Does anything work on allergies?

[monkey68]

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???

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Have you tried changing your diet? Some food aggravate allergy symptoms. The meds only mask the problem.

 

[pigletgirl]

Have you tried to allergy shots?

 

[challer]

I'm glad Zaditor works for you. I am an ophthalmologist and I deal with this all the time. I have found that giving medicine directly to the site works much better than systemic medications.

I'd try an allergy nasal spray, like Astelin, Astapro, or Patanase.

 

[RNMOM]

I have had a life long battle too and my sons now have it. The only thing that works for me and works VERY well is Nasacort spray. My allergist gives it to me and I honestly only need to shoot it up there once a month it works so well. It was always like that for me with the nasal cortisone sprays. I used to take 2 contacts at a time many years ago before any of these pills were otc.

If you are that miserable you probably should see an allergist. There is help but it takes time to find the right one for you.

 

[monkey68]

I actually used to go to an allergist, he was great. But now he's pretty old, and he only works on Tuesday mornings, not exactly conducive to my schedule. I used to get allergy shots which helped quite a bit, but now that I'm allergist-less, I haven't gotten them in a few years. I haven't actually looked too hard into finding another one, but I might have to. I have a physical next week for school, so maybe I'll mention it depending on who the doctor is doing the physical, see if they can't write me a script for something while I'm there.

 

[aces_babydoll]

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.

 

[aces_babydoll]

Also they just started showing comercials for the spray that is just like the salt water.

 

[chell]

Nothing seems to make mine completely better. Every morning I take an Allegra, then I use nose spray, occasionally some Sudafed so I can breathe too. At night I have Singulair and Benadryl. This routine keeps my itching and hives to a minimum. I wish Allegra worked the full 24 hours for me but it doesn't.

I've tried allergy shots but I had such a horrible reaction to the lowest doses possible that they made me stop taking the shots - I was at too much risk for anaphalytic shock.

There are things that will make my allergies worse that I must avoid. I can't sweep, vacuum or dust and my husband can't do these things when I'm in the house. We can't ride around with the windows down on the car, nor can we open up the windows in the house to let the breeze in. We have an air filter near the bed.

I've heard about the Netti Pot but I haven't tried it yet. The only things I have heard about it have been good. I'm just afraid I'll get freaked out or something.

Good luck with yours!

 

[tennvalgirl]

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.

listen to aces babydoll,

I was going to say neti pot

it really does help

 

[bumbershoot]

Well, I had allergies off and on, and when they were on they were horrendous, and I tried all the things that were available at the time that I was into drugs (of the medical sort). The only things that worked only worked b/c they caused me to pass out so hard I wouldn't have known if I started to sneeze.

I did allergy shots for a year and they did zippo. As a mid-teen I was giving myself 3 shots, 2 times a week, b/c the office visits were too expensive. When they did nothing, after that year, I stopped them.

Finally my mom dragged me into her chiropractor's office. The chiro "did something" to my neck and middle back (and also something to my knees, but that's not inside of the scope of chiro or chiropractors everywhere). And by the next day? NO allergies (and no shin splints, either). Gone.

They pop up every so often...I ended up becoming a chiropractor, partially b/c of the miraculous way they changed my life. While in school I went into a heavy "healing through past stuff" phase and had possibly the worst back pain and allergies of my LIFE, but then moved through it, and now I'm rarely allergic. It's pretty cool.

After graduation, my diet was still sort of "junk food vegetarian", and the only way I became absolutely free of allergies was to go vegan. I've had dark circles under my eyes all my life, and those are pretty commonly known as signs of a dairy allergy. They sure are to me. So I would go vegan for a couple months, and 4 weeks into it I'd drop weight, lose the dark circles, and stop being allergic...dairy would creep back in, and so would the other things.

But now that I have a much nicer diet, even though the weight is on in full force, I'm not allergic and my circles aren't horrible (unless tired) anymore.

So for me, diet and chiropractic are the biggest helps to me. Acupuncture is also quite brilliant, though I've had a hard time finding a brilliant acupuncturist the last few years.

Good luck!

 

[shortbun]

My son switched to Xyzal, Nasonex and Patanol. In other words, something for every area. He's fairly comfortable, finally. I hate that he's taking all that stuff.

 

[java]

Where do you live? If it is seasonal allergies- like ragweed and stuff what has helped my family very very much is eating LOCAL HONEY! The bees are giving you just a touch of what you are allergic to and somehow that builds up our immunity.
Cheap and yummy.

I live in the country so there are honey stands all over the place. It has to be local because that is the stuff you are alergic to- so the grocery store chain honey doesn't work- and it tastes terrible imho.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Many other options! I have an awesome ENT who is also an allergist.

Shots. I did shots for 6 yrs and they are what saved my life. Now I am not allergy free and pretty miserable right now in fact but I used to be a MESS everyday no matter what.

I am trying out Singular.

Other options are nose sprays, neti-pot, changing your diet and changing your home and the way you clean.

With regards to cleaning and living, you can change things there. Like no shoes in the house, damp cloths to dust instead of chemicals.
Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum!!!!

 

[Tinijocaro]

Yes, I would say it's time to look for alternatives besides the typical MD. A friend swears by her "allergist alternative" person. Says she actually doesn't need meds any more. I will be taking two of my kids to see one this summer. Also, do look into chiropractic, and acupuncture but go by referrals.

Well, I had allergies off and on, and when they were on they were horrendous, and I tried all the things that were available at the time that I was into drugs (of the medical sort). The only things that worked only worked b/c they caused me to pass out so hard I wouldn't have known if I started to sneeze.

I did allergy shots for a year and they did zippo. As a mid-teen I was giving myself 3 shots, 2 times a week, b/c the office visits w ere too expensive. When they did nothing, after that year, I stopped them.

Finally my mom dragged me into her chiropractor's office. The chiro "did something" to my neck and middle back (and also something to my knees, but that's not inside of the scope of chiro or chiropractors everywhere). And by the next day? NO allergies (and no shin splints, either). Gone.

They pop up every so often...I ended up becoming a chiropractor, partially b/c of the miraculous way they changed my life. While in school I went into a heavy "healing through past stuff" phase and had possibly the worst back pain and allergies of my LIFE, but then moved through it, and now I'm rarely allergic. It's pretty cool.

After graduation, my diet was still sort of "junk food vegetarian", and the only way I became absolutely free of allergies was to go vegan. I've had dark circles under my eyes all my life, and those are pretty commonly known as signs of a dairy allergy. They sure are to me. So I would go vegan for a couple months, and 4 weeks into it I'd drop weight, lose the dark circles, and stop being allergic...dairy would creep back in, and so would the other things.

But now that I have a much nicer diet, even though the weight is on in full force, I'm not allergic and my circles aren't horrible (unless tired) anymore.

So for me, diet and chiropractic are the biggest helps to me. Acupuncture is also quite brilliant, though I've had a hard time finding a brilliant acupuncturist the last few years.

Good luck!

 

[aces_babydoll]

I've heard about the Netti Pot but I haven't tried it yet. The only things I have heard about it have been good. I'm just afraid I'll get freaked out or something.

Good luck with yours!

I know, Its a little strange but theres nothing to be afraid of. After you try it and get the hang of it you will wonder why you did not try it sooner!!!

Its not uncomfortable at all, you just have to use the right salt and if you dont have you head tilted the right way some(a tiny bit) water might go down your throat(will not hurt you) but you will get used to how you need to use it

 

[Shmily1]

I take Tylenol Allergy multi symptom and that really helps me. Also, Afrin Pure Sea is suppose to be a good natural saline rinse that helps with allergies.

 

[DisTwix]

I've had allergies/asthma my whole life, did the shots thing as a kid (I'm one of the small percentage they make more sick), have taken every medication known to man or beast.

My current cocktail, which I've been doing for about 4 years - so you know it's working - is....

Chlorphenerimine maleate (it's the generic of most antihistimines - it's a no-additive antihistimine) --- called various things, sometimes behind the counter (no prescription needed).... called Chlor-Tabs, Equate brand at Walmart - 100 for 2.94. I take one every day (morning) and in high season (NOW!), I take another in the afternoon, early evening. They are only 4mg, and prescribed dose is 4 a day. Couldn't be cheaper.

Nasacort AQ --- was told this is the mildest of all the prescription nasal sprays... it has made a HUGE difference. All other sprays (even the neti pot!) gave me terrible nose bleeds (from thinning my mucus membrane over years and years of allergy meds).

For Asthma, I've had to add Advair every day....


A friend of mine has had AMAZING success with accupunture. If I lived anywhere near that particular guy, I would go, for SURE. But, he's 9 hours away. Slightly too far.

 

[monkey68]

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.

 

[Kae]

Another thing that helps my son is taking showers before bed, it helps get the pollen off of him.

Kae