26 replies to this topic

[Lisa in Folsom]

This year is proving to be miserable! Does anyone have anything that has been effective?

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

Hi, Lisa. I used to have horrific allergies. Nothing helped -- no OTC or Rx. Nothing. So I started getting allergy shots from Dr. Asha Desai (1600 Creekside Dr.). The shots build up your immunities instead of pumping your system full of drugs. The down side is that they can take up to six months to fully work, so the first year you're still trying meds as a back-up. I've been taking shots now for approximately 12 years and I feel great. On a very windy day like today I sometimes have very, very minor symptoms, but that is rare and is nothing compared to how I was without shots.

[Lisa in Folsom]

Hi, Lisa. I used to have horrific allergies. Nothing helped -- no OTC or Rx. Nothing. So I started getting allergy shots from Dr. Asha Desai (1600 Creekside Dr.). The shots build up your immunities instead of pumping your system full of drugs. The down side is that they can take up to six months to fully work, so the first year you're still trying meds as a back-up. I've been taking shots now for approximately 12 years and I feel great. On a very windy day like today I sometimes have very, very minor symptoms, but that is rare and is nothing compared to how I was without shots.

Thanks, but, sneeze, I want, sniffle, something, blow, that can fix this, achoo, NOW, drip drip...

(and I do appreciate the suggestion, just feeling rotten and want an instant solution)

[nhardy]

I also get seasonal allergies (may-jun). As far as over the counter goes, Claritin did absolutely nothing to help. Allegra, same thing. The only one that seems to help is Zyrtec D. Usually behind the counter at the pharmacy.

[supermom]

This season is pretty intense!

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

Thanks, but, sneeze, I want, sniffle, something, blow, that can fix this, achoo, NOW, drip drip...

(and I do appreciate the suggestion, just feeling rotten and want an instant solution)

Oh, I understand. Been there, done that. But if you find that you suffer miserably and can't get sufficient relief from meds, you may want to consider the shots for a long-range solution on top of your best effort to treat symptoms short range. Just a thought.

[folsom500]

Oh, I understand. Been there, done that. But if you find that you suffer miserably and can't get sufficient relief from meds, you may want to consider the shots for a long-range solution on top of your best effort to treat symptoms short range. Just a thought.

Do you have to pay an office visit copay each time you get the shots ?
The one thing with the allergy shots is that it depends on if they can correctly identify what you are allergic to.
I have had the tests and know I have some allergies that kick in this time of year and in the fall but tests have never been able to determine what they are...

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

Do you have to pay an office visit copay each time you get the shots ?
The one thing with the allergy shots is that it depends on if they can correctly identify what you are allergic to.
I have had the tests and know I have some allergies that kick in this time of year and in the fall but tests have never been able to determine what they are...

No, I don't pay a co-pay every time I go in for a shot; it's not considered an "office visit." I do pay a co-pay every time they start a new bottle, though.

I think the skin prick test is pretty effective at identifying the things you're allergic to. Have you been tested before?

[mikat]

This year has been awful!!
For OTC, Sudafed works the best for me. I only take it during the day, since I can't handle being "wired" at night.
For a prescription, Flonase works well for me. It is a nasal spray. That's what I'm using now. I like it because it does the job (usually) and you apply it where the problem is. It is more localized than a pill and thus, I think, better for you.
If you call and tell (or e-mail) your doctor that you are having nasal allergy problems, most doctors have no problem sending a prescription over to your pharmacy. I think I obtained mine for a $10 co-pay. That's alot cheaper than some of the OTC allergy medicines.

[Lisa in Folsom]

I ventured out and got some Zyrtec and another big box of Kleenex. Fingers crossed. I have not had a test, it hits the same time every year. This year is more intense than others. I actually thought I had gotten past it. Foolish me!

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

My husband has been going to doctor Desai and getting shots every week, for the past 9 months. His co-pay is $15.00 dollars a week. Which totals about $60.00 a month, give or take.

That could be because of the insurance plan you're on. I do not pay co-pays. After you're established well at weekly shots you go every other week and eventually once a month. I'm pretty sure I didn't go weekly for 9 months, but then everyone is different.

Surprising that anyone would go get allergy shots for 12 years! I sure hope that doesn’t turn out to be the case for him, as he hates to take the time to do that, as it is. And, I’m not sure we could afford that after we retire.

Allergy shots are not a cure. They build up your immunities and then you have to keep taking them to keep that immunity up.



Nasal sprays are much more effective than pills and won’t have the tendency to make you sleepy as most allergy pills will. Be careful with Decongestants as they can rise blood pressure. If you take medication for high blood pressure do not use any Decongestants.

Some nasal sprays have steroids in them, which could lead to other problems.

[25or6to4]

This year is proving to be miserable! Does anyone have anything that has been effective?

While I don't know your financial or family situation, so my suggestion may not be an option for you, but there is way to avoid the onslaught of allergy symptoms every spring.

It's called moving to somewhere that your allergies aren't as bad.

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

While I don't know your financial or family situation, so my suggestion may not be an option for you, but there is way to avoid the onslaught of allergy symptoms every spring.

It's called moving to somewhere that your allergies aren't as bad.

That only works if you know what you're allergic to and know that the area to which you are moving don't have those same allergens. Testing would indicate those allergens.

[B&G]

I have always suffered from bad allergies as well and have tried everything. A few years ago I started a new approach to minimize the effects of the medication and the watery eyes/running nose. First take your medication at night before you go to bed. I take a 24 hour Zyrtex. That way it is working when you wake up. If you take your meds in the AM and then go outside within an hour or two the meds have not started working yet and you are exposed to pollen. On really bad days I will take a second pill, if needed. Also, shower twice a day. In the morning, and when you get home from work or after being outside. Get all that stuff of of you before you go to bed. This has not cured everything, but it has really helped. Good luck!