I have been to the doctor's more this past year than I have in a lifetime. First, the diagnosis(s)...
1. Allergies = Treatment = Zyrtec
2. Sinus Infection = Treatment = Antibiotics (Z-Pak)
3. Chest Cough = Treatment = Antibiotics (Biaxin)
4. Sore throat/Cough = Treatment = Antibiotics (Biaxin)
So, I go back to the same doctor on Monday with worsened symptoms and she says...diagnosis:
ALLERGIES! = Treatment = OTC Claritin
UGGGGGHHHH! How is it that I go on three different sets of antibiotics to
"Oh, I think it's what we thought it was in the beginning...you just have allergies".
So here is a plea from one suffering allergenic person. Can SOMEONE please tell me what medication I should be taking to get over this allergy induced illness? Believe me, I trust my fellow bloggers more than I do my own doctor!
So will y'all please be my doctor and tell me what you think will work? Or, better yet what has worked best for you?
Here are my symptoms:
Sore throat
Chest Cough
Tightness in chest
Shortness of breath
It's almost asthma-like symptoms if you will. So give me your best shot all suggestions welcome!
13 comments:
Okay --- many years ago (like 15 or 20) my mom used to get walking pneumonia and bronchitis very badly. Then, her doctor told her that those two things are "induced" by allergies. She started taking allergy meds daily, and eventually, she stopped getting sick.
Fast forward a few years -- I kept getting bronchitis and sinus infections. Guess what my doctor said? Allergies.
So, I started taking claritin (at the time) daily, year round. Then, I switched to zyrtec. And voila! No more illness. Well, RAIRLY, I should say.
So, my disgnosis is: You are having pulminary problems "induced" by allergies...
My recommended solution: Take Claritin (or zyrtec) daily, year round without fail, and for immediate relief of symptoms, Tylenol sinus AND sudafed. Yes, I know they both have the same meds, but it works. I'm just saying!
Good luck with your health, and keep us in the know.
P.S. -- Claritin or zyrtec needs to build in your system in order to work .. it's not an "immediate fix."
Sorry for hyjacking your blog!
Allegra-D is the only thing that works for Mark. He takes it twice a day, every day year around. Otherwise he gets sick very easily and the stuff hangs on. Claritin doesn't seem to work for him. Zyrtec makes him drowsy. So maybe try to kill it with some antibiotices and then take Allegra every day.
I came over here to tell you exactly what GiBee just told you.
I did know that allergy medication doesn't work instantly but has to build up in your system.
And like she said, there are over-the-counter medications to relieve the symptoms until the Claritin kicks in.
My sister Bev has to take allergy medication every day, year round, too. And it really has helped her.
Hope you start feeling better soon. It's awful to not feel up to par.
I spoke with Brian and here is what we say: take Claritin D and sudafed. One dries you up and one dries you out. It works. Give it about a week :) Happy healing!
Use a humidifier and then move to a city with CLEAN AIR!! :) Seriously when we moved from the city to the mountains, my son who occasionally used a breathing machine for allergies/asthma-does not struggle to breathe any longer! Although beng sick with something more serious is highly unlikely, I feel like I should caution you not to ignore the fact that antibiotics and OTC medicines are not clearing up your symptoms. My mom (in AZ) took OTC allergy medicine for over a decade, never getiing much relief from a persistent cough--she has stage IV colon cancer and when it started getting worse (pneumonia like because it had spread to her lungs) she was still misdiagnosed for months-several antibiotics that didn't work. Not trying to scare you, I just want to encourage you to keep going to the dr until you get answers and/or relief that you are comfortable with.
Thank you ladies! Y'all rock...I'm going to continue taking my Claritin every day as recommended and we'll see what happens. Thanks again for all your help!
I think a few days rest, maybe in a bed and breakfast, some uninterrupted sleep, and some really good food would all help. And some naps while someone takes care of the little ones. Doesn't that sound wonderful?
So sorry you're not feeling well. What a bummer. I get this just about every fall, too.
I know when I have chest tightness I take guafenisin (can't think of the OTC name) to loosen things up. If you are wheezing you might ask your doctor to consider albuterol, either in an inhaler or elixir (prescription).
I have to take Zyrtec every day of the year or I get bad sinus infections. It has worsened since I moved to a big city (go figure). You do need to find something that will knock out the bad symptoms and then use an allergy medicine to keep them away. Hope you find something that works.
allergys to so much!
Newspaper
some drinking water
cystitis nettle tabs help!
cologne
gas fire nitrous dioxide on coals
Take piriton works sometimes depending on allergy.
Am worse in the house than out!
Tv pins & needles felt terrible
dry mouth salivary glands working overtime sweats(not menopause)
Dr Not much help!
They seem to look at you with incredolous Gaze.
Usualy end up finding the allergy out myself
PRAYER helps!
Sunny uk....
Spent a blessed week in Portugal
allergies were GONE with the wind!
PTL........
I find Allavert in the green box works best for me. I generally take it year round. Claritin didn't work for me at all.
I never had allergies before I lived in Florida.
Also, for severe nasal congestion, I use Afrin Severe Congestion (in the green box). It burns, but it cleans me out. I use it twice a day. And, to be honest, I haven't taken any allergy pills in months because the nose spray works so well.
I went to an allergy doctor a few months ago. He gave me Rx for pills that would have cost me hundreds of dollars per month, even after my insurance was used. I'm sticking with my nose spray. (And you can print a coupon off their website to save $1.)
Feel better soon.
Well, everyone else around here are way more experienced than I, but I'll try. First, have you been tested for asthma? Ben has mild asthma and it is allergy induced I believe. Have your doctor give you a trial inhaler to see if it helps. I think there might be an over the counter inhaler as well, but not sure if you'll be able to find it. Seems like they weren't producing enough of it a couple of years ago, and so the inhaler was never on the shelves.
Anyway, that's my two cents. :-)
I hope you get to feeling better soon! Wish we lived close so I could help you out a bit!
I'm sorry I can't be of more help, but if you think it really is allergies, a friend of mine told me her recommendations. She had TERRIBLE allergies, needing shots, a humidifier, the works. She drinks some apple juice every single morning and night, and takes ester c with citrus bioflavonoids daily, which can be found at GNC. She is off of everything else & has been for over five years. We have started my son on this, & he is doing better. It is just reminding him to take this that is the problem! I do hope you feel better soon!
I agree with everyone else. My Mom, sister and Jeff all suffer from allergies. They are worse in seasons like these. Try the Allegra or Claritin on a daily basis for a couple weeks and see what happens. I know one that worked for my sister didn't work for my Mom. Each person is different and you have to do what makes you feel better!
Hope that helps : )
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