OT Seasonal allergies

carolsd

OT Seasonal allergies

carolsd

Does anyone have any sure-fire remedies to lessen the effects of hayfever? Season allergies? I am living in a place that seems to have multiple pollens my body simply hates! Every March-April-May I am completely miserable. I take Claritin D every day but it doesn't keep all the symptoms in check; so I also take Benadryl as needed (makes me sleepy and foggy). I also do the nasal lavage, irrigating my nasal passages with saline.

I know they say to shower before bed so that you don't put pollens in your bed pillow (from your hair). But that would require me showering again in the morning and I don't know if I'm prepared for that. If someone tells me it works, I will try it!

It's incredible to me that we (allergy sufferers) are still suffering in 2008. But I guess I'd rather suffer from allergies if I know more money is being funneled to BC treatments and cure.

Oh how little we really understand everything!

BethNY

Zrytec just went OTC, so you may want to try that.

I suffer from crazy allergies, and surgery was given to me as an option from my ENT, but I'm not going there.

I have hypo allergenic pillow cases, and I use all synthetic pillows, comforters.  Down comforters/feather pillows trap things inside, and they make allergies BAD.  I thought I was okay, cause I put my comforter inside a duvet cover, but since we got rid of it, and went to a non feather/down blanket, things are getting better.

I know showering twice is a pain in the butt, but hair (especially long hair) traps a ton of elements in it as well, so if you don't want to shower before bed, after you wash your face at night wrap your hair in a night turban type thing, and it won't get all over your pillow.

My allergies were first, seasonal, and just from pollen, and pet dander (cats in particular).  But now dust is my enemy.  I'm supposed to clean wearing a mask but who wants to do that?

You can also try a netti pot.  It's an ancient cleansing pot that a lot of people find works really well.  You fill the pot with this saline solution, and bend over the sink with your head tipped sideways.  You pour the spout up your nose, and it automatically drips out the other nostril. 

You don't want to use products like affrin, or the vicks nose inhaler, b/c they have ingredients that will only make the problem worse over time.

Always wash your hands when you come in from outside.

I'm always open to more suggestions to combat my allergies.

ADK

I was prescribed Singulair for asthma.  The amazing thing is that it pretty much cleared up my allergies.  You might want to talk to your PCP about it.  I know exactly what you go through - I used to be so miserable in the Spring and late Summer.  Now, I only react if one of the cats actually nuzzles me and that is not as severe as my pollen/dust reactions used to be.

Good luck.

carolsd

Thanks for your suggestions! I am going to try the netti pot thing. I was initially reluctant because it sounds kind of painful, but I'm thinking now it will probably feel soothing more than anything.

Anne, can you get Singulair for allergies just by asking for them? Or is it up to the doctor?

I always wash my hands when I come in (in fact I'm a compulsive hand washer). But you all have given me some great ideas, thanks.

iodine

I went to an allergist and became his Guinea pig for a treatment that he'd discussed with another at a conference: Singular twice daily instead of the standard dose of once daily.  It is a prescription med, not OTC.

In less than a week, I could tell a HUGE difference, and was sleeping so much better without all the sinus drainage.  I can now even wear mascara becuse my eyes don't water all the time.

Ask your allergist about this treatment, it sure worked for me!

ADK

Hi Carol,

Dottie answered the question for me.  I do only take it once a day and I saw a big difference in my allergies.  I know it has been approved to treat allergies, so I don't know why a doctor would hesitate to prescribe it for you.  Good luck, I hope you get relief soon.

carolsd

Thank you Anne and Dottie,

I don't even see an allergist. I have my primary care doc, my cancer doc, and my rheumatologist. Have never been to an allergy doc.

I will look into getting my primary doc to prescribe this for me. If she won't, I'll look into switching docs because I've been thinking about it anyway.

Thank you so much!!

BethNY

I just wanted to tell you guys about a new find that I am absolutely in love with.

Obviously, if you're like me, you blow your nose constantly from allergies.  Well, I've been on the search for the perfect tissue.  3 ply, something that doesn't make my nose red, and dry... and then I saw it.

New puffs plus with VICKS vapor in the tissues.  I feel like my life is forever changed since I started using these tissues.  It's two in one... you get the vicks vapor that helps you breathe, and a really soft tissue that doesn't hurt your face.

I HIGHLY recommend this product to anyone who has a nose that drips like mine.

Anonymous

OMG, Beth, I'm one of those nose drippers! One would think that I am a coke freak, seriously! I started using the Kleenex anti-bacterial tissues, not because of their anti-bacterial character, but because they're so thick and soft. But I'm definitely gonna try the Puffs with Vicks. I love vicks so much, it makes me high just sniffing it!!!  

~Marin

NaughtybyNature

Good thread... have to come here myself for me and my daughter... the poor thing is in bad shape.  Later.

iodine

I never had any sinus problems till I moved here on the mountain in TN.

I'm on Singular twice daily and was doing well till 10 days ago and began the wet cough, tight chest, stopped up nose, wheeze, etc

We went away for the weekend and I didn't cough once!  Never had a stopped up nose, just FINE.  too bad we've been here since '74, no chance we're gonna move any time soon.

I have begun using extra benadryl at night to get some sleep and no wheezing.

Ok, I'll quit complaining and get on to bed.

BethNY

Do you guys use breathe right strips?  I love them, especially the vicks menthol ones.  If you haven't tried them, I really think they help a lot at night.

carolsd

Update: I have started using the Neti pot (insert into one nostril and pour warm salt water/baking soda solution in until it drains out the other side) and it does provide a measure of relief. I won't say it's the answer to all my problems, but it's a great feeling of cleansing and purifying, such as when I get home at the end of the day having inhaled all those pollens and feeling intolerably itchy/twitchy/sneezy.

If anyone comes up with anything better, please post! (sitting here all dazed and confoooozed on benadryl)