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Karen
Trad climber
Prescott, AZ ~
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Topic Author's Original Post - Apr 27, 2016 - 01:20pm PT
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I would really like some input on any of you who have suffered from allergies.
I moved to Prescott, Az this January and since that time I've been more sick than not.
Keep in mind I've never had allergies except ac a small child then seemed to out grow them.
But now totally miserable and according to my MD she thinks it allergy related.
Wtf? Is it normal to feel like death warmed over?
I had a whole panel of blood tests and I'm fine except for an elevated pancreas leve, she's going to retest that in six weeks.
Also, the MD states the reason for such intense fatigue is due to not sleeping well.
So got prescribed a steroid, antihistamine, prescription nose spray and a codiene cough syrup.
I'd like people's opinion, thanks!!!
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John M
climber
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Apr 27, 2016 - 02:06pm PT
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Are you exercising? Have you found a way to reduce stress? If you haven't had allergies before, then its probably stress related. Stress increases the release of histamines which increases the effects of sensitivities. Your body has likely been mildly sensitive, but is not thrown into full allergy responses. Not sleeping is also a stress response.
I would see an acupuncturist.
Or if you have insurance, then find a chiropractor who does NAET. Dr. Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Technique. Look it up. It works. Maybe not for everyone, but I had very good results from it and acupuncture. I rarely have an allergy problem now. Its seems like woo woo, but it works.
Find a way to reduce stress. Do some positive affirmations. Increase vitamin C intake. 500 mg at a time. Your body can't absorb anymore then that at once, so don't bother with the higher dosages. Definitely start with Vitamin C though. Its cheap and easy to take. Now when I feel allergies coming on I take vitamin C and rarely have any real difficulties.
As a supertopo online MD, my prescription starts with:
1. Positive Affirmation given 3 times 3 times a day.
I am strong and able to succeed... ( yep.. I know, sounds like woo woo, but it helps counteract the negative thoughts which build up and tear one down by causing stress which creates proven difficulties in the body )
2. 500 mg vitamin C 3 times a day.
3. Exercise.. gently at first. A 5 minute walk if thats all that you are able to do. And refrain from beating yourself up over not doing more. That is key, because otherwise you nullify the positive from getting out. If you refrain from beating yourself up, then 5 minutes can quickly increase.
4. Find an acupuncturist or chiropractor.
5. Do deep breathing exercises before sleep. Once in bed, do the positive affirmation. Then tell yourself that you will pick up your problems tomorrow and let them go for the night. Then release them. Then do deep breathing. An eight count works well. Exhale, then breathing in slowly to an 8 count. The hold for an 8 count. then release on an 8 count. repeat. Dr Weil recommends a 4 7 8 count. Experiment. whatever works for you. Do ten breaths to a count. Then let it all go. If After 20 minutes you are not asleep. then repeat the cycle.
6. find a yoga class. Its great for reducing stress. Anusara Yoga created by John Friend of Arizona is great.
http://www.lotusbloomyoga.com/instructors/
This sounds good. They offer a beginners 5 classes for 30 dollars. Even if you can't afford more then the first 5 classes. Go to them. Let them do their thing. Then take it from there.
Finally..
7. Be kind to yourself.
And yep... allergies suck big time.
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Apr 27, 2016 - 02:15pm PT
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Find a source for local raw unfiltered honey and start eating some. It's full of the local allergens, but when eaten they are antigens. Boiling water - such as in tea - denatures the good stuff so tea and honey might be tasty be won't be effective.
Don't expect overnight results, it's not a med., it's a natural solution.
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John M
climber
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Apr 27, 2016 - 02:19pm PT
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thats your opinion Locker. which you are welcome to. My opinion is that they help many people, especially with things like allergies. I have been helped by them and know many others who also were helped. To the point that I no longer take allergy meds. I do know a few people who saw only a little relief, but I also know tons of folks who get little to no relief from Western medicine and all of its drugs. And I know many people who have been adversely effected by Western medicine. Myself included. And nope, I am not fully down on Western medicine. I have a western medicine doctor whom I rely on. I just realize that it has limitations and was willing to try other things.
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Apr 27, 2016 - 02:30pm PT
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The honey has been a big help for me. Then I got a Terrier, a breed which can be prone to pollen allergies causing skin problems. The vet had me giving him meds for it, which work but he has to take a lot. Then one day the light (a weak bulb sometimes) went off in my head and I started giving him the same honey I eat. I've been able to cut way back on the meds (from daily to weekly) and he is fine.
It's pretty funny, he doesn't care for honey so he won't just eat it. So I smear it all over his snout and he has to lick it off.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Apr 27, 2016 - 03:20pm PT
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This year has been a big allergy season in Denver.
Loads of tree pollen and grass pollen due to some good
moisture. I've been allergic to my cat(s) for ages, but
the tree pollen and the like have really gotten to me
this year.
You might try a vaporizer at night to keep your sinuses moist.
Wish I could give you more ideas, but with your antihistamine etc
you hopefully will get better.
I tried Clariton, and all it did was make me feel worse.
I seem to be better after a couple of rough weeks.
Hope you do too!
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ontheedgeandscaredtodeath
Social climber
SLO, Ca
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Apr 27, 2016 - 03:21pm PT
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I suggest seeing an m.d. allergy specialist. My wife had similar symptoms, rapid onset etc, and is managing it through an allergy clinic. She gets shots.
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aspendougy
Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
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Apr 27, 2016 - 04:33pm PT
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Hi Karen:
I know this sounds weird, but there is solid science behind it, and every friend I have recommended it to has gotten results:
Eat quail eggs!! They are a challenge to crack (check the Internet for technique) but taste as good or better than regular scrambled eggs. once cooked. Also, there is a supplement, but it is fairly expensive.
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Apr 27, 2016 - 05:29pm PT
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I received this trick from an old Wyoming hay farmer for airborne allergens: Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B-5). Buy it at GNC Nutrition and take copious amounts. Buy the 500 mg capsules and start by taking 2 of them, and at the start, take every 4 hours. I forget about this since I'm no longer putting up any hay, but IT WORKS! My friend Harvey kept a huge bottle of it around for his seasonal helpers when haying. He sore by it, and so do I, now that I remembered it! Lots cheaper than may of the other "remedies," and has no side effects (drowsiness) like antihistamines.
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BuddhaStalin
climber
Truckee, CA
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Apr 27, 2016 - 05:33pm PT
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It took an awful long time for someone to recommend the obvious, known solution..... SEEING an ALLERGIST! OP, you know who to talk to...and it aint anyone here.
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anita514
Gym climber
Great White North
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Apr 27, 2016 - 05:34pm PT
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I like to do a good turmeric/cayenne enema when my allergies act up. It sure does flush out those nasty toxins.
Just kidding. See a doctor.
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John M
climber
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Apr 27, 2016 - 05:41pm PT
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My uncle was a very well respected allergist in Texas. He treated me for years. I got very little relief and many side effects. It often made things worse. I saw him for years. I did the shot thing. Most of my family saw him. I tried something different. I no longer have allergy problems. My family still sees allergy specialists. They still have problems. But they don't want to try anything different.
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Karen
Trad climber
Prescott, AZ ~
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 27, 2016 - 07:19pm PT
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Thanks everyone for your imput. Right now on the pain scale from 1-10 I'm at an eight.
I really feel my cognitive functioning is being compromised, I'm dizzy and when I walk it's as if I'd had too much too drink.
Yeah, locker gonna die....
Before that occurs need some relief since I've not seriously ever felt this bad.
I'll first try the honey, I can afford that.
Yes, John, my stress levels have been through the roof for sometime now. The best antidote would be to go climb but too out of shape. I'll take your advice to get for even a five minute walk. There is quite a lot of positive things that are coming up soon, however, feel too shitty to even get excited over.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
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Apr 27, 2016 - 10:59pm PT
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Karen,
Need more info, but two scenarios I'm familiar with and both make me feel like I have viral infection in the lungs or viral cold or flu from sinus drainage.
First, this year driving through the central valley where there are many blooming trees amd and grasses, I get coughing attacks and tight chest.
Fifteen minutes after Alavert 10mg, no coughing.
Second, usually once a year I experience what I think is a cold in March or April. This is caused by sinus drainage down the back of the throat. This can lead to symptoms that can be flu-like. Cough syrup helps for immediate relief, but antihistamine provide relief after some time.
Hope that helps,
Munge
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justthemaid
climber
Jim Henson's Basement
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Apr 28, 2016 - 05:22am PT
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Sorry- long post.
I can sympathize big time. When I first moved to Bishop a year ago severe allergies totally took me out. I basically couldn't get out of bed for the first month I lived here. I did see a doctor -then an allergist and it boiled down to getting hit with a lot of unfamiliar pollen. The fact that it was an extremely stressful move probably didn't help. It's gotten better, but I've had ongoing issues.
I tired everything- and I do mean everything.
Initially I was prescribed steroids, antihistamines and a nasal wash which helped but I didn't like being on steroids.
In an effort to not be on the drugs all the time and to avoid injections- I have had extensive acupuncture and chiropractic. My back and joints feel better but I have to say it had little to no effect on the allergies. Acupuncture helps manage the physical discomfort issues but does not cure allergies IMO.
The chiropractor also treated me with NAET. (Dr. Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Technique). It had ZERO effect and it's my opinion at this point that it's total BS... you'd have better luck with a proper witch doctor.
Doctors can only do so much. In the end it just took some time to kind of resolve itself and it's only bad when certain plants are going off.
The treatments I do now-
What seems to work best is plain old daily antihistamines when my allergies are going off. One for day- one for night when it's severe. I swap around different types so I don't get too used to any one. Get the good Sudafed from the pharmacist-not the wimpy stuff that is on the shelf.
Frequent (non-steroidal) nasal spray- just the regular over the counter to wash out pollen and dust. Netti pot is better if you can take it ( I don't like them).
I do do a spoonful of local honey every day- not sure if it helps but it's yummy :)
Run a few humidifiers in your house to keep dust down. Seems to help me with sinus headaches.
Finally a note on the suggestion to eliminate wheat. I initially dismissed this as fad hippy propaganda with major eye-roll - I worked for a health food store and was kind of over all the people ranting about the evils of wheat and imagined intolerance.
....but after a pretty miserable winter of constant sinus issues- I decided it didn't hurt to try. Surprisingly- it did help. It's not a cure, but things are better. The husband jumped on board and it also had the bonus effect of miraculously clearing up the chronic eczema he's had for years. We've both lost weight. I'm finding I like rice crackers better anyhow and gluten/wheat free alternatives aren't that hard to find in the market these days if you want to give it a try.
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John M
climber
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Apr 28, 2016 - 10:36am PT
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The chiropractor also treated me with NAET. (Dr. Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Technique). It had ZERO effect and it's my opinion at this point that it's total BS... you'd have better luck with a proper witch doctor
my experience is the opposite. From experience I also learned that the partitioner plays a major part in the effectiveness of the treatment, be it NAET, physical therapy, psychotherapy, or even surgery.
One size does not fit all. Nor are all practitioners alike. Eastern medicine is especially reliant on a sound practitioner and one has to develop their discernment as to who is capable and who isn't.
I used to take daily allergy meds. Since treatment, In the last ten years I have taken an antihistamine less then a dozen times.
I also have back issues. Over the years I saw 4 different physical therapists plus multiple chiropractors. Some gave me a bit of relief, and others made things worse. For quite a few years I could barely sleep as I was in so much pain. Then the stars must have aligned, because I found a physical therapist who did wonders for me in very little time. He was a gifted practitioner. He has since moved on to work primarily with children.
Then there are the psychotherapists and psychiatrists. ( yep.. lots of problems here ) I had one psychiatrist who had me on so many different pills I started having bouts of amnesia. One good thing about having a history of doing psychoactive drugs like LSD is that I was familiar with not being myself, so was able to work through the amnesia myself. I would sit in the parking lot at Raley's in Oakhurst and not know who I was, or where I lived. I would know what a drivers license was, but I didn't know the person on it, nor where the address was. That was so fun. ( eye roll ) The worst part is I just thought that I was going even more nuts, instead of being able to see that it was the meds that I was on. I had been so trained to trust what doctors did. I have since learned to trust myself more then I trust doctors.
I have plenty of tales about doctors screwing up, or being flat out wrong. Thankfully I also found helpful doctors, and I learned to study the issues myself.
I fully understand why people don't trust things like acupuncture. Sometimes it doesn't work. Sometimes thats because its the wrong treatment. Other times its because the practitioner is not very good. As I said earlier, you have to learn to discern who has skills and who doesn't, and you have to learn to pay attention to your own body. If it isn't working, its not always the fault of the treatment. Sometimes its the person giving the treatment. The same is true for Western medicine.
I pray Karen that you find your way. I do have one more bit of information for you. My sense is that you took on some of the energies of your patients up north. You need to figure out how to let that go and not take responsibility for others problems. Send this energy back to its owners. You are not the owner. When you take on others energies, you are creating a codependent relationship. So send it back.... Its just my sense. If you reject it, thats up to you. I only offer it as an insight and am not attached to outcome. Though I do genuinely hope that you find relief.
John
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Bruce Morris
Social climber
Belmont, California
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Apr 28, 2016 - 02:02pm PT
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Any move to a new area stresses your whole system, including your autoimmune response.
Look for something emotional in your new environment and address it by whatever works for you.
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Crazy Bat
Sport climber
Birmingham, AL & Seweanee, TN
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Apr 28, 2016 - 08:10pm PT
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So glad youwent to the doctor. As a kid I had a lot of sinus issues. My old pediatrician had a novel solution. Put triple antibiotic ointme t up your nose with a que tip. Put lots on it so you dont scratch the mucus membranes. Dont use the knd that is white. Use the stuff that is like vasolene.
My first trip to an arid environement I developed the old issues. I didnt have any ointment with me so I used vasolene. My personal bullshit theory is that it worked two ways. First it kept the pollen from hitting the moist tissue and trying to fertalize the flower it thought it had hit. The other is that it keeps my eastern adapted sinuses from drying out.
That quetip will go quite a ways up your nose so do it in private to keep from freaking your friends out. LOL
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Karen
Trad climber
Prescott, AZ ~
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 28, 2016 - 09:25pm PT
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Just feel so isolated , my roommate has quarantine me into the bed room. I can't blame her for doing so it is just sa Danm lonely especially when you have feve joint pain ad my head hurts.
It all I can to stagger into the bat food.
Sorry being such a complainer, it's this whole isolation is getting to me. My head hurts.
To deal wit this pain I've taken eight my Xanax , it helps with pain and once more I should get anoogh sleep with that. Well my vision is going blurry time to log off.
Bless all of you!
Karen
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nita
Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
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Apr 30, 2016 - 10:37pm PT
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*
Miss Karen, I hope you are feeling better than you did a couple of days ago....
Mr Moosedrool, What probiotics are you putting up your nose?....
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