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Mucus and the getting rid of it.
VisionOfClarity
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
It's allergy season and after nearly 14 years of having little no allergy problems mine are acting up something fierce. Irritated eyes and tons of mucous are the big issues. I'm not stuffed up in such away that I can't breathe but my nose is runny and the nasal drip has had me coughing and spitting up mucus every day to varying degrees. It's worse at night before bed.
I've tried Advil Cold & Sinus, Advil Sinus congestion, Robutusin, and Advil Allergy & Sinus. Robutusin helped a little and the Advil Allergy helps during the day. I'm in the process of getting health insurance at work so I do plan in seeing an allergist to see I'd I can get a prescription medicine. I had one when I was younger.
In the mean time, what is your favourite OTC meds for allergies or congestion?
I've tried Advil Cold & Sinus, Advil Sinus congestion, Robutusin, and Advil Allergy & Sinus. Robutusin helped a little and the Advil Allergy helps during the day. I'm in the process of getting health insurance at work so I do plan in seeing an allergist to see I'd I can get a prescription medicine. I had one when I was younger.
In the mean time, what is your favourite OTC meds for allergies or congestion?
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I don't remember. It's been about 17 years since I've had to use it. I only have allergies back east. As soon as I moved to the west coast, they disappeared.
in other exciting antihistamine news, apparantly Allegra (fexofenadine) has been approved for OTC sale and will be hitting shelves later this month which is exciting for those of us who get terrible hay fever
I take prescription Allegra D right now, and that is amazing news. Made my night!
For the OP:
Claritin does absolutely nothing for me. I might as well take sugar pills. The only OTC that helps is Zyrtec, and I have to take it very early on in the allergy attack or when symptoms just start to occur. It is good to see an MD when you get insurance. In a lot of cases, it isn't the histamine that's the problem, but nasal swelling and congestion that makes allergies tough to handle and prevent. Make sure to have him/her actually take a look at your specific situation, rather than just writing a prescription all willy-nilly that might not be what you need.
As for hardcore allergies, I can relate on every level. It is terrible sometimes. Allergies can completely incapacitate you...knock you out for at least a day or two sometimes. There are a lot of things you can do to lessen or prevent the symptoms, though, in addition to a medication you might take, which I have found to be fairly effective over the years.
First, take long, hot showers. Steam is your friend, and will help loosen up some of the crap you have clogging you up. Additionally, it will reduce swelling in your nasal passages and sinuses.
STAY HYDRATED. I can't stress this one enough. Allergy attacks can dehydrate you like crazy, and the more fluids you have in you, the looser your mucus will be. You also won't feel like crap overall, which helps.
Wash your hands and face, and make sure to keep a travel lotion handy (or chapstick)...your nose may take a beating with all the wiping/blowing. On that topic, I found it to be good to avoid the tissue with lotion on them...they only make things worse with the sneezing.
Most importantly, though, is not to focus on it. Don't sniff hard, and don't blow hard when clearing out. Find something to keep your mind busy. The symptoms and misery will stick around longer if you let them take over.
Sorry, I know this is more advice than what you were asking for, but I figure I'd try to help in any way I could. Most of these things require little/no money, though, so that's something.
EDIT: Almost forgot the awesomest thing I have recently discovered. Neti Pots. They really do help and aren't all that weird or hard to use. They do a great job of clearing out allergens and excess mucus! Plus the warm water feels good on battered nasal innards.
As for netipots, they don't work for me. I'm so backed up in there that whenever I use one the water doesn't go through and it backs up into my throat. I try it every so often still but it doesn't end well. I really wish I could use one because everyone else who has one swears by it
I had your exact issue....constantly stuffed up. I think there was a period, and this is no joke, that I didn't breathe our of my left nostril for like 4 months. No allergy med really resolved that, as it was from weeks and weeks of mucus backup in there. The only thing that helped immensely was getting on Allegra D after a failed first prescription my doc recommended. He took a thorough look and saw i had a lot of congestion (even when i didn't feel congested), and post-nasal drip. and essentially said "well there's your problem."
I use Zyrtec (cetirizine) but buy the generic brand from costco (amazon has it if you have no membership) instead of paying $20 for 30 pills I pay the same for about 300.
for a while my brother was wicked bad stuffed. he'd go on the Claritin, that would work for about 3 months and then stop. He'd switch to the Zyrtec, 3 months, and then the Allegra, 3 months, and then back to the Claritin.
I just picked myself up some Loratidine tabs since my allergies have been acting up a bit down here in the coming autumn weather. the girl at the pharmacy/chemists (she really annoys the crap out of me) tried to suggest that I use the nasal spray instead. But nasal sprays give me headaches and when I tell you that I've used this drug before why are you arguing with me just give me the damned drug.
grrr. this woman irritates me.
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