Allergies?

[nootka]

My husband suffers very severe allergies.

He's resistant to go to any doctor, and dislikes taking medications. His eyes get very red, very puffy and of course he has the symptoms of runny nose, and just overall thick-headed feeling like when you get a cold.

I don't have them, so I have no idea what to suggest.

I have told him again and again to try seeing a doctor that specializes in such things, but that's not going to happen. What have you had experience with, and what works for you (although I realize what works for you may not work for him)?

Not really asking for medical advice, just experiences on what you've been through, and what you've found relief with, even if it was a trip to the doctor!

Thanks!

Liz

 

[tifflunn]

Each person is different but I live on Reactin (over the counter)from May until October - and I have also tried the Flonace(sp) perscription which worked pretty well- justto lazy to go get a refill from the Dr. Best of luck.

Tiffany

 

[h2t99]

I take zyrtec and love it!! Claritin is another and you can get both without a prescription!! Have him try something for a week and when he feels better he will want to take the meds!!

My husband is the same way when it comes to allergies!! I have no problem getting him to take something know that he realizes how much better he feels.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Another thumbs up on Flonase.

Also, for long term relief, he needs to get on local honey--at least 1 Tbsp a day, and as many local foods and meats that you can.

I believe that one of the reasons so many more people seem to have allergies now is because we don't eat many local foods anymore.

 

[DrivinTime]

I can relate to the misery of allergies... (and of husbands who won't go to the doctor! OH! )

Here are some things that worked for us that I hope will help you:

- semi-permeable mattress covers (particularly useful with a dust mite allergy). they keep dust and dust mites away, lessening the amount of junk your body has to deal with; and they are not just plastic or rubber, but a coated fabric, so they are comfy. make sure to cover your box spring, too, if you have one.

- get rid of carpets, and use area rugs that you can wash in the washing machine. vacuum floors as often as you can stand to do it...

- fluff bed quilts in the dryer (on hot or warm) once a week

- acupuncture, if you can find a Chinese-trained acupuncturist

- if you can drag your spouse in to an allergist and get the testing done (it doesn't hurt, really!) then you'll have a better idea of what to avoid

- Allegra is great for those times when the allergen levels are really high, and it doesn't make you sleepy

Good luck!

 

[whitney]

I have terrible hay allergies (eyes swell shut). I came across something last year by chance that worked for me sounds hokie but it worked. 1/2 teaspoon ground corriander, 1 teaspoon on calantro, 1 teaspoon of oregano, 1/2 teaspoon powdered garlic, in 8 oz of hot water, let it steep and drink it. I did this AM/PM for almost 2 weeks. I have been able to snort hay (I check every flake I feed) and no sneezing or itchy eyes. This was over 4 months ago. Worth a shot, let me know if it works for you. I'm waiting for my brother-in-laws seasonal allergies to kick in to test it on him.

 

[nootka]

Thanks for the information on what has worked for you!

He does not like any of the over the counter meds he's tried, but then again, I don't think he's given them all a fair shot. Something has to happen, he really is debilitated by it, and it's no fun being around him when he's so miserable, it makes us all feel so badly for him.

Keep 'em coming. He did start taking local honey, but it's hard for us right this time of year to get much local foods. Soon, though!

When he goes fishing on the ocean, he gets total relief because there IS no pollen out there as a rule. Also, in Alaska he has no symptoms to speak of.

Liz

 

[Ashley]

I have some very mild allergies but just deal with them as any of the over the counter stuff knocks me out cold.

NOw my mom is allergic to almost everything on the planet. She gets two shots each month and plus takes I think its Claratin.

 

[Shari]

When does his allergies act up?

Inside the house or outside? Times of day? After he eats? OR?

I ask because my DH is the same way.... for years every spring he gets nasty allergies. Keep telling him it is the Alder pollen,,,as I have been watching him with this issue for a long time. Once the pollen is gone..he is fine.

Sounds like you will have to do a bit of dective work. Until you find out what is causing it, it will be an on going problem.

My sister is much worse than my DH with the allergies.. she can't use any normal laundry soap, no dairy, wheat, or chemmicals of any kind.

Only non drug thing I know to do, is the Honey. Does work, as long as he is willing to eat a teaspoon a day.

Good luck Liz.

 

[Sonya]

I've got terrible allergies. Tried just about everything. Benedryl works the best for me, but makes you very drowsy. Since I've quit smoking, the allergies are so much better, almost gone right now. And my snoring has stopped.

If it is seasonal allergies, honey does help, but you need to take it for about 3 weeks before you will notice a difference...also it has to be honey that has come from your area..preferable within 50 miles of your house...closer the better. Also honey that has not been heated is better. We have 2 hives and a friend I work with uses our honey everyday and he hasn't had any allergy problems in a very long time.

A friend of ours has allergy shots every 2 weeks, it's the only thing that will help him.

 

[Pepipony]

Tough Tookie about feeling sorry for him! If he broke an arm, then yeah, feel sorry. But if he has a condition that warrants a Dr and he is just too stupid to go, then TOUGH, dont feel sorry for him. It is his fault that he feels this bad, not yours! Instead of dealing with him, maybe get ticky and tell him to see the Dr.

OR ELSE. Sorry, but I dont have patience with people who are too smart for their own good OH! MEN!!!!

 

[Valerie]

Wow Liz....

Tell Martin I do emphathize with him, but I can't symphathize with him.......

I will start off by saying, I have severe allergies to lots and lots and lots of things....horses, dogs, cats, pollen, dust, dander, trees, grasses, mold, etc...so you get the picture.

I get shots now 1x a month (yea...after 4 years of shots (2 shots, 1 in each arm), first 1 x a week, then 1 x ever 2 weeks...now up to 1 x a month)...but it's a slow process. Also, I would just advise, the Dr. did warn me it would take several years for my immunity to build up the resistance to what I am allergic to, so it's a huge committment if you undertake the shots route. (I am guessing from you post, that Martin won't be doing that anyway).

I would seriously have him tested though. It's quite painless.....they just prick you with little stick things (on your back or arms) to see what you have a reaction too, then they can tell you what types of meds work best for you. Since I am allergic to everything but cattle and cockroaches..(seriously)....I had a totally different treatment plan than my husband, who also has allergies, but not as severe.

What has worked for me, Claritin (non-drowsy), but I was able to switch to Costco's brand, so it's cheaper and OTC......I also use Nasonex daily (Nasal spray)....and I have to take Singulair every night.

Another trick a lot of people do not know is that Pepcid (yes, the heart-burn stuff) can help with allergy symptoms....I take Pepcid on the days I get my injections.....because it does help with the symptoms.

Also, Chlor-trimeton does wonders as well for days that are "tougher allergy" days. People with allergies will tell you some days something in the air or what-have you is just totally throwing you for a loop, so you have to take something extra.

Ken was taking Flonase and he thought it worked well, but then he did the "man-thing" and decided he could beat it on his own....so now he takes nothing & suffers.....but I let him, I figure if he was smart enough to go get tested to know what his allergies were and not smart enough to stay on the meds that helped them, then then the sympathy party stopped. I know it sounds mean, but let's face it these are grown adults....they sometimes need "tough love".

Things we did at home to help ease the symptoms: encase your bed...mattress and box springs...you can buy covers esp for this. Encase your pillows (you can buy these things at Walmart, etc).

We pulled up all carpet and now have laminate or linoleum...so nothing can get trapped in carpet.

If you have pets, don't let them sleep in your bedroom (I know, that is a tough one for me....I let Sofie sleep in the bedroom and when she passed on and we replaced her with Saidi, she gets to sleep in the bedroom on the bed as well). That is my choice, and I know it clogs me up a little, but I don't complain about it because I know better.

Oh one more thing I invested in....air purifiers.....esp helpful at night in the bedroom.....cleans the air, pulls out the allergens etc. I got mine of HSN or QVC.....but I know you can buy them at HomeDepot etc.....they filter out all the nasties in the air.

I am always here for you....If I think of more tricks, I will let you know...but please do try to encourage Martin to get allergy tested......it would just be so much easier for all of you in the long run. I also know that when I am at the coast or somewhere tropical, my allergies disappear as well....it does definitely help.

Good luck!!!

Valerie

 

[River Wood]

Depending on the allergy, some have to move to a more suitable part of the country. My cousin did.

 

[hhpminis]

Tough one Liz

My husband and kids all have allergies. Unfortunately, what works for one of them is different than what works for the other. It is trial and error to find the right mix.

I found with my daughter who has the worst reactions to her allergies that breaking down the ingredients of the allergy meds works best for her.

Rather than taking say Claritin D, she will break it down and take a decongestant like Sudafed, and Benadryl or Clor-Trimeton. Sometimes she does not need both ingredients and she has learned to self medicate herself really well.

Singular has been a huge blessing for all of them.

I guess if Martin is funny about pills, I would try the Claritin D as it is one pill, and lasts for 12 hours. It doesn't sound like you could get him to take a concoction. Also the nasal sprays (like nasanex) really help too.

The mattress covers, no rugs or if you have carpet, get a good vacuum that has a good HEPA filter or a water vacuum like the Rainbow vacs are good. Try to vacuum when he is not around. Use a dusting spray to collect the dust not just stir it up.

What about scents? Have you tried non scented laundry detergent and dryer sheets? These may not be an allergen to him but they are often irritants that add to the problem. Perfumes or cleaning agent smells. All of these can be irritants. Kind of like salt, pour it on normal skin, no problem but pour it on broken skin and it is an irritant. Not the cause of the broken skin but it sure adds to the problem of the pain.

Hope he feels better soon.

 

[nootka]

Back to read!

Yes, I do not really have as much sympathy for him as I could, just because I think he's proceeding with his head in the sand, but he does suffer a LOT.

He will say, for example, that it is the "hay" in the barn, or mold. However, he is FINE all year until about the first week of March, give or take a week.

Once, just for my own "test" I grabbed an Alder bud, and held it near his face. He inhaled it (I told him to smell it) and he just started off with one of the worst attacks I've ever seen, instantaneous. I felt badly about that part, but also good that we identified at least ONE of the things he's allergic to.

We have had several friends tell us that he needs to get the allergen identification, etc. etc., but he's so determined to find a natural "cure" and yet on the other hand he does not stay on any of them long enough to fully ascertain that it is or isn't working.

He did buy a lot of local honey from a keeper, here, so he's been using that more or less daily.

I may just print this out so that he can read it. I feel like at least I've done SOMETHING.

My three-year-old (almost four) will likely be seeing his pediatrician to help us figure out how to minimize his symptoms. Last year was the first time I saw his reactions, and I don't want to go through it this year without some direction.

Thank you, all!

Liz