Allergies

[Nightbird]

Ok boys and girls do you suffer from seasonal allergies like me? And if so what do you do about? What medicine works best for you.
From now until the first hard freeze in the fall I'm a stuffy sneezy miserable sick mess without allergy medicine. So what works for you guys and Ladies?

 

[firefighter02]

I generally stick with Vick's nasal spray.

I've tried the rest of it..and it doesn't work as well.

Allegra seems to work sometimes, but I have problems taking pills and hate feeling groggy.

Other than that...my only other trick is a hot shower when the headaches come.

FF

 

[Cakegirl]

I'm getting immunotherapy injections from an allergist. The course goes for 3 years, and because I'm hopelessly forgetful, I did about 1.5 years and then didn't make it for a while and I have had to start again. But it's worth it, because all my allergies are sooo much better.

Cakegirl

 

[manofsteel52]

It depends on the cause of your allergy problems. Summer is the only time I feel good. Memorial day thru Sep. The rest of the year pretty much stinks. Immunotherapy helped a lot for about ten years. My allergist died and I've yet to find another who has a clue about what they're doing. One thing that really helps the symptoms is saline rinses. During times when you can't do that, saline nasal spray helps.
Good luck! There's no easy answer. There are as many different remedies, it seems, as there are allergy sufferers.

 

[SXCRgirl]

I hate allergy season as well.

I take Allegra 60 MG and I don't suffer from drowsiness.

I usually just try and remember to take my medication with me so that I don't have to worry about it.

Good luck!

 

[Tedwar]

I use Nasarel, prescription from my MD.

Allergies are no fun, but with advice from an osteopath years ago, I changed my diet and sleep habits and, along with (fewer) pharms, I can mostly function now!

Tony

 

[blondie74]

I had no luck with prescription allergy medications, between plain just not working and falling asleep, I gave up. I now take Tylenol allergy sinus on the days when I can't breath, and when I have dry sinuses, I use a saline spray.

 

[dollface007]

I have a pretty bad allergy to dust, but i get seasonal allergies as well. As i kid, i got a shot from my allergist every week, and i've tried most of the allergy medications out there right now.

After all these years, i still think that Benadryl (or a generic substitute) is the best. But the major drawback is the extreme sleepiness you get when you take it. As an alternative, i use Flonase nasal spray. It works well w/o drowsiness.

As far as oral prescriptions, my health insurance insists that i go on Claritan before they will pay for any other oral allergy medications. Claritan does squat for me (as i found out under my old health insurance company), so i refuse. My brothers, however, swear by Allegra.

 

[SexyChele]

I have horrible allergies - and it is almost all year round! I use a couple sprays of Flonase and it works wonderfully for me. Clear sinuses and no drowsiness. Kinda expensive, even with insurance, but it works.

I also took allergy shots and that has helped quite a bit.

 

[sexy_geek_girl]

I used to use flonase. I don't know why I don't use it anymore besides the fact that my allergies aren't as bad.
Now, I use over the counter pills but they drowsiness and the feeling of being out of it almost makes the benefits not worth it.

 

[EJFan]

gotta be alavert

i have a CRAZY allergy to ragweed and some other spring/summer plants. so i totally empathize with you.

until recently, drixoral was the only thing that worked for me but it made my terribly tired. it worked really well though so i stuck it out. last year i started using alavert... it dissolves on your tongue and is good for 24 hours (and get this, it actually lasts for the whole 24hrs). i get no side-effects from it and wouldn't trade it for the world.

 

[curvacious]

generic claritin and singulair (since my allergies kick my asthma into high gear).
Used to take allegra and it worked pretty good but I would get just a smidge dizzy sometimes.
For those American's living close to Canada and want to try or do take Allegra on a regular basis----head across the border. It's over-the-counter there and much less expensive. I don't know if Clairinex is OTC yet up there (claritin was OTC there for years).

 

[Nightbird]

Thank you every one for all the great replies.
I live in Canada and bought some Claritin Over the Counter today. I bought the 12 hour stuff and so far it's worked really well for me.
Allegra, and the Generic Brand stuff don't help me at all.
I'm allergic to Rye, Ragweed, Dust, Peanuts, Mold (I live on the Great Lakes and it's getting warm and humid here) Grass and a few other things I'm sure.
I found a coupon online for Liberator has anyone tried it? I can get it over the counter here and it's made by Claritin. Anymore ideas or if you just want to commiserate please feel free to speak up.

 

[SweetErika]

Zyrtec works for me when it gets really bad (I don't know if it's available in Canada, but if so, I'm coming up to buy some). Rhinocort AQ is a cortisone prescription nasal spray that works really well for congestion and sinus problems. I like the spray because it doesn't have the side effects of pills. Benadryl at night also helps sometimes.