Allergy questions. Help!! (Austin: salon, allergies, to live)

[onegoodmom]

I have read alot of comments about allergies and I am getting concerned. We are moving there, and I have one son in particular that suffers from allergies (sneezing, congestion) really bad during spring and summer. I have no idea what he s allergic to, but we have it under control here. I am wondering if someone can tell me what most folks are allergic to, besides cedar, so I can go into an allergist, and have my kids tested, as well as talk to the doctor about the allergies prior to getting there? Thanks!

[llkltk]

I'm from Seattle, moved here 8 years ago. Right now the cedar is creeping up and I'm feeling the effects. Out of towners usually get allergies after one or two years of being here. It just feels like you have a very bad cold and cough for 3 weeks in the winter, there is nothing you can do about it. There are also other allergies in the summer, like ragweed that make your eyes water. It's the most annoying thing about Austin. But yet, I stay!

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by llkltk

I'm from Seattle, moved here 8 years ago. Right now the cedar is creeping up and I'm feeling the effects. Out of towners usually get allergies after one or two years of being here. It just feels like you have a very bad cold and cough for 3 weeks in the winter, there is nothing you can do about it. There are also other allergies in the summer, like ragweed that make your eyes water. It's the most annoying thing about Austin. But yet, I stay!

I just started feeling the effects yesterday and started my nose spray and Claritin regiment today. I lived in Austin for more than 10 years before the allergies affected me. My doctor said is not uncommon for people to live here many years before feeling it, and some never do while others are affected quicker. I don't hear of many newcomers being affected right away unless you come from an area with similar allergens.

Steve

[achtungpv]

Take him to an allergist ASAP. Ragweed, oak, mold, cedar, etc. are all very bad here.

I've had extremely bad allergies for several months now and never had allergies until I'd been here a few years. This year allergies have been almost comically bad for me.

Last week I got the allergy shot. I'm currently on ZyrtecD, Tessalon Perle, Promethazine, and Fluticasone Propionate nasal spray to try and control my allergy induced coughing with no such luck. I'm up until 4am coughing almost daily. I'll call the doctor on Wednesday and see if there's anything else I can take. I definitely don't want to get on the allergy shot schedule since it causes osteoporosis.

[austin-steve]

I'm up until 4am coughing almost daily. I'll call the doctor on Wednesday and see if there's anything else I can take. I definitely don't want to get on the allergy shot schedule since it causes osteoporosis.

Ask the doctor for a cortizone shot and you'll be like new. Can't do it every year, but in years when I am losing the battle I ask for one and it clears everything up almost instantly.

Steve

[TexasGirl@Heart]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

Ask the doctor for a cortizone shot and you'll be like new. Can't do it every year, but in years when I am losing the battle I ask for one and it clears everything up almost instantly.

Steve

Out of curiosity...why can't you get that shot every year?

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by Texanwannabe

Out of curiosity...why can't you get that shot every year?

I don't know the specific medical reasons, but the allergy Doctor I use told me he only gives the cortisone shots when allergy symptoms are extreme (as I've has in the past) and immediate relief is needed and traditional medication and sprays are not working. There have been years when I was rendered essentially non-functional because of allergy symptoms and was so clogged I couldn't talk on the phone or breath properly. It's very frustrating for every person I talk to on the phone to say "are you alright? You sound sick".

It's a cortisone shot in the butt and indeed, the relief happens almost instantly. I've had to get the shot about three times in the past 8 or 9 years. I never asked the doctor for details on why I can't just get one each year, but he implied that it would not be healthy to do so because of potential side effects and the impact it could have on my immune system.

Now that I think about it, maybe I should know more about what's being injected into my body, but frankly, when the symptoms are hammering me and affecting my productivity and ability to function in life, I have no choice but to get better - whatever it takes.

Steve

[ilmd]

mom- your allergist where you are will have a good knowledge of what will exacerbate your family. The usual scenerio is that it will take about 3 yeas for a person to show symptoms of an allergy to a new irritant. Steve- suggesting cortisone for a child is not a Bandaid for allergy relief- it has several significant potential problems- especially for a growing child-weakens and slows bone growth in a child, increases chances of infection- allergic reaction to the cortisone- it slows/stops the adrenal glands from functioning if on it for a long time. it sounds like mom has a pretty good handle on planning for the move to another part of the country

[ang08]

We are considering a move to Austin from WA and are in the same boat - my son and myself have allergies here and we keep hearing horror stories about Austin. When I asked my allergist if we should consider not moving he said no, you can never predict what will happen once you are there, even if you test ahead of time. He said most likely we would get a reprieve for a year or two and then have to deal with whatever happens, and with proper medication nearly everyone can cope. Good luck!

[pi168]

I have a had some success with a nasel wash called Neilmed...so I am not on drugs constantly