Allergies there???? And Dust???

[locolobo13]

Originally Posted by Jimrob1

I live in Sun City West so I'm in Surprise. I wasn't surprised by the enviromental comments made about this area. I'm glad I found this thread because I'm having a terrible time with breathing here. I've always had sinus problems but since moving here in Sept. Its getting worse each day. Especially since mid Oct. Its not just the dryed clogged up sinus, and headache. The fatigue and malaise. Its this new problem of a tight chest and difficulty breathing, when I exercise outside that has me worried. I have had it before living here, but hardly ever, and I imagine its Asthma related or bronchitis. I've had nothing to the level I'm esperiencing here and its daily now. It seems to improve when I go inside. So its related to the heavy breathing outside in that dust, and pollution that is so obvious here. I'm seeing a doctor tomorrow. I took a years lease here in case I found I didn't care for Arizona or retirement communities. I guess I won't be staying dispite the nice weather, that will come this time each year. I refuse to retire where I will have to be heavily medicated to go outside all year. Or have to stay indoors. Screw that. Or even worse the development of Asthma,or bronchitis that must be really aggravated here. Instinctively I sense it is dust that is the culprit, and I can't do much of anything about it. I have been seeing some residents here wearing masks outside. So obviously some people must really be sensitive to the desert regions of Arizona. Thanks.

Some people are allergic to dust. Some are allergic to pollen. Others are allergic to other things such as pet dander. If it's in your chest and you are having difficulty breathing see your Doctor. They can do tests to find out what you are really allergic to. Or if your problem is something else.

Despite the nice weather some people find they have allergies that make this area miserable. Some people can handle it but have to take precautions. For instance, I am allergic to grass pollen. It was really bad as a child but got better as I grew. Nowadays I can mow my yard, just need to shower afterwards. Before moving out of the valley you should get checked out medically.

[N J Pinney]

Thanks Azriverfan for the offer to recommend allergy specialists (in the Prescott area). My wife is totally out of commission with great sinus pain every year in Dec. & Jan. She wants to move back to Pasadena or Long Beach. Please advise.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by N J Pinney

Thanks Azriverfan for the offer to recommend allergy specialists (in the Prescott area). My wife is totally out of commission with great sinus pain every year in Dec. & Jan. She wants to move back to Pasadena or Long Beach. Please advise.

You might want to send him a direct message through the site... he may see your request sooner.

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by N J Pinney

Thanks Azriverfan for the offer to recommend allergy specialists (in the Prescott area). My wife is totally out of commission with great sinus pain every year in Dec. & Jan. She wants to move back to Pasadena or Long Beach. Please advise.

There are no allergy specialists in Prescott. Many Prescott and Payson residents come to the Valley to see an allergy specialist. There are a lot of excellent allergy groups in the city. One that I particularly like is Arizona Allergy Specialists Arizona Allergy Associates | Welcome. I've gotten good feedback from my patients regarding them. I also know every one of their doctors is a "Top Doc"and made the Phoenix Magazine's list of Top Docs which is important to some people. I would be comfortable seeing any one of them. If you want to go on shots, they can probably arrange for your primary care doctor in Prescott to administer the shots so you don't have to keep driving down and then you can follow up with them once or twice a year. Pretty much all the allergists in the city will offer this similar service so you don't have to see this group to receive this service.

Make certain that you are not on any antihistamines like claritin, allegra, benadryl, zyrtec etc for 5 days prior to your appointment which can interfere with your skin test results and they will not skin test you if you were on them in this window. You can still use certain nasal sprays during this window like nasonex, omnaris etc. If you are really congested in that time, you can also buy an over-the-counter Afrin nasal spray for those 4-5 days that you are not on your antihistamines if you have runny nose. Lastly, make certain to inform whoever you are making your appointment with that you are a resident of Prescott and would like to be skin tested on your first visit as you live far away.

[twillis1635]

Excellent posts here...exactly what I was looking for. The responses here are intelligently and honestly structured for somebody like me who has heard for years that Arizona is a wonderful option for people like myself who have experienced debilitating allergies and asthma. As an East Tennessee resident, I can tell you that I would live on the moon if it were an alternative to the constant sickness I experience here. The shame of it is that I love this region and don't want to leave. I grew up a flat lander in Indiana and always dreamed of living in East Tennessee...that has been my reality for the last 26 years.
My illnesses, hospitalizations, surgeries and medical expenses have forced me to pursue alternatives. Thanks again for the posts here!