[JenIsAlwaysSick]

I have been an allergy sufferer for my entire life. Sometimes they got better, and other times they got worse. In recent years, they've gotten worse.

Being always sick with my allergies has made me run down and tired...a lot...which has contributed to my recent bout with depression. Anyone living with a chronic health problem that keeps them living their lives is going to feel depressed. I think that's just common sense.

But I recently read that there might be more to it than just "I feel sick all the time, therefore I hate my life." That, and, when you're sick like that, you don't get enough sleep - sleep deprivation can cause depression too...or at least make a depressive state even worse.

I wrote a blog post about this topic, if you're interested, you can read it here:

http://alwayssick.com/2010/12/10/can...se-depression/

Anyway, the gist of it is that when you're suffering from an allergy attack, the body releases proteins that stimulate the nervous system. This, in turn, causes the brain to release certain chemicals that manifest into a depressive state. How weird is that?!

So, I guess my question is - How many people here have both allergies (whether chronic or seasonal) and depression? I wonder how much of our depression can be dealt with by concentrating on tackling the allergy problem.

[kikki27]

Originally Posted by JenIsAlwaysSick

I have been an allergy sufferer for my entire life. Sometimes they got better, and other times they got worse. In recent years, they've gotten worse.

Being always sick with my allergies has made me run down and tired...a lot...which has contributed to my recent bout with depression. Anyone living with a chronic health problem that keeps them living their lives is going to feel depressed. I think that's just common sense.

But I recently read that there might be more to it than just "I feel sick all the time, therefore I hate my life." That, and, when you're sick like that, you don't get enough sleep - sleep deprivation can cause depression too...or at least make a depressive state even worse.

I wrote a blog post about this topic, if you're interested, you can read it here:

http://alwayssick.com/2010/12/10/can...se-depression/

Anyway, the gist of it is that when you're suffering from an allergy attack, the body releases proteins that stimulate the nervous system. This, in turn, causes the brain to release certain chemicals that manifest into a depressive state. How weird is that?!

So, I guess my question is - How many people here have both allergies (whether chronic or seasonal) and depression? I wonder how much of our depression can be dealt with by concentrating on tackling the allergy problem.

Yeah I can relate I suffer from hay fever and I can not be around pollen have chronic fibor that makes your joints hurt all the time and causes fatigued and cause you too sleep alot with no engery I have really bad allergies also .And with this chronic allergy it makes my panic attacks worser

[sundog]

I can relate too! Thanks for posting! I have year round allergies and chronic sinus issues. I am not sure what the cause is, but I suspect it's dust and molds. I take various things for the allergies and sinus issues (including anti-histamines, saline irrigation rinses etc etc), but I'm not having much success. Definitely the way my allergies and sinus issues make me feel - ie, run down and miserable!!! - contribute to my depression and anxiety. It's a vicious cycle! I agree that better managing the allergy symptoms would help a lot. What do you take for your allergies?

[JenIsAlwaysSick]

Originally Posted by sundog

I can relate too! Thanks for posting! I have year round allergies and chronic sinus issues. I am not sure what the cause is, but I suspect it's dust and molds. I take various things for the allergies and sinus issues (including anti-histamines, saline irrigation rinses etc etc), but I'm not having much success. Definitely the way my allergies and sinus issues make me feel - ie, run down and miserable!!! - contribute to my depression and anxiety. It's a vicious cycle! I agree that better managing the allergy symptoms would help a lot. What do you take for your allergies?

Zyrtec and nasonex. If I don't use the nasal spray (nasonex) I feel much worse. I started taking it again recently, and I'm feeling much improved.

[SlatkaMala]

Also some medicines can aggravate depression. Singulair is a nasty one. A few people have killed themselves because of it.

[sundog]

Originally Posted by SlatkaMala

Also some medicines can aggravate depression. Singulair is a nasty one. A few people have killed themselves because of it.

Yikes!! That's the other thing. As much as I long to be rid of the allergy symptoms, I'm also scared about taking anything too heavy-duty medication-wise in case I have a bad reaction.

I'm glad the Nasonex is so helpful to you, Jen. I take Zyrtek, but it's not enough. I do have a script for Flonase so I might have to give that a try.

[kikki27]

Originally Posted by JenIsAlwaysSick

Zyrtec and nasonex. If I don't use the nasal spray (nasonex) I feel much worse. I started taking it again recently, and I'm feeling much improved.

yeah Iam on both of them

[Tatyana2009]

In chinese medicine allergies and depression - depending which kind of both- stem from the same problem / imbalance.

They are both sympotoms to the problem and often treated together.

In west terms - when the body is low - due to stressors such as allergy or depression - it is more likely to be affected by other pressors... Imune system is weak and coping is low. Also hormon levels change that can cause allergic reaction to things and or drpression.

By definition depression supresses. So it would supress body responses and increase liklihood of allergy.

In chinese med allergy very often is caused due to blockage in channels and unresolved emotional states. There is an instictive interlink.

I think to separate body and soul and spirit is a mistake. We would be a lot happier when getting the connection. On all levels :-)

[sundog]

That makes a lot of sense to me, Tatyana. What is the remedy in Chinese medicine for allergies? And can it be taken in combination with traditional Western meds?

[greyandgrisly]

I am extremely allergic - dust, mold, pets, nuts, seeds, sulfites, fish - and i have asthma - and i am depressed/anxious. also stressed out most of the time (worn down adrenals from over-producing cortisol). and i have acid reflux and IBS. i think there is definitely a connection with ALL of these things (which again reinforces the Chinese philosophy as well - and Chinese medicine has been in practice for thousands of years). As it turns out, a high percentage of immune cells (70% - ?) line the gut and also help regulate our ability to produce serotonin. When our digestion/absorption of nutrients isn't functioning properly, then other bodily systems are adversely affected. i really wish western doctors would consider this and do more research. or at least, i wish my gastro doc and allergist and pulmonary doc and psychiatrist would talk to each other (about me and my problems!).

what kind of foods do you eat? have you heard of the specific carbohydrate diet? or alkaline diets? i am haphazardly experimenting with an anti-inflammatory diet at the moment.

good to hear there are other people looking for connections... good luck!

gg

[Tatyana2009]

Sundog - yes, chinese herbs can be taken in conjunction with western meds.

There is no single treatment. It depends on the specific condition the person has, on the time of year, on the tendencies of the person and so on. A chinese doc will examine and perscribe herbs- either to cook as a tea or as powder to mix in hot water.

For example - for people with rush on their skin s a result of the allergy - that usually means their blood is too hot and they have too much heating in their body and chi may be too low.

Emotions and physical health are intimately connected. Sadness, nervous tension, anger, worry, fear etc are each associated with a particular organ in the body. For example, irritability and anger relate to the liver and result in eyes problems, menstrual pain, headache, redness of the face and eyes, dizziness etc.
A diagnosis in traditional Chinese medicine is individualized.

An allergy to dust for example, that involved the respiratory system are connected to the lung and sadness. It is also connected to low blood circulation and sometimes to blood deficiency.

So every case needs to be examined and the allergy is looked at as part of a wider picture.

The beauty in chinese med is - that if herbs are perscribed correctly - it treats the multitude of symptoms because it treats the problem. If you want more info and you are interested it is worth getting in contact with a genuin chinese doctor. I have been seeing one on and off for the past 7 years.

[JenIsAlwaysSick]

SlatkaMala - I didn't know that about Singulair. Yikes! My kids take that, but I haven't noticed any changes in mood or behavior. They've been on it for several months now.

sundog - I have gone back and forth between nasonex and flonase. Both work for me. It all depends on which one the pharmacy is carrying and when my insurance decides to cover it.

Tatyana - I am fully embracing the "everything in the body is connected" ideas. One thing goes wrong, and the whole thing starts to fall apart. I notice that, when I'm feeling more stressed out, my allergy symptoms will get worse. If I stress the rest of the day, the chances of my symptoms getting under control go way down. If I sit down, relax, maybe watch a funny TV show while sipping water, my allergy symptoms go away much faster.

I'm very glad that this thread has gotten a fairly good response. Seems like this theory isn't off base then.

[sundog]

Thanks so much for explaining that, Tatyana! It's fascinating.

And thanks for this thread, Jen!!

[JenIsAlwaysSick]

Sundog - Of course! When I read the possible physical connection between allergies and depression, I was astonished. All the more reason to get those allergies under control ASAP!

[greyandgrisly]

Hello people -- i'm new here so i don't really know how the conversational dynamics work -- but anyway, i am still curious:

Has anyone, including Jen, heard of or tried the Specific Carbohydrate Diet? or the Paleo Diet? or any other anti-inflammatory diet that might help with allergies, IBS, acid reflux, and/or asthma?

Thanks and best wishes,

gg

[(JD)]

Allergies--even one allergy--can alter your entire life physically or mentally or both!

My ENT treated 2 children, for example, from up north, who were deaf...well, until he treated their allergies. Another woman nearby had a heart attack as her allergic reaction to one food! Allergies can also, in addition to depression, can cause someone to hear things, have mental unwellness and feel really "crazy" (sorry for the word use.) (Molds and such are big in causing depressive symptoms, btw.)

As for diets... those can be very important. I don't think it's a coincidence (I Don't believe in them) that there are so many people having a gluten allergy. I think it could be because of the altering they are doing to the grain??? Genetically altering foods is not good for our health, imo!

Try to limit your eating to simple, plain foods and stay away from packaged foods and see if you feel better. Most people only really like about 16 foods anyway... tracking down allergies is quite a feat. Good wishes!

[justjoanie]

Wow, I've never heard about this. I seem to be allergic to everything these days. I even suddenly, like over night became allergic to my favorite pain killer, Motrin.
This makes alot of sense!!
Thanks so much for posting this.
This is what PC is all about, learning from each other....
JJ

[JenIsAlwaysSick]

justjoanie - glad to have informed you. When I find good info, I want to share it and get feedback from others as well.

JD - I was on a gluten free diet for awhile, but it's hard to keep up with. I'm trying to get back to an all natural diet like I was a few years ago.

grayandgrisley - I am VERY curious about this diet you mentioned. Someone mentioned on my blog about avoiding inflammatory foods. If you have a good link you could share, that would be most welcome.