Should dry you up and knock you out
I only take it a night because it usually knocks me out
For sinus headaches I take Sudafed (pain & relief)
Posted on 05/06/2005 9:17:12 PM PDT by My Favorite Headache
I never thought I would be doing a vanity on this but here it goes.
I am interested in knowing how people cope with Spring allergies. I have never had them until this year apparently. I have had a sore throat now going into day 18,I have seen the doctor twice where once gave me Ketex and decongestion meds and those did nothing,so they ruled out the common cold or flu or any bacterial infection.
My throat is still red,I still am congested,I have regular acid reflux (gerd) to be exact so when I sleep at night all of the congestion and post-nasal drip about drowns me. I am miserable to say the least.
I feel physically fine half of the day and then all of a sudden it feels like I have zero energy. I wake up and my eyes are dry as can be. So I went back to the doctors yesterday and they believe it is really bad allergies and want to put me on some kind of steroids which I am not crazy about. I usually stick to eastern medicine i.e. acupuncture and that sort of thing but even that is not working. My blood work came back fine so I know it is not anything serious of nature causing it.
I just need some kind of relief and remedy as I have never had Spring or any kind of airborne allergy. Supposedly the Pollen and Oak count is the highest its ever been in Central Florida mainly due to the 3 hurricanes that came through my town this year and what it did to the trees,everglades,and ocean air flow.
HELP! Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Go to the drugstore, get saline solution nose drops. Use them often to clear out your nasal passages. Drink warm tea with lemon and honey to soothe your throat. If your throat is really raw, gargle with salt water. Hot steamy showers especially if you have been outdoors and your allergies are to pollen, grass, etc. help clear your nasal passages and, as importantly, remove the allergens. Try to avoid decongestents--use them only when nothing else works.
Should dry you up and knock you out
I only take it a night because it usually knocks me out
For sinus headaches I take Sudafed (pain & relief)
You need to see an allergy specialist. They can recommend something like a corticosteriod nasal spray, or a non-drowsy antihistamine, and maybe some eye drops. They can also test you to see exactly what you are allergic to if they feel it's necessary.
If you need immediate relief from your symptoms, maybe you want to go to your local drugstore/Target/Walmart and get an antihistamine.
Be sure to keep your windows closed during the allergy season. And wash your hair every night before going to bed, as pollen can collect on your pillow.
Good luck!
I have not done the lemon and honey thing as of yet.I have no idea why I haven't...everyone has told me to try it.Tomorrow first thing I am doing is heading to Publix for lemon and honey. The over the counter throat lozengers do absolutely nothing!
See an Allergist ASAP. I was suffering as you are last year and getting sinus infection after sinus infection. Found out I was terribly allergic to mold and dust mites. I take shots (give them to myself-it's easy) and I'm doing well, no more sinus infection or misery.
Are you joking? If not...how so? First I have ever heard of red wine helping allergies. Wow.
Did you have allergies before last year? This is new to me. How about the sore throat?
The trick with allergies is a preemptive strike, that is getting your arms around the symptoms before they knock you out. I have allergies that can cause me to feel very viral, running a low grade fever and so on. I have gotten to the point that I take Allegra almost daily during peak season and a low dose (25mg) of benedryl at bedtime. Advil or Aleve for the general crappy feeling works well too. Steroids are find for 4-5 weeks, but not longer. That said, at even a low dose you might have headaches and have problems sleeping. Watch your caffiene intake during the steroid course so your head does not explode. Good luck!!
Yes..and then more wine..much more wine...
I know the feeling. Calratin usually helps some, but not recently.
I began taking a private label equivalent of Benedryl and Nasalcrom. (Several years ago, Nasalcrom was prescribed to me by a dotor, but now it is over the counter.)
95% better.
P.S. The pharamicist told me that he has seen prescriptions written for 2 Calritin tablets a day. He also said I could take the Claritin with the other medications.
Good luck.
1. Force myself to get at least 8 hours of sleep (keep up the immune system).
2. On the worst days, take a 12 hour allergy medication. Any OTC antihistimine will do. Pick your flavor: regular, non-drowsy, etc.
I have no studies to back this, but I think the extra sleep really helps (when you can get it).
I've had horrendous allergies most of my life, and wine does NOT help. In fact, it makes it worse, something to do with the congestion. Anyway, I went to an allergy immunolist and got treated, and now I feel like living isn't such a bad thing after all. Besides the medications (like flonase and allegra), using a saline nasal wash helps tremendously. I bought one of those little cup thingys that looks like a small Aladdin's lamp, and wash my sinuses out a couple of times a day during periods of time when my allergies really flare up.
I am assuming it is the post-nasal drip that causes the constant sore throat? It feels more like chronic dry throat than anything else to be honest.
They can start as you get older .. or so I'm told
I never had them before either .. but the last few years have been terrible
I've gotten to the point I can tell when they will start and take something to head it off
Yep, the drip is actually fairly caustic and will cause the throat to be sore and raw. Allergies can really do a number on the body. There are some lozenges (nope, can't spell) that are specifically for keeping the throat soothed, but watch out for ones that have high sugar as there is some thinking that coating the throat with sugar sets up a great host for a little bacteria bug.
Cover your mattress and pillows with allergy proof covers, get a HEGA (not Hepa) air filter and see the allergist for testing.
Good luck...
My own allergist, Dr. WIlliam Rea , often speaks of the "allergic threshold". You may be sensitive to a number of different things, but you my only have a bad reaction when you encounter a number of them at the same time. If you can get a few of these things from your environment, you may return nearly to normal. His work made it clear that such sensitivities may include foods, pollens and other plant stuff in the air, animal dander, house dust (and the dust mites), perfumes and other scented items, and environmental pollutants such as natural gas from water heaters or stoves.
The other thing worth trying is to spend some time by the ocean, preferably on the windward side. Ocean air is clear of most allergens and pollutants, and is high in negative ions, which are also good for you. It's the weekend -- go for a drive!
And, although overadvertised, those Ionic Breeze things from Sharper Image really do help (if you keep your windows closed).
Ask your pharmacist if they carry something called Aklalol. It will cost about three bucks. It's an all-natural solution originally devised as a mucous solvent for burn victims (if I'm not mistaken). The active ingredients are salt, alum (astringent), and baking soda. It also has a touch of menthol, some cinnamon -- things to make it smell good. I use it whenever allergies are causing my nasal passages to swell, and there's fluid backing up. I especially have that problem with my ears. The eustachian tube swells and fluid backs up, causing phantom ear infections out of nowhere. Every once in awhile my head gets overwhelmed, but for the average days, this stuff works.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.