allergies

klovesd · April 2010

Any suggestions on allergy medication? I've tried both Claritin and Zyrtec, neither work for me. I've even tried taking 2 Claritin a day and that didn't work either.

I'm about to rip my eyes out because they itch so much! Help?

danieliza1127 · April 2010

Go see an allergy doctor.

I have terrible allergies. I get allergy shots once a week AND I take Claritin and Nasonex in the spring months (like now) when the pollen is so high. If OTC meds aren't working for you, you really should see an allergy doctor and get a prescription.

samurai21 · April 2010

I agree with Dani. I got allergy shots for years and now they don't bother me so much. For now they make anti-itch and allergy specific eyedrops that you could try.

klovesd · April 2010

Do you administer the allergy shots yourself or do you have to go in to the doctor's?

I use drops also, but those don't help either.

danieliza1127 · April 2010

You go to the doctor's office for allergy shots. They have nurses who administer them, you wait 30 minutes to make sure there's no bad reaction, then you're out the door. I've been going once a week for almost 2 years, and hopefully soon will be down to once a month. It's definitely a commitment but if you have severe allergies, it's worth it.

The doctor would give you the full allergy testing and evaluation first though to see if you're a candidate for the shots. It could just be that you need a prescription medication instead of OTC. I know for me, Nasonex which is prescription only, works WAY better than anything I've tried before.

KellyJayD · April 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_allergies-going-insane?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:fd840d81-9f62-481e-bedb-a3d33997c287Post:61f4a0ee-93a2-46f1-aa02-2617fe4133ae">Re: allergies</a>:
[QUOTE]Do you administer the allergy shots yourself or do you have to go in to the doctor's? I use drops also, but those don't help either.
Posted by klovesd[/QUOTE]

Hope you don't mind me adding in here I work in an ear, nose, throat office. You have to go in for shots once a week which can be a pain for some people. Unless you are a nurse or work in a school or hospital or something then they can make the vials for you at the office and you can do it that way.

klovesd · April 2010

Great! Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely schedule an appointment soon!

Nebb · April 2010

It isnt going to help you at all this year, but if you can find a local apiary (or a vendor at your market that has local honey) and start incorporating local honey into your diet. It *should* help to reduce seasonal allergies. I started using local honey last year and my allergies are completely absent this year.

akhensley81 · April 2010

This year is apparently one of the worst years for allergy sufferers in a long time... I'd go to a doctor. I have terrible allergies too and nothing is helping. I may have to suck it up and go in.

danieliza1127 · April 2010

Yeah, I've heard the honey thing that Nebb mentioned. Also, Rooibos tea is supposed to help allergies as well.

BecW2be · April 2010

Local honey works wonders. I started using it a few years ago, and I barely sniffle at seasonal allergies now, and they used to kill me every season. It has to be local though so that the same pollen is used by the bees.

bel138 · April 2010

I also recommend the allergist. I used to get two shots per week for about 4 years when I was like 12-16. Since then, my allergies are significantly decreased and I only get flares around this time. I tried all the typical brands of allergy meds, but for some reason Chlortrimeton works better than the rest for me. Its generic at the local grocery is called Clor-tabs. (Not to be confused with Lortab hahaha)

I second Nebb on the local honey, and other produce. I've moved around a lot with school and the allergies are worst the first spring. Once I get local pollens into my system, it gets much better. Good luck!

samurai21 · April 2010

I third the honey. When I used to work at a local market people came in all the time because we carried local honey. They all swore by it.

I was on allergy shots for about 6 years. The first 2 were once a week, then I went to every other week, and finally once a month. Before shots my allergies went crazy year round and I had to take a prescription on top of it. Now I just pop an OTC if they act up, which is pretty rare. And I do use local honey in my tea for good measure.

JessAndTrav · April 2010

Another vote for the honey.

missy68 · April 2010

I just use benadryl, and add the OTC sudafed (phenylephrine) if I'm congested. Allegra seems to do okay, too.

I'm allergic to Claritin.

BecW2be · April 2010

I'm craving honey on a hot biscuit now.

Loopyseven · April 2010

Are you using the Clariten you can buy off the shelf, or the Clariten-D that you have to get from behind the pharmacy counter? (not a prescription, just monitored). The Claritin from the shelf does nothing for me.. the Clariten-D that is controlled works wonders.

spinner84 · April 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_allergies-going-insane?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fd840d81-9f62-481e-bedb-a3d33997c287Post:d7702fe4-d2f7-4593-bffd-704ddd51871b">Re: allergies</a>:
[QUOTE]Peanut butter & honey sandwiches = delicious.
Posted by JessAndTrav[/QUOTE]
Unless you are also allergic to peanuts!

Claritin and zyrtec both work for me. I was actually a participant in a clinical trial that helped make Zyrtec approved for use in North America. It's the same thing as Reactine though, so use whatever is cheaper. (5 mg zyrtec = 10 mg of reactine).

When I had really bad allergies, I got prescriptions for reactions - 20 mg. (2x extra strength). It's the same as taking 2 extra strength but cheaper if it's covered by insurance.

I also recommend shots. I did those for a few years and it made a big difference. I also think eating local honey is a good idea.

girliegirlral · April 2010

I would just be very careful with the allergy meds (especially the stuff with the D). This was prescribed by the doc. I got really bad insomnia from it, was extremely emotional, and noticed that I was beginning to have urinary retention. I immediately stopped all medication and I finally did the shots (twice a week for 2 years) and they are significantly better.

Exercise does WONDERS to clear me up.

psichick · April 2010

someone just suggested the honey thing to me today. i'm going to the farmer's market this weekend to get some.

i'm on all sorts of allergy meds and it sucks. i take singulair, astepro, and pataday and i STILL have major issues.

FI takes zyrtec but for me it might as well be a sugar pill, it does nothing. i find that the nose sprays work much better than the pills.

klovesd · April 2010

Thank you so much for all the suggestions! I'm going to buy some honey this weekend!

allergies

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