I tested positive for 53/64 allergens, 42 of which were severe. Its a wonder I'm alive . I did allergy shots for a few years which helped. Then in 2005 I had no symptoms. Yippee!!! Until last year when the grasses hit me hard. Hay is one of the things I'm most allergic to and there are hay fields everywhere around here. So I went back on the Rhinocort (I think this is similar to Nasonex, not sure what the difference is exactly). I have taken every pill, both otc and prescription, and they all make me drowsy, no matter how much they claim to be non-drowsy. Zyrtec makes me the least drowsy, but it still saps my energy some. Since my symptoms are all in my nose, the nasal spray works well. Would be different if I had problems with watery eyes, and/or hives.

Last year in July I was trying to wean myself from the spray (I would like to be medication free), but then it got so bad I could barely get out of bed. My nose was such a mess I couldn't even use the nasal spray, it would all just come back out. I ended up getting a cortizone shot from the family doctor while my allergist was on vacation. I felt great on the coritzone, but the allergist was none too happy about it. . .

(Making a mental note to start ramping up on the nasal spray since it takes about 2 weeks to work and the grass is a-growin'.)