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Zyrtec AND Benadryl AND Singulair, and still sick

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Posted 4/25/2008 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on all 3 of those to try to calm down this allergy attack that started on monday night.  I got off of work at about 10:30pm and just walking outside to my car made me start sneezing violently from the dumb tree pollen everywhere.  I always take Zyrtec every day just so that I don't accidentally almost die from any allergens like dog cooties on other peoples' clothes, I added the Benadryl too in hopes that it would help, but I go right back to coughing and sneezing and choking on sinus drainage within about 2.5 hours of taking the Benadryl (even at double dose 50mg).  Even though I have a terrible reaction to Singulair, like not being able to see correctly and having auditory hallucinations, I started taking it again because I remembered it used to make all my allergies go away.  Nothing is helping!!

Tried Claritin:  didn't work at all, might as well have eaten a piece of candy.

Tried Allegra:  took 10 minutes to start wheezing instead of instantly wheezing.

Use Zyrtec:  works ok except for when pollen levels are high (like now) then it's not enough.

Tried Advair:  works great except when having allergy problems, then it makes asthma worse.

Use Flonase:  I can only use one spray per day (not even once in each side) or I have a vomiting migraine from it.

Use Flovent:  110x2 daily, can't tell if it helps or not.

My allergist moved across the country and I haven't seen whichever new person has replaced him, and I was hoping for some suggestions on what to talk to him about or ask him to let me try.  I am allergic to 35 of 45 common allergens they tested for, and 7 of them were listed as level "4+" which the allergist said were the kind that can kill me with my asthma (just getting poked on my back made me need the inhalers) so things are only going to get worse as more evil little plants start coming to life in the next few weeks.

I'm really afraid, last year my allergies weren't this bad, I only had problems when it got to the point where grass and weeds were both "very high" pollen counts on the same days that the air quality was "moderate" from pollution.  Now allergies are acting worse than before, from only "high" tree pollen and "moderate" air quality.  I have 3 "4+" level tree allergies, and have 2 more "4+" level allergies from weeds and grass, I'm afraid I'll end up in the hospital when those pollinate too!!  I don't want to go to the hospital, but I don't know what other medicines, if any, I can try sad

Posted 4/25/2008 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
I have never had any problems with allergies and the pollen levels this year are bothering me, so you're probably miserable. Could I suggest a mask from the hardware store? The ones that are designed to keep dust and stuff out when working with fiberglass and wood... If you wet it before you go outside and keep your hepa filters running at home and in the office you might do a bit better. Preventing the pollen from getting to you seems better than trying to treat it once it's set off your histamine response...

Also, my daughter's allergist suggested a brand new pillow, covered with a plastic bag and two pillow cases (so the plastic isn't so hot) each season change. He also suggested my daughter shower before bed, especially washing her hair to get the day's dust and pollen out of it. Wish I could offer more.
Posted 4/25/2008 8:23 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks, I would like to wear one of those little masks from the hardware store but the part where it goes over your nose has some sort of metal clip and it REALLLY hurts to wear those.  I was hoping to find some of those little fabric masks like the doctors wear?  Those look like they are clip-less so it should be easier for me to use :-)

I just make sure I do not have the fans or anything running at home so none of the air gets sucked in from outdoors, I can't do anything about my office sucking in outdoor air though.  Is there a way to get a HEPA...uh...something for my office?

I can't believe how much this stuff is still attacking me even being so drugged up confused

Posted 4/25/2008 9:14 PM (GMT 0)
How did you know Advair made your breathing worse? Is that common with Advair? I think everything is worse this year, allergies included. You could try some natural remedies such as Quercitin, vitamin C, and nettle plant. Do a search on these, they all help allergies. Sorry you are miserable, i've had a hard season too so I can relate. You may be able to find a nicer mask on one of the allergy sites. Good luck.
Posted 4/25/2008 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
Sometimes eating foods that cross-react with the pollens you are allergic to can make the allergy symptoms worse.
Also, some people find acupuncture helpful for balancing out the immune system and thus reducing the severity of their allergy symptoms.
There is an OTC allergy product called Zicam that is homeopathic (no drug interactions to worry about) that may help - it is a nasal gel that you can use every 2 hours as needed.
You can get HEPA air filter units that plug into the wall for your office at work. I got mine (for home) from allergybuyersclug.com. The site has product reviews, etc., to help you choose something that would be suitable for your situation.
My Allergist told me to put pillows & blankets in the clothes dryer on high for 20 minutes every 2 weeks to kill dust mites, and to wash all sheets & pillow cases in hot water at least once a week (twice a week is better).

Other suggestions include:
Vacuum 2-3x/week to remove pollen & dust from carpets, etc.
Take off your shoes as soon as you go in your house, that way you aren't tracking pollen all over the house.
Shower before going to bed to remove pollens from hair/skin.
Change clothes when you get home from work so you aren't wearing clothes all evening that were exposed to pollens.
Nasal rinses with saline water can help wash pollens inhaled during the day out of your nose. A netti pot is useful for doing this, or get a nasal saline spray at a local drug store (I got mine at Rite Aid).
Vitamin B5 supports the adrenal glands, and along with Vitamin C can help moderate the effect of allergies to some extent.
Ginger Root (tea, eaten in foods, etc.) can help reduce allergy symptoms, too. It is a natural anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine, and mast cell stabilizer.
Some people also find taking digestive enzymes between meals can help reduce the effects of allergies. Bromelain and Papain are fruit-derived enzymes that may be the most helpful for this purpose.
Drink plenty of fluids to enable your body to wash away the pollens more easily. Allergic reactions can dehydrate the mucus membranes pretty quickly.

I hope this helps ~ take care,
Posted 4/26/2008 12:34 PM (GMT 0)

Here are some tips that I compiled to help with allergy season:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=7&m=1080063

Have you looked into the possibility of allergy shots yet?

Posted 4/26/2008 1:05 PM (GMT 0)
I am sorry that the singulair causes you so much discomfort, that was the only thing that I have found so far that helped me with the most of my allergies.

Have you ever tried Rhinocort? It was the only nasal spray that I could tolerate, the Alicort wasn't bad but the taste was horrible. I use to use nazalcort but then I started getting bloody noses. It is always something, isnt' it?

Good luck,
hugs, Karen
Posted 4/28/2008 6:10 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks for all the replies, I still haven't found a decent mask yet so I just wear a scarf over my nose and mouth when I go outside.  Not that I ever go outside by choice, just going outside from my home to the car and from the car to the building at work.  Since the weekend, I keep having these horrible coughing fits about 3 times per day where I just cough really violently for about 5-10 minutes straight and I can't even manage to talk when that happens. sad I am still low in the green zone on my asthma meter though so I guess I shouldn't worry that much.

I actually love Advair, but the allergist said that I've had more asthma attacks since they had me on it than before I ever used it.  He said the salmeterol (however you spell it) makes asthma symptoms stronger and more life-threatening during an asthma attack, so even though it does have the nice benefit of helping you breathe well all day, it's not something I should ever use again since I keep having asthma attacks despite being on it.  I haven't been on Advair since January.

I already do the stuff like washing my sheets and having my bedding covered with plastic and not wearing shoes indoors and vacuuming with the hepa vacuum and changing my clothes when I get home and using the saline sprays and so on.  I even left that winter plastic seal stuff up on my windows to keep the pollen-filled air from getting in through drafty areas!  Nothing seems to really help though, it's all the things I'm severely allergic to that I can't seem to find relief from, and those are stupid plants outdoors, not anything I can really remove from my house.

I would like to get allergy shots, but they told me I'd have to go in 3x per week for about 3-4 months and then 2x per week a couple months, 1x per week for a couple months, etc, it's a ton of visits.  It's about 40 miles round trip, which is expensive with $3.80 for gas, and then I also have no way of being able to miss 6-9 hours of work every week without getting fired.  I actually work 2 jobs back to back so I have no way of changing my schedule to fit in the allergy shots that often sad .  I know they would probably help a lot but until they start offering shots at 5am I have to hope for something else.

However, I will ask about the different nose sprays, maybe one of those will help.  Would like to try the vitamins and ginger too but I also am lucky enough to have Crohn's disease and I'm not sure how well any of those will be tolerated by my insides.  Crossing my fingers!

Posted 4/29/2008 11:46 AM (GMT 0)
Map Lady,
My daughter has Crohn's along with allergies and just watching her cope makes my heart go out to you. She actually had a remission of her Crohn's during her recent pregnancy and her doctor has a theory that it might be her prescription vitamins that did it. She stayed on them for a while after the baby and then got busy as a new mom and didn't refill the script. Now the CD is back. I got her some regular vitamins that make up pretty much what was in the prescription prenatals and she is now taking that. Her regimen includes flax seed oil, calcium with D, B complex and a regular multi vitamin with minerals. Seems to help her... might help you?
Posted 5/13/2008 5:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hi map lady

You sound like me. I have had allergies since past 4 years and it is getting worse. I just landed up in the emergency room 2 days back since I couldnt breathe and my face has swollen up twice its size after doses of Zyrtec and Benadryl that I had been taking since past 2 months to be ready for the season.
Nevertheless, I have a few suggestions for you.

US just started oral therapy (sublingual immunotherapy) wherein you can administer the drops at home. It is a simple drop under your tongue. You receive it in your mail so you dont even have to go to the doctor to get it. It is known to work better than the shots and has been used in other countries since years. Being a scientist myself I did quite a bit of research on it before I started it (2 weeks back) It takes about 3 months for you to see any results. So, you could look into that.

Also, there is another very good treatment that I found. It is 'Mangosteen Juice' from a plant in Thailand and there is quite a bit of research that supports its medicinal values. It takes care of all my eye symptoms and my brother got off medicines all together. You could get in Costco or GNC. You just need to take 1oz of it twice a day.

Hope this helps!
Posted 5/17/2008 12:03 PM (GMT 0)
SYMBICORT IS THE BEST THING EVER INVENTED FOR ASTHMA! I take zyrtec, advair, singulair, flonase, prednisone, nebulizer duo-neb. Doc just gave me SYMBIRCORT inhalor and within 15 minutes coughing stopped and I feel fantastic. To me it has been a miracle! EVERYONE SHOULD TRY IT!

Wendy
Posted 6/26/2008 9:22 AM (GMT 0)
BELOW IS SOME INFORMATION TAKEN FROM THE ASTELIN WEBSITE.

ASTELIN is the only prescription antihistamine nasal spray approved to treat symptoms caused by both seasonal allergens and environmental irritants.

ASTELIN provides relief from bothersome nasal symptoms such as congestion, itchy/runny nose, sneezing and postnasal drip due to seasonal allergens or environmental irritants.

ASTELIN is steroid-free, does not contain pseudoephedrine, and relieves your symptoms by blocking the effects of histamine — the primary cause of allergy symptoms.

ASTELIN is available by prescription only. Ask your doctor if treatment with ASTELIN may be right for you.

The Science of Allergies

Allergic rhinitis, the medical name for hay fever, is caused by your body's reaction to tiny substances in the air called allergens. Allergens are generally harmless, and we breathe them in and out all the time.

If you have allergies, however, your body believes these allergens are attacking your system. Your body fights back by producing chemicals called histamines, which cause your nasal passages to become irritated or inflamed.

Allergic rhinitis rarely causes serious health problems, but it can make life very uncomfortable for those who have it.

The Symptoms of Allergies

Some of the most common symptoms of allergic rhinitis are congestion, itchy and/or runny nose, sneezing, and postnasal drip. These symptoms are your body's natural response to the seasonal allergens or environmental irritants you inhaled.

Furthermore, you may find that your rhinitis occurs during specific seasons, or continues throughout the year. How long your allergy symptoms continue may depend on which type of rhinitis you're diagnosed with.

To get effective relief, you should continue taking the medication your doctor recommends for as long as you're exposed to the cause of your reaction. Be sure to ask your doctor if ASTELIN may be the right treatment for you.
Posted 6/26/2008 11:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi
You have done a good question, it’s really interesting. If you get any good reply, so please let me know. So I’ll also get some good idea.
Thanks for your future help.



Please remove the link from your signature.  It is not appropriate for Healingwell.  Thank you

Post Edited By Moderator (Red_34) : 6/26/2008 6:33:50 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/30/2008 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on shots for over two years and I still stay sick from allergys all year round. Not sure the shots are worth it.
Posted 6/30/2008 11:37 PM (GMT 0)

Welcome to HealingWell!

I think allergy shots work for a lot of people, but they did not work for me.  Years ago, I took two shots weekly for five years.  I took myself off the shots because I was still having to take all the other medications, even the steroids, etc.  Back then, I was seeing an ENT, who was a good ENT, but I don't think he should have been trying to treat allergy patients.

Maybe it's time for you to get a second opinion.  That's what I did.

Take care!

Carla

Posted 7/2/2008 9:16 PM (GMT 0)

Hi, I am new here but had a suggestion on the allergy shots.  Can the allergist have them sent somewhere local for you to go to the 3 times a week so that you are not using gas/time?  Can you give them yourself?  You might check into this.  I know that they do the allergy shots locally here (allergist is 40 miles away also).  I am not on the shots but I know that if I need it, I can have them done at my local doctors office.  Hope this helps.  Good luck with everything.  Keep looking for the mask - they change designs alot so maybe one day you will find the perfect one (crossing fingers for you).

rfbocritter

map lady said...

Thanks for all the replies, I still haven't found a decent mask yet so I just wear a scarf over my nose and mouth when I go outside.  Not that I ever go outside by choice, just going outside from my home to the car and from the car to the building at work.  Since the weekend, I keep having these horrible coughing fits about 3 times per day where I just cough really violently for about 5-10 minutes straight and I can't even manage to talk when that happens. sad I am still low in the green zone on my asthma meter though so I guess I shouldn't worry that much.

I actually love Advair, but the allergist said that I've had more asthma attacks since they had me on it than before I ever used it.  He said the salmeterol (however you spell it) makes asthma symptoms stronger and more life-threatening during an asthma attack, so even though it does have the nice benefit of helping you breathe well all day, it's not something I should ever use again since I keep having asthma attacks despite being on it.  I haven't been on Advair since January.

I already do the stuff like washing my sheets and having my bedding covered with plastic and not wearing shoes indoors and vacuuming with the hepa vacuum and changing my clothes when I get home and using the saline sprays and so on.  I even left that winter plastic seal stuff up on my windows to keep the pollen-filled air from getting in through drafty areas!  Nothing seems to really help though, it's all the things I'm severely allergic to that I can't seem to find relief from, and those are stupid plants outdoors, not anything I can really remove from my house.

I would like to get allergy shots, but they told me I'd have to go in 3x per week for about 3-4 months and then 2x per week a couple months, 1x per week for a couple months, etc, it's a ton of visits.  It's about 40 miles round trip, which is expensive with $3.80 for gas, and then I also have no way of being able to miss 6-9 hours of work every week without getting fired.  I actually work 2 jobs back to back so I have no way of changing my schedule to fit in the allergy shots that often sad .  I know they would probably help a lot but until they start offering shots at 5am I have to hope for something else.

However, I will ask about the different nose sprays, maybe one of those will help.  Would like to try the vitamins and ginger too but I also am lucky enough to have Crohn's disease and I'm not sure how well any of those will be tolerated by my insides.  Crossing my fingers!

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