Pollen, Pollen, Get Lost

[emily_in_nc]

Pollen has been bad here in NC, at least to those of us sensitive to it. I've been coughing, sniffling, and sneezing, and my eyes have been hurting/dry on bike rides, runs, and walks. Today seemed better than the past few weeks, so perhaps the worst is behind us? For me, pollen allergies have gotten worse as I've gotten older -- not better. Same for my mom; she suffers more than I do.

[goldfinch]

Ask your doc about Flonase (fluticasone propionate) nasal spray, a synthetic corticosteroid you spray up your nose. The side effects are minimal. The downside is that it takes a couple of weeks to build up in your system. So maybe next year.

It really can work great for nasal allergy symptoms and even reduce other allergy symptoms like itchy eyes and even asthma.

(nope, I'm not a rep for big pharma)

[bmccasland]

yup, in the same stuffy boat. Woke up this morning with a sinus headache and a migraine. Battled whether it was one or the other - wound up taking sudafed and my migraine Rx. Headache was gone, nose is still stuffy. New climate and I'm not sure what's bothering me. Will do "drug seeking behavior" tomorrow when I go looking for more allergy meds.

[Crankin]

The Flonase isn't working for this round of allergy stuff; I am sure it's keeping it at a lower level than it would be, but I had to take Claritin for the 3d day in a row.

[CyclicChick]

I'm totally bombed out this morning. Won't make the ride. I hate to drag the whole group back. I'll have to stay home and polish the chain instead. If it is out there I take it. My breakfast consists of very strong coffee followed by Zertec, Allegra, Zaditor eye drops and Nasonex. How is that for a breakfast of champions? If the people at work knew they would have me drug tested every morning. The consolation is that it will pass, although I feel like a kid looking out the window and wanting to risk it all for the sake of fun.

[Norse]

I am on Flonase for life, but during spring and fall, I need more help. That's where my trusty neti pot comes in.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Many people say that if you buy some LOCAL honey and eat a tablespoon per day or so, it will help you with your allergies to your local types of pollen.
Don't bother with supermarket honey imported from other areas- it won't do the same thing.
Support your local beekeepers!

[withm]

Clariton (well the generic version) and Flonase have changed my life forever and have enabled me to participate in outdoor activities whereas before I would have to hunker down in the A/C for weeks at a time.

But the extreme pollen blooms really attack my eyes. 3 out of every 5 years I will end up with severe allergic conjunctivitis (pink eye) for a couple weeks, as was the case this year. I would not wish this on anybody.