A generic "hate medicine" might keep you away from a treatment that would really help you. You've been suffering for a while, and it is not "normal" to have repeated bouts of pneumonia, etc. All of this can be allergy related. I've had this stuff my whole adult life, and while there are *lots* of environmental things you can do to eliminate the triggers, as Tulip mentioned, it doesn't seem productive at this point to avoid going to the doctor. Be proactive and assertive with your providers, but listen to them. There are a lot of different treatments for allergies.