Do any of you take anything for allergies that have Sjogrens?
My immunologist told me my allergies WERE caused by Sjogrens BUT I notice certain times of the year (like now) my dryness is much worse. My nasal passages and eyes are soooo durn dry now. Eye dr has me on prescription eye drops for eyes. We got a little bit if rain here which seems to have helped it some.
I am just wondering (with dr's ok) if I could take some/anything! kind of allergy med to help?
Your Thoughts Please!
Yes - I have terrible allergies. I have had year round allergies since I was a teenager.
My struggle has been to find something tha actually helps but doesn't make my dryness worse than it already is. It's kind of a catch-22. I have tried almost every RX and over the counter allergy med. I have found the ONLY one I can tolerate is Allegra liquid for children. (The adult pill/higher dose dries me out) So I take one and a half teaspoons twice per day. It really takes the edge off, doesn't dry me out, and doesn't make me sleepy.
Of course everyone responds differently, but this has been my experience.
Good luck.
KellyG
My allergies are bad and started as a teenager along with my other AI symptoms.
I use a homeopathic spray but get it from a doctor. If I'm desperate I can take Claritin which doesn't dry me out too much but some.
I also use an awesome small humidifier that blows on my face at night that I bought at lowes.
I use my neti pot (thanks to people here ;D) with distilled water & salt to clear my sinuses.
This is the worst time of the year for me--- I Hate Ragweed :o I love the fall but must keep our windows closed & shower before bed so I don't bring the pollen to my pillowcase.
Sorry you are suffering. Carie
Hi Pisces,
I have had allergies too since childhood. I avoid taking anything with drying or dehydrating affect. If I am experiencing major sinus pressure that won't go away with warm compress and nasal washes, I will resort to taking a sudafed, the kind that the pharmacy counter usually controls (with pseudephrine). I find that it has the effect of draining the pressure from the sinus but doesn't give me that dried out feeling in my mouth, nose, etc. from anti-histamines. But not everyone can take sudafed - so it has to be taken with caution.
These things definitely help me:
Xlear nasal spray (get mine at Vitamin Shoppe), a saline spray with xyletol and grapefruit.
Neti pot with sea salt and warm water.
Vitamin C - very important for allergies.
Vicks ultrasonic cool mist humidifier.
Changing the direction vents blow in my house so the breeze is not on my face.
I avoid certain herbal teas like chammomile because it is known to exacerbate certain types of "hayfever" type allergies.
Shoes off in house because they track all kinds of pollen and allergens from outside.
I don't have a dog at this time, but know that when they roll and run around outside, they are loaded with grass/tree/plant pollens when they get back. So be cautious of that too.
Good luck.
I only developed allergies after my immune system started attacking me.
Allergies are also symptoms of a misfiring immune system, so in that sense, they are definitely related to having Sjogren's. Once your immune system starts misfiring in one way, it can misfire in others. With allergies, our bodies are attacking external stimuli that are not actually a threat, similar to how our bodies attack our moisture producing glands, mistaking them for a threat.
I take a generic version of Claritin (found at CVS or Target) and find it keeps my allergies in check without drying me out more.
I have terrible allergies too and as sooo pleasantly surprised when my allergist knew what sjs is!
I do weekly shots and that's starting to help. If I'm desperate I will take benadryl or mucinex d....if you take it w an evoxac its not as bad. Lots of saline spray too