Allergy meds for those that are sensitive?

[LisaR]

My allergies are out of control. My head has that "fuzzy" feeling. It hurts when I press behind both of my ears. I have a headache. I feel rundown. I am not getting sick, although it could lead to that if I don't do something. I have been to the allergist. I just can't seem to take allergy medication. It either makes me so tired I can't function or it makes my heart race and my body shaky. They all help with the symptoms but I can't handle the side effects.
I have tried some herbal things and while they have not caused any side effects, they haven't relieved my symptoms.

There has to be a medication out there for me, doesn't there? I can't be the only one this sensitive. Anyone in my shoes that has found some relief? Thanks!

Lisa

 

[RadioNate]

have you tried zyrtec. I find it to be effective but I can't tell I'm taking it. Most allergy/cold meds to make me feel 'medicine head'ish but I've been in zyrtec for about a year with little side effects. I've also been on allerga this year and my allergy Dr said it has less side effects. I take several antihistimines and something was making me very sleepy so the Dr suggested I try Allegra instead. It didn't help me so I went back to zyrtec and found out it was a 3rd medicine that I was taking that was making me tired.

 

[jbdreamer]

It took me years to find the right allergy med. Most of them made me really sleepy, or sick to my stomach. I do really well with Allegra. Although I have heard from people it's not strong enough, it's just right for me!

 

[Christine]

Maybe you need to try some of the prescription nasal sprays like Rhinocort or Nasonex or Astelin.

While they do have "drugs" in them that do get into your system, it is at a much lower amount than swallowing a pill. I am EXTREMELY sensitive to most medications, yet I seemed to do okay on the nasal sprays. They do take about 2 weeks to get working though.

Also, my kids have taken Zyrtec and they are fairly side-effect free with it. It was a little rough the first two weeks because it did make them drowsy, but that side effect did go away in both of them. It could be that you might just have to live with the side effects for a couple of days/weeks and then you will be okay.

 

[Kermit]

What meds have you tried? Have you talked to your doctors (both your allergist and your PCP) and a pharmacist about it? They might know about some types of meds that won't cause those problems.

There are a number of more holistic approaches you can take. Chiropractic care can help with allergies. Eating some raw, local honey each day can help, but it can take a year or two before it starts to really help, so you have to be patient. I believe there are some nutritional things you can do, too. I can't think of what they are off the top of my head.

What types of allergies do you have? Are they things that you can avoid? Or could you do things like getting rid of all carpet, putting plastic covers on mattresses, getting rid of plants, etc. to reduce problems?

 

[Sleeping~Beauty]

Accupuncture can also help with allergies. It's wonderful if you have a lot of medicine sensitivities, too.