stupid allergies!!!

[sereia 0]

I have barely been able to breathe out of my nose for the past week or so! And its especially bad at night. I've tried Claritin, Benadryl, neti pot (but I admit not religiously with the pot), etc but nothing seems to work that well.

Any ideas?

[YuAndDan 153]

I PMed you a recommendation.

[Amby 490]

sleep with a humidifier and snort warm salt water

[LuzyC 0]

Try NASONEX..works good for me esp. spring is here !

http://www.nasonex.com/nasx/application?na...allaboutnasonex

Hope you feeling better..

[DeadPoolX 9]

For the short-term, I'd recommend Afrin. As a long-term fix, see a physician. You may need a prescription for something stronger, but you'll require a doctor to look at you firsthand.

Oh and one word of warning: Use Afrin sparingly. Excessive use can lead to a rebound effect, which could lead to it losing its effectiveness. Follow the directions.

Edited April 13, 2008 by DeadPoolX

[*Maureen* 0]

for my allergies, i use zyrtec. that would seem to do the best for me

i also would like to know that personal reccomendation, what's the secret???lol

[Aymerlu 3]

I love allergy questions!!!! (Been an allergy nurse going on 12 years now) If you're doing your antihistamines, I'd see your doc about a steriod nasal spray such as Flonase, Nasonex, Veramyst, etc. Another good nasal spray that isn't a steroid is Astelin. It's an antihistamine which also helps nasal swelling. I'd stay far away from Afrin. That stuff can mess you up. I've seen patients addicted to that stuff and when you look inside their nose it isn't a pretty site. Looks kinda like hamburger! It's a quick fix and does work, but it also as a major renound affect on many people and they end up end more congested than they were. The netie

pot does work when you use it faithfully. I personnally have to be really bad before I use it. Every time I use it I feel like I'm drowning! LOL! What about decongestants like Sudafed? If you're not already too dried out from the antihistamines and if you can tolerate it, maybe sudafed. Also there's Mucinex and Mucinex-D (with a decongestant) If you feel like there's a lot of ####### in your sinuses that isn't getting out Mucinex does wonders.

Depending what you're allergic too, I'd steer away from having a humidifier in your bedroom. Other rooms it may help. Higher humidity though can cause dust mites to breed increasing their population and also will increase mold growth.

Hope you're feeling better soon!

[Flames9_RN 358]

You can pay the big bucks for zyrtec (usually $1 per pill) OR u can find the generic for a lot cheaper--- its cetirizine usually around half the price. And like others have stated, you may need to see a DR for something cheaper. If possible, see if he can prescribe a med thats on the walmart/target $4 prescription plan!! You can print it off thier websites! Quite often Drs don't think about the price of the drug, they just prescribe their "usual" when there is a comparable drug out their, and its cheaper, not always the case though.

[Reba 2]

I had a really bad allergy attack the other day, and neither Benedryl or Zyrtec worked. I was about ready to head back to the pharmacy to get something ilicit from behind the counter After a couple of hours at home though, my nose un-stuffed, so I guess it was something they were working on at work (I work at a furniture manufacturer, and sometimes some kinds of wood and finishes stuff me up) Usually when I get stuffed up from my allergies, the only thing that works is an anti-histamine with decongestant, like the good old fashioned pseudoephedrine. The new stuff that they're making in replacement of pseudoephedrine doesn't work on me at all, its just a waste of money. I even read somewhere that it doesn't work any better than placebo. Ask the pharmacist for something with a pseudoephedrine decongestant, and then be prepared to sign your life away and swear that you won't be making meth in your kitchen!

When I first moved down here I couldn't breathe for nearly a year because I seemed to be allergic to everything! (plus the house we lived in at the time had mold in it ) Now its not so bad, but I still have some times when I can't breathe or my eyes are all itchy and watery. Zyrtec is expensive, but it really helped me yesterday when I was mowing the lawn!

[sereia 0]

I love allergy questions!!!! (Been an allergy nurse going on 12 years now) If you're doing your antihistamines, I'd see your doc about a steriod nasal spray such as Flonase, Nasonex, Veramyst, etc. Another good nasal spray that isn't a steroid is Astelin. It's an antihistamine which also helps nasal swelling. I'd stay far away from Afrin. That stuff can mess you up. I've seen patients addicted to that stuff and when you look inside their nose it isn't a pretty site. Looks kinda like hamburger! It's a quick fix and does work, but it also as a major renound affect on many people and they end up end more congested than they were. The netie

pot does work when you use it faithfully. I personnally have to be really bad before I use it. Every time I use it I feel like I'm drowning! LOL! What about decongestants like Sudafed? If you're not already too dried out from the antihistamines and if you can tolerate it, maybe sudafed. Also there's Mucinex and Mucinex-D (with a decongestant) If you feel like there's a lot of ####### in your sinuses that isn't getting out Mucinex does wonders.

Depending what you're allergic too, I'd steer away from having a humidifier in your bedroom. Other rooms it may help. Higher humidity though can cause dust mites to breed increasing their population and also will increase mold growth.

Hope you're feeling better soon!

Its funny I don't seem to have any other symptoms other than a congested nose (maybe even post nasal drip). Not itchy, watery eyes or anything else.

Well one of my allergies is to dust mites so I'll definitely stay away from the humidifier then! I had the testing done about 9 years ago and it said I was allergic to oak trees (which are everywhere here), dust, cats, dogs, and a certain kind of grass. Who knows what I may be allergic to nine years later! But lately (at night especially) I absolutely cannot breathe through my nose. Last night I slept with my head propped up so it would drain better. Barely helped.

I've got to stay with anything that is available over the counter unfortunately. Maybe I'll give the Zyrtec or Mucinex-D a try. Is Zyrtec a pseudoephedrine decongestant? I remember trying to get it the other day but it was late at night and the spot where it would be had a card that said I had to receive it from the pharmacist (stupid meth addicts) so I left.

OR are there OTC nose sprays that work well?

[panamania79 2]

I have barely been able to breathe out of my nose for the past week or so! And its especially bad at night. I've tried Claritin, Benadryl, neti pot (but I admit not religiously with the pot), etc but nothing seems to work that well.

Any ideas?

Have your allergist give you some Astelin.It works like a charm for me.But I must warn you,it tastes nasty.

[panamania79 2]

I have barely been able to breathe out of my nose for the past week or so! And its especially bad at night. I've tried Claritin, Benadryl, neti pot (but I admit not religiously with the pot), etc but nothing seems to work that well.

Any ideas?

My accupuncturist suggested a neti pot.How do you work those things.I've seen them at Whole Foods but I have no idea what to do with it.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

If you are anywhere in the southeast the oak pollen is currently extremely high so if you are sensitive to it, that is probably your main culprit. My husband has a lot of problems with allergies as well, and his are quite bad right now.

As an ongoing preventative - not for 'attacks' - you might want to look at taking quercetin as a supplement. It is a bioflavenoid that has demonstrated strong anti-allergen properties. You can generally get it in a health-food store, and you will often find it combined with bromelain, an enzyme that also has anti-allergen properties. It is safe however you need to take it consistently over a period of time for it to build up its efficacy. I have a friend who is highly allergic to cats and dogs along with other allergens, and is able now to stay in their presence without instantly experiencing allergic reactions. She says it has made such a difference in her life not to be living constantly on antihistamines.

(heheh, I can't get my husband to try this - he just wants to take his antihistamines instead VBG).

Edited April 13, 2008 by Kathryn41

[RIDION 0]

I love allergy questions!!!! (Been an allergy nurse going on 12 years now) If you're doing your antihistamines, I'd see your doc about a steriod nasal spray such as Flonase, Nasonex, Veramyst, etc. Another good nasal spray that isn't a steroid is Astelin. It's an antihistamine which also helps nasal swelling. I'd stay far away from Afrin. That stuff can mess you up. I've seen patients addicted to that stuff and when you look inside their nose it isn't a pretty site. Looks kinda like hamburger! It's a quick fix and does work, but it also as a major renound affect on many people and they end up end more congested than they were. The netie

pot does work when you use it faithfully. I personnally have to be really bad before I use it. Every time I use it I feel like I'm drowning! LOL! What about decongestants like Sudafed? If you're not already too dried out from the antihistamines and if you can tolerate it, maybe sudafed. Also there's Mucinex and Mucinex-D (with a decongestant) If you feel like there's a lot of ####### in your sinuses that isn't getting out Mucinex does wonders.

Depending what you're allergic too, I'd steer away from having a humidifier in your bedroom. Other rooms it may help. Higher humidity though can cause dust mites to breed increasing their population and also will increase mold growth.

Hope you're feeling better soon!

I attest to Mucinex DM!!!

[sereia 0]

I have barely been able to breathe out of my nose for the past week or so! And its especially bad at night. I've tried Claritin, Benadryl, neti pot (but I admit not religiously with the pot), etc but nothing seems to work that well.

Any ideas?

My accupuncturist suggested a neti pot.How do you work those things.I've seen them at Whole Foods but I have no idea what to do with it.