allergies

[mellowtigger]

I've had allergy problems all my life. I'm very tired of them.

I'm having another round where even taking 2 antihistamines still isn't providing unobstructed breathing. This is the kind of thing that used to give me a temperature over 39.4C/103F when an infection developed inside the blocked mess. My first sinus surgeon thankfully "drilled some extra holes" in my head, so I don't get monthly infections any more, recurring about 2 weeks after the last 2-week round of antibiotics ended. Years of that is what led to my first sinus surgery. It still feels like the air is trying to kill me, though.

My usual line-up of drugs, in order of priority depending on the severity and duration of my symptoms:

1. 24-hour antihistamine: Xyzal/levocetirizine. No other 24-hour drug works for me. Rather, I hate the others' side-effect too much. They give me terrible restless leg syndrome.
2. 4-hour antihistamine: diphenhydramine Hcl. These are the kind that turn me into a zombie.
3. nasal spray: Nasacort/triamcinolone. When even the other 2 can't keep me clear, I add this one too.

I experimented, splurged, and bought a Navage unit this summer. It's interesting. Definitely more convenient, not nearly as messy as my usual methods. It seems to be a good design. Unfortunately, it seems less effective than a netipot. It's just not as thorough as tilting the head and getting that saline wash everywhere up there.

I'm ready for winter again. A good, cold, Minnesota winter that kills everything for 6 months. I wish I could just move to Alaska and live in an isolated dome home like that bubble guy from Northern Exposure. Or get a bionic nose with technology that eliminates all allergens from the air before my biological body encounters them.

Comments

[mallorys_camera]

I hope you feel better soon.

[mellowtigger]

I'm not terrible, at least. :)

Read the TMI...

I'm still on all 3 antihistamines, and I resorted this afternoon to using the Netipot (after using the Navage in the morning). I can feel that sensation of at least 1 something clogged up in there that rattles around as I breathe, needing to come out. Another Netipot saline or two, and it should finally dislodge, then it'll be clear breathing again.

[wispywillow]

I'm sure you've tried everything under the sun, but if you haven't tried it, see if Nasalcrom does anything for you. A doctor recommended it to me when I had COVID, and it was the only thing that cleared up my nasal congestion. It's inexpensive but hard to find, but it's available on Amazon.

You definitely know more about your allergies than I do, so I apologize if unrequested advice annoys you--it's certainly not my intention.

I'm sorry that your allergies are so bad. It sounds miserable :(

[mellowtigger]

Thanks, I haven't heard of that one before. I had to look it up. I'll try some and see how it works on me.

[mellowtigger]

I've been going outdoors in my yard only with face N95 filters recently. It's possible that I chose this test exactly at the time whatever allergen decided to ends its season. I'm down to just 1 antihistamine at the moment, plus the Nasalcrom. I tempted allergies by spending 1/2 hour digging in the front yard today (removing "weeds" and planting some new asparagus in its place) with no air filter on my face or nostrils. If I don't flare up, then I'll see what happens with only the Nasalcrom. I'm cautiously optimistic.

[wispywillow]

*fingers crossed* Let me know if it ends up working for you! If so, I'll keep the recommendation in my back pocket for anyone who has stubborn allergies.

[wispywillow]

Have you noticed any appreciable improvement with that nasal spray I recommended?

[mellowtigger]

It's mixed news. It certainly seems a lot better than doing nothing. It seems not quite enough to keep my sinuses happy by itself. I've been pushing my luck more than usual, gardening outside with no nose filter or face mask, leaving my bedroom window open on a cooler night or two. In the last 2 weeks, I've taken 2 or 3 of the 4-hour antihistamines, but I haven't been taking any of the others. Today is the first time I felt the need to use my Netipot. Once that seems to have fully drained, then I'll do another Nasalcrom dose.

So it's definitely better than a mixture of oral and nasal antihistamines. I might be able to get by with only it and a Netipot. I'm not sure yet. I still need to look up exactly how this stuff works. It has the benefit that I've not noticed any side effects at all.