Allergies - Group Thread for Allergy Sufferers...come comisserate and sneeze!

[artist]

I did do a search, and did not find any threads on allergies. As I write this, it is the evening of May 11th, 2007. I happen to be allergic to just about anything alive, seriously, probably even myself! :)

Yet, I am crazy enough to nonetheless have two cats (one with long hair too), a dog, and quite about of garden filled with many plants and flowers that look pretty but I am probably allergic too. I also am a bit lazy about dusting, sweeping/mopping, and vacuuming as often I should; "should" meaning, how often I "should" in order to reduce allergins. However, when I do clean, I often only am able to do so while wearing a face mask. I wish I could afford to hire a cleaning person, NOT because I don't want to clean the house myself so much as it would be MUCH easier on my health. I try to use only mild soaps, tend not to use perfumes or scented stuff, tend to use perfume free/natural laundry detergent, only use Toms of Maine deoderant as the other brands might cause a rash, etc. When I get attacked by mosquitoes (which MN has WAY too many of), I swear I have a MUCH worse reaction than most people have. I used to be allergic to dairy as a kid and definitely can NOT ever take Codine unless I want to puke my guts out for days. Nope, "Codine supplements" won't work either. (I had the oh so fun experience of being prescribed THAT upon having my wisdom teeth pulled out even after telling the oral surgeon about 27 times NOT to give me Codine.) I have no problems thankfully with nuts, chocolate, or most other things. Though I do fear sea food since my mom is extremely allergic to that AND I tend to inherit just about EVERY health issue SHE has. Fun! Oh, but my WORST WORST WORST allergy of ANY of them is lilacs! And OF COURSE, what kind of bushes do I have on my property? That's right, you guessed it, lilacs!

Let's see, I currently take Allergra D (because plain old Allegra just doesn't cut it, nor did Claritin) AND Singulair in addition to other meds I am on for various things. The Singulair is actually a drug I've only been on several months or so, but it usually has been a miracle drug for me. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's eliminated my allergies, but it certainly makes my allergies more manageble MUCH of the time.

I have never tried shots. I suppose I would consider it, however, not until or unless I believed I would likely have the same insurance plan for at least several years, as a former co-worker of mine who also suffers from allergies and WAS (at the time I worked with her) taking the shots, told me that the shots are great, BUT it is a very long-term (perhaps 5 years long) process. She also mentioned in HER case, it was LONGER than that since she got pregnant in the midst of the treatment, and I think she had to stop the shots during the pregnancy. She basically told me I might want to consider trying shots, but also pointed out it might be a real pain if I don't complete ALL the shots BEFORE possibly having children. Someday I do probably want to have children, NO idea when, but for various reasons, I hesitate to do shots IF I might POSSIBLY want to have children within 5 years. Not only that, but when one gets allergy shots, at least in the case of the woman I know, it can sometimes be a procedure that requires getting a shot as often as once or twice a week, often cutting into a busy work schedule.

TODAY however, and for the past few days, my allergies have been TERRIBLE! I've talked to others who have allergies who have been suffering as well the past few days. Aside from the very high pollen count where I live (in St. Paul, MN), apparently smoke from fires in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (basically northern MN...kind of far from where I live) has been affecting people in the Twin Cities, MN! Anyway, about 20 minutes or so ago, I just got yet ANOTHER terrible sneezing attack to the degree I want to literally scream. I frantically found some Benadryl and just took 2 of those. I don't dare take another dose of my allergy pills because it's dumb to not take the prescribed dosage of any medication, but mostly because I don't dare use up my stash of much needed drugs! I am REALLY hoping this Benadryl kicks in soon, and after checking on the pollen count where I live and discovering that it is going to get WORSE in the next few days, I think I should just take Benadryl each day for awhile BEFORE a terrible allergy attack strikes again.

http://www.pollen.com/images/usa_map.gif

http://www.pollen.com/pollen.com.asp

[sublime311]

Ooo, me, too!

I have been tested and am most allergic to cat dander (I have 3), dog dander (I have 2), house dust (I have a lot) and deer grass (I live in the desert). Luckily, I don't have food allergies (that I know of.) After I tested, I never went back for the shots. I've had allergies all of my life. When I was little, my mom says she knew when I was awake because she could hear me sneezing my head off. My grandpa used to tease me about what he called the "allergy salute"- me rubbing my nose.

Currently, I take loratadine (Claritin), Flonase, and QVAR (for my allergy-induced asthma.) QVAR has been my miracle drug. It really has my asthma, and I assume, my allergies under control. Advair caused high blood pressure, but haven't had a problem with QVAR.

According to your graph, I am in a medium zone, but I'm feeling like it's worse. I'm coming off sinus and ear (both) infections. My asthma is bad, but it's been windy, so I really think this is allergy-induced.

*ah-choo!*

[artist]

I completely forgot to mention Flonase! Yeah, I have that one too. Oh my lord! Last night's allergy attack was so bad I finally held my face over a pan of boiling water/steam and just steamed my face. I also used a steamed washcloth on my face. Then, when I tried to go to sleep, this sounds really pathetic, but I wore a face mask! Also, even though I probably would get scolded by a doctor, I was seriously desperate and took various OTC meds...yep...mixed different ones...yep...took more than the required dosage. OMG, considering that the various things I was taking were ALL supposed to cause drowsiness, for some reason I did NOT feel drowsy! WTF is wrong with me? Also, despite taking MORE than the suggested dosage of various things, NOTHING would stop me from sneezing or stop my nose from running. That's why I finally did the pan of boiling water thing. That surprisingly was almost more effective than any of the drugs. I wonder though if I may also have a cold? (Considering the amount of sneezing and lack of relief from anything.) Then again, if you're reading this, you probably ALSO have allergies, and you will know what I mean when I say sneezing due to allergies or a runny nose to allergies FEELS different from the same symptoms caused by a cold. You know, where literally breathing through your nose makes you want/need to sneeze! (Because some airborne allergin or pollen or whatever is floating around and you have no choice but to breathe it in or else hold your breathe.)

[bunny nose]

Allergy sufferer here. Let's see, I am allergic to grass, cats, dogs (I have 1- but if we keep him clean I do well), mildew, pollen, dust and to top it all off- I am allergic to antihistamines. You got it, I can't take Benadryl or anything with antihistamines in it. Fun, huh?

I use a nasal spray though that is wonderful. It is called Nasarel. I took it many years ago and it worked great. I was ok for a few years then started back up again. I asked my regular doc for a script for it and he didn't know what it was. He kept insisting it was Nasonex or something like that. I insisted no and he finally looked it up and I was right.

This morning I was cleaning up the backyard of lovely allergy causing junk. Sneezing like crazy when I came in. Nasarel took care of it.

The other day I was driving by a golf course and it looked like is was snowing there was so much pollen flying around. Yuck!

[artist]

Oh you poor thing! I mean, to be allergic to Benadryl! That's just awful!

[tlew12778]

I have allergies and asthma. I used to see an allergist regularly in the US. Here I don't bother bc now that I live in the city, it's not as bad as it used to be. I was tested back in HS and my worst allergy is to birch. We don't have birth trees here (whoopee!). Back in HS I used to have to use a nebulizer for my asthma during birch tree blooming season.

I cannot use nasal sprays. They give me seriously bloody noses. I mean, I think I lose about a pint of blood. So I take Claritin (no D here, but D gives me insomnia anyway) plus Pulmonax and Ventolin for asthma. Claritin does not always work but they don't really have anything else here. They don't even have benadryl. I am sure there is some sort of equivalent, but I haven't bothered looking it up since it's not strong enough anyway. I was told to try doubling up on Claritin when it gets really bad but I haven't gotten to that point yet. I had super bad allergies about 3 weeks ago here but I just slept them off. I actually took a day off work it was so bad. I seem to be building up a resistance though bc this week I am not taking anything (stupid of me probably but I was also sick with a cold so I was taking those meds instead).

Tomorrow I am going to a flower show... I'm obviously a glutton for punishment.

[artist]

They don't sell Benadryl or allergy/cold meds (aside from Claritin) in Italy? What is the reasoning behind that?

[kalogrias]

They don't really sell them here, either.

Another allergy sufferer here...I'm on hydroxizine -- 25 mg currently, though it's been as low as 10 and as high as 50 (apparently that should put a grown man to sleep, and only manages to take the edge off the itching for me), depending on the season. It's all hay fever for me. I'm lucky that I can get my meds through the base; otherwise I don't know what I'd do.

The pollen count (read: goldenrod is blooming!) here is absurd right now, so I wake up in the morning with my eyes sealed shut. I'm lucky in that I'm not a sneezer with it, but my head hurts and everything itches. I hate it!

[JillyBean]

Another allergy sufferer here. I've never been tested, so I don't know what exactly I'm allergic to, but I'm figuring that it's pollen. It sucks! I've taken just about every prescription allergy medicine over the years, but none of them work for me. I switched to herbal supplements to treat my allergies, and they've been the only thing to give me some real relief. I see an herbalist, who tests me for different herbal combinations. It switches based on the time of year, but I'm always on some form of allergy supplement. I need to go back and see her, because I'm thinking I need to switch again. I've had a sore throat on and off for over two months. I hate allergies.

Does anyone have an air purifier? I'd really like to get one, but I don't want to waste my money if it won't help. Any recommendations?

[artist]

They don't really sell them here, either...I'm lucky that I can get my meds through the base; otherwise I don't know what I'd do.


I notice your signature indicates your DH is in the military. So, is the base overseas? (If you don't want to say where it is, I understand, mostly I'm just curious. I know a lot of the military seem to end up in Germany for some reason.)

Another allergy sufferer here. I've never been tested, so I don't know what exactly I'm allergic to, but I'm figuring that it's pollen. It sucks! I've taken just about every prescription allergy medicine over the years, but none of them work for me. I switched to herbal supplements to treat my allergies, and they've been the only thing to give me some real relief. I see an herbalist, who tests me for different herbal combinations. It switches based on the time of year, but I'm always on some form of allergy supplement. I need to go back and see her, because I'm thinking I need to switch again. I've had a sore throat on and off for over two months. I hate allergies.

That's interesting about the herbal remedies. Was your herbalist by any chance an acupuncturist? I tried acupuncture for awhile. (It was great! I went for back/neck problems because it was covered when I used to be on my parents' health insurance plan.) While I don't recall having herbal supplements for allergies per se, I do recall having a whole mess of different herbal remedies for various things (I guess to balance my Chi???), but I was surprised at how well the acupuncture along with herbal remedies seemed to work so well for so many things! Also, a friend of mine takes prescription drugs for certain things, but takes a couple of supplements (you know, from GNC or something) that apparently work quite well to enhance the effects of the other drugs. I believe one thing that can enhance other meds might be folic acid? (Can't remember.) Though I have zero medical knowledge, so I have no clue how Folic Acid works with allergy meds!


Does anyone have an air purifier? I'd really like to get one, but I don't want to waste my money if it won't help. Any recommendations?

I've never tried one, but if anyone else has, I'd be curious to hear about that too. Right now I can't afford one, but if anyone has suggestions, perhaps I might be convinced to save up and at least get one for my bedroom or something! Obviously not the same thing, but I have of course used humidifiers in my house.


As for me...last night was still the whole icky drippy nose and sneezing routine. Which was a real PITA because I just so happened to have art at an art show/opening and of course was excited about being at the show, enjoying chatting with various people, but man was it frustrating to constantly need to find a kleenex, worry about looking gross or contageous, and trying to have fun while sort of feel physically miserable!

However TODAY finally a bit of relief for some reason! Not sure why. Not totally recovered, but doing a lot better. Only thing is of course, my nose hurts from having to blow it so many times! Thank goodness for vaseline I guess.

Oh, and as for anything at ALL that's worked, again, putting my head over a pan of boiling water was helpful (and ironically NO meds with that of course). Also, last night I think I tried some sort of Tylenol cold medication. I have no idea if that drug did something or if it was just a coincidence. I think people all respond to meds or combinations of meds differently from one another. So for OTC stuff, it seems to be a matter of trial and error until you find what works for you.

[bunny nose]

Oh you poor thing! I mean, to be allergic to Benadryl! That's just awful!

Thanks for the sympathy. It does stink.

[thegurl77]

I am soooo glad I found this thread. I have HAD it with the allergies this year, and it's only been about 2 weeks, lol. I am and always have been a late April/early May tree/flower/grass allergy person. This year is so, so bad. I can't breathe to save my life and I've yet to find something that works. I have been downstaris every morning at 3:00 a.m. because I just can't breathe and therefore can't sleep. I've taken Allegra-D and Claritin-D, neither of which made a dent. Do you guys have any recs? I have a 2 1/2 year old DS, so I prefer things that won't make me too loopy......I hate that we are all so miserable, but I'm glad we have people to commiserate with!

[eli1126]

Add me to the list! I finally got my Doctor to prescribe me Allegra-D again!! I was taking the Claritin-D, but it just didn't cut it. With the new restrictions on the OTC Claritin-D, my insurance company is once again allowing me to use the Allegra-D. I take 2 Allegra-D (12 hour) a day and use Astelin nasal spray (1 spray in each nostril 1x daily).

I don't know exactly what I am allergic to, because I haven't been able to convince my Doctor to send me for testing. She thinks that it wouldn't provide me with a definitive answer because it seems that I am allergic to all the usual suspects. My allergies are active year round so we suspect it's probably dust, cats (2), and other things that are common around homes. My symptoms are sneezing, constant runny nose and nasal drip, itchy eyes, all over itchiness, and hives. And the itchiness can drive me crazy!

Today the students in my class brought me in a fistful of dandelions...and I immediately started to itch so bad from the roots of my hair down to my toes (even having taken an Allegra-D and using the nasal spray!) that I had to get rid of them :( So we instituted a new rule in Mrs. R's class: We're Leaving the dandelions outside so everyone can enjoy them ;)

[Maggie8202]

I also have terrible allergies and have been on Flonase, but searching for a natural "cure." because I can not handle the side effects of all these drugs anymore and am hoping to TTC soon and do not think being on all these allergy medicines are good for that. I came across this website about apple cider vinegar, tried it last night and today. I didn't use any Flonase today (gasp) and I was FINE! The glass in my eyes feeling totally went away! I even drove with the windows down all the way home!! I know that the Flonase is probably still in my system so I will give it a week. I wanted to share.

BTW, I read the dosage wrong on the apple cider vinegar. I took 2 TBSP's instead of 2 TSP's. It made me sooo sick this morning and my stomach still feels like it is burning. It was really the worst taste ever!! I do think 2 TSP's will not bother my stomach, and I also picked up white grape juice to put it in. I think I may have felt the results so quickly (instead of 3 days) because of the amount I took. Next time I will read closer. :)
Apple Cider Vinegar (http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/acvinegar.html)

Last week I was about to make an appointment with the allergist again to try and figure out a new medication because I broke out in a rash from the flonase (I decreased the dosage by half and am better), but am keeping my fingers crossed this Apple Cider Vinegar will work.

[sublime311]

This year is so, so bad. I can't breathe to save my life and I've yet to find something that works. I have been downstaris every morning at 3:00 a.m. because I just can't breathe and therefore can't sleep. I've taken Allegra-D and Claritin-D, neither of which made a dent. Do you guys have any recs?
Your not being able to breath description makes me think you have allergy-induced asthma, also. You should see your doc about testing you for asthma. Taking inhaled steroids and using a rescue inhalor as necessary should help keep your airways clear.

[artist]

Your not being able to breath description makes me think you have allergy-induced asthma, also. You should see your doc about testing you for asthma. Taking inhaled steroids and using a rescue inhalor as necessary should help keep your airways clear.

That's a good point. I actually have that too, though did not get it/get diagnosed until a few years ago. I had what I thought was the flu. (Due to the not breathing...sort of like a really bad cold that developed to a terrible cough, that got so bad it made me thow up, I had inability to fall asleep at night since putting my head on a pillow made it worse, and Nyquil or any other OTC meds would not help.) Also, the cough and my breathing had a wheezy sound to it. Almost like there was nothing that could clear my throat. Honestly, thinking it was just a real bad case of the flu or something, I went to the doctor and ended up being hooked up to a nebulizer and prescribed a couple of inhalers. Initially I thought it was just a one time thing. However, eventually it happened again a couple more times and sure enough, I was told I had "mild asthma". Wonderful and oh so fun! Though as others in this thread including PP have insinuated, asthma and allergies often go hand in hand. Not always, but often. It just never dawned on me that I could have asthma, because I thought that was one of those things that you got diagnosed with as a child. Apparently adults can develop it too. (And stupid me, STILL getting a dog and then a cat after that! Um, and getting scolded by mom AND the doctor for that.)

[thegurl77]

Hmmm, interesting, I never thought of that. I can breathe through my mouth and there is no coughing/wheezing involved, but I do have a doctor's appointment tonight to see what is going on. He said he thinks I sound like I probably have a sinus infection so I will most likely need z-pack and allergy meds, but he'll see later. Sweet, I love this time of year:rolleyes:

[thegurl77]

Has anyone tried singulair? Just wondering since I think it's the only one I haven't been on...yet.

[Maggie8202]

I have heard some good things about singulair, a friend at work says her daughter swears by it. I have been on pretty much everything and I find the side effects outway the benefits for me.

Day 2 with no allergy medicine for me, with a pollen level at 10.6 and I feel great! Eyes are a little ichy but nothing drops and saline can't fix. I really hope this apple cider vinegar is the answer for me.

[artist]

Has anyone tried singulair? Just wondering since I think it's the only one I haven't been on...yet.

Yes, one of the meds I am on, and MOST of the time it really is wonderful! (As for the couple of threads I posted in here, NORMALLY I don't have allergy attacks THAT bad, and often Singulair is amazing!) Singulair is especially great for people with both allergies AND asthma as it works on both.

As for the apple vinegar thing...that is so interesting! I did check out that link you posted. Definitely keep us posted on your progress. You mentioned mixing it in with grape juice. How is that?

[artist]

Hmmm, interesting, I never thought of that. I can breathe through my mouth and there is no coughing/wheezing involved, but I do have a doctor's appointment tonight to see what is going on. He said he thinks I sound like I probably have a sinus infection so I will most likely need z-pack and allergy meds, but he'll see later. Sweet, I love this time of year:rolleyes:

Yeah, you probably don't have asthma then. Not that a sinus infection is a piece of cake or anything. I hope you can get relief soon! I hate sinus infections!

[sublime311]

I'm actually a weirdo and love the taste of apple cider vinegar. I had no problem just taking the dose "straight-up". I'll also let you know how it goes!

BTW, Maggie, did you see the concerns about dental enamel problems..? Apparently, the acid in the ACV can cause tooth decay. Try brushing your teeth after your dose.

[sublime311]

Yeah, you probably don't have asthma then. Not that a sinus infection is a piece of cake or anything. I hope you can get relief soon! I hate sinus infections!
Ooo, yeah, me too. I just finished a dose of antibiotics due to a sinus infection and an infection in both ears! Life sucked last week.

[JillyBean]

That's interesting about the herbal remedies. Was your herbalist by any chance an acupuncturist? I tried acupuncture for awhile. (It was great! I went for back/neck problems because it was covered when I used to be on my parents' health insurance plan.) While I don't recall having herbal supplements for allergies per se, I do recall having a whole mess of different herbal remedies for various things (I guess to balance my Chi???), but I was surprised at how well the acupuncture along with herbal remedies seemed to work so well for so many things!
She just does herbs, but I've always been interested in trying acupuncture. I think people who don't know me very well are always surprised at how I'm into trying more non-traditional medicine. I guess I'm more open to it because I've never found relief from prescription or OTC meds for allergies. I take a variety of herbs, not just for allergies, though. I guess it does help to balance your system out. My herbalist doesn't call it chi, but I guess it's the same concept.

[Maggie8202]

As for the apple vinegar thing...that is so interesting! I did check out that link you posted. Definitely keep us posted on your progress. You mentioned mixing it in with grape juice. How is that?

Another day feeling great. I drove home again with the windows down! My students were sneezing ALL day, and I was fine.
ACV tastes soo much better with the grape juice and a little water added. You can not even taste the ACV. I still gulp it down though.

[Maggie8202]

BTW, Maggie, did you see the concerns about dental enamel problems..? Apparently, the acid in the ACV can cause tooth decay. Try brushing your teeth after your dose.

From what I have read, the concerns are if you sip on it all day long in a water bottle. That is sooo not for me. I just like to get it over with. Again, from my research I do not think it will be harmful if I take it in the grape juice as a "shot", and then followed by an 8oz glass of water. I have been brushing my teeth however! I do not want to mess up my teeth after having spent 10 years with braces on.:)

[kd 9.21.02]

Until last year or so, I wasn't allergic to anything (or so I think). Now my two cats make me sneeze constantly and my eyes hurt -- but usually only on the weekend when I'm home for a longer stretch of time. Then last week my allergies intensified so I doubt it's just the cats anymore.

I've never been tested or prescribed anything; I take OTC meds (Claritin). I have an appointment for a physical (not until July). Can I ask my new doctor to test me then and there? Or do I need to see an allergist speficially?

[kalogrias]

Artist -- Yup, DH is in the Navy, and we're posted to an Army base in Korea right now (hence the signature). We're severely outnumbered -- something crazy like 350 to 19,000.

Air purifiers -- We have one, and we'd die without it. Actually, we have three (since each one cleans about 270 sq. ft of space). We change the filters frequently, and are usually shocked by the general nastiness that we see caught there.

Singulair -- Tried it, didn't work for me. At least, not well enough to make a discernable difference.

[artist]

Hmm, for some reason today I am sneezing a lot. Though the pollen count does not appear to be that bad today where I live. It must be indoor allergies. Too much dust, plus having pets. :)

Does this vinegar water thing work for just outdoor allergies (ie: pollen, ragweed, etc.), or does it also work for indoor allergies (ie: dust, pet dander, etc.)?

[Maggie8202]

Does this vinegar water thing work for just outdoor allergies (ie: pollen, ragweed, etc.), or does it also work for indoor allergies (ie: dust, pet dander, etc.)?

It's a natural antihisamin so it works for everything. It is amazing within 15 minutes of taking it I can breathe so much better!