OT - allergies!!!

I have terrible seasonal allergies - my nose runs, I sneeze, my eyes itch, and the roof of my mouth itches. It really sucks!

My doctor used to prescribe Claritin for me, but now that it's available OTC, I just buy it at Walgreens. Every year, though, my allergies get worse. The claritin helps, but definitely doesn't get rid of the symptoms, and I'm spending much of the time very uncomfortable!

Does anyone know if there are other allergy medicines available, either OTC or via prescription, that'll work better than Claritin, but not put me to sleep either? Before I go talk to my doctor, I want to know if anything even exists; otherwise I'm wasting both of our time by going.

Thanks!

Wed. May 23, 3:01pm

allergies

i'm an np and i know a lot of people who've had great success with a combo nasonex and zyrtec. the meds that work some years won't always work others.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007, 3:11 PM

Consider acupuncture, 1-3 sessions depending on how bad you are. Might even be covered by your health insurance if you have a good plan.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007, 6:37 PM

Does anyone know if this a really bad year for allergies, because I think I am getting them for the first time in my life.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007, 6:39 PM

I live in NYC, and our "human interest" segment of the news has been full of stuff about what a bad season it is - even mentioning that it's the first time for a lot of folks.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007, 6:41 PM

Thank you! I've been thinking for days that I've been getting a cold, but decided today that it must be allergies. A first for me!

Wednesday, May 23, 2007, 6:49 PM

My allergies have also been severe this year and I'm sick of allergy medicines that cost about a dollar a day and have not been working.

I saw Dr. Mehmet Oz demonstrate "nasal washing" with a neti pot on the Oprah show. I'm going to buy one and give that a try.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007, 8:35 PM

If you think you are allergic to pollens (grass, tree, flower etc) try buying local raw honey (unstrained/unheated-MUST be local to work for you) and take 1 tsp each day. It takes about 2 weeks to start working but I have been using honey as my allergy medicine for a couple of years now and I swear by it!! I was super skeptical when I first heard of it, but I've noticed a huge difference in how I feel when I wake up in the morning!

I also have asthma and my asthma trouble is definitely lessened when I use honey.

and it's medicine that taste's good! haha!

Wednesday, May 23, 2007, 9:19 PM

Ooh, I'll try the honey as soon as the local farmers' markets open, in about a week!

Thursday, May 24, 2007, 10:14 AM

make sure you are not allergic to bees/bee stings before consuming the honey! i became very, very ill when i tried that very same thing for the same reason, and it made me aware that i am allergic to bees. i never was as a child, but i am now as an adult. the other thing about honey is this: the honey bee population has been severely decimated this year, for some as yet unknow reason. the bees get disoriented and do not return to their hives. the other odd thing is that other insects/animals that would normally pilfer the honey from the hives when the bees are gone have not been taking any of the honey!! it's strange and i think poeople should ask about where the honey is from (a beekeeper might be the best source for local honey, since you can directly ask any questions). below is a link to a story, but it's not the only source with information.

Link

Thursday, May 24, 2007, 10:25 AM

-I am the 9:19 pm poster, sorry I should have mentioned that-if you are allergic to bees, do not try the raw honey! If you don't know if you are allergic or not and you try the honey-you will most likely know after a dose or two. Stop taking it if anything feels wrong.

Also-honey (even the strained/heated kind) can be dangerous for infants. If you are breastfeeding-don't try the raw honey, and keep the raw honey on a shelf young children can't reach. If you can't find it in a farmers market, you can also try a natural food store. I've found most of the time their employees are pretty knowledgeable about their products (and I've shopped at a lot of natural food stores!).

Thursday, May 24, 2007, 12:08 PM

I have always had horrible hayfever and have tried many things. The honey doesn't seem to make a difference for me.

My current doctor has me rotate perscription alergy medicine when I start to feel the symptoms getting worse. He says your system gets use to them and then they don't work as well. Currently I am on a perscription Allegra and Flonase nose spray. The nose spray does a world of diffrence if you do it first thing in the morning. But don't over do it because it can dry out your nose.

Also make sure you consistently take the medicine before you get symptoms. It takes a day or two to get into your system and really work well. Good Luck!

Oh, and to the above poster, I heard about that netty pot. Let me know if it works! Or does anyone else have experience with it?

Thursday, May 24, 2007, 2:10 PM

Netti Pot

I use a Netti pot daily - and LOVE it! It clears my head, all my sinus's. You will not believe the difference, and so simple. I haven't used any kind of medicine since, and haven't been blowing my nose, my eyes feel clearer and when i do it, it releases all the pressure in my ears - just amazing.

Thursday, May 24, 2007, 2:15 PM

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