Question about bad allergies this past weekend-please help

[frannn]

Yesterday (Father's Day) and the day before, DH spent a lot of time in bed (mostly sleeping) due to what appeared to be bad allergies. The Dr prescribed Allegra (I think) in the past, but he said it hasn't been working well. He is very congested, and his throat hurts (probably due to a post nasal drip). He also has water eyes, sneezing, lite coughing, and a runny nose. What scared me most is that he took both the allergy prescription and a dose of Benedryl at one point, which I am assuming is what made him sleep so much (but couldn't that also give him other serious problems?). Having never had bad allergies myself (just sinus headaches and very slight allergy problems once in a while), I don't know how to help him. Also, I am wondering if (ok, overly sensitive people please do not read) maybe allergies aren't all that bad and he just has a really low tolerance for pain/sickness (he is male, of course). I know allergies can get bad, but bad enough to keep someone in bed for most of two days?

 

[GoodFairies]

Yes, sometimes allergies can really be that bad.

Does he have year round allergies or seasonal allergies? I used to take Benadryl but it did knock me out for hours at a time. So I would definitely stay away from that as it seems to do the same for your husband. I have chronic allergies and following allergy testing I am on a nasal spray called Flonase. I have had a few problems but for the most part it has worked well for me and I have been taking it for about three years. I take Allegra for extra protection if I know I will be around pets for an extra long period of time but I find that Allegra does nothing for my eyes. For watery swollen eyes I like OpCon-A which is available OTC. Burns like heck but relief happens quickly. If that is not an option than a cool wet rag is best for relieving the eye problem but it is a slow process. To help with the post nasal drip and congestion he should be sitting up (as opposed to lying down flat) or sleeping propped up on a few pillows so that the upper body is slightly elevated. Drinking lots of water that is not too cold (slightly cooler than room temp.) could alleviate some of the congestion as well.


And yes, men are babies when they don't feel well.

 

[lucky_bunni]

I just went on Zyrtec-D and I think it's so much better than Allegra. You might want to have your husband ask his doctor if he can change over.

 

[Christine]

Another vote for Zyrtec. My DS has terrible allergies. We've always used Zyrtec with great success. I then tried to use Allegra because it is cheaper. Oh my was he ever miserable.

Yes, if you have severe allergies they can make you feel horrible. My guess is that the meds are what knocked him out. Sounds like he needs to be re-evaluated.

 

[Lorix2]

Yes, allergies can make you that sick. It's an attack on you're immune system making you feel incredibly lousy.

Allegra did nothing for me. From there I went to Zyrtec and it worked wonderfully for a year or so, but then it didn't work for me anymore. I went to Claritin from there and it's worked for me.

Benadryl knocks me out even in the smallest dose. So it's very possible it did that to him too. Though, I think they advise against taking Benadryl with another antihistimine at the same time.

Maybe you're DH should be tested to find out specifically what he is reacting too and they can pick the proper meds from there for him.

 

[Serena]

Here's another vote for yep, sleeping for two days is not unusual.

And another vote for yes, men can be in bed with the sniffles. But you know what, they get over them so much faster being babies than we do trying to do it all with the sniffles.
I just wish we had the option.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Nothing helps me really except my weekly shots. Before them I was sick in bed off & on all the time (for 3 years). However I NEVER, EVER feel "100% well". I do not have ONE DAY that I ever feel good. I hate it.

 

[Alice28]

Another yes that allergies can be that bad. And Benedryl knocks me for a loop, even when I just take one! I want to sleep and sleep and sleep! Good luck finding something that works for your hubby. Maybe Zyrtec like others have suggested??

 

[SplshMtn99]

Dr also switched me from Allegra D to Zyrtec. No complaints this year --- and I've only been taking it once a day rather than 2 a day.

 

[wdwpluto]

Another vote for Zyrtec. Take it before bed to alleviate some of the drowsiness.

Another thing I suggest is those breathe-right strips. I wear them to bed every night and it helps my breathing a lot. If I'm really congested, I'll wear them around the house too (dh thinks they're oh so sexy but whatever, it works for me)

Is it possible your dh had a cold on top of his allergies? That's been my problem for the past week and it's been brutal.

 

[tiggereyore]

The allergies have been really bad here. All 4 of us have been suffering and my DH doesn't normally have allergies. There is a new study out on Zyrtec that it can cause agression so I took myself and oldest DS off it. He's now on Claritin and Singular. I've been taking the claritin it doesn't work as well so I'm headed to visit the dr. Dh and Ds are also taking claritin it holding them but Ds still has the goopy eyes. So we may be suffering more but it's a much happier household. I didn't realize how nasty I'd become.
Just a word of warning.
Have DH speak with his dr. this allergy stuff is not an exact science.