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        Daily Chat >> General Posts >> Help allergies!!!
        
(Message started by: starlight on Apr 22^nd, 2008, 7:27pm)

Title: Help allergies!!!
Post by starlight on Apr 22^nd, 2008, 7:27pm

Anyone here take claritin? My allergies are kicking my butt and I dunno what to take--don't wanna take benadryl cause it causes drowsiness--does claritin help--also does anyone know it does not trigger anyone with CH does it--anyway just need some advice which med to take for allergies...thanks.

Title: Re: Help allergies!!!
Post by tanner on Apr 22^nd, 2008, 8:24pm

Star, I don't want to stir anything up here as the product I am going to mention did figure into a not so nice thread on one of the other boards but, a specialist back in SC. that i was seeing for cluster related issues strongly recommended that i start using the "NeilMed" brand sinus wash on a regular (as in twice a day) basis.

His reasoning was that given my (our) history of eye, ear, nasal problems related to CH that it would be very easy for our primary pain to overshadow and mask other conditions. It is also very easy (as we all know) to mistake one cause of symptoms for another. He finished by pointing out that in the years of looking for help with the beast I have already taken mass doses of most of the chemical compounds that are out there pretending to be medicine so why would I expect something that is sold over the counter to help with anything.

Using a saline sinus rinse takes some getting used to and in no way helps with Clusters, but it does keep me breathing and lessens the left side (for me) congestion that is so annoying. It also washes pollen and such out so should help with airborne allergens of all types.

PFDANS..........................tim

Title: Re: Help allergies!!!
Post by starlight on Apr 22^nd, 2008, 10:03pm

Hey Tanner,

Thanks for the advice--I will give it a shot. Right now I am basically a sneezing, congested, stinging-eyed zombie (been that way for about a month) so at this point I am willing to try something...anything! Would never usually complain about allergies, but this shit's bad this year! Thanks for the tip, I will pick some up. Star

Title: Re: Help allergies!!!
Post by Annette on Apr 22^nd, 2008, 10:07pm

Hey Star, you might like to try eucalyptus, either a Vicks inhaler or a Vicks steamer.

Eucalyptus opens the sinus, reduces inflammation and helps thinning down the mucus making it easier to drain out.

Its pretty safe too.

Title: Re: Help allergies!!!
Post by cash5542 on Apr 22^nd, 2008, 10:26pm

This is Lisa (swimchica623) on my mom's username because I haven't gone in the backdoor on my computer yet, but....Sinus Rinses are the best! I think you can get the brand mentioned here at www.sinusrinse.com and they are available at select pharmacies, but the nelimed is really good because you can control the pressure and everything. Just make sure you mix it with distilled water and it won't burn.
Claritin has never really helped me much, but I have major allergies. The last time I took it I was pretty young though, far before CH was in the picture.
I take Allegra and that works well but it is prescription. Zyrtec is pretty similar to allegra and it is OTC now, but if you are concerned about anything triggering CH, and are really getting your butt kicked from allergies and sinus rinses aren't enough, I would go get checked out by your doctor.
I also use veramyst spray, which just goes in your nose but treats your eyes too. I've had good results with that (prescription too though).
My mom takes benedryl just at night and doesn't have any sleepy feeling during the day from that, but her nose and everything are cleared out from using it at night and she's good to go. If benedryl has been fine as far as CH goes you might want to try that method?
Hope you feel better soon!
Lisa (and Charlotte...my mom is a big advocate for the sinus rinses too!)

Title: Re: Help allergies!!!
Post by nani on Apr 22^nd, 2008, 11:54pm

Zyrtec and claritin are pretty effective OTCs. Claritin (loratadine) is much cheaper because it's been OTC longer. Every store has it's own brand.
Opcon A eye drops help my itchy eyes, too.

Title: Re: Help allergies!!!
Post by Redd on Apr 23^rd, 2008, 11:23pm

Thanks for the tips on some OTC meds. I'm not having as bad of a time this year, (maybe I outgrew some of my allergic reactions) but Dylan is miserable this spring. He's had the red runny scratchy puffy eyes and plugged solid yet runny sinuses for 3 days and sudafed isn't touching it like it used to, nor banadryl either. He's just a mess truth be told. I'll be heading to the pharmacy after work tomorrow to stock up on a couple new things to see if he has any better luck.

Title: Re: Help allergies!!!
Post by cash5542 on Apr 24^th, 2008, 7:50am

Benadryl isn't working for me this spring either. I did really well with zyrtec but it dried my mouth out so much I kept waking in the night to get water. If it really is untolerable, make an appt. with an allergist. They have even more options. I was put on allergy shots when I was 17 and it really helped. I stopped only because I graduated from college and they became inconvient to get to the doctor's office. I have been reconsiderring lately.

Charlotte

Title: Re: Help allergies!!!
Post by Rosybabe on Apr 24^th, 2008, 8:05am

We take Claritin and seems to be working so far. Yeah allergies can be bad :(, my eyes were stinging too and my husband was snizzing all freaking day so we got the claritin and we feel a lot better now.

Title: Re: Help allergies!!!
Post by Paul98 on Apr 24^th, 2008, 8:28am

on 04/22/08 at 20:24:39, tanner wrote:

Good point tim. I ferquently flush the sinuses because it helps me breathe through my nose. Alkalol is a pretty good product. It will flush the pollen and I have found it helps lessens the friequency of colds. Probably flushes the virus out as well. http://www.alkalolcompany.com/

-P.

Title: Re: Help allergies!!!
Post by starlight on Apr 24^th, 2008, 11:15pm

You all,

Thank you for all these ideas! It sounds like reading through I think I should try zyrtec and even maybe try the Vicks stuff. I tried claritin yesterday for the first time--not sure it is heavy duty enough. I am one allergy-ridden lady this spring!
But didn't even know about zytec so thanks! Well thanks for all the ideas and I will let anyone know if it works.
The sinus wash stuff sounds interesting--I've been using nasal spray for severe congestion--helps for about an hour. I should probably go see an allergist, but knowing me I won't so thanks for the ideas! PFDAN, Star

Title: Re: Help allergies!!!
Post by cash5542 on Apr 24^th, 2008, 11:36pm

What ever medicine you try, give three days to get into your system. The sinus sprays are different than the nasal washes. The washes clean out the nose so that it stays free of allergens. They are mostly saline rinses. When Lisa was at National Jewish in Denver (a top resp. hospital) all of the patients did this 2 to 3 times a day. It's kind of like being hit by a wave but so good for you and so safe. Every ENT doctor she has been to has reccomended this for the top of treatment. Good luck!

Charlotte