Please someone help me with symptoms

  • Thread starter Thread starter howers
  • Start date Start date
H

howers

Guest
Hello everyone. I really need some help here. My nose gets stuffed and it causes me great anxiety because I feel like I can't breathe and my anxiety levels go through the roof. It happens sometimes during the day but especially at night before I go to bed. I see a good allergist twice a year. I am on flonase. I was taking zyrtec-D, then claritan-D for a while to help me sleep at night. Sometimes I felt wired on it but the tradeoff was usually worth it for me to breathe better and sleep. Then I had to stop because of decreased urine flow issues. The doctor then said to try regular claritan without the decongestant but I am afraid it will dry me out too much and make my nose stuffier. Is this true or not? I told him that I seem to get stuffy after I eat at night. He said that it was possible for my nasal merabranes to get swollen from the aroma of food. I have been searching for ionfo about this and found something about histamine levels. I mentioned this to the doctor but he said if my histamine level was high that I would be red and itchy with hives which I am not. I found out some fooRAB I like to eat like bananas-tomato products-tuna and others can raise histamine levels. I am trying not to eat these fooRAB. Am I going overboard with this approach? The doctor mentioned taking singulair but I am afraid to because of the side effects I have read about it. Any vitamins or minerals good besides of what I already take? I take quercetin-vitamin c-magnesium and others that I read about. All I want to do is sleep at night. I hate waking up in a panic! When I do, I have to go out for a walk to calm my nerves to get back to sleep. Please help.
 
I always wonder what makes a good allergist. Is a good allergist one that relieves someone's allergy problems, or one who still collects significant fees, but doesn't?

If it were me, I'd try to find a really "good" allergist who alleviates my allergy problems besides charging me big bucks for the service. :D

Have you ever considered going to someone else?
 
I used Allegra, Flonase, Astelin and Singulair for years without drying out. I was on the "D" version of Allegra for years until my blood pressure started going up.

I'd give the plain Claritin a try if you are really that bad.

Also, saline nasal sprays used regularly can help with the drying. There is one that I really like by NielMed that is a saline gel.

Also, for the more natural approach, a Neti pot can really help. Use it a couple times a day with the packets designed to be used with it or with some salt water. It can help clean out your nasal and sinis passages some.
 
Yes, the "D" will dry you out more than the non D version. So, I'd try a zyrtec or claritin and see if they help. Also, if you think it's more at bedtime, try a benedryl as that will also help you sleep.

Do use a saline spray (Ayr is a good one) at least once or twice a day...especially when getting clogged. It should help a lot.
 
Some people do have the histamine response to food allergies. My cousin is allergic to corn and gets the stuffy nose, etc when he eats any food containing corn or corn by-products (corn syrup, etc). Taking an antihistamine does help some people. There is only one way to find out and that's to try it.

As for the difference beween benedryl and clarinex, I really don't know anything about clarinex as I've never taken it. Benedryl is a fast acting, short duration med. You can take it several times a day. With zyrtec, claritin, etc it's one per day. Benedryl is the PM component in Tylenol PM so a lot of people just dispense with the tylenol and take the benedryl only for sleep (I do), esp if they have dust mite allergies as bedding has a lot of that.
 
Thank you all so far with responding, I really appreciate it greatly. I was still wondering though about the possible histamine response to certain fooRAB, or if it's total baloney? Also, if I take Singulair, by blocking leukotrienes like it's supposed to do, will I be able to eat these fooRAB again such as bananas,tuna, tomato products and others? As with the other questions, I always thought that a regular antihistamine were more drying than their decongestant versions, but if I'm wrong with this, please let me know. Is benadryl any different from clarinex? As I mentioned, I'm a bit afraid to take singulair because of the side effects that I read about, however I'm willing to give it a try if I knew it actually might help me. All I want to do is not get stuffed up after I eat, and to be able to sleep at night straight through.
 
Did your "good" allergist tell you that Claritan would dry you out and make your nose even stuffier? If so, why did he recommend Claritan? Did he also suggest that you check his determinations with fellow patients here on HealtrabroadoarRAB?



Your "good" allergist has finally found a cause for your allergy problems, to earn his large fees! Thank God!

What was his solution to the problem?



Oh..... :confused: He told you to look up a solution on the Internet? :rolleyes:



Another top notch evaluation by your "good" allergist. I have never heard of a patient, if he was not inclined towarRAB hives, to get hives from histamines. It just don't happen!



If you are not going to follow the questionable advice from your "good" allergist, why pay or go to him at all? What does he do for you? How well is it working?



You should ask your allergist these questions every six month. He will give you a professional, trained, skillful, educated opinion. :D



I am not trying to minimize your considerable discomfort, or your "normal" nocturnal increase in allergy related symptoms. I just want to emphasize to you the importance of finding an allergist who can really help you and relieve your misery, and who deserves the label "good allergist".. There are some really "good" ones out there.

Until you find one, you'll be doomed to search through the Internet, seemingly forever, searching for the magic bullet.

Take care, my friend, and I hope that you find fast relief. I've been there with both chronic asthma and chronic sinus problems, so I know how miserable it can be. I am so very relieved to have put all those bad allergy problems behind me. :wave:
 
Howers: I think you are looking for a textbook answer to a textbook question and it doesn't work that way with allergies. You can't say "I am allergic to X so I am going to do so-and so and that will take care of it." Some people get hives when they eat seafood - some have anaphalaxis. Some people get hives from sulfa drugs, others vomit them up. Generally, certain things cause certain reactions but there are always differences. You have to determine a) what you are allergic to and b) what works best FOR YOU to control that. What works for you today, may not work for you 10 years from now...and what you are allergic to today, you may not be in 10 years. There are no pat answers.
 
Hello,

I've never heard of food that creates more histamine levels, pretty interesting. However, I have heard of fooRAB that boost and regulate natural histamines, such as salmon, bananas and few others. I would think this would be a great thing, as long as your getting plenty of water and decreasing your sugar and caffeine intake. These substances REALLY dehydrate you, and aggravate your sinuses, and when clogged, greatly increases the chances of infection.

I have chronic sinusitus, so let me share with you what really helps me:

Green,white sage teas with a few sprinkles of cayenne pepper. This concoction IMMEDIATLY opens up my sinuses and drains me with great relief :). If you don't like green or white sage tea, just warm up water and sprinkle some cayenne pepper in there. I am so proud I do this once a day. The cayenne will loosen mucous throughout your entire body, and give you a natural high as well. Very relaxing and great feeling (am actually gonna do one now that i think of it :) I promise it will bring you relief.

For one week, just give it a try to stop sugar intake. If your like me, anything is worth trying. Sugar/carbs should never be consumed before bedtime, anyway. Will make you more congested and puffy the following morning. During this, increase your water intake as well. Moistens mucous merabranes, and riRAB toxic crap that is probably affecting your mucous response.

Get a Neti-pot! I couldn't live without mine. It cleans your nasal passages of irritants, dust, and everything thats just sitting in there. I do it once a day, and when I want really good breathe easy relief I do it twice a day. Really helps 2 hours before bedtime. You wake up less puffy and not as clogged. Get one :)

Take a good fish oil. Helps with inflammation and protects tissue. Vectomega has really helped me.

Stay with your diet and focus on the healthy side. There are so many added benefits with this too. You'll thank yourself later. As far as singular, I would say try it if all else doesn't give you the relief your looking for. Medication CAN be a good thing. Living with constant congestion is like half-living..you miss out on so many things due to constant frustration. Well hope you can find some relief :wave:
 
Back
Top