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Anyone else here have hayfever? What helps control the symptoms?

R

rnmcd

Platinum Member
I had a pretty bad allergy season starting last Spring.

Just wondering what you recommend. I'm trying to get a head start this year.


Thanks.
 
First, I'm going to be a smartass and say that "hayfever" is technically reserved for fall allergies. 😛

I've got a nice little cocktail of prescription drugs for my allergies though. I use Claritin, Beconase AQ (a nasal spray), and Baush & Lomb "Chrolom" eyedrops (a 4% Chromylin solution). Taken together they work very well, though to be honest, the only thing that has been completely effective at relieving the symptoms has been relocating to Pittsburgh (have to for school). It seems that there is nothing in the city to which I'm allergic.

ZV
 
I have wicked allergies (which have never actually been diagnosed, but which drive me crazy). I take Tylenol cold and sinus, which seems to work for me. I had a major flare up today (coincidentally, since they don't happen all that often). I took the Tylenol and an hour or so later I was ok, if a little spacier than usual.
 
I would first try pills, such as Claritin (now OTC) or Allegra. There was one season of allergies that my pills stopped working for me. I got prescription Nasonex, which is a nasal spray, which worked very well.
 
Go to an allergist and get tested. Find out specifically what you are allergic to. (See if you can beat my 40 out of a possible 41 score. 😛 )

Then the allergist will be able to guide you in the best way to take care of them, probably to the point of getting rid of them altogether.


I was taking shots for about six months, but then it became disruptive to my job (in my previous career.) I was supposed to get shots for a total of 3 years, tapering off in frequency. Even after only six months, I noticed a significant improvement.

Now that I work in a cleanroom (where, obviously, there is zero pollen), instead of outside, my allergies are much better too. But I plan on talking to the allergist again, and devising a new plan. I have no plans of taking any medication for the rest of my life. 🙂
 
If your health insurance will cover it, go to an allergist. Have them test you to determine your specific allergens. Bite the bullet and get desensitization shots. They don't hurt (really, I had them for five years, the needle is so small that you rarely even feel it go in). I used to have nasty allergies, I was sick all the time (runny nose, sore throats, itchy eyes and ears), and was doped up all the time on actifed. Thought I was allergic to pollen and molds, but found out that I'm not allergic to them at all, it's dust mites and animal dander. I've been off the shots since last June, and I feel great.
 
Originally posted by: BigDan
If your health insurance will cover it, go to an allergist. Have them test you to determine your specific allergens. Bite the bullet and get desensitization shots. They don't hurt (really, I had them for five years, the needle is so small that you rarely even feel it go in). I used to have nasty allergies, I was sick all the time (runny nose, sore throats, itchy eyes and ears), and was doped up all the time on actifed. Thought I was allergic to pollen and molds, but found out that I'm not allergic to them at all, it's dust mites and animal dander. I've been off the shots since last June, and I feel great.
Click to expand...

So the desensitizaton are not continual (they end at some point) or do you have to get shots for the rest of your life? I had the shots for about 10 months many many years ago and I don't recall that they helped me.

How long until you noticed results?

Thanks.
 
one remedy ive heard that works for some people is to eat local honey, sounds wierd but some people swear by it
 
Originally posted by: rnmcd
Originally posted by: BigDan
If your health insurance will cover it, go to an allergist. Have them test you to determine your specific allergens. Bite the bullet and get desensitization shots. They don't hurt (really, I had them for five years, the needle is so small that you rarely even feel it go in). I used to have nasty allergies, I was sick all the time (runny nose, sore throats, itchy eyes and ears), and was doped up all the time on actifed. Thought I was allergic to pollen and molds, but found out that I'm not allergic to them at all, it's dust mites and animal dander. I've been off the shots since last June, and I feel great.
Click to expand...

So the desensitizaton are not continual (they end at some point) or do you have to get shots for the rest of your life? I had the shots for about 10 months many many years ago and I don't recall that they helped me.

How long until you noticed results?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Like I said above... I was on a 3-year plan. It was to start off as shots twice a week for six months, and then once a week, then twice a month, etc. But my work schedule at the time didn't allow it, so I ended up quitting the treatment even before six months. But I have noticed a difference, overall.

It depends on the person, but it may take a year before you notice results. This is a long term, pretty much permanent solution... Not a quick fix. And I'll bet 1000 times more healthy than loading up on antihistamines and decongestants all summer.


 
Originally posted by: AUMM
one remedy ive heard that works for some people is to eat local honey, sounds wierd but some people swear by it
Click to expand...

I tried eating loads of local honey then I went to the extent of taking a great deal of bee pollen. The honey didn't seem to do anything but the bee pollen made my throat and inner ears itch so badly that I couldn't continue.
 
Originally posted by: Wingznut
Originally posted by: rnmcd
Originally posted by: BigDan
If your health insurance will cover it, go to an allergist. Have them test you to determine your specific allergens. Bite the bullet and get desensitization shots. They don't hurt (really, I had them for five years, the needle is so small that you rarely even feel it go in). I used to have nasty allergies, I was sick all the time (runny nose, sore throats, itchy eyes and ears), and was doped up all the time on actifed. Thought I was allergic to pollen and molds, but found out that I'm not allergic to them at all, it's dust mites and animal dander. I've been off the shots since last June, and I feel great.
Click to expand...

So the desensitizaton are not continual (they end at some point) or do you have to get shots for the rest of your life? I had the shots for about 10 months many many years ago and I don't recall that they helped me.

How long until you noticed results?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Like I said above... I was on a 3-year plan. It was to start off as shots twice a week for six months, and then once a week, then twice a month, etc. But my work schedule at the time didn't allow it, so I ended up quitting the treatment even before six months. But I have noticed a difference, overall.

It depends on the person, but it may take a year before you notice results. This is a long term, pretty much permanent solution... Not a quick fix. And I'll bet 1000 times more healthy than loading up on antihistamines and decongestants all summer.
Click to expand...


I wonder if any doctors allow patients to give themselves the shots? Leaving work twice a week for the 6-month period would be tough to do.
 
Originally posted by: rnmcd
I wonder if any doctors allow patients to give themselves the shots? Leaving work twice a week for the 6-month period would be tough to do.
Click to expand...
It depends on the severity of your allergies. You may not have to go twice a week.
 
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