Hayfever - how do you cope/handle it ?

Forums › Health and fitness › Hayfever - how do you cope/handle it ?

martyyn

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#290183 26-Oct-2021 11:26

When I was a teenager in the 80's (in UK and then NZ) I used to get it pretty bad. Eyes and nose streaming, eye's as itchy as anything, sneezing, headaches the lot. I just had to stay indoors splashing my face with water all day.

Then for a period of time I had nothing, I don't remember when it stopped but I don't remember having any symptoms for 30+ years.

But the last couple of years it's come back with a vengeance. My eyes don't itch but my nose is like a tap. The headaches are back in the mornings, as is the sneezing all day.

The doctor suggested I just try each anti-histamine until I found one which worked. The first year it was something available at Countdown of all places, then last year it was Telfast but not this year.

I'm currently using 180mg of Telfast and although the symptoms are better than if I wasn't taking anything you wouldn't know it. I'll do a box of tissues a day. Often the only relief I can get is to lie still in our bedroom but the moment I move it's all on again.

Does anyone else have the same problem ? Have you found what works one year doesn't the next ? Have you found anything to help the alleviate the symptoms ?

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#2801244 26-Oct-2021 11:32

I was similar as a kid in NZ, and loved living in Japan because I didn't have any hayfever. Until one year, when it started, and it hit me like a truck.

Back in NZ now, I tend to use Flixonase. An important part of this is to use it absolutely first thing in the morning. I keep it beside the bed and take it before I even start moving and breathing deeply.

Somehow, this seems to work. Also remember it builds up in the system so it may take a few days before it is fully effective.

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lxsw20

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#2801259 26-Oct-2021 11:40

Just a tip - next time you go to the doctor, get them to give it to you on script. It's a whole lot cheaper than buying it retail.

timmmay

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#2801260 26-Oct-2021 11:40

Best see your doctor. You could try this set of medications:

Ceririzine mornings
Loratadine at night
Flixonase nasal spray mornings (much cheaper on prescription)
Phenylephrine as required (not a prescription medication)

Doctors usually say you don't need two different ones but I find they help. Get a prescription with repeats, otherwise it's pretty expensive.

I also put in a good HEPA filter to remove pollen and also a charcoal filter to reduce smoke smells in the house ventilation system and tend to keep the windows closed most of the time.

dt

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#2801262 26-Oct-2021 11:42

Have you visited your doctor? my wife out of nowhere started getting very bad hayfever a couple of years ago and she was prescribed some meds from our GP which helped her significantly.

We also run a couple of air purifiers around the house to keep her comfortable indoors during that time of year

Batman

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#2801288 26-Oct-2021 12:20

martyyn:
When I was a teenager in the 80's (in UK and then NZ) I used to get it pretty bad. Eyes and nose streaming, eye's as itchy as anything, sneezing, headaches the lot. I just had to stay indoors splashing my face with water all day.

Then for a period of time I had nothing, I don't remember when it stopped but I don't remember having any symptoms for 30+ years.

But the last couple of years it's come back with a vengeance. My eyes don't itch but my nose is like a tap. The headaches are back in the mornings, as is the sneezing all day.

The doctor suggested I just try each anti-histamine until I found one which worked. The first year it was something available at Countdown of all places, then last year it was Telfast but not this year.

I'm currently using 180mg of Telfast and although the symptoms are better than if I wasn't taking anything you wouldn't know it. I'll do a box of tissues a day. Often the only relief I can get is to lie still in our bedroom but the moment I move it's all on again.

Does anyone else have the same problem ? Have you found what works one year doesn't the next ? Have you found anything to help the alleviate the symptoms ?

You go for desensitisation therapy by a specialist immunologist

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#2801294 26-Oct-2021 12:34

Moved to correct sub-forum.

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MikeB4

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#2801295 26-Oct-2021 12:39

@timmmay you should not take more than the stated dose of antihistamine which is usually one 20mg per 24 hour period. It can be toxic and life threatening. Antihistamines also have a hit on the kidneys and can cause permanent damage if used incorrectly.

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MikeB4

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#2801299 26-Oct-2021 12:42

There are allergy face masks available. Where them outside during the day during the high pollen count periods.

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Resnick

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#2801318 26-Oct-2021 12:49

I suffer from tree pollen allergies primarily, although my symptoms don't sound as severe as yours. I have tried a new prep this year called Dymista which combines fluticasone and an antihistamine in a nasal spray. This has made a big difference for me; I can actually smell pollen this season and don't have the usual eye / rhinitis / sinusitis issues. It's relatively expensive and unfunded as yet though.

timmmay

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#2801326 26-Oct-2021 13:00

Batman:

You go for desensitisation therapy by a specialist immunologist

Doesn't always work.

MikeB4:

@timmmay you should not take more than the stated dose of antihistamine which is usually one 20mg per 24 hour period. It can be toxic and life threatening. Antihistamines also have a hit on the kidneys and can cause permanent damage if used incorrectly.

A doctor will usually consider these types of things before writing a prescription. Agree care is required. They are different medicines.

alisam

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#2801328 26-Oct-2021 13:03

Gurezaemon:

I was similar as a kid in NZ, and loved living in Japan because I didn't have any hayfever. Until one year, when it started, and it hit me like a truck.

Back in NZ now, I tend to use Flixonase. An important part of this is to use it absolutely first thing in the morning. I keep it beside the bed and take it before I even start moving and breathing deeply.

Somehow, this seems to work. Also remember it builds up in the system so it may take a few days before it is fully effective.

I've used Flixonase for years and years.

First thing in the morning, but never again.

Yes it does take time to become effective and definitely cheaper with a Doctors prescription (3 months supply)

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#2801330 26-Oct-2021 13:06

Don't use Dymista in conjunction with any other anti histamines or corticosteroid sprays such as Beconase or Flixonase.

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kiwikurt

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#2801333 26-Oct-2021 13:16

I lived overseas for 8 years and aside from visits to NZ the absence of hayfever was so good.

Because of my job I'm restricted in what I can take and this basically means I have been using Flixonaise for the last 5 years.

I usually start in August with two blasts up each nostril and then keep up with a singular maintenance dose up each nostril after about 2 weeks and continue that well into the new year.

It definitely keeps the obvious symptoms largely at bay but I do feel I still have headaches and some lethargy that could possibly be put down to the hayfever itself.

MikeB4

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#2801335 26-Oct-2021 13:18

Oral antihistamines are secreted out of our body via the kidneys. With extended use they can reduce the kidney function. This reduction can be exacerbated if one is taking other medications such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory medicines both over the counter of prescribed. If one is taking these on a regular basis request blood test from your GP to monitor kidney function.

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timmmay

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#2801337 26-Oct-2021 13:20

MikeB4:

Oral antihistamines are secreted out of our body via the kidneys. With extended use they can reduce the kidney function. This reduction can be exacerbated if one is taking other medications such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory medicines both over the counter of prescribed. If one is taking these on a regular basis request blood test from your GP to monitor kidney function.

Good info, thanks. I personally have had that test and all is normal for me. I've been taking the list I posted above for decades probably.

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