I’ve suffered from allergies for decades. In the 1990s, I was so wracked by allergy symptoms I went to an allergist who tested me. Cats, molds, pollen, and grasses scored highest as allergens that triggered my watery eyes, runny nose, constant sneezing, and asthma. After 10 years of getting the allergy shots, I was finally partially desensitized so I wasn’t getting sick every Spring and Fall (my worst allergy seasons). But this Spring has been rough for allergy sufferers in Western New York. Pollen counts have been at record levels. A few weeks ago, I starting taking my Allegra and have escaped the torments many of my friends are dealing with. Claritin and Zyrtec do not work for me. Benadryl works for me, but puts me right to sleep. But Allegra relieves my allergy symptoms without drowsiness or other side-effects. If you have allergy problems, consider trying Allegra.
Indians are great believers of alternative medicine like homoeopathy. It’s the first line of treatment for my own family and it has worked wonders over the years. I once used it to overcome a food-related allergy and get rid of my dust-triggered sinusitis for good. I remember meeting an old woman who said she couldn’t get out of bed due to severe arthritis. She took homoeopathy for six months and one fine day got up and came to the clinic to meet the doctor herself. I have heard some truly amazing stories about the remedial benefits of homoeopathy that requires faith and patience in the treatment.
Sounds good, Prashant. I’ll have to look into homoepathy.
George, in my 20s I used to get hay fever just like being tear-gassed. I seem to have grown out of it, but I’ll keep your Allegra recommendation in mind.
Dan, that’s a great description of what it feels like to have an allergy attack! Gassed! When it comes to allergy medications, it’s a trial-and-error process. I’ve been on several drugs, but Allegra works best for me. There’s an over-the-counter 24-hour version of Allegra that does everything the prescription version does.
It’s the one that works best for me too, but this year has been the worst I remember in Detroit.
Patti, my students–who lack good health insurance–are overcome with allergy symptoms right now. My classrooms sounded like tuberculous wards with all the coughing during FINAL EXAMS this week.
Jackie’s sister gets allergy shots every year. We don’t have those allergies, though I am somewhat sensitive to mold. Jackie does use decongestants to sleep at night. I agree, Benadryl is a great sleeping pill!
Jeff, Benadryl is a common ingredient in most sleep aids. When I take Benadryl–day or night–it knocks me out!
Maybe it was growing up out in the country, with masses of weeds, shrubs, trees. Maybe it was just lots of out of doors time as an active child, maybe it was just being in the West. Maybe none of those things, but I’ve never suffered any allergies, not to plants, medications, foods, animals. The only thing that seems sure to make me sick is spending time in airports. I always get sick after that, bad cold, flu, etc. It’s one of the reasons I don’t fly.
I’m glad this works for you, George, but it’s a shame you still have to be limited in where you can go, what you can do.
Rick, I was an out-door kid growing up, too. But when I hit my 30s, the allergies started each Spring. In my 40s, I had allergy symptoms Spring and Fall. The allergy shots helped and so does the Allegra. But most of the time in the Summer, I’m in the A/C/. Sadly, you can develop allergies anytime.
I feel your pain, George. The hubster and I have been suffering horribly this month – and I even get allergy shots year round. I use Allegra-D, too, but what I REALLY miss is Seldane. That was the best antihistamine EVER. It caused arrhythmias in some patients, but only those who were taking certain other drugs. Unfortunately, the FDA took it off the market in 1997. Boo.
BV, I hope you and yours find improvement during this terrible allergy season. Things improved here in Western NY when we had several days of rain. But, I’m still taking my Allegra. I’ve never been on Seldane, but everyone I know who did take it rave about its benefits.
Linda has bad allergies, too, and has been taking shots for years.
Be honest. Have you ever been tear gassed?
Bob, I’ve never been tear gassed, but I did get a shot of pepper-spray by accident.
Pepper spray is probably worse.
An allergy occurs when the body’s immune system has an exaggerated reaction to a usually harmless substance. The most common allergens (substances that trigger the allergy) are dust mites, molds, pollen, pets with fur or feathers, stinging insects, and some kinds of foods.
Kelsey, all of those allergens bother me. But Allegra keeps them in check.