Allergy Symptoms

[Aqualad]

Dr Steve, I have really bad allergies from the end of August until winter. I have tried all the over-the-counter stuff (Claritin and Benadryl mostly but also generic CVS brand 24 hour) and none of them work worth a goddamn. The only one that worked consistently was Seldane but that's off the market. What do you recommend?

[Dr Steve]

Dr Steve, I have really bad allergies from the end of August until winter. I have tried all the over-the-counter stuff (Claritin and Benadryl mostly but also generic CVS brand 24 hour) and none of them work worth a goddamn. The only one that worked consistently was Seldane but that's off the market. What do you recommend?


I'd recommend nasal saline, but since you're AquaLad, I'm assuming your whole respiratory tract is flooded with salt water...

I'm sure I could have found a way to write that sentence and actually made it humorous, but I'm pressed for time, trying to get away for vacation. :-)

Allergies suck. Once you've tried all of the over the counter medications and have had no luck, there are a lot of things still left to try, but you'll have to see your doctor for some of them.


Nasal Saline: irrigation with salt water will wash out allergens and moisturize your nose. You can do this every 15 minutes if you need to. Check out the eggs and cheese in the nose thread for more information on this.
Nasal Steroids: most docs will prescribe nasal steroid sprays as a second line treatment. they're minimally absorbed into the bloodstream and are pretty safe for longterm use. They work by decreasing inflammation in the nose.
Nasal Atrovent: This is one a lot of doctors don't know about...it's a drug called "ATROVENT" that is used to decrease mucus in the lungs in people with emphysema. Well, they make it in a nasal spray too, and it works when some other things don't.
Allergy Shots: You have to go to an allergist for these, and they'll do some testing before deciding what shots to give you. Basically they give you increasing doses of whatever you're allergic to and you eventually become immune to it. It's more complicated than that, but it's basically how it works.
SINGULAIR: this is my favorite. Last year I had the worst allergies ever...my voice was 2 octaves too low and I was constantly blowing snot; you can hear the difference if you listen to the first weird medicine or my O&A appearance the same day...I was MISERABLE. Then I remembered that when I have a patient who doesn't respond to anything else, I prescribe SINGULAIR, which is a "leukotriene inhibitor" (basically an antiinflammatory agent). This year, I'm totally symptom free. I promise I don't have stock in the company. If everything else fails, try Singulair before going to have allergy shots. You may not need anything else


Obviously, talk any of the prescription stuff over with your regular doctor. Just know that there is help out there, and you don't have to suffer with this.


your friend,



Steve

[Lady Resin]

I've been using Benadryl Strips and and Aleve capulets. I have to much greenery behind me.

[ahhdurr]

I too am an allergy sufferer

[Lady Resin]

Ragweed started last week. The sneezing and eye puffy stinks.
















































And I don't
Like it.:thumbdown:

[Aqualad]

Thanks doc! I'll try the Singulair.

I just went to the beach to flush myself out with salt water and it helps.

[Dr Steve]

Thanks doc! I'll try the Singulair.

I just went to the beach to flush myself out with salt water and it helps.

ha

hey, we used your question tonight on our terrestrial show, too. We've been tapping this forum for a couple of weeks now and it's been great. I really, REALLY appreciate the opportunity to do this here at rf.net. you all are the best.


steve