Allergies

[JMarkJohns]

Who's got them? How do they hit you? What do you do about it?

I am currently surviving a week-long bout with sinus allergies. Wind has kicked up and it went from both a cheat and nasal congestion, to now a full blown sinus pressure attack, swoll up enough to muffle my hearing and cause my eyes to itch and water/phlegm.

I've already visited the doctor and talked to half a dozen pharmacists, and they all tell me to find the right antihistamine (Claritin, Allegra, Zyrtec) and take ibuprofen and sudafed.

But I'm now missing my third day of work in last six days and there's no end in sight.

Anyone else have issues? Anything like mine? If so, you do anything different?

[Longhorned]

Allergies basically rule my life. I do the best I can.

Benedryl works better than any of those, but nobody uses it because it makes you sleepy. I think it's better to be sleepy than to suffer.

Rhinocourt Aqua is my best friend.

[scumdevils86]

Considering how bad it is in Arizona I'm surprised the most I ever get is a few sneezes here and there. The fiancee needs claritin like a basic nutrient though

[JMarkJohns]

Allergies basically rule my life. I do the best I can.

Benedryl works better than any of those, but nobody uses it because it makes you sleepy. I think it's better to be sleepy than to suffer.

Rhinocourt Aqua is my best friend.

I've started Benedryl since Friday night, but by then I was several days in. Earliest instructions were sudafed and Claritin plus ibuprofen.

Now I'm on Nasacort and Benedryl plus Allegra and Sudafed.

Dr says to just let it run its course.

Fuck me...

[gumby]

When I'm in the midst of an attack, it's Benadryl and make sure a sleeping surface is nearby. I once had to hit the ER for a shot of something or other (cortizone?) during a vacation. Could not stop sneezing. The shot worked, though I threw up later (think it was all the phlegm I ingested.)

Sinus rinse helps, but it's a pretty gross process. I don't struggle this time of year. Always spring. If I do my daily maintenance (Allertec and Nasacort, both at Costco), I'm usually OK. Have to wear a mask when mowing and edging.

Did shots for six years (immunotherapy), cut down the birch trees in our yard, got AC for the upstairs, so I could shut the windows. Helps, but there is no cure.

[Longhorned]

Doctor told me to "avoid the outdoors" and take special care to use A/C instead of opening my windows to bring in cool air. Went so far as to tell me to "avoid people who have pets." On quasi-bubble boy status.

[azcat49]

Been with me my whole life and bad. I take the nasilide squirt each morning and a zrytec followed by an allegra 180 at night.

Change of seasons along with the rain and wind makes it tough. Manage it as best you can I guess

[azgreg]

I'm allergic to work.

[BearDown89]

Zyrtec works for me, whereas Allegra and Claritin couldn't touch it. You just have to find the right cocktail for your system. Sucks man.

Ever try the steam room, at least for some temporary relief? I always find that the steam room at the Y helps to clear the sinuses for the moment, until the shit builds back up again.

[rgdeuce]

My seasonal allergies got progressively worse over the years. In 2013 and 2014, I got four or five bad sinus infections each year following the complications from those allergies or a cold. I finally had enough of the constant pain and fatigue and saw an ENT specialist who stuck a scope up my nasal cavities (not fun) to check everything out. Didn't need surgery, but he said I needed to be proactive to prevent the sinus infections in the future.

From there I got "allergy testing" done. They basically take your shirt off and poke you with all kinds of different allergens, had to have been 50 or 60: various plants, weeds, animals, insects, etc. Your skin bubbles (looks like a mosquito bite) to a certain measurement if you are allergic to something. Found out I was allergic to just about every weed there is (sans the kind that makes you happy), and a fair amount of plants native to Tucson, three of which were landscaping options when I had my home built, but luckily I dodged that. So basically I know what to avoid and what triggers my allergies. And I was given prescription allergy meds that I haven't refilled in almost a year because spring 2015 and on was kind to me. I do keep a prescription steroid nasal spray, which I use at the first sign of a cold or runny nose. Basically opens things up for drainage so I can avoid the sinus infections. I have yet to find an OTC allergy med that did anything for me, so if you are in the same boat, seeing an ENT specialist may be an idea.

[CalStateTempe]

Claritin during changes in season.

Advil congestion and allergy relief when I really need something to work. This is the bomb! Three meds in 1 pill (Ibuprofen, chlorpheniramine maleate antihistamine, and phenylephrine), non-drowsy, opens me up great. Highly recommend.

water, water, water to try to keep your mucus as well hydrated as possible. It sounds gross, but thicker mucus means more pressure.

Lastly, flonase during really bad seasons, but I have to generally be dying because I hate putting sprays up my nose. Its over the counter now too.

[JMarkJohns]

All I know is I'm getting fucked over by these allergies at a time I can't afford to miss work. I already had a steep learning curve. Now the little progress I've made feel lost.

I can feel my heart pulse inside my ears from sinus pressure.

I've already seen a doc and three pharmacists. Nothing more they can do.

[CalStateTempe]

When this resolves, might want to look in to allergy testing and desensitization if it is this debilitating. I think you might have mention that you moved to a new area; that may be contributing to the severity.

[Chicat]

My wife's uncle is an allergist and says that Claritin is pretty much a scam.

[Longhorned]

My wife's uncle is an allergist and says that Claritin is pretty much a scam.

Seems like it worked for me for a few months until my allergies got smart enough to break the code. Then the doctor switched me to Zirtec, but about a year later that code got broke, too.

[gumby]

I meant Aller-tec, not Allegra. Aller-tec is the same as Zyrtec, and can be purchased in bulk at Costco. Claritin never did anything for me. Helps that most of this stuff is over-the-counter now.

I did the skin test Rdeuce describes. Out of 80 drops, I was allergic to about 40. You really should do it just to know what to avoid. Immunotherapy helps, but it takes time to work (out of your life, too).

Then you'll move and find new and interesting things to be allergic to.

Also allergic to shellfish.

[Merkin]

I had continual sore throats for quite a long time, I was sure I had polyps, and according to the internet I probably did.

My PCP said no, you just have allergies and prescribed me Claritan which was only by prescription then. I grumbled to myself "you don't shit doctor" and thought to myself I will be back soon enough. Sure enough, my sore throat went away and again, an expert proved me wrong.

After about 3-4 years it stopped working, and my PCP prescribed be Nasonex, which I have been using daily since then with great results.

[rgdeuce]

I'm sure you have already tried one, but I've had pretty good success with a neti pot too. It's hit or miss with people.

[Frybry02]

I have battled allergies since I was a kid. Went from Benadryl, to Claritin to Zyrtec and now Allegra. Allegra is the most effective for me and I take it daily. I buy the Costco knockoff Aller-fex.