My Allergy Update

[WebLady]

Ok I finally broke down and went to the allergy specialist today. He was really cool, I usually hate Drs. Anyway, he said my nostrils were slightly swollen and grayish when they should be light pink :bbeek: Gross! He said this was common in chronic allergy sufferers.

We talked a little about shots and the different meds available. He said he liked nasal sprays best. (Nasal sprays usually make me sneeze though) So he gave me some samples of that and the Zyrtec along with a prescription of both in case I decided to fill it. He also told me that Zyrtec has the side affect of severe drowsiness and in some rare cases it has caused ppl to become comatose :bbeek:

Aside from all that, I am worried about taking the Zyrtec because my insurance doesn't cover it, so it would cost me $90 a month. (the nasal spray would be a little less) And since I've developed indoor and outdoor allergies, I would likely have to take it forever. So I am considering the shots.

With the shots I'd probably have to have them once a week for several months. (test would have to be done to be sure) But then there is the chance that I could build up an immunity to the allergens and no longer need the shots or meds (and the shots would be less money) So I may just do that.

Anyone else ever dealt with allergies and had good luck with the shots?

[CindySue]

The only time Ive had shots was for a severe allergic reaction. Ive taken Allegra and Claritin. Both of which worked very well for me.
My boys were on Zyrtec and neither had problems. Now it did make one sleepy so he took it at night, the other couldnt take it at night because he wouldnt be able to go to sleep.
My middle son also used Singulair.

[WhiskeyGirl]

I have allergies to Canola when it's flowering. YOu should see me, I'm just miserable. Anyhow, if I were you I'd take whatever is supposed to work the best and not worry about the cost of such things because it is your health and your health is important. IMO, one should never put a price tag on their health! Good luck Brandi, I hope you are feeling better soon! :)

[cowboysbride]

I have seasonal allergies, I like Claritin tables and the only nasal spray that has ever worked for me is the OTC Afrin 12 hr no drip stuff....sorry you're going thru this hope you get to feeling better!

[LaceyinPgh]

I have the seasonal allergy thing too. When it acts up I take Benadryl, the other stuff doesn't work. Unfortunately Benadryl does in fact comatose me so I usually have to suffer without it. Have you called your insurance company to see if you can get a waiver to have them fill your prescription of Zyrtec? I know for YEARS my migraine medicine wasn't covered so my doctor called the insurance company and just let them know that there was no way I would be able to live without that medication. And eventually they covered it. (Although this was after SEVERAL trips to the ER at over $1000 a pop for them to pay before they realized that the $20 was WAY more cost effective.)

Trust me, if you call and ocmplain enough, they will in fact cover it. Just make a daily pest of yourself.

As for allergy shots. They are pain in the ***. It eats into your schedule. I never took them as my family doctor was against having me allergy tested. But, we tried them with Ellie. Every other day going to the vet (eventually you taper down to just once a month) SUCKED. Plus, she still has allergic reactions to things, they just aren't as bad. But the first few days that things or blooming in the spring or when mold is growing in the fall, Ellie and I are passed out in bed with our Benadryl comas.

[theweddinghelper]

I hope u feel better! I hate allergies! When I was younger I didn't have any but for yrs. now I have had allergies and it doesn't seem to get any better! Ive seen a doc. about it once(who wasn't a specialist by the way) and he just prescribed me something w/ out testing me for anything or recommending anyone. Benadryl makes me way too sleepy, I can not take it unless I am about to go to sleep! I've tried everything from Tylenol severe allergy, nasal spray and so forth. I think the nasal spray worked well for me but I still had to take an allergen pill.

[WebLady]

Well I talked to the Dr about the shot therapy and now I don't know that I want to go that route. He said you take shots for 3-5 years in most cases, starting with 1-2 a week then 1-2 a month. But there is no guarantee that it will work and I may still have to take meds during and after :bbconfused:

Plus, I don't want to go through the skin test :fear: :bbeek: Funny though, the nurse said since I have that big tattoo on my back they may not be able to do the test properly anyway. Apparently they use most of your back with they scratch you with allergens. Then they shoot the stuff under your skin on your arm! I don't like the sound of all that.

So I took some Zyrtec today, I felt ok most of the day but now I'm feeling a little sneezy, so I don't know if it is really working. But this is the first day I've taken it, I have 6 more samples so I will take those and see how I feel. Good news is it doesn't seem to make me drowsy ;)

I was looking at getting precriptions online and found a place in Canada where I could get Zyrtec for like half the cost I can get it here!

Anyway, I guess that is all I have to say about all that for now.

Thanks everyone for your support!

[WhiskeyGirl]

How does it work for shipping it through the boarder though? I'd be worried about that Brandi...they are very sticky at the boarder with all types of packages these days....

[mariaandmanish]

Brandi, I know from experience how terrible it can be to have allergies. Mine are year-round allergies, and aggravated additionally because I am a teacher and the kids bring the stuff in to school, so I can't get away from them no matter what. I ended up seeing an allergist because every other month I was getting severe upper respiratory infections and bronchitis. All because of allergies!

Anyway, I went the shot route. It was once a week for about 6 months, then 2 times per month for about 4 months, then once a month for another 6 months. Then I was done. The shots were not so bad, and they helped a lot. They didn't completely get rid of the allergies, but I haven't had an upper respiratory infection in 2 years!

The only concern that I had with the shots, is that there is a possibility of the allergic reaction from the shot. Basically what happens is that they inject you with the allergin. Each time you go, they increase the concentration. That way you build up an immunity. Most of the time, the shots don't bother you. Sometimes, they itch. Twice, I ended up with hives. Do I think it was worth it anyway, definitely. I would consider it. Good luck with this decision!

[WebLady]

How does it work for shipping it through the boarder though? I'd be worried about that Brandi...they are very sticky at the boarder with all types of packages these days....
I didn't think about that *hmmm* I will look into that if we decide to go that route.

And Maria, thanks for sharing your experience! I am keeping the shot thing in mind but I'm gonna see if I can handle it will meds.

I don't know what to do, I really don't want to take shots or meds for the rest of my life. This is the first year that I've had more than just the seasonal pollen type allergies. I am fine outside now, but there is something in the house that is getting to me. It isn't really bad all the time, I have good days, ok days and really aweful feelings day. So I just don't get what it is. It has been a little better since we finally got rid of all the carpet in the house ;) DH joles about it being all in my head :bbrolleyes: I sort of wish it was :wink:

[WhiskeyGirl]

I would email the company and see what they say. Perhaps they ship to the States sometimes...maybe they might just rip you off...it's a good thing to check into! :)

[WebLady]

I would email the company and see what they say. Perhaps they ship to the States sometimes...maybe they might just rip you off...it's a good thing to check into! :)
Yep, I'll definitely do some research before I buy anything ... DH is good about that kind of thing ;)