Allergy Woes

[WebLady]

I had typed out a really long and rambled post then looked at it and thought I needed to edit it for you all ;) So to make a long post of rambled thoughts a little shorter ...

I can only guess what it is I am allergic to, but I would really rather not have to go through the whole scratch and prick test to find out for sure. Especially since I don't really want to do the shot therapy ... I am sort of freaked about it all. I would rather do a blood test (and I hate those too), but apparently the allergist doesn't normally do that. I guess I may try to call another Dr and see about the blood test. But then what am I going to do with knowing if I don't want to do the shots?

The worst of my allergies seem to bother me late at night and in the mornings. So I had thought there was something in our bedroom that gets to me; but I have tried sleeping on the couch in the living room with not much difference ... granted the bedroom is right next to the living room ... I don't know.

I take Zyrtec, but it doesn't last the whole 24 hours it is suppose to; my PCP said I could "piggy back" it with some Benadryl so I have been doing that lately and it works fine most of the time ... but I still feel like poo in the mornings and end up kicking DH out of bed about every other night or so. I have even tried taking the Zyrtec at night with not much difference.

I worry if I don't better control my allergies they will get worse, or will cause other problems as I get older ... like developing asthma or something. And then I wonder what damage taking drugs just about every day all the time will do to me as I get older?!

So I am torn; I want to do something about my allergies, for myself and my husband, but I am worried/freaked about the whole shot thing. For one, I don't want to go through the testing and then I really don't want to have to get a shot every week for who knows how long (3-5 years they say) for a "chance" that it might help "some" ... plus they say you still have to take pills while you are getting all the shots ... just doesn't sound worth the trouble or the risk to me.

So what else can I do? I guess I need to ask a Dr again, but I am afraid they will just push the testing/shots on me :bbconfused:

I keep reading about natural treatments like herbal supplements and such and wonder if something like that would help. And then I thought maybe we could get an air purifier, but they are expensive and would it really work, and how many would we need for the whole house? Anyone tried anything like this; herbs and/or air purifiers?

DH jokes about trying hypnotherapy and/or acupuncture; not sure I want to do that either :huh:

So if anyone has gotten through all this THANK YOU ... I would love to hear stories and any tips and other option ideas anyone might want to share.

[tk93]

I'm pretty much the same way - symptoms are worst in the morning and i have no desire to do the whole scratch test. I had pretty bad allergies along with asthma in my childhood. I was on all sorts of medicine but nothing really helped until my mom took me in for accupuncture treatment in my teens. They also did put me on some herbal stuff, but I'm not too sure what was in it. I can tell you though that for the remainder of high school, all through college, and until just a few years ago, my allergies were totally in check. I still took OTC pills several days at a time each year during allergy season, but prior to the treatment I was constantly on all types of meds and even then could never breathe through my nose due to all the congestion.

Symptoms have kicked in again in the past few years and I started taking oral meds on a regular basis. It helps, but never lasts 24 hours as they are marketed to be. FH is a doctor so I take his word for it when he tells me I can take more than 1/day, so I got in the habbit of taking 1 in the morning and 1 at night, but even then, I required nose strips to breathe easier at night. My PCP is amazed every time she sees me that I haven't complained about my allergy symptoms, but I've lived with them for so long they don't really bother me too much aside from the breathing part.

The most recent treatment I tried was the nasal sprays. They worked WONDERFULLY.. but one of the side-effects is nose bleeds and mine was bleeding constantly so I had to stop using it. At this point, I'm thinking of going in for another accupuncture treatment. A lot of people are apprehensive of it (FH doesn't believe in it), but I've sought out accupuncture treatment for various pains and aches in the past, and I seriously think it's helped me a lot.

[Whitewater]

Shots are not that bad. Don't worry about it. I get three shots for the allergic stuff that was worse, and they are SO WORTH IT. Yeah, I have to take pills (ask your doctor about Singulair, if Zyrtec isn't working for you, I take Singulair and Allegra, plus a Claratin in spring and fall when they get really bad) as well as the shots, but the shots aren't bad.

You go and get stuck, then they make you hang around the doc's office for 30 minutes just in case you have a reaction. I've never had one, but better safe than sorry. I like being forced to be there because it gives me a half-hour in which I can totally relax and not have to do anything.

They start you slow and then ramp up the dose. I spent a year going once a week, then it was every other week, and finally this winter I didn't have to go at all. Now, because it's spring again, I'm back to the 1x/week schedule, but probably not for long.

I'd rather have the shots than have to give up my animals and my garden and my trees and grass. Definitely. I'll do whatever it takes to be a normal person and have a normal social life (every one of my friends has a cat or a dog at their place, sometimes both) and be able to walk in the park or in a field without having breathing issues.

And the scratch test isn't so bad. It doesn't really hurt and the worst part is having to take all the extra Benedryl and waiting around in bed for the stuff to work its way out of your system -- after your appointment, I mean.

HTH,

Whitewater

[Nekochanpurr]

Oh my goodness woman, try the shots. They really aren't that bad.. And you'll feel SO much better! Trust me, i know how you feel. :( I used to sit outside on the porch (when we had a house..) because i'd become so congested that i couldnt' breath, so i needed the cold air.. Then i developed asthma from it. If anything, you could try and if you don't like it, stop. But i have a feeling it'll help if the pills won't. I've gone from drugging myself up all the time to taking an allergy pill only when my throat starts draining (cuz its freaking annoying.). :)

[WebLady]

I have tried a couple of different nasal sprays, I forget which ones. They either make me sneeze or give me bad headaches.

I haven't tried Singulair; the last time I went to the Allergist, he said that was just for asthma. I will have to ask again about it for allergies and see if I can try that.

I am going to try to talk to an allergist again soon (got a call in now), but I really would like to try some other things before I turn to the shots.

Anyone tried any herbal stuff that works? Anyone used an indoor air purifier that helps?

[kgvettegirl]

Find a local bee keeper (within a 50 mile radius). Honey gathered from your local area will help you to control your allergies. You use it in cooking and raw and it helps.

[WebLady]

Find a local bee keeper (within a 50 mile radius). Honey gathered from your local area will help you to control your allergies. You use it in cooking and raw and it helps.
I have heard mixed reviews about that. Plus I have more to deal with than pollen so I don't know if it is worth it.

I talked to the Allergist office referred by my PCP today; the soonest appointment they have is March 24th, so I guess I will go talk to them then. I want to talk about all of my issues and concerns and see if they can suggest anything other than the shots. I will ask about Singulair too.

I found this herbal stuff online - AllergiClear (http://www.nativeremedies.com/products/allergiclear-healthy-nasal-sinuses.html?ysmchn=BIZ&ysmcpn=BizRate&ysmtrm=allergies&ysmtac=CMP) - I wonder if this works. I read some stuff elsewhere online about all the herbs in that stuff supposedly being good for allergies ... anyone tried this or something else similar that helped them?

And I thought about an indoor air purifier; anyone have something they have used and could recommend?

[Kfancii]

I feel your pain Brandi! I went through the whole testing process, and then started the shots a few years ago, but I didn't keep them up. Not because they were painful, but it was super inconvienent to have to go to the doctor 3 times a week!

One of the things that has helped me the most is a nasal rinse kit put out by NeilMed.

http://www.neilmed.com/usa/products.php

It is similar to the neti-pot, but I find this alot easier to use. The premeasured packets of the salt mixture make it a breeze to do in the shower each day. Not sure if it will help, but for less than $12 and it being available from the drug store, it might be worth a shot.

Hope you feel better soon!

[WebLady]

I feel your pain Brandi! I went through the whole testing process, and then started the shots a few years ago, but I didn't keep them up. Not because they were painful, but it was super inconvienent to have to go to the doctor 3 times a week!

One of the things that has helped me the most is a nasal rinse kit put out by NeilMed.

http://www.neilmed.com/usa/products.php

It is similar to the neti-pot, but I find this alot easier to use. The premeasured packets of the salt mixture make it a breeze to do in the shower each day. Not sure if it will help, but for less than $12 and it being available from the drug store, it might be worth a shot.

Hope you feel better soon!
I have heard of the neti-pot stuff and saw something on TV the other day for a similar nasel spray version.

So do you still take pills with this stuff?

[Kfancii]

I have heard of the neti-pot stuff and saw something on TV the other day for a similar nasel spray version.

So do you still take pills with this stuff?

I will sometimes take over the counter allergy meds, but I don't have anything prescription anymore.

This is really a wash, not a spray. You fill the bottle with about 8 ounces or more of warm water, add the packet of salt mixture and then place the bottle tip in one nostril, squeeze and close your throat off to make the water come out your other nostril. Then switch sides and do it all over again. (Sounds icky, but with some practice, isn't so bad) I still have the occasional salt water down the back of my throat thing happen, but have gotten alot better about keeping the water where it is suppose to be.

It is basically just salt water and no drugs, so I wasn't so sure how it would help, but it cleans out all the pollens and makes a world of difference for me.

[Nekochanpurr]

Find a local bee keeper (within a 50 mile radius). Honey gathered from your local area will help you to control your allergies. You use it in cooking and raw and it helps.


I do this and put it in my tea. It really does help. *^^*

[WebLady]

I will sometimes take over the counter allergy meds, but I don't have anything prescription anymore.

This is really a wash, not a spray. You fill the bottle with about 8 ounces or more of warm water, add the packet of salt mixture and then place the bottle tip in one nostril, squeeze and close your throat off to make the water come out your other nostril. Then switch sides and do it all over again. (Sounds icky, but with some practice, isn't so bad) I still have the occasional salt water down the back of my throat thing happen, but have gotten alot better about keeping the water where it is suppose to be.

It is basically just salt water and no drugs, so I wasn't so sure how it would help, but it cleans out all the pollens and makes a world of difference for me.I may go see if I can find something like that and try it.

I do this and put it in my tea. It really does help. *^^*I don't know; I guess if I ate honey regularly normally I would be more apt to try this.

Thanks for the tips everyone; keep them coming!

Anyone use any herbal supplements?

[tk93]

This is really a wash, not a spray. You fill the bottle with about 8 ounces or more of warm water, add the packet of salt mixture and then place the bottle tip in one nostril, squeeze and close your throat off to make the water come out your other nostril. Then switch sides and do it all over again. (Sounds icky, but with some practice, isn't so bad) I still have the occasional salt water down the back of my throat thing happen, but have gotten alot better about keeping the water where it is suppose to be.

It is basically just salt water and no drugs, so I wasn't so sure how it would help, but it cleans out all the pollens and makes a world of difference for me.

I've tried this too at the recommendation of an uncle whose entire family swears by it. It does help! You don't even need to buy any kits.. just get a bulb syringe and use saline solutions. It works the same way. If you want detailed instructions, you can google and find instructions on cleansing your sinuses and nasal passages online.

[WebLady]

I've tried this too at the recommendation of an uncle whose entire family swears by it. It does help! You don't even need to buy any kits.. just get a bulb syringe and use saline solutions. It works the same way. If you want detailed instructions, you can google and find instructions on cleansing your sinuses and nasal passages online.
I just looked it up online a little bit ago and found that too ;)

I am gonna go to the drug store later and see what I can find.

[Kfancii]

I just looked it up online a little bit ago and found that too ;)

I am gonna go to the drug store later and see what I can find.

The thing I like about the kit is that everything is already measured and it is quick and easy to put together the solution every morning. I have to be out the door by 6:30 a.m. to get to work by 8:00, so I need all the help and convienence I can find! They aren't expensive either, and I like the bottle set up better than the neti pot and bulb syringe too. I hope it works for you Brandi- might take a few days, but I bet you notice a difference.

[WebLady]

I feel your pain Brandi! I went through the whole testing process, and then started the shots a few years ago, but I didn't keep them up. Not because they were painful, but it was super inconvienent to have to go to the doctor 3 times a week!

One of the things that has helped me the most is a nasal rinse kit put out by NeilMed.

http://www.neilmed.com/usa/products.php

It is similar to the neti-pot, but I find this alot easier to use. The premeasured packets of the salt mixture make it a breeze to do in the shower each day. Not sure if it will help, but for less than $12 and it being available from the drug store, it might be worth a shot.

Hope you feel better soon!
I I ended up getting something similar to try since it was a little cheaper. It is basically the same concept only in a mist form. The website you linked in your post actually sells something like this too.

So I tried it and I was a little stuffy and now I can breathe freely! I am going to try it again tonight and hopefully I won't get stuffy at night and kick DH out of bed again. If this works I will get the other stuff when I get paid again :)

[Kfancii]

I I ended up getting something similar to try since it was a little cheaper. It is basically the same concept only in a mist form. The website you linked in your post actually sells something like this too.

So I tried it and I was a little stuffy and now I can breathe freely! I am going to try it again tonight and hopefully I won't get stuffy at night and kick DH out of bed again. If this works I will get the other stuff when I get paid again :)


Glad you found something to try. I hope it works well for you!

[ChibiAiChan]

I take claritan, get an allergy shot and have air purifiers and have no problems now =)

[laurenbee]

I know this has already been seconded and thirded, but definitely try neti or some other form of nasal/sinus rinsing.

Has anyone gone from spray to neti or vice versa and noticed any difference? Sometimes the "old way" of doing something has benefits that are hard to identify-- like holding one's head at an angle using a neti pot to allow flow through the passages. And then sometimes easier/premixed is best because you do simple things more often and the pre-set saline concentraiton is always right. :D

[WebLady]

So today has been one of the best days in a long time for me. I have still had a few random sneezes here and there, but nothing too bad ... and I woke up feeling pretty good too.

The only thing different I have done in the last few days is the saline nasal rinse thing ... maybe there is something to it after all.

DH made a point I didn't think of though; does this stuff dry out your sinus' and mucus membranes, like in a bad way I mean? Should you rinse several times a day (maybe 2 or 3) or just once a day?

[Kfancii]

Glad to hear that you are feeling better Brandi- I don't think that the nasal rinse would be bad, but I'm not sure about the nasal mist. With the product you bought, are you actually rinsing your nasal passages? Does the product come out of your nose or stay there? With the bottle rinse, you are actually pushing the water and all the allergans out of your nose, so there is really very little left to do anything negative. I only use it once a day when the allergans are bad, and once a week when they are not as heavy.

[WebLady]

The mist rinse stuff I got does come out of your nose, but not out the other side like the stuff you use. I think I am gonna get some of that kind.

Yesterday I felt good in the morning and most of the day, but today I woke up feeling like cr@p again.

I trimed the dogs nails last night and that always gets to me. But I work a mask and did the rinse afterwards and felt better. But some time late last night/early this morning it, or something else got to me again.

[fireprincess2009]

FH and I both have allergies. We both take allergy pills and FH swears by Naselcrom - a saline type mist. My nephew uses it too and it helps him a lot. FH sprays it a few times a day. It's basically salt & water so a couple times a day should be ok. You have to be consistent with it though to get the best results.

Years ago, when we were in an old house (with old carpets) we decided to tear out all carpeting and get an air purifier. It was a stand alone model (at the time I think we paid around $150) and seemed to help with his cat allergy. Taking carpet out might not be an immediate option, but it's something to think about. There is a new air purifier product on the market that we're looking into for our house that works through your central air system. I forget what it's called but if you're interested, I'll find out from FH.

Good luck, I know how you feel...

[tk93]

So today has been one of the best days in a long time for me. I have still had a few random sneezes here and there, but nothing too bad ... and I woke up feeling pretty good too.

The only thing different I have done in the last few days is the saline nasal rinse thing ... maybe there is something to it after all.

DH made a point I didn't think of though; does this stuff dry out your sinus' and mucus membranes, like in a bad way I mean? Should you rinse several times a day (maybe 2 or 3) or just once a day?

Oh yay! So glad it's helping!!
As for whether it's bad for your sinus, I don't believe it would be if you're just using the saline solution.. it's the same stuff as what your natural tears are made of, so it's not like you're introducing foreign chemicals to your body. FH was telling me that ENT docs frequently recommend doing this rinse once a day to patients with sinus problems. I'm not sure if doing it more frequently would be helpful or harmful in any way.. I could ask though.

I stopped doing the rinse because I couldn't get used to the feeling of the solution in my sinus passages, but maybe I'll try again!

[tootsie]

I think the best way to deal with allergies is by trying to get your body used to allergens - try to eat/drink things with honey when seasons change - honey at certain seasons has pollen and other things in it which can boost your immune system and help minimize allergies. Alphalpha is good for allergies too. Have a cup of tea with alphapha; it helps a lot. Eating right and taking vitamins helps too, especially vitamin C. I've turned away from over the counter/prescription drugs because as a child/teen, I was given medicine frequently during seasons (spring and fall) and my body got used to it, and I started feeling yucky. This may not be the case with everyone, but it was for me. Sometimes, if I absolutely need it, I'll take Sudafed once or twice when the seasons change, but I don't rely on it. Over the counter/prescription drugs for allergies make me feel yucky and irritable. Try natural things; they are better for your body.

[WebLady]

Today I feel pretty cr@ppy (though it has been worse) and tried the rinse/mist stuff and it didn't seem to do any good this time.

We took all the carpet out of the house a few years ago; now we just have a couple of rugs, but we vacuum regularly.

I am trying to get back in the habit of taking vitamins regularly again. I don't really eat honey and don't drink tea.

[tootsie]

Today I feel pretty cr@ppy (though it has been worse) and tried the rinse/mist stuff and it didn't seem to do any good this time.

We took all the carpet out of the house a few years ago; now we just have a couple of rugs, but we vacuum regularly.

I am trying to get back in the habit of taking vitamins regularly again. I don't really eat honey and don't drink tea.

Take some vitamin C. Hope you feel better soon!

[WebLady]

So I got some of that other nasal rinse stuff and tried it today. I have sort of felt weird (a little headache I think) ever since (though I can breath through my nose fine), but don't know if it is related.

The Benadryl thing works, but makes me sleepy and Zyrtec doesn't last. I tried Claritin again yesterday and it seemed to work well for most of the day, but it also didn't last the full 24 hours.

Apparently I was making noise again last night cause DH was on the couch this morning. He said it has been a while since it had bothered him before today.

I am trying to deal today (not too bad) and take some more before I go to bed and hope we both sleep better tonight.

I have been taking vitamins again too.

I still have a Dr appt on the 24th.

[tootsie]

So I got some of that other nasal rinse stuff and tried it today. I have sort of felt weird (a little headache I think) ever since (though I can breath through my nose fine), but don't know if it is related.

The Benadryl thing works, but makes me sleepy and Zyrtec doesn't last. I tried Claritin again yesterday and it seemed to work well for most of the day, but it also didn't last the full 24 hours.

Apparently I was making noise again last night cause DH was on the couch this morning. He said it has been a while since it had bothered him before today.

I am trying to deal today (not too bad) and take some more before I go to bed and hope we both sleep better tonight.

I have been taking vitamins again too.

I still have a Dr appt on the 24th.

Hope your appointment goes well. Allergies are awful; I feel your pain.

[WebLady]

Thanks Bernadette :)

Well I took the Claritin before bed last night (at about 11pm) and woke up feeling stuffy about 4:30am, so I took some Benadryl and went back to bed. DH said he didn't notice me making any noises so he slept ok. I was a little snotty when I got up about 8:30, but wasn't too bad; I feel ok right now and haven't taken anything since the Benadryl early this morning.

I really wish I knew what was going on with me; I hope the Dr is able to help me figure it out.

[WebLady]

So I was suppose to go to the Allergist on the 24th, but the office called and said the Dr had an emergency and had to go out of town. So I rescheduled the appt. for tomorrow.

I was thinking about it today and one of the things I wanted to discuss was trying Singular; I thought about how some drugs aren't covered with Kaiser and figured I should check about this one.

Well it seems Singular is not on the list of approved drugs with Kaiser :roll: Apparently I can request to have it approved for me and still get it, I just don't know what that would take or what it would cost. I have an email into member services to find out.

If I can't get this I really don't know what else to do ... I really don't want to have to do the shots.

I have been taking Zyrtec and Clairiton (alternating, not together) at night, with a Benadryl piggy back mid day sometimes (but the Benadryl makes me sleepy big time). It helps some, but I still wake up feeling pretty crappy most days. Earnie says I don't make as much noises at night as I use to, but he still ends up on the couch sometimes. If it wasn't for this, I think I could deal with it with OTC drugs.

But it always gets worse in the Spring with the pollen, so I don't look forward to that! I won't be able to leave the house without getting drugged up first; or wear a mask.

I have tried that nasel rinse stuff; it seems to help some, but I still have symtpoms just about every day.

I guess we could try to get one of those air cleaner things. I am gonna ask the Dr what other things I could try.

Wish me luck ...

[WebLady]

I went to the Dr today; I was about 10 mins early for my appointment, but didn't get seen for over an hour later :snide: I don't know why Dr's never seem to run on time :bbrolleyes:

Anyway, once I saw the Dr I almost felt like he was one of those fast talkers that barely listened to me; I even said that to him ;) I did get to ask all my questions though ... not sure if I feel better now or not.

He gave me some samples of Singular to see how it works for me and/or if I have any weird side affects from it. If it works well we will see what it would take to get Kaiser to approve it for me and what it would cost.

I got some blood drawn to test for some things I might be allergic too; once that comes back (7-10 days) we will see what to do next. I may still end up doing the skin scratch test too.

Someone had mentioned if I have a deviated septum that it might cause breating problems at night; I didn't think that was my problem, but I asked anyway ... he said mine was fine and he didn't think my issues were anatomical.

He asked if I had dogs and before I could get out that my dogs don't bother me and try to explain they type of dogs they were, he tried to say that was likely my problem since they sleep with me ... He said "well lets just see if it comes back that you are allergic to dogs" with a snarky smile on his face :snide: He said everyone tries to say their dogs don't bother them because they don't want to get rid of the dogs.

OK fine, I can see that, but not everyone has the type of dogs I do ... many have never even heard of them let alone how different they are than most other dogs. I am sure the tests are going to come back that I am allergic to dogs because I know that some dogs bother me (and cats definitely do), but my dogs really don't bother me.

I just can't imagine the dogs are part of my problem. Sure they sleep with me, but it is not like they sleep right in my face. Plus I do not have bad symptoms every day and yet they are with me everyday. And if they did bother me wouldn't they bother me more?! It seems if I was allergic to them I would not be able to have good days and still be around them.

In general today has been a pretty good day so far; I haven't taken anything since a Benadryl before bed last night. I woke up feeling a little stuffy, but it has been far worse. I have had a few random sniffles and sneezes today, but nothing too bad. If it was like this all the time I would be fine!

Overall the Dr said I may need to do several different things to combat my symptoms ... including pills and nasal sprays, maybe the shots, and avoidance as much as possible.

So I guess we will see what the tests say and in the mean time I will try the Singular samples he gave me. I am going to take them at night, so I will take one before bed tonight.

[tootsie]

Hope your new pill works out well. Do you have seasonal allergies or allergies all the time?

[WebLady]

Hope your new pill works out well. Do you have seasonal allergies or allergies all the time?
Although it is definitely worse in the Spring with all the pollen and such, it is pretty much something all the time. I do have good days and bad days though.

[tootsie]

Well, I hope you start feeling better soon. Best of luck with fighting those annoying allergies. I know what you're going through.

[WebLady]

Well, I hope you start feeling better soon. Best of luck with fighting those annoying allergies. I know what you're going through.
Thanks :)

So I guess you have some sort of allergy too?

[val24]

i was going to say get samples (since it is a brand name drug) and see if it works before you get a rx from him.

I know tons of people that have animals and are allergic to them but dont get rid of their pets they just find something that helps out.

to get approval your dr has to call kaiser and usually fill out a form that you need this drug. it can take a couple days for it to get thru, he can give you more samples why you are waiting for the approval.

i know that people go online (or get it from their dr) but they have coupons that take an additional 20-50 dollars off your co-pay. You can search the web for it. I always get tons of people that bring that stuff in. It always help also.

good luck hope it works for you :)

[tootsie]

I am allergic to pollen and cats.

[WebLady]

So it has been nearly a week on Singulair and I am not sure it is working.

I posted about it in the "twitter" thread and Whitewater replied -
11:55am cst Taking time out of my somewhat busy schedule today (fixing financial messes, among other issues) to note that for me, Singulair took a few weeks to get through the initial wierdness. Finally I started taking it when I woke up, instead of before bed, and that helped immensely.


Whitewater
I thought I would continue the convo here :)

The Dr did say to give it a couple of weeks; I think I have about 3 or 4 weeks of samples.

I take it at night because I seem to get stuffy and make noises that disturb DH sometimes at night. So I thought if it worked it would be strongest taken before bed. Well that does not seem to be the case because I still seem to get stuffy half the time and I woke up DH last night again ... and I woke up feeling crappy.

I will give it more time, and I do think it helps some, at least during the day. It has been pretty polleny (lol) out lately and I have only had a few sneezing fits. But later in the day, I guess when it starts to wear off, I start to feel it more.

I just wish there was something that worked 100% all the time; especially at night.

I hate it that I disturb DH; I know it upsets him even though he says it is fine after he storms out of the bedroom to go sleep on the couch. I got up with him this morning at 3am and said I'd sleep on the couch, but he refused and said he'd be fine.

He says it is not really snoring but weird noises I guess because I am usually half stuffed up or something ... and he is a light sleeper. He has said it hasn't been as bad lately as it was a few months ago, but I still feel bad when it happens.

Anyway, the Dr did say I might have to do a combination of things. He gave me a Rx for something else too, hydroxyzine I think it is, but I haven't looked it up or filled the Rx yet.

[WebLady]

So I got the blood test results today; I was surprised that dog dander came up higher than the cat dander when in real life it is clear than I am far more allergic to cats. While certain types of dog bother me, not all do and mine don't.

Of course the blood test is not always especially accurate; I may end up having to do the skin test too ... I don't know if it will help or not though since I don't plan to do the shot therapy.

!Cat Epithelium and Dander (e1) IgE. . . . ! 1.13 H! 2 H! (Moderate Level)
!Dog Dander (e5) IgE . . . . . . . . . . . ! 5.58 H! 3 H! (High Level)
!House Dust (Hollister-Stier) (h2) IgE . . ! 1.89 H! 2 H! (Moderate Level)

Everything else tested for was very low to undetectable levels ... so I guess I am not mold sensitive.

I just got this emailed to me and haven't actually heard from the Dr and don't know what he will suggest.

This really doesn't do much but confuse me more ... but apparently I don't have any (at least common) food allergies, so I guess that is good.

[WebLady]

So I heard from the allergist's office today; funny thing is they only mentioned that my results came back as I was allergic to cats and dust.

I asked about the pollen thing and why I obviously have symptoms related to pollen, but nothing showed up. The lady I talked to said it was common since the pollen counts are so extremely high here that even people that have only minor sensitivities (that wouldn't show up in blood work) would still have reactions to it ... I guess that makes sense.

The only suggestions I was given was to take the Singulair and hydroxyzine at night then as needed I could take like Claritin or Zyrtec during the day or try a nasal spray.

Kaiser doesn't cover the Singulair normally, so I have to get the allergists to fill out a form and try to get it approved. At first someone at Kaiser told me it would be like $100 so I wasn't going to bother. But then today the pharmacist looked at my account and said if it was approved it would only be $20 for me. So I guess I am gonna go back with the form sometime in the next few days to try and get that in the works.

If I can't find a drug regimen that works then I guess I will have to look more into the shot therapy thing.

[WebLady]

So I had been taking the Singulair for a while; at first I wasn't sure if it worked, then it seemed to kick in and I was feeling better. Still had to take something else every now and then, but things were under control.

Then I started getting upset stomach, dizziness, nausea and such; I thought it was related to the Singulair, so I stopped taking it. I have been off the Singulair for 2 or 3 days now and I don't feel sick/dizzy anymore, so I am pretty sure I was having side effects and I guess I am not going to take Singulair anymore.

Of course now my allergy symptoms are back in full force :( Today has been rough; I hope it will level off later in the day. I guess it is back to the drawing board to find something to work for me without crazy side effects.

Thanks for listening to me whine some ;)