Can't shake this Austin cold (Atlanta: buy, allergy, to move)

[JayBrown80]

Originally Posted by timfountain

I'm pleased that Zirtec-D worked for you; not so much success with me. It gave me heart palpitations, terrible insomnia and blinding headaches. I tried it for 4 days and was a wreck. Oh and when I did manage to catch some sleep I had the most vivid, surreal dreams. It did clear up the allergies though, but as the saying goes - the cure was worse than the disease (for me).

I feel so bad for you that you can't take Zyrtec. Everyone in my family is allergic to cedar/juniper. We can't even have a real Xmas tree or be in a house that has one. I couldn't imagine my life without Zyrtec-D. I take it beggining around Thanksgiving clear thru to Valentines day (and lately have been taking 2 a day because we are at the "Itcy eye" phase of cedar fever). A few years ago you had to have a prescription to get it. Now thankfully you can get it by just showing your license at the pharmacy counter. Before I discovered Zyrtec-D though, I tried a myriad of other approaches to control my allergies. Everything from steroid shots to drinking juniper tea. Nothing works like Zyrtec.

You are just going to have to keep trying different approaches until you find the right one that works for you. It took me a while to find my magic bullet, but if you keep trying you will hit the right combination. Just don't get discouraged and go "I will just have to suffer thru it!". You will find something. Get well soon!

[OneJackson]

carrot juice with green apple and coconut oil.

Also, Mold is a big contributor to sickness and colds in Austin and its a town that gets moldy homes fairly quick. check your window seals and make sure they are free of moisture. possibly(spring) have somebody come out and check for mold in your attic. your A/C unit could be recirculating germs and mold spores. change the filter often.

good luck.

[achtungpv]

I forgot to add that if it is cedar you have problems with avoid red meat and yeast (bread, beer, etc.). They make the symptoms significantly more severe.

[Nor Cal Wahine]

Hubby got sick around the 30th and is still sick as of today. Started as a cold and turned into a sinus infection. He's been alternately feeling sick/getting better for five days now. Poor guy got it rough. He's using antibiotics, Fluconase, and Mucinex. I swear by Mucinex and the NeilMed sinus rinse bottle - together they work wonders.

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

I'm a big fan of hot baths, and VICKS when I have a cold. Also, Vernors but I can't find Vernors here.

[Moonlady]

Originally Posted by oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots

I'm a big fan of hot baths, and VICKS when I have a cold. Also, Vernors but I can't find Vernors here.

HEB carries Vernors! My mom was from Michigan so we learned about Vernors long before it was sold in other parts of the US. It's near the soft drinks, but usually on the end like with the IBC and Hansens type drinks.

[statefan]

We use Claritin/Zyrtec for alllergies (not the "D"), along with Flonase or Nasonex. I also use a Saline nasal spray when I get really dry. Something else I do is drink a cup of hit tea daily, with lemon and a local honey. The local honey seems to help year round with common allergies but not so much during cedar season, since it doesn't came from here anyway.

[woodinvilleguy]

man, I tried the the stuff with sudafed last night and I felt great.... Except that I was wide awake ALL night.

[Moonlady]

Originally Posted by woodinvilleguy

man, I tried the the stuff with sudafed last night and I felt great.... Except that I was wide awake ALL night.

I don't recommend taking the 24 hour products like Claritin D because they WILL interfere with your sleep (that's why all Sudafed products are sold behind the counter - they use it to make speed).

You can, however, take the regular Sudafed which only lasts 6 hours - take it once or twice during the day and you'll still be able to sleep at night.

As statefan pointed out - Flonase or Nasonex is also a great option along with an antihistimine, but you have to get a prescription for that.

[CptnRn]

When you have a cold most of your sinus drainage will be out the front of your nose, i.e. runny nose. With an allergy most of the sinus drainage will be down the back of your throat, contributing to a sore throat and cough. For cedar fever, the over the counter medication I use (recommended by my doctors) is Wal-Hist (Clemastin Fumaratre) an antihistamine, and a decongestant MucinexD, (1200 mg guaifenesin and 120 mg pseudoephedrine HCI).

If what you have is starting to sound like allergies, you should go have yourself tested, as allergy shots can give you a lot of relief.