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Allergic to what??

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Posted 2/21/2008 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
My doctor put my on allegra because i get awful heavy long headaches every day. i had my eyes checked but its not that. he thinks im probably allergic to something in my house but we cant figure out what. if anyone knows anything about this id appreciate your advice-i really think i might be allergic to smoke. im just asking about symptoms...my eyes water a little bit, and everytime im in close quarters with a smoker, i can smell it on them and immediatly i get a bad headache that wont stop until i can get away. could this be it?
Posted 2/21/2008 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
It could be that is what you are allergic to especially if you notice any symptoms when around the smoke. Are there smokers in your home? If the 30mgs of Allegra don't help, there are other doses you can try such as the 60mgs and 180mgs (which is what I was taking). Do you feel your headaches mostly in your sinus area? Behind your eyes? If so, then yes this can be allergy related. I get a lot of sinus headaches too but I also get a lot of headaches due to my medications. Are you on any other medications?
Posted 2/22/2008 5:42 AM (GMT 0)
yeah, my headaches feel sinus-y, behind my eyes alot.

my parents are both heavy smokers in the house and my sister smokes as well. so im all alone. so you think that just upping the mg of allegra or some other medication will help more? no im not on any other medications...

thanks!

Posted 2/22/2008 12:20 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sort of wondering if maybe you should just try an over the counter sinus/allergy headache reliever. Like Tylonel Sinus and Allergy. Because Allegra will help the symptoms of allergies such as the stuffy/running nose, itchy eyes, sneezing etc. but I don't feel it helps in the least with my sinus headaches. I've been on 180mgs of Allegra for years and the best it does for me is minimally take care of my allergies but I become immune to it over time, so I give it a rest and then go back to it - but in all that time, I usually have to take Tylonel to help with the headaches. Have you tried any OTC sinus headache relievers yet? How old are you btw? If you are under 18, you might have to have your parents buy any OTC sinus/allergy (if you decide to try it) because some states (are you in the states?) keep their allergy meds behind the prescription counter and you have to be 18 or over to purchase them.
Posted 2/22/2008 9:16 PM (GMT 0)

Before I had asthma, being around cigarette smoke would give me a migraine.  Now it causes an asthma attack. Could you talk to your parents about making the house smoke-free for about a month and see if this helps your headaches? They could surely smoke outside for a month to see if it makes a change in your health. This would involve a lot of heavy cleaning in the house to get out all the odor, but I sure think it would be worth a try.  I know those headaches are no fun for you at all.

Take care!

Carla

Posted 2/22/2008 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
I think it can be allergy triggered by household chemicals used in cleaning liquids,for ex-bleach or ammonia or pine sol(i just hate it)

Try chemical free cleaning and get rid of chemicals.Easy recipe is vinegar and water.
Posted 2/23/2008 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
yeah, im older than 18. i actually didnt even know there was otc allergy/headache relief, but ill definetly look in the pharm.

i would ask my parents to stop smoking in the house to see if it changes anything, but i know for a fact they wont becasue they dont really care. i was trying just earlier today to tell my mom i honestly think im allergic to this smoke and she laughed. she thinks its funny and thinks i make this stuff up because i hate that they smoke, so they figure im just saying "its making me ill" to get them to go outside. but in all honestly, it makes me nauseous(sp?). i cry all the time because i know im sick....i can feel it. especially around the smoke. but they have no respect and think im over-exaggerting. so i dont have options left....

but thanks for the tips everyone
Posted 2/23/2008 6:00 AM (GMT 0)
behindtheseeyes00987,

Have you tried acupuncture or homeopathic medicine? If not, those are two "alternative medicine" treatments that may help you feel better and cope with the side-effects of your parents' smoking. Another suggestion is to keep the door to your bedroom closed at all times (& open the window frequently) so the smoke isn't as strong in there so at least at night you won't be dealing with as much smoke as is in the rest of the house. Also, you might try educating your parents about the addictive nature of nicotine and the bad things it can do to them (lung cancer, emphasema, early death, osteoporosis, etc.) - here are some links you may find helpful in your discussion with your parents and sister:

http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/features/10-overlooked-reasons-to-quit-smoking
http://www.way2hope.org/20_reasons_to_quit_smoking.htm
http://www.mascotcoalition.org/education/50_reasons.html
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/prevent/q_smoke/top_ten.htm

I hope this helps - take care,
Posted 2/24/2008 4:59 AM (GMT 0)
thanks, razzle. i always have my door closed but i should prob leave the window open sometimes too. thanks for the links

oh and ive never heard about that acupuncture either. i should ask my doctor huh?

Posted 2/24/2008 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
Most doctors won't even suggest accupuncture so I doubt you will get any help from a MD or DO. This is usually something that has to be researched on your own. You can always ask your doc and see what he/she says though. I know of several people who have gotten accupuncture and they say it helps with their allergies tremendously. I've been thinking of giving it a go myself actually. At least it couldn't hurt to try.
Posted 2/25/2008 12:55 AM (GMT 0)

I was afraid you were going to come back and tell us just what you did about your parents, which means they probably do not want to be educated on second hand smoke.  That's a shame.  I would still give it a try. If they are not willing to change, I hope you can find another place to live as soon as possible.

I have had allergies most of my life.  What used to cause migraines, six years ago started causing asthma attacks.

Keep us posted as to how you are doing.

Carla

Posted 3/3/2008 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
I agree that the first symptom is the headache but I found myself going into sneezing fits too. I used to work in the printing field and was exposed to a great deal of chemicals. Also my husband and I were renting a house with a lot of wall to wall carpeting and venetian blinds. Both of these are very heavy dust collectors. After a number of years seeing a specialist (allergist), I am happy to say that my problems have been abated.  I agree that you should DEFINATELY LEAVE YOUR WINDOW open.  On Saturday I painted a step stool in my apartment and opened three windows to get rid of the fumes.

Post Edited (Joan M) : 3/3/2008 7:59:21 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 7/9/2008 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi behindthese eyes....You must try and keep away from smokey atmospheres...cig smoke causes me to have the most awful asthma attacks and I can smell it a mile away...a definite no no for me.keep trying to persuade your family to smoke away from you....you decerve there support.Here in the uk smoking in any public place is no longer allowed and there is a large fine for anyone breaking the rules....what a difference it has made to go out for a meal with no smoke anywhere.I do sympathise with smokers...I was one for 20+ Years and it was hard to give up but the benefits are amazing.Stay strong ....hugs Grooveyx
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