[TXTennis]

Anybody have any suggestions on how to relieve allergy symptoms. Luckily it is me - not DD that is having a rough week but this is what I've done so far.

Hot steam showers
nose spray
vicks vapor rub
nasal saline rinse
allegra D - med
facial steamer

I also tried zyrtec and claritin and the results were not promising either.

As of 630 AM I have not gone to bed yet because I can not breathe through my nose. If anybody has any suggestions -I'd love to hear them.

Thanks

[CaddoRose]

I take Zyrtec, Singular and then Tylenol Multi-symptom that has a decongestant, an antihistamine and Tylenol in it. Every day I use the Neti-pot. It is a small tea pot looking thing that you use to wash out your sinuses with a saline solution. It has really helped keep the pollen out of my nose and you can use it morning and night. it will clear them out so you can breathe. Singular is an Rx that works on a different kind of histamine response than Zyrtec. The neti-pot can be found at walmart, walgreens and most health food stores.

[amylynn3]

I am on Allegra and Nasacort, but what I think helps the most is my regular visit to the ENTs office for allergy shots. I have been doing them for over 5 years now, and can almost go without all of my allergy meds.

I have HORRIBLE allergies...I have had to have sinus surgery because of them and everything. I am allergic to pretty much everything outside and a large handful of things inside...so, my allergies are year round.

I would recommend seeing an allergy specialist (if you haven't already).

[angel_bayou]

My DD takes zyrtec and chewable singulair and seems to be doing better so maybe you can get an adult dose!! I just hope you get better soon!

[luvcynee]

I am a big fan of mucinex D-and mucinex for my little guy. Yes, even for allergies(my allergies turn into sinus infections..) LOVE mucinex .

[melimon]

It looks like you've tried just about everything. This isn't exactly an OT remedy, but I recommend seeing a licenced acupuncturist who is also a diplomate in Chinese herbs. The herbs and acupuncture can relieve the acute symptoms now and then they have an herbal protocol which you take 3-6 months before allergy season. I used to have horrific seasonal allergies which often turned to sinus infections. I would go through a box of kleenex in two days. Now I have about 5% of what I used to have after doing the herbal treatment. Hope you can feel better.

Melimon

[myrachel]

i feel your pain.... for short term relief I use benadryl.. I know it makes me sleep but it works.. i'd rather be tired than snnezing my head off....

i do take zertec twice a day once in te morning & once at night & since ive been doing that i havent had a episode

good luck
alex

[kzwief]

How long have you tried a different allergy medication? Have you been to see an allergist? When you try another oral allergy medication it usually takes a couple weeks for the medication to really start helping. You might also want to try a nasal spray in addition to an oral medication. Something like Nasonex or Nasalcrom is VERY helpful! Call your doctor, they can send over a Rx for Nasonex. You develop a tolerance to the allergy medication once you have been on it for awhile. I feel your pain, I have horrible allergies this time of year. It's probably ragweed. The only thing that will truly help is a good, hard frost.

[mamaskoby]

I have to take Claritan at night, if I take it in the am, it does not work before I leave the house. Also when I have allergies real bad I have to use allergy eye drops, every morning, if I skip a dose I get an attack!!I forget the name of the eye drops, but they used to just be prescription only, now they are over the counter. Ifyou are interested pm me and I will go look in my medicine cabinet!!!
The combination of the eye drops and the Claritan are the only thing that have ever worked for me!!
Good luck!

[giovanni7460]

The neti-pot is a miracle to me. I also use saline spray, zyrtec and when I am really bad I take benadryl.
Patty

[purejoy]

Singulair ROCKS! My ds has allergy-induced asthma and had a horrible season a year ago (his are always worse in the fall). We started Singulair daily and it is like a night-and-day difference!

[guatparents2be]

disclaimer: not medical advice

[guatparents2be]

that was weird, wouldn't let me edit??

disclaimer: this is not medical advice- just some things you might want to look into.

1. try the neti pot, twice a day, every day. make sure that you do it at least 30 min before bed so all the water can drain out. it works better than the plain saline rinse. google "himalayan institute neti pot video" and you'll see a video of it in use.

2. decrease exposure as much as you can: get an air purifier in your room, no 'outside' clothes on your bed, wash your hair before bed (there will be dust and pollen in it), change sheets at least weekly, dust mite covers for your bedding if you think you may be sensitive to dust mites, dry clothes in dryer and not outside. if you have pets, keep them out of your bedroom, and try to (as i say) keep your face out of your pet- wash hands after petting the animal.

3. vitamin c, bioflavanoids and quercetin all stabilize the cells (mast cells) that dump histamine and other allergy mediating chemicals into your blood. you can get this stuff at a health food store. read up also on nettles and omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) for allergies.

4. eliminate (completely) all dairy products except for butter. i have never ever seen an allergy patient that didn't have significant improvement from cutting out dairy products

good luck!

[sak9645]

See a good allergist immediately. There is no need to suffer like that.

The first thing he/she should do is to check your sinuses. Some people think that they are having frequent cold or allergy symptoms, when they actually have a chronic sinus infection.

If you have a chronic sinus infection, treatment may range from antibiotics to surgery (in extremely bad cases, where the turbinates and other structures in the nose have been damaged and the infection is widespread.) Checking the sinuses may be as simple as looking into the nose, but if there is any doubt, the doctor should order a CT scan of the sinuses, or anesthetize the inside of the nose and run a scope through -- I've had it done many times, and it's uncomfortable, but not hugely painful. If surgery is required, it should make a huge difference, as it did in my case. Just choose a really competent ENT, who uses the latest computer-assisted techniques.

The second thing he/she should do is to give you a prescription strength antihistamine or combination of antihistamines. There are some very good prescription strength antihistamines that do not cause any drowsiness. He/she may want to combine that drug with Singulair, a prescription drug which is most often used for asthma, but which seems to help nasal allergies, too.

If your nose is very congested, the allergist will probably prescribe a steroid nasal spray. However, to give more immediate relief, he/she may also give you an oral steroid, like Prednisone, to take in a tapering way -- for example, 20 mg. for two days, 15 mg. for two days, etc. The good news is that it will make you feel very energetic and clear up your nose quickly. The bad news is that it may keep you awake or give you hot flashes. Longer term use of steroids is not advisable, since it can weaken the bones and have other side effects.

It is good to see that you are doing sinus rinses. The squeeze bottle works better than the "teapot" type of contraption. Sinus rinses, though low-tech, are really helpful when you have a sinus infection, allergy attack, or cold. Use the buffered saline solution if you can. If you make your own solution, using table salt, it may sting too much; however, homemade saline is much cheaper. Just be sure to use fresh solution each time and to rinse the bottle well, to keep bacteria from growing. Combining sinus rinses with inhaling steam from a boiling pot or a facial steamer can be enormously beneficial. But medication must often be used in addition.

These things should work. However, if they do not, you should work with an allergist to identify "triggers" and modify your environment a little. As an example, if your allergies are worst at night, you may be reacting to your down pillow or the dust mites in your mattress; you can switch to a synthetic pillow or encase your mattress in a plastic cover. In most cases, you will NOT have to give up your family pet or throw out your carpet, if making other changes and/or taking medication proves effective. Good allergists will not insist that your whole life needs to change. People with allergies and asthma can achieve such control that they can enjoy the outdoors, pursue sports, etc.

Some people take allergy shots. At best, they offer longer term relief, and they do not seem to work well for everyone. They do not have short term benefits. So if you go with allergy shots for longer term prevention, you will still need medication and lifestyle modification.

Nowadays, there really is no need for a person to suffer from seasonal or other allergies. A really good allergist should be able to help you keep them under control.


Sharon

[LadyTink]

I have horrible allergies and they've been very bad lately. For the past year, I have been taking Allegra-D and using Rhinocort Aqua nasal spray, but lately, they just didn't seem to be helping anymore. Last week, my dr switched me to Singular and Veramyst and I feel so much better. I still have some congestion and drainage, but nothing like before. Hope you find something that works for you.