yeah, the doc was a weird one I had many years ago so... Can't help that the image of choking stuck though hehe.:yuckYep, I agree that if it can help with avoiding using as many medications... I'm so fed up with meds myself. Trying to find other ways to go about things. I think I will look into it. Thank you for your input, it's appreciated!