[Tamale]

I have recently (in the last year) developed terrible allergies that never bothered me as a kid. I have had sinus congestion, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes every day for the past 9 months. It's embarrassing at work, especially at my serving job to be sneezing and blowing my nose LITERALLY every 5 minutes. Worst of all, I have headaches every single day no matter what I do. I have taken Zyrtec, Sudafed, Mucinex (several kinds), other antihistamines, Claritin all for several weeks or months at a time with no real improvement. A trip to the doctor's left me with a $120 bill and $120 prescriptions that did nothing. A trip to a specialist would cost even more, and I think doctors are full of crap--what motivation do they have to help me if I have to keep coming back to pay them if I stay sick? I have friends in med school, and doctors are trained to give off an air of confidence even if they have NO CLUE how to "help". I've never been helped by a visit to the physical health doctor, ever. My nose has recently started burning on the inside very severely a few times a day.

Add this to the fatigue, lethargy, nausea and sleeplessness caused by sinus problems and depression, and I have gained some weight and felt even worse. It's hard to get up and get going and take steps to help my mental issues when I physically feel like I want to pass out (not that I can sleep when I do).

Has anyone else had this type of problem? Or any ideas for sinus issues?
I know that others have much worse health problems, and I am probably just being whiny. I mean, I could have cancer or a brain tumor or chronic back pain and I would feel much worse and people live with that. But I still feel like crud and I'm getting really sick of it.

any ideas?

[Bias Logic]

Thats a bummer you feel that way. When did you notice these things popping up? I know for me when I was younger I had like no allergies. When my family move from the North East to the South East, my allergies hit me like a ton of bricks. Being stuffy all the time is no fun (I play basketball in the dark every night with all the tissues I attempt to launch into my trash can) so I can relate on that front. Depression adds onto that, and again I can relate. When I was at school I literally couldn't leave my bed.

Good luck, sorry the Doc couldn't help. It might be allergies from a scenery change.

[Tamale]

Well I started getting sick with colds and sinus infections when I went to college 4.5 years ago, but I got the flu this last year (feb. '09) and have never quite been un-congested since. The allergies have been bad this fall. I don't know what's changed it, I've lived in the same house for more than 2 years...maybe I have some crazy bacteria that's eating my face??
I thinkI need to try the Doc again, and just go for it and tell them how seriously bad this is making me feel. maybe get a sinus ex-ray.

[Perna]

Odd that you'd have the same problems home and at work, different environments. One or the other should be different, I'd think. I'd have a thyroid test and explain to the doctor how over-the-counter and whatever prescription you were given didn't work. Are you going to an allergist or just an internist? The internists are kind of the throwbacks to family physicians and think they can solve anything but mine doesn't do too well. I keep on him and researching and figuring out things for myself and bullying him into trying things. You might want to try a different type of doctor? or a nurse practitioner (mine is a woman and pays more attention and is more thorough than the doctor and has lots of alternative health knowledge and connections).

Weather (cold and/or lack of humidity) can do a number on sinuses too and asthma and GERD can cause some of your symptoms as well as thyroid problems (that's the first thing I thought of as I have hypothyroid and asthma and they cause at least half the symptoms you mention).

Good luck! But looks like it would be a good idea to wander back to a doctor.

[(JD)]

I have severe allergies also, and they changed as I aged.
You may have changed your laundry detergent (or are using ones with the same allergen in it.) That would explain it always being with you...on your clothes?
Dorms are known for mold, btw.
There are a myriad of things to do and try other than taking medications for the symptoms. Things you can do without a doctor's help or fees.
Basically, you have to become a minimalist for a few weeks. You also need to keep a strict food diary that includes everything that goes into your mouth (like toothpaste or candy or gum etc)
Where you live needs a good cleaning without too many chemicals. Vinegar works great at killing germs mites and cleaning...but wear a mask or have someone else do this. Strip your bedding, wash in plain water and dry on high (heat kills dust and spider mites.)
If you can, put your mattresses in plastic allergy covers. Pillows need to be done that way as well. (Foam grows mold, feathers unless high quality are still dirty enough to cause allergies.)
That's just for starters.
google places for suggestions or lists on how to do this methodically.
It's really tough to do this correctly, but well worth the results. If it is allergies to something environmental (and not medication you're taking) then you will have relief.

Same with foods... most ppl eat and enjoy about 16 foods only. Try going off each food for at least 3 days totally. If you already suspect a food (like your nose itches each time you eat or drink it) then go off it for 2 weeks and then add it back in and see if you react again.

I know the miserable feelings allergies can give you...they can make you deaf, cause heart attacks, depression and all sorts of malaise. It's important that you find out the causes... even if you have to pay for provocative testing by an allergist.

[lynn P.]

Sky gave some good tips for keeping your bedding free of dust mites. I also heard you can use those steamers to go over your mattress or just get one of those plastic mattress and pillow covers Sky mentioned.

You may have to get those allergy shots. I'm going to give a tip that may help you a great deal. Sinusitis is difficult to get rid of - so you may need to be on antibiotics for 2 weeks. I highly recommend getting a sinus rinsing system by 'NeilMed' - this was on the Oprah show. There are 2 kinds - one is a 'Netty Pot' that looks like a mini teapot(not as effective) and the other is in 'squirt bottle' form. I recommend the squirt bottle because it does a better(it's stronger) at rinsing the sinuses. Most drug stores have this and you can also look it up on the computer. I have it and it's incredibly helpful for sinus infections and allergies. The kit comes with packets of salt and you add this to warmed (previously boiled) water or bottled water that's slightly warm. With the squirt bottle you squeeze it while tilting slightly to one side. It will feel a little freaky - similar to getting water up your nose while swimming. It will go up one nostril, then come out the other side and then you blow your nose. You then repeat this on the other side. Use this twice a day for a month and you will feel alot better. If you see an improvement, then you can do this on a daily basis and make it part of your routine, like brushing your teeth. It will wash the allergens right out of your nose. Please give this a try. I also use Nasonex nose spray and it helps. Best of luck and let me know how it works.

[shezbut]

((Tamale))

I'm a fellow allgery sufferer as well. It does suck, as nothing helps me either. Sky and Lynn P. both gave lots of wonderful advice to follow.

Personally, I have to avoid perfumes and color added to foods, cleaning products - soap, shampoos, lotions, detergents, etc. I did see an allergist for chronic hives a few years back, to see what to avoid. Dust, dust mites, mold, pet dander were also on my allergy list. Sometimes my list grows, and then it gets better. Kind of a wax and wane thing (like the moon). As result, sometimes I have hives and angioedema, sometimes I don't. By following my general rules all of the time, my symptoms are minimized.

Use liquid detergents, as they dissolve more easily & completely. Don't use fabric softeners. Avoid products with perfumes and colors. Tide Free, Unscented Kleenex, Ivory soap or Neutragena unscented, the list goes on. Using these products can be expensive at times, but it's well worth the cost! I have also used cheap detergents that follow my rules and didn't have hives, sneezing, or swelling.

Wash clothes and bedding very regularly to get rid of dust mites! Dusting with Pledge static wipes really helps with my allergies, by catching all dust in it's crevices & holding tight. Close all of the windows when farmers are working on their crops! All of that dust is bad when plows are moving ~ and I could swear that I have the flu.

I never did try the allergy shots ~ there are pros & cons to getting them. Pros: they often significantly reduce allergy symtoms for people. Cons: it doesn't always work, and requires regular shots for about 1 year of the allergen(s) to reduce the allergy symptoms. I made my decision, and still believe that I made the right one for me. And I buy lots of Kleenex!

Best wishes to you ~ you definitely aren't alone. But that doesn't always help a person feel better.