allergy testing? Coping w/ no antihistamines?

[Becky]

The exercise speeds up the absorption of the injection and increases the chances of a full-body reaction to the injection.

Ugh...good point. I hadn't thought about that! Biking to those appointments probably wouldn't have worked anyway from a time standpoint, but it's good to know that I shouldn't do it and why.

[withm]

Sounds like we share a lot of the same allergies - OAK pollen, trees, grass, cats, perfume, and walnuts, and a few odd chemicals. Since moving to DE there seems to be a whole new set of allergens which surprised me since 50%of the area near me is ocean.

I tried allergy shots for a couple of years, and in addition to it being a nuisance, not to mention expensive, they just did not seem to make any difference in my symptoms.

I used to say I was simply allergic to April and made concentrated efforts to never ever go outside during the spring allergy season. I have taken an allergy pill of some sort nearly every day of my life for more years than not. But what has really turned my life around was using Beconase, Flonase, Nasacort, or Nasonex nasal sprays. For me the difference is night and day. I can sneeze violently 30 times in 5 minutes. I scare my officemates! And I probably don't have to tell you how debilitating it is to sneeze like that. Your sides hurt, and it just drains every bit of energy from your body.

Nasonex has brought that to a halt.

I would suggest trying the different drugs your Dr. has suggested, and be sure to try these new nasal sprays because they are like magic. Give it a month or so before you decide a treatment is not working because they take a couple weeks to get started. If after trying several combinations you still have no relief, you could try the allergy shots, but I'm thinking you'll find something that works long before that.

Good luck
Martha