Can we discuss allergies?

[Deleted]

I am allergic to pollen, mold, and some animals. It manifests itself with having itchy, red, watery eyes and I feel like I have been miserable for months and it is on and off a year round issue. My eye doctor told me to just use an antihistamine eye drop like Alaway and also gave me a steroid drop to use when it is really out of hand. I don't like the idea of using a steroid drop all the damn time and I feel like my eyes are constantly bothering me. Similarly, I don't like having to use an antihistamine drop all the time either because I wonder if you can develop a resistance. Is there anything else I can do or am I just doomed to be miserable during the spring and summer months? FYI, the antihistamine drops help a little, but I still have issues even when I use them.

[One Girl In All The World]

Have you tried something like Allegra or Zyrtec? Those work best for me. I have year round issues with the same allergens and it contributes to my asthma so I am taking one or the other all the time.

[ChillyMcFreeze]

My allergies manifest in my eyes, too, and it is the WORST. Not only do you feel like hell, but you look like hell. I just dope up on Benadryl every night and hope it carries me through the day. And be religious about not touching your eyes ever to avoid getting allergens into them and then further irritating the effect of environmental allergens already there.

Other than that, I'm sitting back for better advice...

[IIOY]

Have you tried any oral or nasal medications? I use a Rx nose spray that really helps my eyes.

Also, if you haven't already, I recommend seeing an ENT or allergist. I have seasonal allergies from hell, including very itchy eyes, and my ENT managed to find the magic combination of drugs that keeps me sane.

Finally, I cannot recommend strongly enough that you use an air purifier in your room at night. Being able to spend +/- 8 hours breathing air that isn't polluted with allergens can make a big difference and - bonus - it's non-pharmaceutical relief.

Good luck!!

[y4m]

Discuss allergy shots with your doctor. I used to be just like you, and after a year of allergy shot treatment, I don't have to take any medication at all, and I'm pretty much symptom-free all through the pollen seasons. I cannot recommend them strongly enough. It's a lot of time, but the payoff is huge.

[y4m]

Great suggestion on an air purifier in the bedroom IIOY. If you can replace carpet in your house (or especially bedroom) with wood, do it. And if you have an inner-spring mattress, look into memory foam, or at a minimum an allergen-blocking cover. Ditto for your pillows.

[Deleted]

I have not tried the pills or shots. I don't have a drippy nose (well, once in a great while) or stuffy head, so I didn't know if the pills or shots would just treat my eyes. Should I start with seeing a GP for information about any of this stuff rather than just my eye doctor? Or should I just make an appointment with en ENT? Thank you all for your input. I just don't really know what to do and I feel horrible all the time.

[y4m]

The shots should fix your eye issues. They are about slowly teaching your body not to react to your allergic triggers. It's the only treatment that can actually be a cure, not just a way of masking your symptoms. They also make a version that is drops you put on your tongue at home (instead of shots in a Dr. office). It's not FDA approved, so insurance generally doesn't cover it (versus covering nearly all of my shot treatment), but it could be a lot more convenient.

[IIOY]

Jul 18, 2012 8:40:52 GMT -5 y4m said:

Great suggestion on an air purifier in the bedroom IIOY. If you can replace carpet in your house (or especially bedroom) with wood, do it. And if you have an inner-spring mattress, look into memory foam, or at a minimum an allergen-blocking cover. Ditto for your pillows.

I've had the protective covers on my mattress and pillows for so long that I completely forgot about them. Big ditto to those.

Mjm - oral/nasal meds can definitely help eyes. As I mentioned above, my nasal spray helps mine. I can't speak to shots but I can't imagine they don't help as well.

Personally, I would go to an allergist rather than an eye doctor or a GP, especially since you are so miserable. They deal with this stuff all day long and are probably in a better position to help on both the medicinal and non-medicinal fronts.

[y4m]

Jul 18, 2012 8:43:22 GMT -5 @mjmksb04 said:

I have not tried the pills or shots. I don't have a drippy nose (well, once in a great while) or stuffy head, so I didn't know if the pills or shots would just treat my eyes. Should I start with seeing a GP for information about any of this stuff rather than just my eye doctor? Or should I just make an appointment with en ENT? Thank you all for your input. I just don't really know what to do and I feel horrible all the time.

If you haven't already done this fairly recently, make an appointment with an allergist. Get tested for all the common allergens in your area so you know exactly what you need to treat or avoid.

[pixy0stix]

I could write a book. I'm one of a few people who the shots do not work. I never built up a resistance, and my reactions to the shots themselves were ridiculous. I also cannot use nose spray as it gives me nosebleeds. I've tried a couple of different kinds, with various directions and still the same reaction.

When it gets bad I take Zyrtec D and Singulair. Then I'm on regular Zyrtec year round. I haven't built up a resistance to it, and I've been taking it for 5+ years now. However, I'm also one of the lucky ones that gets withdrawal symptoms from going off Zyrtec (itchy palms and feet that get so bad that I can't walk). I was off it when I gave birth (so much stuff happening that I powered through the withdrawal symptoms) and had to go back on because nothing else helps my allergies.

So there you have it, my special snowflake allergies.

I do think that going to an allergist and taking the shots would be worth it.

[y4m]

Jul 18, 2012 9:12:37 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

However, I'm also one of the lucky ones that gets withdrawal symptoms from going off Zyrtec (itchy palms and feet that get so bad that I can't walk).

This happened to me also, and I think one or two other nesties I've come across. I would not recommend Zyrtec for this reason. I think long term zyrtec use may be the reason I have chronic skin rashes now.

[Deleted]

THanks for your input. I have never been to an allergist, so I will start there

[Deleted]

I think I have pretty good sleep habits (go to bed between 9 and 10pm--last night 8pm-- and during the week wake up around 5:45 or 6am), I also spend a good amount of time outdoors in the spring/summer and supplement my vit D during the fall and winter. I have never had my levels checked and I planned on doing that in the future, so that is a good idea.

[pixy0stix]

Going to the allergist was good for me for one reason: It finally cleared up my lifelong "knowledge" that I was allergic to cats/dogs. I'm not. I'm allergic to the allergens that they bring in on their coats. Although, it was rather depressing to find out that I'm allergic to basically all of CO.

[y4m]

Thanks for the tip on Vitamin D. I need to look into that since I basically never leave this house.

[cotner]

Get mattress, box spring and pillow covers.

Invest in a good vacuum, most vacs that say they have HEPA filtration really don't. It needs to be a sealed system, with bags to be a true HEPA. Dyson will not help you with allergies, Miele are one of the few with a true sealed HEPA filter. I have had mine for over a year and have seen a huge drop in DDs allergy symptoms, plus it has cut my dusting in half since it doesn't throw the dust particles back in the air.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zVua6jrTm8

Get rid of mini blinds and go with a roller shade or something easily wiped down or washed.

Wash sheets weekly in hot water, if possible change your pillowcase nightly.

Wash clothes after one wear.

Shower at night to wash away pollen and keep it out of bed linens.

I have heard, but have not tried it on DD (too young) that oil of oregano can be very helpful with allergies. I have not done any research so I am not aware of side effects, pros or cons. You may want to look into that.

[StrawberryBlondie]

I take zyrtec. It's one of the only things that works for my allergies. I also don't have any issues with going off of it like some people talk about.

[2vermont]

Originally took Singulair at a time when I had great Rx coverage. Then switched to Zyrtec when I lost that insurance. It works for me, but after hearing some of the withdrawal stories on here I worry if that will happen to me if I ever stop using it.

I think between the two, if you have good Rx insurance for brands (there is no generic equivalent), then I would suggest the Singulair over the Zyrtec.

[IIOY]

Jul 18, 2012 17:55:29 GMT -5 2vermont said:

Originally took Singulair at a time when I had great Rx coverage. Then switched to Zyrtec when I lost that insurance. It works for me, but after hearing some of the withdrawal stories on here I worry if that will happen to me if I ever stop using it.

I think between the two, if you have good Rx insurance for brands (there is no generic equivalent), then I would suggest the Singulair over the Zyrtec.

2V, I've been meaning to ask you about allergy-induced asthma. Would you mind giving me a basic rundown of the symptoms and how your doctor diagnosed you? Thanks!

[2vermont]

Jul 18, 2012 18:12:46 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Jul 18, 2012 17:55:29 GMT -5 2vermont said:

Originally took Singulair at a time when I had great Rx coverage. Then switched to Zyrtec when I lost that insurance. It works for me, but after hearing some of the withdrawal stories on here I worry if that will happen to me if I ever stop using it.

I think between the two, if you have good Rx insurance for brands (there is no generic equivalent), then I would suggest the Singulair over the Zyrtec.

2V, I've been meaning to ask you about allergy-induced asthma. Would you mind giving me a basic rundown of the symptoms and how your doctor diagnosed you? Thanks!

IIRC (and that's a huge if), one summer day (hot and humid) I noticed my breathing was labored and my chest was heavy/full. I ended up going to the ER and they did some tests. The one that I remembered helping me was the inhaler-like test. It cleared up my symptoms on the spot.

I later followed up with my PCP and he diagnosed me with a mild case of allergy-induced asthma and prescribed Singulair. If there was more to his diagnosis, I don't know/remember.

ETA: Thought this might be helpful:

www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/adult-onset-asthma

[IIOY]

Thanks, 2V. So you were experienceing enough difficulty breathing that you had to go to the ER?

I sometimes experience a tightening in my chest, especially at night, but I never find myself struggling. It's more an issue if I start laughing - I will then start coughing and sometimes the cough can get pretty violent, to the point that I feel as though I'm struggling to breathe. However, then it calms down and goes away. The whole episode will last maybe 10 seconds max, which is pretty much why it doesn't scare me too much.

[ringstrue]

Ditto the allergist but I say to make your peace with steroids. You probably just aren't on meds that are strong enough - you should be on something that gives you real relief. DD has eczema and when her dermatologist gave us the stronger steriod itch cream it was night and day for her. It's awesome. I was so scared of putting "my baby" on meds like steroids but really, her immune system is fierce and apparently needs a lot of reigning in .

GL!

[ringstrue]

Oh also, it could be that you are allergic to only specific kinds of plants and that will guide your treatment plans. It could be that you are allergic to the 2-3 types of trees outside your window and if those were gone you'd be ok most of the time, kwim??

[2vermont]

Jul 18, 2012 19:04:03 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Thanks, 2V. So you were experienceing enough difficulty breathing that you had to go to the ER?

I sometimes experience a tightening in my chest, especially at night, but I never find myself struggling. It's more an issue if I start laughing - I will then start coughing and sometimes the cough can get pretty violent, to the point that I feel as though I'm struggling to breathe. However, then it calms down and goes away. The whole episode will last maybe 10 seconds max, which is pretty much why it doesn't scare me too much.

No, I think the bigger concern at the time was the tightness in the chest. I suspect that you also have a mild case. Laughing can certainly trigger it. What about physical activity at all....like climbing stairs or workouts?

[IIOY]

I do a fair amount of vigorous exercise and I find that when we're at the peak of allergy season, it can be a bit tougher to get through a workout without at least some coughing. However, basic activity such as climbing stairs is never an issue.

I also think my symptoms are fluid. I've had allergies my entire life but the coughing issue just appeared in in the last few years. (I got tested at the allergist and am allergic to the same things I always have been). Last Spring I used Singulair for a spell and it seemed to help, but I found it to be ineffective when Autumn allergies came around.

Now I use half an Allegra-D pill, which helps a great deal, Patanase nasal spray in the days when I need a bit more, and Nasonex daily when at the height of allergy season.

[secretlyevil]

I use Systane to help with irritated eyes.

I seem to be allergic to EVERYTHING environmentally. Was on allergy shots, etc. for six years; tried every allergy drug known but nothing really was the cure all.

I started acupuncture in November because I was desperate absolutely desperate. I honestly didn't understand it or even really thought it would work but I had tried everything else. It is a MIRACLE cure. Between that and the Chinese herbs the acupuncturist has me on, the improvements are just amazing.

A friend's husband, who is also a doctor also had bad allergies and after a few months of witnessing my improvements, tried it himself and is improving by leaps and bounds.

I highly recommend it.