Hi Ladies,
I have never really considered myself an allergy sufferer but for the past week or so I have had some extreme symptoms that make me wonder what the heck in going on. First, yesterday and today my eyeballs are itching horribly. I can't stop rubbing them and now they are all red and watering like crazy. Also, the top back part of my mouth into my throat are itching so bad I have to use my tounge to "scratch" it. Finally, I've had an alternating stopped up nose and then running and blowing for several hours. Is this what allergies look and feel like? Is there something funky going on in the atmosphere these last several days because like I said before, I've never had problems like this and I've been in Texas for the last five years. I'm desperate for some relief so if you think it's allergies, what OTC medicine do you most recommend that won't cause drowsiness? Thanks for your personal experiences and advice. Oh, I forgot to mention that the end of my nose itches like crazy, I've nearly rubbed my skin off scratching it!
Thanks everybody for you advice on meds. I'm heading out to Walgreens very shortly so I'll be checking out the ones you mentioned to see what might work best for me. I know now to have a little more compassion when someone mentions to me that their allergies are flaring up - LOL - now that I am getting a little taste of the irritating symptoms. I like the story about scratching with the nipple brush, I've been almost that desperate the last few days! :-)
Sounds like allergies to me! With all the winds and dry weather, the pollen is bad. I don't know of any over the counter that works without making you sleepy (like Benadryl). I take allegra and nasonex nose spray from dr.
Sounds like allergies. Unfortunately, you can get them at any age. Zyrtec will help and now that it is OTC you can try it without a doctor.
Good Luck
L.
Hello G W
Ditto! it's allergy season! you should get tested to see what you're allergic to. Claritin works pretty good for me. days like yesterday and today I'll also take a 12 hr sudafed (get it behind the pharmacy counter). I don't have to take it every day. when it's really bad, I take it 2-3 days in a row. stop milk for a couple of days to see if it helps you. once you know what you're allergic to, then avoidance is key. something I keep repeating, anyone allergic to ragweeds, should find out what those are... like: sunflowers, safflower, dandelions, lettuce, echinacea, chamomille. the 2 hardest ones to avoid is sunflower and safflower oils. they put it in everything! good luck, get tested, avoid it as much as possible. ~C.~
i had the samething a few weeks ago and i really don't think it is allergies. i think it is something going around. after the scratchy throat i had this horrible headache for 3 days. the first day was the worst. my head hurt so bad right above my eyes, i thought it was going to blow up. i put heat on my head at first and then switched to ice and went back and forth between the two. i found the only thing that help was mucnex for sinus. it is in an orange box. this finally gave me some relieve and stopped the nose from running as well.
good luck!!!
The same thing happened to me when I moved to Texas from Illinois. I got allergy tested and found out what I was allergic to and to see what I could avoid. Turns out I became allergic to all pets, which didn't bother me when I was younger, like cats and dogs. And I'm severely allergic to Mt. Cedar and many different molds and grasses. I use Zyrtec, which is over the counter and Nasonex, which is a prescription. I need to use both to get relief. I cannot use Claritin (OTC) because it doesn't work for me. You may only need Zyrtec, so see if that will help. My hubby uses Alegra which is perscription, or Claritin. My sister used to make fun of my allergies and a few years later she got them too, so she is very sympathetic now and uses Zyrtec too. I hope this is useful info. Good luck.
Your symptoms mirror mine exactly. I am allergic to Cottonwood trees and I've just noticed the tell-tale sign of them flying around in the air in the past week.
I use OTC Naphcon-A for my eyes and Claritin for my other allergies. This time of year, sometimes I need a boost with something like Nasonex to help.
Was talking to a friend the other day about how I nearly used a nipple brush to scratch my nose it's so bad...I really feel your pain.
If you don't feel any relief from the OTC you choose, you may want to visit your doctor for a prescription.
Good luck!!
It felt like I was reading about myself. We moved here from NJ. In NJ I had terrible allergies, once here I didn't suffer from any allergies and my husband had a terrible time with them. Now 5 years later he is no longer suffering but mine are getting bad!!! I don't know the solution but can feel your pain...hopefully someone can give us some good advice. M.
Yep - you've got allergies and as Josey said it's likely the cottonwoods that are getting to you. I have lots of allergies and my eyes just started itching this past week and then yesterday I noticed the white fluffies in the air. I do nasal irrigation daily (at nite) to help alleviate some of my allergy symptoms as that gets all the stuff that you could be reacting to out of your sinuses. I also use an herbal formula from Nature's Sunshine called ALJ - that has helped me tremendously. You can find that product at health food stores - Abundant Life in Lewisville carries it. I've tried all the other allergy medicines and Claritin only worked for me for one day (I did feel great that one day). I did have an Rx for zyrtec in the past that worked fairly well and that is now available OTC. Also, for folks with allergies, it's recommended not to sleep with your bedroom windows open or even have them open in the house at all.
I've got them as well. I've used Zyrtec and Claritin, and they have always worked with no drowsiness. However, those are becoming less effective for me - I think I've reached the point of making an appointment for an allergist!
One thing I do - I check www.pollen.com when my symptoms really flare up - that way, I know what to watch out for. They have an email program where they'll send you the "predominant pollens" for the day. So when I start to see mine showing up....I start to medicate (that way I'm not on something all spring.) Just a thought!
Sure sounds like allergies. I have bad outdoor and indoor allergies, I used to take Claritin and it really didn't work all that well for me. I just switched to Zyrtec and it works a lot better(it is non drowsy). I buy the CVS generic Zyrtec, works the same. I still have an occasional sneeze, but I am not itching my face/eyes like crazy. If your eyes get really bad, you can also use otc allergy eye drops. I hope you get to feeling better soon!
I'm right there with you! I'm going to try the Neti Pot today (after I find one!) -- Dr. Oz mentioned it on an Oprah episode for clearing out the nasal passages, and it sounds like they sell them at Walgreens and Walmart. I figure rinsing all the stuff out of my system is a good strategy. I was fine this season until yesterday, when I noticed the cottonwood trees were in full force.
My doctor had given me a sample of some allergy medicine that worked great, but I'd like to avoid having to medicate. I had taken Claritin when it became OTC, but I felt weird after taking it. It just dampened my senses so much that I felt I was in a fog. I might try the Zyrtec as a fallback to the nasal irrigation. It also helps to remove as much from the air as possible, so wash sheets and curtains, vacuum, and dust.
Good luck!
Hi GW,
I would try Zyrtec over the counter it does have antihistamine in it, or you can try and use the non drowsy benadryl. If thing are not better go to the Care Now clinic you can do web check in, just do a web search for the one closest to you. I use the one in Denton and they will take your insurance, it is possible you have an eye infection or an upper respiratory infection. If so they can also prescribe something stronger for the allegy symptoms
Good Luck,
K.
I have horribly itchy eyes and have finally found Zaditor, over the counter. Relief! J.
I have only been here for a year but I no longer have allergies like you did it got worse to a sinus infection, my second in two months. I am so over this. I was out a lot the last week & it just got worse. if you feel week, acky, I would go to your doctor & see what is wrong. I have major allergies but nothing like this. :( I hope you feel better soon & me too! :):)
First off.. welcome to Texas! I also experience the exact same symptoms as you do as I have seasonal allergies.. more affected while the trees/flowers are blooming... or even freshly mowed grass gets me everytime. There are a lot of OTC and I would recommend that you try something and stick with it for several weeks. Another words, don't grab something off the shelf and think after one dose you will be all better...if you are having allergies... they can last for a week or two or longer... so, you need something you can take daily as a preventative...ALSO, switch to the Puffs with lotion! Big difference. They will save the skin on your nose! Also, use a nasal spay for allergies..that seems to help as well..but again, use it daily..even if you don't feel like you will have any symptoms... it can keep it from starting up. Good luck! this too shall pass!
C.
I use Claritin. The big thing is consistancy. Even if you start to feel better- don't stop taking it till June. That was what my doctor even told me.
Good luck. I didn't get allergies till I was 'older' too.
If you buy some honey from a local honey farm, the honey will adjust your body to the local allergens and you will notice a huge difference. Sorry to hear of your suffering. The Farmers Market in downtown Dallas is a good source....
