Seasonal allergy sufferers

[peapod1980]

OOh yuk. We live in the House of Snot. Both kids have allergies, which will blow up into the the asthma bark if they are not on their regular meds. We finally seem to have the right combos to avoid bad trouble-

Kate- a.m. Singulair, Flovent inhaler, Nasacort nosespray
- our allergist recommends using a saline nosespray a few minutes
before the regular nosespray

p.m. Zyrtec, Flovent

Allergy shot once a week, which has made all the difference- no ER visits anymore, no coughing all night!

When the pollen was making her stuffy and have a gooky cough, used Ryna-tuss with success. Sometimes Sudafed.


Will- a.m Advair, Allegra, Astelin nosespray
p.m. Advair

Both kids have albuterol inhalers if they start the barky cough, which was about a once a month occurrence before these meds. I wasn't a huge fan of medicating these kids, but they were miserable, and now they are great! The respiratory stuff really kicks their butts and you don't realize it until they feel better for a stretch of time, and you think "Eureka"! These meds really DO work!

Wow. How did you finally reach the magic potion for each of them--trial and error? I'm surprised allergy shots haven't even been mentioned by our doc, much less the suggestion of seeing a specialist...? I keep hearing from people that eventually you find what works and realize it's possible to feel normal during this time of year. At this point, I can't even imagine it.
seagrovelover, that's what happened here over the weekend--her eyes were almost swollen shut!

 

[Sheila]

I take Singular. It seems to do the trick. Unless I am forced against my will to work all weekend in the yard helping spread pine bark! Stupid pine bark!

 

[Jdarg]

Wow. How did you finally reach the magic potion for each of them--trial and error? I'm surprised allergy shots haven't even been mentioned by our doc, much less the suggestion of seeing a specialist...? I keep hearing from people that eventually you find what works and realize it's possible to feel normal during this time of year. At this point, I can't even imagine it.
seagrovelover, that's what happened here over the weekend--her eyes were almost swollen shut!

Allergy testing- the kids were getting sick year round and surprise, surprise, allergic to things that are around all year- molds, dust mites, cats mostly. I freaked about the cats, but our allergist said even if we got rid of them (and they are old ), their dander will be in the house for the next 10 years anyway. What would I have done with 2 elderly cats? I vacuum alot and try to keep the cats off their beds- ha!

Despite all the meds, Kate was a bit bleary eyed and stuffy during the heaviest pollen weeks- that's when we gave her the Ryna-tuss. Took the edge off, but not perfect. As far as the perfect combo, it was trial and error. Frequent visits to the allergist and charting their progress (or lack of, which is when we would make a medicine change). The only recent change has been switching Will's nosepray from Nasonex, which gave him nosebleeds.

 

[Ocean Lover]

Allergy testing- the kids were getting sick year round and surprise, surprise, allergic to things that are around all year- molds, dust mites, cats mostly. I freaked about the cats, but our allergist said even if we got rid of them (and they are old ), their dander will be in the house for the next 10 years anyway. What would I have done with 2 elderly cats? I vacuum alot and try to keep the cats off their beds- ha!

Despite all the meds, Kate was a bit bleary eyed and stuffy during the heaviest pollen weeks- that's when we gave her the Ryna-tuss. Took the edge off, but not perfect. As far as the perfect combo, it was trial and error. Frequent visits to the allergist and charting their progress (or lack of, which is when we would make a medicine change). The only recent change has been switching Will's nosepray from Nasonex, which gave him nosebleeds.

So the Astelin doesn't cause nosebleeds? I may need to look into a switch on that one. Our insurance suggested it but I just haven't made the switch.

 

[ShallowsNole]

Oh man...I am in treatment with my eye doctor for allergic conjuntivitis - have had it for YEARS and doc was uncomfortable with me using Opcon-A three or four times a day . Been using the medicated eyelid scrubs and been on doxycycline for a month, and really seems to have helped until last weekend. Took a plane trip to Orlando and back and I don't know if it is allergies or airplane air, but my eyes looked like Satan when I came home Saturday. Still not real clear - and my head hurts, and I sneeze. Am taking Singular and an Advair inhaler, and have albuterol if I need it...

While I don't feel good, I'm an adult and can deal with it. The one I feel for is my son, who has inherited my allergies and his dad's tendency towards asthma. Earlier this week, his nose was running non-stop (and don't you love it when they wipe their nose with their arm and then wipe their arm on their pants!) and now, the left side of his nose is completely clogged, he feels it in his head, and he has the sneezes too. He stayed home from school today as he advised he didn't want to be miserable in school again. He takes Claritin and Singular, but they didn't stop this from happening. I'm heading home in a few minutes with Sudafed, Breathe Right nose strips (I hate those things but they seem to work) and some of the new Shower Soothers.

I thought the rain we finally got would help, but my family seems to have gotten worse!

 

[peapod1980]

Allergy testing- the kids were getting sick year round

I don't know why our doc hasn't done testing or referred her to an allergist. Maybe we're not conveying well enough just how miserable she is.
I just got off the phone with my SIL, who's a physician, she's suggesting giving the Singulair a try since it works differently. Hoping the doc will call this out for us today.

 

[Jdarg]

So the Astelin doesn't cause nosebleeds? I may need to look into a switch on that one. Our insurance suggested it but I just haven't made the switch.

Not yet- he has been on it 3 months.

 

[audie]

it is terrible here too. between trees budding, grass being mowed, etc. i am stuffed up all the time. i don't take anything for it tho, most stuff makes my blood pressure go up so i don't even bother.

 

[peapod1980]

it is terrible here too. between trees budding, grass being mowed, etc. i am stuffed up all the time. i don't take anything for it tho, most stuff makes my blood pressure go up so i don't even bother.

Hey, audie, you didn't give any professional input here, gull!
Called the doc, he agreed to let Girl Peachild try the Singulair. So, hoping for good results with that.
ktschris, we're going to the game tomorrow, and I really want her to feel well enough to go!

 

[audie]

Hey, audie, you didn't give any professional input here, gull!
Called the doc, he agreed to let Girl Peachild try the Singulair. So, hoping for good results with that.
ktschris, we're going to the game tomorrow, and I really want her to feel well enough to go!

sorry pea, i'm off the clock for another 2 hrs ;-) this whole allergy thing is really individualized, each person just has to find what works for him/her - i think it's all trial and error. just my opinion....