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Okay, I think I've come to the conclusion that I'm allergic to the pollen from pine trees. They're blooming(?) right now, and there's yellow stuff everywhere. I've never had allergies before, so this is all new. I'm a sneezing, sniffling mess.

I'm not real good with antihistamines , and need some advice/opinions on drugs that won't make me feel dopey but dry me up. I've got Nasonex, but it's not doing very much. What do those of you who deal with allergies use to get through pollen season?

Thanks!

Laura

I developed allergies to tree pollens after moving to FL from NE. After suffering several seasons with bad reactions, infections, etc. with OTC meds, I now take 3 prescription meds. year round, not just during the worst season: 2 nasal sprays: Astelin & Flonase, plus generic for Allegra. That combo seems to work for me, and have not had anything but mild symptoms in spring since. You may have to experiment to get the right combo for you. Ask your dr.

the blue benadryl and puffs

Shop vac...up the nose!

I can't use the nasal sprays since they make me sneeze even worse and burn my already tender nose. I am also very sensitive to meds so have to be very careful about what I take and how much. Sleepy stuff (ie; Contac and Benedryl) knocks me out for days, and the daytime stuff (ie; Actifed) makes me a nervous wreck! The only thing I can take that doesn't do either (I can take it day or night) and works very well for me, is Sudafed, but it has to be the stuff you get behind the counter that you have to sign for. I only take one at a time unless I am really miserable. I used to use that stuff so often back in MN, that I thought they were gonna come knocking on my door looking for my meth lab! I haven't had so much as a sniffle since moving out here, so far (knocking on wood!).

Laura, I lived for eight years in Leavenworth Washington, it is at the base of Stevens pass with Ponderosa and Lodgepole forests surrounding on all sides; total mountain terrain, quite a beautiful place. Anyway, my first year there I am sure I almost died of pine pollen allergy. I went to the local pharmacisit and he had to laugh at my crisis...as it is so common for "newbies". He immedialtely told me to buy "Robitussen Expectorant" it is the "over-the-counter cough syrup but it is the "expectorant" aspect of it that had the miracle working power. I kid you not; this is the only stuff that works and this pharmacist has been in that enviorment all his life...he knew right away.

I had never been so sick, it was amazing...once I passed that first year of the pine pollen reaction I never had it again for the next seven years. I know this sounds unlikely but it was the cure...I didn't really have a cough it was more of a head than a chest thing but it worked. If you try it let me know what you think.

I take two prescriptions: allegra and singular.

One non-prescription thing my allergist recommends is regular use of a saline nasal rinse. (I prefer the upright bottle to the Netty pot.) Use it in the middle of the afternoon and evening or whenever you are indoors for the night. What is does is rinse out the pollen that is sitting in your nose. That way, the allergens don't have a chance to sit there are cause you problems.

I also use a prescription antihistimine nasal spray that works very well. I doesn't make me sleepy the way regular oral antihistimines do. It keeps my nose open during the day without causing sores or other things in my nose the way past drugs have done.

Good luck. Allergies are miserable.

JudyJB

Advil Congestion Relief and a Neti Pot
The advil doesn't make me sleeply at all & it really seems to help - I "do" the Neti Pot thing every night during alergy season, it helps to wash out any pollen that may be in your nose - seems to work for me !

I certainly remember that yellow pollen from the pine trees, it would be ALL OVER the place.
Fortunately, I've never had allergies, but theres always a first time and I'll remember the
Robitussin

had to laugh when you mentioned the yellow pollen last year I think we looked out side and yellow everywhere! but after that no more Mosquito's !!!
not sure if that was why but heard that the pollen killed the mosquito's but didn't suffer from allergy's to it so can't help you there
sheila

Flonase

Oooh, Poor You, Laura! I have sufferered through t each time I move as different pollens pop up. Nasonex takes about two weeks to really work best. But i found the best for me is taking one tablet daily of Zyrtec (I actually use the Costco equivalent). It works well with the constant sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose. Took only a few days to "build up" and has worked well ever since. Even helps with the cat allergy (yep, I am allergic to cats...altho mildly). No side effects if I take it at night. Taking it in the morning caused me to get a bit sleepy in the afternoon...but the nighttime use seems to be without side effects. One of the worst plants aside from the pines is the "yellow broom" (think the real name is Forsythia??). Tall bush with long stems, blooms yellow early in the spring. I swear it spits out the pollen.

I hope you feel better soon, my friend!