Anyone else have bad allergies at this time of year?

danieleandwayne · August 2012

I have tried to avoid using my corticosteroid nasal spray because there are no studies of its use when TTC and it is guardedly approved for use during pregnancy, and I just didn't want to take the chance.

But I finally caved this morning and used the med. My eyes are so puffy and itchy and my congestion is so bad that my throat has been itching and scratching it leads my ears to bleed (no joke, my hayfever is so bad this year!).

Does anyone else have bad allergies? Anyone spoken to their docs about their allergy meds?

Abeille · August 2012

I think I mentioned this before. I'm on Claritin and Flonase, both approved by my PCP who knows we are TTC.

I think you just need to decide if the benefits to the meds outwiegh any potential risks. For me it's a no-brainer. I'm allergic to mold, which is abundant here in Houston given our humid climate. Without the meds I have near-constant headaches and sinus infections several times a year.

ETA: Sinus rinses a couple times a day helped my allergies improve when they were particularly bad, but I still needed the meds. Do you have a neti pot or something similar?

danieleandwayne · August 2012

I don't require a neti pot yet, but if I need to un-stuff my nose, I just breath in some steam from a pot with rosemary in some boiling water. Also great for the skin, so it's like a mini-facial! If the hayfever is really bad this year or the frost is late this fall, I may go ahead and get the neti pot. Thanks!

My congestion issue is that I get a continuous drip down the back (I had to have my sinuses completely rebuilt when I was 18 because I had broken my nose so badly so many times as a kid without realizing it and they grew all wrong; they're still not working the way they are supposed to), which gets my throat to itch like crazy. The Flonase is the only thing that works for that. And it's a life-saver.

My PCP quit her practice and I haven't gotten a new one. And I don't trust my OB's office because the nurse there doesn't always do any more than I can do (i.e. look it up in the drug books) and it takes a few days to get a message to my doc and have her respond.

I thought you all must have some experience and I was right! Big Smile Thanks!

10-4LilBuddy · August 2012

My RE said I could use Zyrtec since that's generally a med that they give pregnant women. However, she doesn't want me to use it in the five days leading up to ovulation and for five days after. She is concerned that it could dry up much needed mucus.

Abeille · August 2012

The sinus rinse isn't just for easing congestion. You can do it 2-3 times a day to rinse the allergens out of your sinuses and it reduces your reaction to them.

danieleandwayne · August 2012

And you don't find it irritating? I may have to give it a try. I hope it is easier to use than it looks on TV!

Abeille · August 2012

danieleandwayne:
And you don't find it irritating? I may have to give it a try. I hope it is easier to use than it looks on TV!

You'll have to decide for yourself

I will say though, the first time you do it, it feels like you are drowning. After a few times, it starts to feel good. Just make sure you are using a saline solution and not plain water. I use one by NeilMed and their little salt packets to mix in warm water.

HeatherIcon · August 2012

My RE told me I can take Zyrtec. I also use a neti-pot but I do it in the shower, it seems easier to breathe and then I am not hanging in the sink all crunched over...I just let it run all over me...then rinse off...

I have really itchy eyes, they get red and irritated. My dermatologist told me to soak cotton balls in milk and then lay them on my eyes, it helps a lot. It is very soothing.

I hope you get some relief soon!

shannonm97 · August 2012

Also when using the Neti pot, make sure to use distilled water. I buy jugs of the nursery water and mix that with the saline packets. If you use tap water, you have to boil it to kill off any bugs. Your ENT can also give you measurements to make your own saline rinse so you don't have to buy the packets. I don't remeber the amounts exactly but it is baking soda and salt and much cheaper to make yourself.

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Anyone else have bad allergies at this time of year?

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