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)
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!
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.
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!!
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).
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).
Your throat's still red? As a veteran of the allergy wars that sounds a little unusual. Tell me, and I have a good reason for asking, are your face and neck showing some red streaks?
The absolute best antihistamine for me once my sinuses REALLY get going is chlorpheniramine maleate. It is an old one and sedates but it also dries. Look for it in the generic as Wal-finate at Walgreens etc. It is dirt cheap. None of the new ones do squat against a really inflamed sinus cavity.
There is also a prescription decongestant that is a mixture of psuedohedrine and belladonna alkaloids that will dry you up ASAP. Very good but new doctors don't know what it is!
Get the one time steroid shots and get on the singulair and nasal cortisteroids. They will control it unless you get to thinking you don't need them. I take them starting in the early spring and early fall.
P.s. I have allergies that result in severe rhinitis - I mean blood coming out of my nose. When it reaches that point only the steroid shots will stop it.
My whole family is "allergies are us", except me, unless I'm in central Florida! Between the FL pollen and the no-see-ums I'm sure to be miserable.
Claritin works wonders for us, but so did time in Nevada. I'd get it checked out with a specialist or consider moving.
1)Take a bath when you get home 2)Get one of the 3M micro allergen air filters for your house. It will do wonders for your house dusting and allergies.
1) Steam. Get a personal steam inhaler from the drugstore or Wal-Mart. You can find them in the allergy medicine aisle. About $30. Use it ever day...use the heck out of it. It'll loosen the phlegm so it can be blown out.
2) Ask your doc about Flonase. I have used the stuff several times over the past few years and it's been a Godsend. I can wake up in the morning without gasping for air.
FOOD allergies!!!! What in your diet has changed? Try a "challenge diet" and report back - I had terrible allergies for several years....turned out to be food.