I guess the title says it... I have been miserable for the past couple of weeks.

I just love the Spring and Fall weather and beauty around me BUT these allergies are driving me crazy... When will this end???

How do you cope?

Allegra-d !

In our house we use: DD, DH and I use generic Claritin. DD supplements as needed with generic sudafed PE and generic benadryl. DH supplements as needed with generic benadryl and prescription Nasonex. I supplement with generic benadryl and sudafed PE. DS takes Benadryl 4 times a day and supplements with Nasonex.
I've found just plain old benadryl to work best with DS. Claritin doesn't do a thing for him.

Benadryl works best for me as well but makes me hyper so I can't take at night.

Old Sudafed (with Pseudoephedrine) used to work but haven't tried the new formula. I see that Allegra mentioned above has Pseudoephedrine but is through pharmacy.

I'm hoping to do over-the-counter for the few weeks a year that I'm bothered. Claritin doesn't work.

I'm such a non-medicine person but it is really driving me crazy and I can't sleep and... whine, whine, whine. I'm tired. Nighttime is one I need something for.

I bought some sleeping tabs awhile back (made me hyper as well) and looking at the label today, the active ingredient is the same as in Benadryl! I have generics of both so I'll use for daytime. It really does dry me out though.

Appreciating the posts! Thanks.

The old allergies are ongoing here too. I am allergic to Allegra so doc doesn't like to give me any of the really strong drugs. I try to limp through with my Rhinocort Aqua nasal spray and Patanol for my eyes when they get watery, itchy and red. I usually have problems until the next frost next fall. I go from the tree and pollen problems to the ragweed etc. and that is with all of the precautions that I try to take. Some days I think I should live in a bubble!

One thing I've found is that for my family often medicines need to be Rotated-- I used Rhinacort spray, it eventually stopped working, and then switched to Nasonex-- works great. Also, my DS seems to need to switch from Claritin, Zyrtec and Allegra. When one stops working after 6 months or so switching to another works great!
HTH someone!

Ugh. I am in one of those "can't get a deep breath" modes. I looked up the allergy forecast, and tree pollen levels are high.

I have been a grumpy PITA all day, and I know it is because of allergies.

We all take the Walmart version of Claritin every day. I guess I better start supplementing it with benadryl or something.

My eyes are currently KILLING me. anyone know what allergy med is best for that?

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rhapsody112@gmail.com

jakki... Benadryl. Any type of antihistamine (ie Claritin) that works for you. Claritin doesn't work for me.

DH has terrible allergies this time of year. He uses Alavert and it works pretty well for him. I mostly get sinus pressure/headaches and the old Sudafed (with Pseudoephedrine) works best for me most of the time. I hate that I am made to feel like a criminal when I buy the old Sudafed because they keep it behind the counter now and you have to give them your drivers license so they can put your information into the database. The new Sudafed does absolutely nothing for me.

I have seasonal AND indoor allergies. I am pretty much allergic to everything, so I suffer year round and also have asthma. On top of that I have short eustation tubes (ears) so everything backs up in my ears and I get terrible sinus headaches. Right now I am on Flonase and Astelin which work very well together. I was taking Rhinocord AQ which worked great for awhile and then lost its effectiveness, so my allergist switched me to the Flonase & Astelin combo. I did allergy shots for five years and it did nothing to me. I am one of those 20% of people who shots do not help <ugh -- what a waste of time & money to find that out>.

My youngest DS appears to have seasonal allergies. I give him Claritin and it works well for him right now.

Sarah........mom to Jason & Devin

My poor son woke up at 5am this morning complaining about a headache. I gave him ibuprofen and he attempted to sleep a bit more. Then he got up, and attempted to get ready for school. But his headache didn't go away.

He finally fell asleep, and woke up again at 9:30am. I had him at school by 10am, as he was feeling a bit better, and told him to give it until lunch and if he still didn't feel well I would pick him up.

I ended up picking him up at 12:30pm. Gave him ibuprofen and benadryl.

I know it is allergies because he said his head really hurts if he bends over (mega sinus pressure). Poor kid.

I live in WA, and the weather here is constantly changing. It stinks for people with allergy and sinus trouble!

Can I ask you guys what is the difference between Nasonex, and Flonase? I have chronic sinusitus, and the dr prescribed Nasonex, but with my crappy prescription coverage it is going to cost me $56 for a months worth. The pharmacist recommended getting a script for flonase, but I had the worst migraine of my life last thursday that the dr thinks is from the sinus problems so I really don't want to lack quality of the med to save some $. Is it really a bid difference?

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If you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now, quiet! The're about to announce the lottery numbers... - Homer Simpson

Got back from the grocery store w/ some 24hr Claritin and some Visine-A drops for the eyes. I'll let you know how it works!

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rhapsody112@gmail.com

I use Patanol prescription eye drops. Zatidor eye drops are now OTC. I prefer Patanol. I use Members Mark generic Claritin from Sam's, about $15. for 300. (yes, 300!!) Equate brand Sudafed PE and Benadryl from Wal-Mart.

Zyrtec daily. We're a zyrtec family, C's shiners get BAD during HIGH pollen days.

Nasonex/Flonase - Same thing? I dunno. We use nasonex daily too. We're actually scheduled for adenoid removal (slightly enlarged) in a mth. Doc said 50/50 chance of helping the congestion.

Jason

We are in NC (I guess you can see that on my post) and right now, DS (11) and DH, along with DD (7) to some degree, are having a terrible time of it right now. DS came home yesterday due to allergy related problems. He was outdoors for PE and it just sent him over the edge. He takes generic Claritin daily, 365 days a year. But for a few weeks in the spring and fall, we have to add Benadryl or something similar to help get him through. DD is now taking Benadryl or Alavert as needed, and DH -- he's a mess today! I've heard from a few people that they're (whoever that it is, LOL) saying this spring is going to be particularly hard for people w/ allergies.

Hope everyone feels better soon.
Suzanne

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I am fairly sure that Nasonex & Flonase do the same thing. Flonase will be cheaper because there is a generic. My allergist just switched me to Flonase and Astelin (both nasal sprays) and they are working very well for me. This is the first allergy season in years where I am not miserable!!!

Sarah........mom to Jason & Devin

I'd be careful about doing Claritin AND Benadryl at the same time before checking with the doctor. Both are antihistimines.