Does anything work on allergies?

[sbell111]

I'm starting to think the allergy drugs are just expensive placebos, because that's about how well they work. I've tried Allegra, Zyrtec, Claritin, Singulair, Flonase, nothing works. I'm a sneezy drippy mess. The only thing that helps is Zaditor to make my eyes stop itching, but otherwise, with the sinus allergies, nothing helps. I've tried other stuff in the past years that hasn't worked either. What do I do???

If you have a Walgreens near you, check out Wal-Act. It's the same as the old version of Actifed.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

About the Neti pots, how does that help stop the allergies? I could see it helping with congestion, but does it help stop the sneezing and the itching as well? I also get itchy, watery eyes but I have eye drops that actually help with that.

It helps because you're rising out the pollen and other gunk that's in your nose. Most allergies that cause these problems do so by entering through the nose. The ears, nose and throat are all connected. When my sinuses are bothering me, usually my ears and throat are too.

I tend to use plain old saline nasal spray and don't inhale when I spray. Just keep tissues at ready to use.

 

[aces_babydoll]

It helps because you're rising out the pollen and other gunk that's in your nose. Most allergies that cause these problems do so by entering through the nose. The ears, nose and throat are all connected. When my sinuses are bothering me, usually my ears and throat are too.

I tend to use plain old saline nasal spray and don't inhale when I spray. Just keep tissues at ready to use.

VERY true!!!!!!!!!!
It also helps to keep bacteria from causing infections in your sinuses. Can be a big problem for people with or without allergies!!!!
Another thing, the neti pot helps keep down your chances of having a bad cold!!!

For a whole year I have not really been sick with anything, a cold, allergies, Sinnus infections. I have fealt much more healthier since I started using it!

 

[aces_babydoll]

About the Neti pots, how does that help stop the allergies? I could see it helping with congestion, but does it help stop the sneezing and the itching as well? I also get itchy, watery eyes but I have eye drops that actually help with that.

For me, after I used it often to get everything out that was in there for a very long time(what makes you very sick).
I noticed a change right away.
When the pollen was real bad I could tell but it did not bother me.
I just made sure that durring allergy season I cleaned my sinnuses out after going out so it was taken care of right away before allergies were able to even hit me.

At first you would use the neti pot like you would brush you teeth and wash your face. Its something you will do often until you get it completly cleaned out and then you can do it everyonce in a while or as needed.

 

[ead79]

The winning combination for me is using two things simultaneously--I take Allegra and use Nasonex nasal spray. Somehow they work much better combined than if I only use one at a time.

My doctor did mention that some allergy sufferers have good luck with Singulair (the asthma medicine), so you might check with your doctor about that.

 

[chell]

My doctor just gave me Astelin this week but I haven't started using it yet. I started another medication for something else and wanted to make sure I know what any reactions I have are from. My sister said she couldn't use it for several different reasons. I hope I don't have trouble with it. But I am planning on getting a Neti Pot still.

 

[RN4Babies]

DS saw an allergist for the first time last year, and the following finally have his allergies under control:

-He takes Alavert and Singular daily

-He showers in the morning and again before going to bed

-In addition to ragweed, pollen, cats, etc., he's allergic to dust mites. We got rid of the area rug and curtains in his bedroom. I bought a special zippered bag for his mattress, new bedding and new pillows (allergen free). I wash his bedding in hot water twice a week, and vaccuum off his mattress and boxspring when I strip the bed down.

 

[scrapquilter]

Maybe you need a combination? My son takes a combination of nasonex, visine eye drops, claratin, singular, and benadryl....per doctors instructions.

 

[jessily]

I was on Claritin, Allegra and Zyrtec over the course of about 10 years. While on Allegra (2x per day) I was still congested all the time and started to wonder why I was taking it. Someone suggested the neti pot and it worked great for me. It took a few days to get off the medicine and get used to the neti pot, but I felt so much better!

Fast forward 5 months and I had a headache that lasted about 6 weeks. I was trying everything I could think of and stopped using the neti pot thinking maybe water was getting stuck in my head (I could sometimes feel it in my ears after using the neti pot). I never started using it regularly again and my allergies haven't been that bad. There were a few days after quitting both the Allegra and neti pot that I was miserable, but now I feel better than ever. I don't know what happened All I can think is that my body was addicted to those things.

The neti pot is definitely worth a try. I still use it on occasion if I'm overly congested and it usually helps a lot. I also feel better on days that I exercise in the morning. It really clears out my head. Allergies are strange and in my experience completely unpredictable.

Good luck finding something that works for you!

Edited to add: my allergies were mostly involving congestion and sneezing. The neti pot helped me with both of those things. I completely understand many people have much more severe allergies than this. Just suggesting what worked for me!

 

[suzannen]

Similar, but I think a little easier to use than the neti pot is the NeilMed Sinus Rinse kit (http://www.neilmed.com/usa/index.php). I learned about it here on the DIS in another allergy thread several weeks ago! It's been really easy and quick to use and costs about $13 at most pharmacies. I've been using it for three weeks now and have been able to wean off all the other medications I was taking except for one Alavert per day and I've been good to go.

 

[Julylady]

I take one Allegra each morning. During pollen season I also use Nasonex. If I get really stuffed up, I take Sudafed (the kind behind the counter). My Allergist also gave me a prescription for Histavent. It totally dries me out so I take it very sparingly. He said not to take it for more than 3 days in a row. He also gave me some Singular to try but I couldn't notice a difference so I stopped taking them. He recommended using a saline spray to rinse, but it makes me choke!!

I also had allergy shots for 3 years about 20 years ago. They made a huge difference. I have many fewer attacks now and they are less severe. They are a huge pain (weekly shots), but it was worth it.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Had allergies since back when Chlor-Trimeton was all there was and have been through all the allergy meds, lol.

I take a generic Zyrtec nightly. It helps, but doesn't knock everything out. If I'm still dealing with unbearable sneezing and crap, I'll take a generic Benadryl.

I miss Seldane. That stuff was the bomb. I understand (and support) it's removal from the market, but it sure did work, lol.

 

[claudia]

Neti pot!!!!!!!!
Use a Neti pot. There are also other ways to do it like the salt water in a certain bottle BUT I promise this works.
Its all about cleaning your sinuses out!!!!!!!!!
You will be able to get all the info just by looking it up.

I had very bad allergies my whole life and started using the salt water and I have not had problems for a year.

*Warning* do not use table salt. LOL I have done that. Big mistake. There is certain salt to use.

If you need anymore info just email me.

YEEESSSS!!!!! My son who has tree allergies off the chart just started using one this spring. We have been the entire route from meds to shots and nothing worked for him. This has been a life saver for him......

 

[hichewlova]

Flonaze (the generic actually) was a huge help to me. Also benadryl did help a bit but it made me really drowsy

 

[chell]

Yesterday we were brushing our outside dog to get his undercoat off - within 5 minutes I was sneezing and itching. Two months ago when I would brush him I was fine. I woke up with a bad migraine at 4 this morning. Guess that's another job for the hubby. Poor guy has to do everything.

 

[challer]

My $0.02 about some of the treatments mentioned before.

Visine - one of the worst eye drops and best marketed eye drops around, IMHO. The artificial tear Visine can be used as an artificial tear, but the Visine allergy drop just covers up the symptoms for a brief time. Once you stop it, it can come back worse than before. If you want an over the counter eye drop for allergies, try something that actually treats the allergic conjunctivitis without the rebound effect, such as Zaditor, Alaway, or other brand of ketotifen.

Nasonex/flonase - these nasal sprays are steroids. They work great, but can have some serious side effects. I once treated a young woman who developed glaucoma from flonase. Astelin, Astapro, and Patanase are non-steroid allergy nasal sprays. I'd try these first.

Astelin/Astapro - both taste awful. Astelin tastes like metal, and Astapro has this nauseating sweet taste. I recommend to my patients to eat breakfast prior to use, otherwise their eggs & toast will taste like they're licking a pipe.

Of course, ask a doctor you trust. Don't just take my word for it.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

I use Nasonex spray and claritin daily. My nose is still a little runny, but much better!

One of the pediatricians I work with suggests rotating the different oral allergy meds monthly--like claritin for a month, then zyrtec for a month, etc.