Allergies again

[Soror]

I finally want to get this looked at as we have met our high deductible and it will cost me considerably less. 

My allergies have gotten worse the past few years with the worst being in the fall.

I struggle with fatigue all fall.

And seem more prone to illnesses where I wasn't before, pneumonia one year, the flu last year in September with lingering coughs that took forever to go away. Coughing so bad I would nearly throw up.

I take Zyrtec currently and it helps but I still have that post nasal drip and the tightness in my chest is starting.

I've wondered if I have a variation of asthma.

Who should I see first? I'm assuming an allergist would be the first call? What should I expect?

I want to feel better and not have all fall suck when the weather is so nice I want to be out and not suffer for it.

[PeterPan]

Radical thought. Turmeric. Yes, the tightness with the allergies is asthma. I did the whole inhalers, sick more often, blah blah. You can pick up a peak flow meter ($15 on amazon) and check it throughout the day. Now I take 3-4 turmeric a day (vitamin shoppe brand) and am off the inhalers. 

Do you take vitamin C? That also helps tamp it down. I take 2 capsules 4X a day. I used to take it 3X a day but now I take a dose with my thyroid meds to help them absorb better. 

I had been getting sick over and over, bronchitis, pneumonia, ugly ugly. Now I can get a bug and KICK it. I was also just reading that the vitamin E I started taking helps the immune system. There are different forms. The alpha *lowers* inflammation and the gamma *raises* inflammation. I was on a kind with both but now I'm switching back to a brand that has only alpha. I started researching the inflammation because that was what the pulmonologist, the chiropractor, everyone was telling me, that I had a lot of inflammation. And the turmeric specifically tackles the inflammation. I also take some ginger, bromelain, etc. But the turmeric is magic. There are studies on it for asthma. 

I'm not saying it's the cure all to everything, haha, but it might do something you'd like. Then you could see where you're at. And Vitaminshoppe is doing their twice a year BOGO sales, so the prices are great.

[wintermom]

If you've never seen an allergist, I'd go. There is a lot of good information to glean, such as what you are actually allergic to (there may be some surprises), which allergens are worse with higher humidity, how to reduce your exposure to allergens, etc.

You may have exercise-induce asthma that's tied to your allergies (I do), and you can get a puffer to help with that. I only use my puffer before exercising outdoors in high allergy season. It's been very helpful, but I haven't needed it since I've gotten my other allergies under control (diet elimination).

You may also be a good candidate for allergy shots, as your symptoms seem quite severe. My symptoms are so mild that shots wouldn't be much use.

My dh and I were both using daily nasal sprays and zyrtec, but we been able to reduce our allergy symptoms by minimizing exposure. Firstly, we removed all carpeting in our bedroom (and eventually the whole house), no pets in the bedroom, keep windows closed, vacuum instead of sweeping and dusting. And my dh wears a buff around his neck in cold weather to stop his gigantic, vomit-inducing coughing. 

Good luck!! Allergies aren't fun.

[Wheres Toto]

I have allergy-induced asthma and fall is definitely my worse time of year.  

I take 1 Benedryl tablet (1/2 dose) as needed, and Flonase daily.   I've also found making sure my Vitamin D levels are up helps a huge amount.  I drink Emergen-C Immune every day and also take Vitamin D capsules.   I do have an inhaler that I use as needed, which is not very often at all.  Zyrtec and Claritan don't work for me at all and Allegra and Singular make me crazy moody and cranky.

I went to an allergist and came up allergic to everything.  Literally.  Everything furry, fuzzy, hairy or feathery, bugs, all grasses, all trees, all flowering plants, and most foods.   My elimination diet would have started with plain chicken.    It also cost a couple thousand dollars with insurance.    I've never had anything resembling an anaphylactic reaction to foods so I mainly just pay attention to how I feel when I eat certain things.  I've figured out walnuts are a big allergy symptom trigger, apples cause a minor reaction, pineapple a strong reaction, some things give me headaches, etc.   A food journal was helpful.  

[PeterPan]

57 minutes ago, wintermom said:

we been able to reduce our allergy symptoms by minimizing exposure.

Yup. I got a Roomba and run it religiously. Makes a huge difference. The bedroom especially is important because you're in there so long. Op can use the peak flow meter to track throughout the day and see. If she's worse at night or worse when doing school work, then that tells you where to target improving first.

[Soror]

1 hour ago, PeterPan said:

Radical thought. Turmeric. Yes, the tightness with the allergies is asthma. I did the whole inhalers, sick more often, blah blah. You can pick up a peak flow meter ($15 on amazon) and check it throughout the day. Now I take 3-4 turmeric a day (vitamin shoppe brand) and am off the inhalers. 

Do you take vitamin C? That also helps tamp it down. I take 2 capsules 4X a day. I used to take it 3X a day but now I take a dose with my thyroid meds to help them absorb better. 

I had been getting sick over and over, bronchitis, pneumonia, ugly ugly. Now I can get a bug and KICK it. I was also just reading that the vitamin E I started taking helps the immune system. There are different forms. The alpha *lowers* inflammation and the gamma *raises* inflammation. I was on a kind with both but now I'm switching back to a brand that has only alpha. I started researching the inflammation because that was what the pulmonologist, the chiropractor, everyone was telling me, that I had a lot of inflammation. And the turmeric specifically tackles the inflammation. I also take some ginger, bromelain, etc. But the turmeric is magic. There are studies on it for asthma. 

I'm not saying it's the cure all to everything, haha, but it might do something you'd like. Then you could see where you're at. And Vitaminshoppe is doing their twice a year BOGO sales, so the prices are great.

Interesting, I've taken turmeric but haven't been consistent, I'll check it out. TY I take Vit C but not always every day.

54 minutes ago, wintermom said:

If you've never seen an allergist, I'd go. There is a lot of good information to glean, such as what you are actually allergic to (there may be some surprises), which allergens are worse with higher humidity, how to reduce your exposure to allergens, etc.

You may have exercise-induce asthma that's tied to your allergies (I do), and you can get a puffer to help with that. I only use my puffer before exercising outdoors in high allergy season. It's been very helpful, but I haven't needed it since I've gotten my other allergies under control (diet elimination).

You may also be a good candidate for allergy shots, as your symptoms seem quite severe. My symptoms are so mild that shots wouldn't be much use.

My dh and I were both using daily nasal sprays and zyrtec, but we been able to reduce our allergy symptoms by minimizing exposure. Firstly, we removed all carpeting in our bedroom (and eventually the whole house), no pets in the bedroom, keep windows closed, vacuum instead of sweeping and dusting. And my dh wears a buff around his neck in cold weather to stop his gigantic, vomit-inducing coughing. 

Good luck!! Allergies aren't fun.

We don't have any carpet and I try to be dilligent with keeping the cat out of my room. I had dh get a stronger filter for the worst times of years. I'll be interested to see what testing might show. As long as it isn't chocolate 🙂 I know I don't tolerate more intense exercise as much in the fall but haven't had any horrible episodes, mostly I avoid anything too intense. A couple of years back I couldnt' do any exercise at all without feeling horrible but it isn't that bad now. 

34 minutes ago, Where's Toto? said:

I have allergy-induced asthma and fall is definitely my worse time of year.  

I take 1 Benedryl tablet (1/2 dose) as needed, and Flonase daily.   I've also found making sure my Vitamin D levels are up helps a huge amount.  I drink Emergen-C Immune every day and also take Vitamin D capsules.   I do have an inhaler that I use as needed, which is not very often at all.  Zyrtec and Claritan don't work for me at all and Allegra and Singular make me crazy moody and cranky.

I went to an allergist and came up allergic to everything.  Literally.  Everything furry, fuzzy, hairy or feathery, bugs, all grasses, all trees, all flowering plants, and most foods.   My elimination diet would have started with plain chicken.    It also cost a couple thousand dollars with insurance.    I've never had anything resembling an anaphylactic reaction to foods so I mainly just pay attention to how I feel when I eat certain things.  I've figured out walnuts are a big allergy symptom trigger, apples cause a minor reaction, pineapple a strong reaction, some things give me headaches, etc.   A food journal was helpful.  

I tried Flonase last year and it helped but shot up my pulse and messed with my sleep. Zyrtec and Claritin both seem to help but I've not tried the others so I don't know how they compare. I just had my D levels checked, I generally supplement all fall winter and spring but cut back in the summer with being outside so much. I'm waiting to see where I'm at before starting again. I know I feel better with levels around 80.

[Soror]

I got an appointment made for Sep 29, no allergy meds for 7 days before for the allergy testing, ack!!! Feeling hopeful, cross your fingers lady for some answers.

[wintermom]

1 hour ago, soror said:

I got an appointment made for Sep 29, no allergy meds for 7 days before for the allergy testing, ack!!! Feeling hopeful, cross your fingers lady for some answers.

Good luck with the 7 days and at the testing. Try to get a print-out of the results if you can as you may not remember every item you're allergic to if the list is long.

[Soror]

3 hours ago, wintermom said:

Good luck with the 7 days and at the testing. Try to get a print-out of the results if you can as you may not remember every item you're allergic to if the list is long.

Certainly, will do that! I like copies of all my test results. Thanks for the reminder!

[sbgrace]

I'm glad you got in so soon. I'm sure you'll get some answers. Hopefully you will be able to ID the allergens and get an answer on asthma (I'm guessing you do have asthma based on your description). 

You might try to take showers before bed/avoid bringing allergens to bed, especially during that medication free week. It may help some. 

Have you tried a nasal steroid spray, like Nasocort?  

[Pen]

In addition to 

Allergist 

 

also consider 

 

 environmental medicine specialist  and

 

functional medicine doctor

 

 and naturopath 

 

and pulmonary specialist 

 

You may get other answers and options even if allergies are confirmed.   

 

[Soror]

15 hours ago, sbgrace said:

I'm glad you got in so soon. I'm sure you'll get some answers. Hopefully you will be able to ID the allergens and get an answer on asthma (I'm guessing you do have asthma based on your description). 

You might try to take showers before bed/avoid bringing allergens to bed, especially during that medication free week. It may help some. 

Have you tried a nasal steroid spray, like Nasocort?  

Good idea, I need to do a good clean of the room this weekend too, hopefully those things help. I tried Flonase but it pushing my RHR up and interfered with my sleep.

[Soror]

Got my vit d back, currently at 35 so back on that.

O2 at night has went from 97-99, 96-100, and last night 93-98. Unfortunately, I don't have stats before stopping meds I'm anxious to see how much lower it will drop.

[MEmama]

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