I have a serious case of seasonal allergies, mostly against the dreaded RAGWEED

I have tried OTC meds and prescription meds, like Allegra, Clarinex, etc. Never tried the nose spray, but am considering it as my next move. I'm not quite ready to consider shots.

Anybody have any remedies they use to help them sleep? I take Benadryl like it's candy and still only sleep about 2 hours at a time before the itchy, burning throat and runny/itchy nose ensue. I have about a month of this to go, and would like to hear about ANY remedies peops use to get thru it, homeopathic or prescription, whatevs.

Thanks y'all!

Well DH and I have allergies and have tried many pills. The one that works for both of us is Zertec. My DH uses NeilMed sinus rinse and swears by it. I could never use it because of my gag reflex but you may want to look into it. Here is how it works. You fill the bottle with water and the powder medicine and shake it up. Then you have to squeeze the stuff into each nostril (this is what would gag me and make me throw up) He does gag a bit but it cleans out his sinus passage. It also has a moisturizer in it.

As for the sprays. If you are only going to use it for a month or so that is fine but it is not recommended for long term use because it can become addictive. I remember when I was young (7ish) my best friend's dad was constantly using it. We were friends for years and I recall him using it several times a day and he had several bottles in the house. I realize now he was addicted to the stuff.

You really, really need to see an ALLERGIST. My YS has the most severe case of allergies ever seen by his ALLERGIST and SHE was his LIFESAVER. She had a special regimen of medications that she gave him PLUS two allergy shots weekly. His PEDIATRICIAN and FAMILY DOCs didn't have a CLUE how to treat him. In speaking to other people that see ALLERGISTS, they concur about these DOC'S specialized knowledge. ZYRTEC and/or CLARITIN daily which you can buy over the counter work for ME. I have ALLERGIES..each SEASON..but not as bad as my YS who has suffered since an infant.

BTW, my son was SYMPTOM-FREE and able to play his sports on up to adulthood. Of course, now, he doesn't follow the doc's advice and has begun to SUFFER again. :RollieEyes:

My battle with seasonal allergies began two years ago, in the fall. It's pretty bad, even with meds. I am putting a call in to my doc to find out who I should see about this.

I am also reading up on homeopathic remedies (saline nasal sprays, extra showers, vitamins, etc.).

It's a month of sheer H3LL for me each year, and it seems to have gotten worse. :MrEEk:

The budget is so tight that I can't breathe, so I don't know if I will be able to even foot the copay to see a doc. May have to wait until I get paid again.

DS starts football this evening, so I'll be out and about when the count is highest. UGH.

I'm going to try a saline solution this evening. I've been sleep deprived before, so I know I can deal with it, just don't WANT to

That is because mom isn't there riding his a$$ about taking his meds.

Neti Pot.

Neti Pot.

Neti Pot.

Try the Zrytec. That's the thing. There are DOCS out there, when you can afford it, to help RELIEVE your SUFFERING...

You are sooo right about my son, SUAMICO... :RollieEyes:

They say it goes in CYCLES..something that clicks ON and OFF in your body..

My grandfather developed ashtma/allergies in his 80s.

Count me an as a major ragweed sufferer. I went to the allergist years ago and here is what she told me.

Take the meds around the clock. I use to wait until I started sneezing and such and then would complain because the meds "didn't work". The doc told me once the allergens are in your body they have to work out and even with the help of the meds it can last a while. She said the key was to have the antihistamine in my body to fight them before they arrived.

I take Claritin-D 24 hour and love it. It's easy because I take one pill with breakfast and I am set for the day. I like the one with the decongestant much better than the one without. Since you are already suffering I would suggest you start taking Claritin-D, but until the antihistamine has a chance to do it's job pair it with Zicam. Zicam is an OTC nasal spray that you can use with other meds and is non-addictive. It's a gel and I have not noticed in running into my throat at all.

I am very sensitive to meds and cannot take Benedryl because it knocks me out.

Since you don't have the funds to see the doc right now, this is worth a try.

I have found that store brands for Claritin-D are just as effective as the name brand. Claritin D is OTC, but you have to buy it from the pharmacy counter because of all the laws in regard to pseudoephedrine.

Good luck. I would suggest once you have the funds to check with your doctor, too.

The shots can be helpful for many, but I found after years of trying them, they just didn't do anything for me.

LC

I have tried Zyrtec and it did not work for me. Claritin relieved my symptoms during the day, but not at night time. It's mainly the evening hours that I suffer the worst, even with Benadryl on board along with my prescription Allegra.

I'm thinking nasal irrigation in the morning and evening, while continuing the Allegra with Benadryl to help me sleep. I'm hoping the cleaning of the nasal passages with saline will help. I've been afraid to try medicated nasal sprays due to their addictive properties. I don't want to end up having to use it year round. :RollieEyes:

Well, this is going to sound bogus, but WH was allergic to ragweed - really bad too. Someone told him to eat mustard greens, which he did, and it worked. Cook with ham and they are pretty good.


He eventually grew out of it.

Are you sure you were using the 24 hour Claritin, they do also make a 12 hour pill. I use to have the problem where my allergies were worse at night, too, but don't have that with the Claritin. That's the only reason I ask.

The non-addictive nature of Zicam is what I like about it.

LC

I'll look for the Zicam today. I take Allegra, have taken the 24 hr claritin in the past, as well as Zyrtec. I think I've run the gambit of antihistamine tablet medication, to no avail. The evenings are, by far, the worst.

My son is starting football practice, too, so I will be out in the elements in the late afternoon, early evening, when they report allergens to be at their peek.

The neti pot looks interesting. Will have to investigate that further.

I love mustard greens, or any greens for that matter. I wonder if it's the antioxidants that are the active ingredient against allergens?

Just read up a bit on Zicam nose gel/spray, and there are reports that it can cause anosmia, or a loss of sense of smell. I may have to sit that treatment out.

Maybe just using saline spray will help.

I'm up for more suggestions, if you got 'em

But what if you are ALLERGIC to ALL GREENS like my son was. He did have to do a SPRAY but I can't remember what it was. I say check with your DOC. He/she should have been able to help you more with this...to keep trying to find something that works..

I have had food and pollen allergies all my life.

1. Allergy testing and 4 years of pollen shots worked well, i avoided foods i was allergic to and the shots worked.

2. Now, I use Naseral, a great non addictive nose spray. Two sprays morning and night keeps my nose from becoming irritated with pollens.

3. Claritan, I am allergic to it!

4. Allergra never did anything for me.

5. Once in a while a simple aspirin will clear an allergy attack.

6. Salt put in your nose from a damp finger is a nice desparate measure that can stop the allergy attack.

7. A sure fire cure for a difficult allergy attack:

I am sneezing, I take two aspiring, spray my nose with Nasarel, lay on the couch, my head in my husband's lap on a towel. He massages my neck while he watches TV. He has also massaged my face and above the nose area. After 1/2 hour of massage, allergy attack is gone. I suspect helping me relax reduces the allergy inflammation. Also, it is impossible to sneeze while someone is massaging your neck and nose and face. Allergies are closely related to muscle stress. Relaxation helps.

8. Also, a hot bath works sometimes with a cool (or hot)wet towel over your face and nose. Allergens are washed off the body during a bath or a shower. Washing your hair sometimes will help because our hair collects allergens.

http://www.medicinenet.com/flunisolide-nasal/article.htm

Mimi,

It's a shame to be allergic to Greens. So sad
As for talking with my doc, I do, each year before allergy season. I'm going to have to tough this season out and then when I have the money, check with an allergist.

Unfortunately, I've tried most of the 24 hour OTC and prescription meds, and they don't control these evening allergies.

In reading, it sounds like a hot shower in the evening for good measure can help. I change my bed linens weekly, but may need to do this more often. My little dog tends to roll around on my bed, probably leaving legions of allergens behind to attack me in my sleep. :RollieEyes:

There you go..the Doc told us we couldn't have ANY PETS...

I know that's not AN OTPION!!

No, not an option. My little dog does swim a lot, which helps to get rid of most of the pollen in her fur, but big dog does not; however, he sleeps on dog bed or in the living room.

More things to ponder. Since I don't have indoor allergies, I couldn't see getting rid of my pets, especially since, for now, I suffer for 1.5 months out of the year.

Luckily, both of my dogs are also short hair. Otherwise, they'd be like bio-chemical weapons

Oh, BTW, the greyhound (big dog) that we adopted is doing much better with behavior these days; actually, since the Zombie left. He comes when I call him, sits, lays down, doesn't whine all the time, has stopped marking the house when I leave, sleeps on his own just fine and is learning to bring the ball back during fetch. You CAN teach an old race dog new tricks. He seems alltogether happier these days. It's a relief for me, because his whining could be quite annoying.