Allergies + Wedding = Sad Bride to be

naarnold · March 2012

Hey Ya'll (just tried to post this an TK ate my post)

I have been having terrible allergies the past few days. I have been taking claritin, vitamins and a nose spray, but have not gotten much relief. Now I am getting nervous about the wedding. I don't want to be all puffy and sneezy on my wedding day! Not to mention the wedding is outdoors! EKK... what was I thinking!

Any suggestions on relief and prep for my wedding so I am not miserable the day of?

crbhipraz · March 2012

No advice to give, but my Bridal Portraits are Saturday and I am an eye watering, nose dripping, sneezing machine right now. Ew

rlavach · March 2012

I totally understand. I've had seasonal allergies since I was a child, so I started to take my Allegra about 3 weeks ago, in preparation for the spring. I wanted it to build up in my system. I'm a pharmacy tech & can give limited advice, but need to know more info.

1. How long have you taken Claritin for?

2. If you took Claritin previous allergy seasons, did it work?

3. Have you taken any other allery medications? (Zyrtec, Allegra, etc)

4. Which nose spray are you using (OTC or Rx)

I also suggest limiting your exposure to pollen by keeping your windows closed in your car & home. Change your pillow case often since pollen that accumulates in your hair transfers there. I use a Netti-Pot and it helps to clean our your nasal passages. Google it and you'll see more. Most stores carry it now. If you have an air purifyer, use it. I just got one & it really helps me.

dnice818 · March 2012

I used to take Claritin, but it never worked well fo me. Have you ever tried Zyrtec? Not a day goes by that I don't take it. I have seasonal allergies, plus a pet dander allergy (and I have 2 cats), so bad to the point where my eyes get all puffy and I can't stop sneezing, and it works great! If you try it, just make sure to take it the night before...the first time I tried it I took it in the morning and was almost falling asleep at work that day.

naarnold · March 2012

I have taken Claritin in the past and it has worked ok. not great.This year it took me by surprise so I have just started taking it on a daily basis. I think I have taken Zyrtec in the past, but can't remember. I am just using an OTC nose spray.

How long will it take for me to get the full effect of something like Claritin or Zyrtec? Should I start now with every day and just keep going until after the wedding? Should I make a trip to my doc?

I will admit I am cannot get over the ick factor with the neti oit. I have used saline sprays in the past but I cannot get myself to use the neti pot (even though my fiance swears by it!).

rlavach · March 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_april-2012-weddings_allergies-wedding-sad-bride-to-be?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:05427f07-4ba2-44d6-9271-99a7af1ee5c0Discussion:a85bc705-83d3-46b5-a34a-991bbae717adPost:4f6acfbd-76e2-4e5a-ada5-e6dba0111ebb">Re: Allergies + Wedding = Sad Bride to be</a>:
[QUOTE]I have taken Claritin in the past and it has worked ok. not great.This year it took me by surprise so I have just started taking it on a daily basis. I think I have taken Zyrtec in the past, but can't remember. I am just using an OTC nose spray. How long will it take for me to get the full effect of something like Claritin or Zyrtec? Should I start now with every day and just keep going until after the wedding? Should I make a trip to my doc? I will admit I am cannot get over the ick factor with the neti oit. I have used saline sprays in the past but I cannot get myself to use the neti pot (even though my fiance swears by it!).
Posted by naarnold[/QUOTE]
It usually takes a few days to get the full effect. But, if you started once you're allergies were bad, it may take longer. It's like taking a pain killer once the headache is really bad vs a light headache. <div>
</div><div>I'd suggest switching to Zyrtec or Allegra. Both are OTC now. If your allergies are really bad, then I'd suggest a visit to the Dr. But at this point, most allergy meds are OTC, so there isn't much to offer there. S/he can offer you a prescription nasal spray that will work much better than those OTC ones. </div><div>
</div><div>Which nasal spray are you using? If you're using something like Afrin, you can only use those for 3 days. If you pass that, you get what's termed 'rebound congestion' or basically your body overcompensates & makes more congestion...the complete opposite of the purpose of the spray. The prescription sprays like Flonase, Astelin, Nasonex and others work really great.</div><div>
</div><div>If it's just runny nose/eyes and itchiness then try Zyrtec or Allegra. Do take it at night for the beginning. Some people get very tired, like PP. Others, like me, dont' feel tired at all. I take mine first thing in the morning. If you also have a lot of static congestion in your sinuses, consider getting the D version. So Zyrtec D or Allegra D. That has pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) as a decongestant. You get that behind the pharmacy counter & show ID for it. Works very well. Again, only take it as long as you need it, not more.</div><div>
</div><div>ETA: Do start now and continue until after your honeymoon, at least. All of these medications (with the exception of the Afrin nose sprays and Sudafed) are made to be taken for more prolonged periods of time. We had some patients on it year-round.</div>

naarnold · March 2012

Thanks so much! I will pick up the Zytec D today and then switch to the regular Zyrtec when I get through this bad stuffy phase. I have nasonex I got the last time I went to the doctor for my allergies so I will start ACTUALLY using it instead of just trying to be a toughie or using the OTC that has Vick's in it (Sinex, I think).

em01092 · March 2012

I don't have allergies, but FI does. BADLY. He is so stubborn about taking meds. He won't pop a Zyrtec until he's already sneezed 40 times in a row, and then he stops as soon as he feels better. This creates a rather annoying cycle all spring long. I told him he is starting a strict regimen at least a week before the wedding!

It would be kind of cute/funny if he sneezed throughout the ceremony though, haha.

naarnold · March 2012

haha... yeah, my Fiance has been teasing me that I am allergic to him. I think if I sneezed all the way through the ceremony everyone might think that. But make him take some meds. I am actually going to take mine so I don't feel this way on my wedding day and I would hate for anyone to feel this way on their wedding day!

rlavach · March 2012

I think this is a problem with all men, at least all of the ones I've met. It's a HUGE problem when they get any type of infection & need antibiotics. You really have to complete taking all of the pills to get rid of the infection, yet they always want to stop after 3 days because they feel better! ::facepalm::

Definitely try the Nasonex. Start slow and use the minimum amount and then build up if needed. So if the max is 2 puff per nostril twice daily, don't start there. Do like half. Some sprays can be too drying & you have to find the right balance for you. For me, Flonase is too gentle & Astelin is too strong. Nasonex works perfect for me.

There are allergy eye drops if you need that too, but be careful not to overuse that. I hope you feel better!!

cdbishop · March 2012

I don't have allergies, but FI gets it bad. Nothing so far yet, knock on wood, but I am nervous about wedding day.

bridalgal50 · March 2012

My issues are massive sinus/migraine headaches with my allergies.

I am terrified that I will have one the day of the wedding! Living on Excedrin Migraine and Claritin these days......maybe will have to opt for Claritin-D.

rlavach · March 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_april-2012-weddings_allergies-wedding-sad-bride-to-be?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:05427f07-4ba2-44d6-9271-99a7af1ee5c0Discussion:a85bc705-83d3-46b5-a34a-991bbae717adPost:27c27d5e-6962-4b0c-a932-ec217392ffd5">Re: Allergies + Wedding = Sad Bride to be</a>:
[QUOTE]My issues are massive sinus/migraine headaches with my allergies. :/ I am terrified that I will have one the day of the wedding! Living on Excedrin Migraine and Claritin these days......maybe will have to opt for Claritin-D.
Posted by bridalgal50[/QUOTE]
Oh man, that sucks! I'm not your Dr, so I can't say for sure, but a lot of allergy sufferers have headaches due to the congestion & inflammation in their sinuses. Taking something with D in it helps to calm the congestion and taking an anti-inflammatory like Advil or Motrin helps bring the swelling down. Ideally, you want to eliminate the cause of the headaches, rather than suppress them. <div>
</div><div>You might want to take your regular claritin & instead of the excedrin, do Advil cold & sinus (or the generic version or ibuprophen + pseudoephedrine). But I'd test that out now that you still have a few weeks. You don't really want to be messing with new medicines right before the wedding. Obviously, if you get a migraine, take the excedrin & not the advil.</div>

SaraAndTJ421 · March 2012

I was worried about the exact same thing.. but I will SWEAR by Flonase. I used it last year for the first time and it was a godsend. I have HORRIBLE allergies for about 6 months out of the year, and this was the only thing that's ever made me feel like I had NO allergies at all. Of the other medications I've taken, Zyrtec-D was the best.. but honestly, Flonase makes me feel 100% better.

Allergies + Wedding = Sad Bride to be

Re: Allergies + Wedding = Sad Bride to be

Choose Another Board

Search Boards