I started developing hay fever five years ago and it gets worse every year. I have been taking a variety of hay fever tablets faithfully but sometimes they don't work at all ( for example a sunny + windy day).
Anyone else suffered from hay fever and got rid of it as they aged? I don't want to be stuck on tablets for the rest of my life.
I have seen a documentary on tapewarm(?) and apparently it helped with some people's hay fever. But that's kind of gross.
Please send help!
Regard,
Banana
Nasonex is fantastic.
I was a long term hay fever sufferer until I was prescribed Nasonex.
Now you can get over the counter which is great.
On the week I paid $15 for the 140 spray size.
There are also desensitisation programs conducted by an allergist where small amounts of the triggers are injected into you. This is done once every 2 weeks for a few months or a year and eventually your body builds up a resistance to the allergens.
Does this work with dust as well?
Yes. Small amounts of dust mites are given via drops
There's also injection method which works quicker.
Having carpet doesn't help
have you or do you know any one who has had this? What is the cost factor? Probably depends on how much that particular immunologist charges but it would give a rough indication of how much it could cost.
@mr_alligator:
Yes. The drops were effective on a friends son.
Cost varies. Can go through public with wait list of 6 months(free) or private. Long process.
Allergy testing must be done first to determine suitability.
@mr_alligator: didn't work for me. I paid the immunologist for the testing and allergen vials. I got my GP to inject the amounts into my arm every week or two. Give it a go.
I am currently on my 12th week and the benefits I have felt so far are amazing. I get injected every week until I reach 21 weeks. The cost of the test was about 350 and the allergens 150 I claimed some money back through private heath and Medicare. No I don't pay a thing until I run out of allergens as I get injected at the health service of my uni for free (bulk billed)
Which brand did you take? I use Zyrtec and they work OK.
I alternate between Telfast and Claryntine.
If needed, antihistamine tablets, nasal sprays and allergy eyedrops can be used together too.
Steroid injections are also used for severe hayfever but probably not the answer you're looking for. More side effects than tablets too.
The only thing you can do is manage the symptoms or move house. At least that is what my doctor says.
I do the following:
Triple strength Vitamin C tablets. This helps me heaps.
Antihistamine tablets like Claryntine or Polaramine.
An air purifier for my bedroom. This makes me feel so much better.
Nasal spray for blocked nose.
Lots of tissues for runny nose.
Cleansing wipes to wipe my eyes when swollen.
Do not have fresh flowers or potted flowers in the house.
A teaspoon of manuka honey in my tea.
All give me so much relief from the symptoms of hayfever. I feel your pain.
I am fine indoor.
I would walk around trees outdoor to avoid pollen.
I used to be able to tell when my housemate comes home because she would bring a wave of pollen into the house o-o
i used to suffer from it really badly. Over the years i tried various natural remedies as the tablets didn't seem to help. My symptoms are minimised now as i employ different methods i found to reduce the severity. If i plan to spend a lot of time outside i make sure i:
Good luck. i hope you find something that works!
Why avoid eating nuts though?
i'm not allergic to nuts, i don't think, but they seem to make my hayfever worse. Maybe it elevates my histamine levels and the pollen pushes me over the edge.
YES.
I never remember serious hayfever when I was young - but it has definitely kicked in as I got older.
It sucks.
Antihistamine
I have and get hayfever every year around this time. So bad it is like the flu. It is really annoying( sucks as someone already said), frustrating and expensive. I know how you feel. Tablets don't do anything for me. Tried them all. I hate it but i have to use nasal sprays like Nasonex and i prefer Rhinocort but u need to use it correctly to get the best results . Even then, they help but don't solve the problem. I love this time of the year but the older i get the worse my allergies have got.
Hi,
I use clarytine 1/day.
Use towel on my pillow and wash a few times a week.
Use nasal filters, washable, when high pollen count.
Nasonex sometimes
2/day nose flush with saline solution when high pollen count.
Between all of those I am Ok, if that is a suitable expression haha.
Cheers
I'm Zyrtec 1/day. It may help to take it in the evening before bed so you don't get caught by the morning pollen. I also do nasal rinses twice daily and occasionally use Nasonex. When it's severe, acupuncture can offer temporary relief - just make sure you go to one who's familiar with hayfever.
My dad used to suffer really bad heyfever and was told to eat horseradish, he buys a jar of horseradish spread and puts it on his food and in sandwiches. It has completely worked for him, he does not need to medicate at all anymore.
I will try that! I quite like horseradish anyways!
Nasonex is the gold standard treatment. Now avail OTC thank Allah.
Flo Nasal Rinse - used in conjunction with Nasonex.
http://www.azep.com.au/azep/10-good-reasons-to-use-azelastin… - this is better to use before using an oral antihistamine
http://www.aerius.net.au/about-aerius/aerius-overview - this is a very recent generation antihistamine that is supposed to have less potential side effects.
You'll be fine.
I am on the same boat like you. Since last year I start antihistamine (Claratyne) one tablet a day by first day of September until end of November. Last year went well no big issue. Hopefully same happens this year otherwise previous years it was really bad so doctor suggested me to start tablet early to reduce the severity.
I used to have chronic hayfever & one factor that made a signifcant difference in the severity of my hayfever was sleep. If I ever slept badly my sinsuses would be dreadful.
I recommend you to see your GP and get them to send you to a allergist. They can do a few tests to see what kinds of things might be triggering your hayfever symptoms and you can also talk to them about the option of allergen immunotherapy or 'desensitisation' as talked above. There are a few pharmaceutical interventions that might be more effective for you than those found over the counter.
There are also blood tests as RAST/IgE assays which while are not entirely accurate can show if you are allergic to common items such as pollen, house mites etc.
I spoke to a friend who wanted to get herself tested a few years ago however her GP told her that it was nothing serious that "it was all in her head" O.O
Tell her to see a different GP. Perhaps the current one did not want to cause unneeded concern for your friend but I don't see any reason why a non-invasive(relatively) blood test would be a problem. The "It's all in their head" mentality unfortunately is still present in the current health system.
Sometimes you just need to get a second opinion.
One doctor doesn't know everything so it's always best to get a second, third, fourth opinion.
Very old thread but I am now seriously considering immunotherapy. Can anyone share which clinic they went with? I'm in the inner northern suburbs of Melbourne.
I am still suffering from terrible hayfever! Telfast and Claratyne don't work anymore. I bought a couple of XiaoMi air purifiers last night to see if they will help me with sleeping better at night.
Banana, did the air purifiers help? I'm booking in to meet an allergist later this month, let's see how it works out.
I ordered them from GearBest so I would be a while before I can try them out! Really looking forward to try them, haven't been able to sleep all week.
Are you just trying to find out what you're allergic towards?
I've been on various antihistamines for 20+ years and it's getting a bit tiring. Nasal rinse is something new I've tried. Will buy Vit C on cupcake's advice.
I also have eczema. So seeing an allergist to see what my major triggers are. If it's humidity, pollen etc then I'm no better off, just have to accept my fate each spring. If it's something I'm eating, then there's hope.
Try Telfast 180. It's the highest strength one I think.
Vitamin C tablets are great for blocked and runny noses.
Wear sunglasses outside to protect stinging eyes.
I always change my clothes when I get home. I don't want to bring pollen into my room. It sticks to hair and clothes.
I hang my clothes in the garage and not outside so no pollen on them either.
I have air purifiers in my room and living room.
I know it's not a way to live, but I try to keep pollen out by closing my windows as much as possible. Not all of us can live by the beach with coastal sea breezes.
Thanks, I already do the clothes bit but not Vitamin C. WIll try it out.
Last night I had one zyrtec and one claratyne, still struggling today. I have tried Telfast in the past, maybe time to give it another go.
Definately take triple vitamin C tablets daily. It helps honestly. You have to eat 12 oranges a day to get enough vitamin C so it's great.
Telfast 180 is the best I have taken for hayfever and allergies. Best price is at Chemist Warehouse.
I started with taking Telfast 180 so it no longer works for me. I made a switch to Claratyne last year and it was fine. However it has stopped working this year…
Have you tried a nasal spray such as Nasonex? It recently came off prescription and can be found for around $15. It tends to work better than tablets if your nose, throat or eyes are affected.