MetaChat - Seasonal allergies. What works for you?

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01 April 2009

Seasonal allergies. What works for you? →[More:] Do you take prescription drugs? OTC stuff? What's been effective? What's become less effective over time?

I just bought some OTC Zyrtec, but then I read up on it and determined that it would probably make me pass out at my desk, so I'm waiting until this evening to take it. God, I hope it works.

post by: mudpuppie at: 11:28 | 20 comments

I enjoy sneezing.

posted by BitterOldPunk 01 April | 11:32

Wait—you mean people still have allergies after they move away from Austin?

*loses all hope*

posted by Atom Eyes 01 April | 11:39

Benadryl is the only thing that has ever worked well for me and my allergies. But it knocks me out so I have to take it at bedtime. Used to be I used Drixoral for daytime sneezes (never worked as well, but enough for me to not have to worry about sneezing in someone's face unexpectedly) but apparently that was pure pseudo-speed so of course it's not manufactured anymore. I tried buying some other medication with pseudoephedrine in it once not long ago and felt like I was signing away my soul to get it, so I just stick with the sleepy stuff now.

posted by WolfDaddy 01 April | 11:39

I've taken Zyrtec every night for about 5 years now. Works great. It very much increases my energy level, since my main allergy symptom is an overwhelming tiredness.

It didn't work so well before I went on allergy shots, which is why I needed to get the shots to begin with--nothing was helping. For 3 years, I had to go every week to get a shot; the last year, it tapered off to once a month. Man, that was a major commitment, but nothing was working--I was tired all the time, with various rashes and sneezes and irritations. Now, I get a little stuffy in the spring, but that's about it--I sleep with the windows open, work in the yard, etc., like normal people.

posted by mrmoonpie 01 April | 11:47

I used prescription flonase when I lived in your town. One squirt in each nostril before I left the house (note: it never worked if I used it after I went outside, even for a couple of minutes).

It worked wonderfully.

posted by special-k 01 April | 11:50

Yeah, special-k, I had some flonase that I got as a sample, but I ran out about 2 weeks ago. I only now realize how well it was working. I need to get to the doc to get a scrip for it.

posted by mudpuppie 01 April | 11:55

Zyrtec, Similisan homeopathic Allergy Eye drops (THE BEST EVAR), saline nasal rinse, and prescription Nasarel. Also, I've heard eating local honey helps if the allergy is pollen related. I will find any excuse to use honey, though.

posted by Luminous Phenomena 01 April | 12:05

I take 24-hour Claritin, around 10pm so that I sleep through the worst side-effects (jitters, primarily) and wake up feeling bright and alert. Like mrmoonpie, my primary symptom is overwhelming tiredness.

posted by muddgirl 01 April | 12:33

The 24 hour Claritin-D is like speed. I can't sleep through it. Also 'spensive.

Regular generic Claritin stops the sneezes pretty well, but on our dusty windy days, also known as March through October, I take a double does, some honest-to-dog pseudoephedrene, and spray generic afrin up my nose. After a good nasal rinse.

At night, it's Tylenol PM.

posted by lysdexic 01 April | 12:42

lysdexic - technically, I take "Wal-itin", the Walgreens brand. When I say it out loud, it sounds like a pun. "Wallet-in".

posted by muddgirl 01 April | 12:46

The 24 hour Claritin-D is like speed. I can't sleep through it. Also 'spensive.

I get the 12 hour for that reason.

I loved Allegra D, but it was a third-tier drug according to my insurance (they said OTC claritin was the same) so it was crazy expensive. Sad, since it was basically seldane-d, with the heart-problem causing compound removed, and that was the best allergy med I ever used.

I'm also not above supplementing that with straight out sutafed (the behind the counter make meth from this stuff) on bad days.

posted by kellydamnit 01 April | 13:28

FWIW my friend cannot take Zyrtec at night because it wires her up. My husband takes Allegra-D (only thing that works for him) and Flonase, plus the neti pot and now, since he is recovering from being sick and allergens are HUGE in the ATL at the moment, some extra sudafed for the resultant congestion. YMMV.

posted by Medieval Maven 01 April | 13:36

PS I hate insurance companies. Allegra D and Clairitin D are NOT the same thing. Thomas might as well take a sugar pill as take Clairitin D. Anyone who thinks it's the same needs to come live in my house with a grumpy, allergy-ridden man who cannot get his Allegra. Jerks.

posted by Medieval Maven 01 April | 13:38

so true. They both treat the same thing, but the active ingredient is different. It's like saying Tylenol and aspirin are the same.

Alegara is OTC in Canada. Can't wait until it is here, too.

posted by kellydamnit 01 April | 13:57

Allegra-D for me. Claritin does nothing. Zyrtec does nothing. Benadryl plus Sudafed works, but the side effects are too bad.

posted by Stewriffic 01 April | 14:05

At night, it's Tylenol PM.

That's the same active ingredient as Benadryl ... where I am Benadryl is cheaper than the PM sleepy stuff, is it different for your area?

posted by WolfDaddy 01 April | 14:30

where I am Benadryl is cheaper than the PM sleepy stuff,

Plus there are super-cheap Benadryl generics- I think Aldi has one for under $3 a box.

posted by kellydamnit 01 April | 15:09

Zyrtec only seems to work for some food allergies for me (it may be in my head but I seem to be able to eat onions without symptoms after I take it), but otherwise nothing. Old, real benadryl used to work like a charm, but yeah, tiiired. Fake benadryl works sort of but in a bad ratio of effective/exhausting.

I recently bought that Olay face moisturizer that's been getting a lot of hype and my face turned bumpy, itchy, red and swollen. I'm officially ready to live in a bubble.

posted by birdie 01 April | 16:55

Huh, it never occurred to me that my neverending tiredness was realted to my allergies.

Anyway... Benadryl works great but knocks me out. Omnaris nasal spray has been a huge help. But I'm getting a CT scan of my sinuses Friday because I'm still getting insane headaches before it rains.

posted by amro 01 April | 17:55

I'm a Flonase junquie. Have been for about three years. I don't know what they put in it, but dang it hurts when it is gone.

posted by rainbaby 01 April | 19:02

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