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I have had intense allergies for a few years now and every day during spring/fall my head feels as if it is about to explode. I've been receiving allergy shots for about a year now and they've helped, but my chronic headaches still persist.
The methods that actually successfully prevent my headaches have side effects that are unbearable for me. Corticosteroids such as Flonase and Nasacort raise my stress levels to the point that I have insomnia. Antihistamines such as Claritin and Allegra upset my stomach and cause recurrence of my IBS symptoms.
Are there any allergy treatments that you know of that don't cause significant side effects? I've heard of a mast cell stabilizer, Nasalcrom, and it doesn't seem to have any side effects listed. Do any of you have experience with Nasalcrom?
I remember being prescribed NasalCrom when I was an adolescent and loathed it. It really irritated my already inflamed nasal passages and caused sneezing fits upon application. At the behest of my allergist, I stuck with it for a few months, then refused to use it any longer as instead of giving me relief it made things worse for me.
What worked for me were over a decade of allergy injections, learning to use a neti pot, and regular use of Benadryl for breakthrough allergy attacks. (Mold and mildew will still set off my allergies and cause me days of miserable headaches if I don't head them off at the pass.) Claritin and Allergra are useless for treating my mold-induced allergic attacks, so I always keep a bottle of those pink pills on hand. It doesn't upset my stomach and, if taken when I'm up and about, doesn't make me overly sleepy.
Have you tried Singulair? Or maybe hydroxyzine (antihistamine similar to benadryl) to take when you have a headache? The doctor providing the allergy shots should be able to prescribe one of those.
I've used the active ingredient in Nasalcrom, but not as a nasal spray. I have a mast cell disease and it's prescribed as a liquid to mix with water and drink before meals and bedtime. There are side effects with that form of cromolyn sodium.
I used Nasalcrom, along with Claritin. When Nasacort became available OTC, I switched to it, and continued to use Claritin. I found Nasacort to be more effective than Nasalcrom. My two experiences with allergy shots were a resounding failure.
Keep the outdoors outdoor as much as possible. This means keeping the windows shut and running the air conditioning 24/7, both in the house and in the car. HEPA filters also help. Wash both your body and your hair before bedtime each night, and use a clothes dryer. Hanging your clothes outside will cause them to be covered in dust and pollen.
I tried Nasalcrom. It helps a bit and I haven't experienced any side effects with it. I just gave the 5mg Claritin a try. It hurts my stomach just as bad as the 10mg dose and has caused me to feel anxious and depressed. I wish there were an antihistamine that doesn't have such bad side effects. I think I'll have to stick with Nasalcrom. It doesn't completely solve my allergies, but it is the best I've tried so far in terms of effectiveness vs side effects.
What about excedrin migraine? That's what helps my allergy headaches most and fastest.
That gives me the worst reflux, so I imagine that for the OP that will be a no go.
OP have you tried the xlear line of products? It is mostly saline with xylitol. They have a spray, wash, and an extreme congestion one with capsaicin. I find that they are pretty helpful.
That said, a lot of migraines are misdiagnosed as sinus issues. I woke up with a migraine today and felt super congested, but felt extreme fatigue coming on and realized it was probably a migraine after I took some Sudafed. I think about half of people who get migraines suffer associated sinus issues. I know I have real sinus issues too, but perhaps seeing about a migraine treatment medicine would be helpful. I can’t really speak to those since I have not been able to take them successfully, but some people can. When I am desperate, I just take BC powder (aspirin and caffeine) but it is kind of brutal on the stomach. For me, it isn’t as bad as excedrin migraine though.
I have had intense allergies for a few years now and every day during spring/fall my head feels as if it is about to explode. I've been receiving allergy shots for about a year now and they've helped, but my chronic headaches still persist.
The methods that actually successfully prevent my headaches have side effects that are unbearable for me. Corticosteroids such as Flonase and Nasacort raise my stress levels to the point that I have insomnia. Antihistamines such as Claritin and Allegra upset my stomach and cause recurrence of my IBS symptoms.
Are there any allergy treatments that you know of that don't cause significant side effects? I've heard of a mast cell stabilizer, Nasalcrom, and it doesn't seem to have any side effects listed. Do any of you have experience with Nasalcrom?
As someone me one with lifelong hardcore allergies, who moved cross country to get away from what you describe...
Have you considered a mental health professional?
I mean, insomnia? IBS? Allergies for a few years (not lifetime)?
If you know what you are allergic to (if it's weeds, grasses, trees, molds) you could also be allergic to foods that are related. For instance, there's a disgusting weed in the fall called mugwort that cross reacts with things like almonds, peaches, apples, celery, and a lot of herbs and more. Breathing it AND eating something related will make you really sick if you are allergic. If you're talking about reflux it could be related to what you're eating.
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