Allergies (oh my gosh)!

[gurs]

Im sure most of you want to rip your sinuses right out of your face/skull like me. Im so sick of this darn sjogrens. Ive had it as a child, and this dryness and sinus/stomach issues really getting to me. I have/had a sinus infection, but now thinking its allergy related. Im racking my brain trying to figure out whats causing it...like a needle in a haystack. Wanting to find out the best allergy med that is least drying. I need something to decongest and thin mucus. Mucinex is drying to me, and actually made my face hurt and gave me headache. Im thinking of trying a zyrtec-D? maybe Claritin. Something I can try a small dose of.

Im using all my netti-saline sprays etc..not helping. Im going to see if any natural stuff works. My ENT said that
potassium iodide does this? uhmm

thanks guys!

Gursie

[finallyadx]

I use zyrtec and zyrtec-D which works for me without being too drying. 

I totally understand the sinus issues - just had a sinus infection/ear infection  -  like a child! 

Hope it feels better and you are able to find a medication that can offer some relief to you.

Keep us posted.

Sending positive and healing thoughts to you.

Kim

[cccourt1942]

you guys don't even want to hear my take on sinus infections/allergies.  Mine resulted from allergies.  When I was Gurs' age, I too had them.  By that time I had a physician who kept teachers "on their feet".  he was also on the school board.    anyway, my first foray into cortisone via Medrol pacs.  No more than 2 yearly...that was his rule.  By the time I was in my late 60s, they stopped.  I wasn't dxed with SjS until 71.  First comment by a physician regarding dryness (in my eyes) I was about 40.  So---I lived all that time feeling just as Gurs describes.  Then.....screech.  Little did I know everything I had suffered had dried up--completely.  I am caught off guard if I ever have enough  mucous from a nasal passage if I sneeze.  This is a rare occasion and I wonder where it came from--EVERY time.

I take 1/2 a fexofenadrine or Wal-Fex (walgreen's) if I clear my throat too often.  I take 1/2 mucinex if it bothers me at night.  It is always thick.  I flush (drink) a LOT of water following said doses.  Mucinex must be taken with 6 to 8 ounces of water.  Very hard to do at night knowing how many times you'll have to get up to get rid of it.  I try to take it earlier in the evening.  BTW--I have had the need to take Mucinex in less than 2 1/2 years 3 or maybe 4 times. 

I hate to suggest you "outgrow" it....but in my case the disease progressed to the point I had little to no mucous . 

Good luck in managing it.  I remember how miserable I was.  I did work full-time during those years. 

c3

[Tharrell]

My allergy/immunologist prescribed allegra, monteklast, azelastine and fluticasone. He wants me to take the allegra twice a day, but insurance won't cover it since it is now over the counter. Both nasal sprays are twice a day. He also recommends using the neti pot.
Hope you get some relief.

[Dolly Dimples]

Poor Gurs, just try the age old remedy Gurs,   Bowls of hot water , towel over head , and breathe......
                  doesent cure, but it's soothing....Bless you, Dolly x

[Jasper]

I first started having allergy problems in 1979 manifesting as major sinus congestion and runny nose. A year later I was also diagnosed with Asthma.

I saw an allergist for many years and was tested for allergies. I had many allergies to environmental things (mold, dust mites, fragrances, cleaners, pollens, smoke, cigars, etc.).

I was on Asthma meds (Proventil and Asthmacort). I eventually had nasal and ethmoid sinus surgery to remove polyps and enlarge the nasal passages so the thick mucous could flow out.

Over the years I eliminated as many allergens as I could. I use fragrance free , natural, biodegradable personal items, laundry products, and household cleaning products. I have no carpets. My hand soap and dish soap is fragrance free and organic. I have mite tight mattress covers. I do not smoke. I use no air fresheners and nothing with fragrances. I don't sit on the grass.  I use hepa filters on my vacuum cleaner when I vacuum. Sometimes I wear a mask allergen when I clean. I keep my [lace as dust free as possible. I avoid people who smoke and avoid places where smoking is allowed. I avoid stores with fragrances. I avoid people who wear fragrances. There are many other things, but you get the gist. I try to avoid anything that will trigger my allergies. I am 100% positive that eliminating allergens has helped me tremendously. If I get around allergens, my nose will start running live a sieve and i also start coughing.

I take Life Extensions brand N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine 600 mg, which is a mucolytic. I think it helps. I have noticed that my secretions are thinner than they used to be and not as much. I told my ENT doctor I was using the N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine and thought it was responsible for thinning the secretions and improving the drainage and she agreed.

I use the Nail-med bottle to do saline nasal rinses with Baruka Atlantic sea Salt every day. This helps clear the sinuses and keep the mucous flowing out, as opposed to staying in there and irritating the sinuses more.

My sinus cavities still have more mucous production than normal, but they are vastly improved. I think that reducing the allergens, using the N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, and using the saline nasal rinses all help a great deal.

Hope you can figure this out and get some relief.

[SunshineDaydream]

I do the same concept as Dolly Dimples, but with my Kaz personal steam inhaler. Soothing for sinuses, eyes and mouth all at the same time.

I found Claritin to be too drying and had to stop taking it. Too bad, because it was also the only allergy pill that didn't make me drowsy.

I hope you find something that works for you. Sinus pain is awful.

[SjoGirl]

Oh I hear you. I had terrible allergies for a long time and am sure some are resurfacing since I stopped taking Plaquenil (one of the few benefits I had from it was that it reduced allergies).

I tried Fluticasone, I can't take steriods that much so had to stop. I stopped eating gluten and dairy, both of which helped reduce mucus substantially. I haven't had to take much, but if I do it's a little bit of Benadryl or Claritin.

If you have stomach issues you might consider whether the mucus is from your nose or from GERD. I have read that it can be easy to confuse the two and believe my issue right now is the latter.

[Nymph]

Gursie, I have had bad allergies for a long time. I take fexofenadine daily. I use fludrocortisone when it gets really bad - not recommended if you have Candida. A supplement that helps considerably is quercetin. Hope that helps!

[gurs]

Wow..thanks so much for all the advice guys!!! great suggestions that im going to look into.

The weather playing a huge part....I think when the outside mold is high, im at my worst. I usually do well
in the winter, but since its been pretty warm here in Michigan this year, really suffering. Im also going to have an upper tooth
checked out this morning. Not sure if the sinus/nerve issue pushing on it, or maybe its infected/decayed causing my infection as well. I went through this a few years ago on the other side of my mouth. It was a bad tooth and surgery helped so much.

Gursie

[anita]

Hey Gursie,

I use second generation antihistamines...like Zyrtec.  It's the first generation ones (Benadryl, etc) that are drying.  I also use sinus rinse and when I need a decongestant, I use OTC walmart brand Suphedrine PE.  It is similar to Sudafed, but not as strong and that is why still on the shelf, vs behind the counter like Sudafed, which has to be signed for to buy it.  It contains 10mg Phenylephrine HCI and works fast without side-effects.  NO drowsy effect either!!  I, like you, have chronic sinus conditions and this is the combo I find most helpful...and my sinus rinse (like neti pot).

Hope this helps.