3/10/10

An Okie trait I wish I hadn't developed!

When I first arrived here in 2005, I was an allergy free zone, never suffered from them at all in any way. As I marvelled in amazement at the way allergies seemed to effect almost all the Okies I knew, I was told by them all "just give it time and you'll have them too". Or others who had moved into Okieland would tell me "I didn't have them either until I moved here"!

The first three years it seemed I had escaped Okie allergy head, and then last year a few mild but ominous signs started to appear with the tree pollen and ragweed seasons. But I made it through relatively unaffected, apart from the odd weepy eye and scratchy throat.

Well 2010 my fifth year dawned and in the past week I have been reduced to a weepy eyed, runny nosed, coughing wreck by tree pollen! After I got home and went straight to bed at 4pm yesterday feeling lousy, the Hubster wisely told me that I may be one of the unlucky ones that gets hit by allergies really bad.

"Oh deep joy" was my thought, thank you Oklahoma!

After trying and failing to get to sleep last night with constant drainage and coughing, I finally succumbed and took a Zyrtek, so now I'm something of a zombie and still sniffling away.  I have also been doing the saltwater through the sinuses treatment too, but right now I'm bad enough it's not helping.

So if any of you suffer with allergies and have suggestions for things that help, please dive in here with your very welcome advice.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

My experience of pollen allergies is that they vary from year to year- regardless of the pollen count. You just get good years and bad years. I had dreadful hayfever as a child but now it's a lot better. The first time might well be the worst for you! My tips - vaseline round your nostrils to trap the pollen, regular rinsing of the face with water, if you don't wash your hair every day at least rinse the bits that hang near your face. At night keep the windows closed - I hate that - I'm a real fan of open windows year round.

Good luck!!

Pat said...

After living in El Dorado County (in the forested foothills of CA) for 18 years, I developed allergies and began getting allergy shots, which helped tremendously. The allergist said, "If you live long enough in El Dorado County, you will develop allergies." My insurance doesn't cover the shots any more, so I take Loratadine when it gets bad. That's the generic of Claritin; it's the active ingredient. They have it at WalMart and most pharmacies. Good luck!

Sunny said...

My husband really suffers with allergies, he uses Claratin D and rinses his sinuses with the following:
•1/2 teaspoon salt
•1/2 teaspoon baking soda
•1 teaspoon white Karo syrup
•1 pint warm water
•The prepared solution will keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Hope this helps.
Sunny :)

Daryl said...

I spent yesterday at home sleeping most of the day ... my throat was sore, my nose was running .. I felt like crap. I have no idea if its a cold or sinus issues or allergies ... but my advice is rest and lots of fluids .. and some very soft tissues so your nose doesnt end up looking like Rudolph's.

Expat mum said...

Ditto Sarah. I was tested about ten years ago in desperation and found I'm allergic to everything but cockroaches - trees, grass, ragweed, even the cactus blossom in Arizona that only comes out in April.
Zyrtec is the only thing that comes near working but when mine are bad there's nothing I can do. Sometimes it even makes the skin underneath my eyes go red and crack. It looks like the Ball & Chain has really walloped me!
Keep doing the Neti-rinse though as I swear that makes it a little better.

Expat mum said...

PS. I was told to get rid of rugs, carpeting, horizontal blinds and house plants as they all trap dust (and the mites which are another one of my big allergies.) It's a bit of an extreme measure but it helps.

Anonymous said...

I got that way when I slept with a cat once. Also when I spend time in Manoa Valley, which is notorious for mold and mildew because it is so damp.

Solution: Keep the cats outdoors and move from Manoa to Foster Village, where I am now allergy-free!

Joe Todd said...

Greetings from the allergy capitol of the world. "The Ohio Valley"
1. Claritin (generic)OTC

2. Nasacort AQ prescription but worth having. For me I just need to use a couple times a week,

Sandy said...

How I feel for you.
I never had outdoor allergies until moving South and to one of the yearly highest ranked areas of the country. :-/ I take Nasonex (daily - script required) and Allegra (also Dr. script). Some days I will also use my netti pot to keep things cleaned out.

Ah.. the joys of spring. *grumble*

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I had them when I grew up in the Southwest and then we I moved to the Gulf Coast they went away and returned when I moved to Oklahoma.

So, you might move, but I think it's too late. Your an Okie now.

You are just going to have to suffer either from the allergies or from a chemically induced haze. Take your pick.

North West London Girl said...

The only thing that worked for my middle chap was homeopathy. I know its been ridiculed recently here in the UK, but it definitely worked for him. Give it a go and good luck poor you x

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh you poor baby.... Hope you are feeling better now. There's nothing worse than allergies... Here in Tennessee, most people say "Hay Fever".... But--whatever it is, it's no fun!!!

We're enjoying George's birthday trip.... It's been great. We're going home tomorrow ---so I will have lots of pictures to post...

Hugs,
Betsy

Pam said...

I'm telling you this through my sinus drug-induced fog, which is brought about because we ran out of MUCINEX D. The strong stuff you have to get from the pharmacy counter because they can't sell it from the shelves. Worth the $$$, trust me. Gets everything draining again. My allergies have gotten worse with the years. But it seems to be more weather related with me than pollen related.

Sahildeki Ev said...

I dont know why but in every two to three years I have the polen allergy,too.As it is not regular I did not seek any treatment but will keep in mind the tips from your readers.

Troy said...

I've no advice to offer you but if I ever visit Oklahoma I now know to by a protective suit from NASA beforehand.

Unknown said...

Thanks to everyone for the excellent ideas and advice here.

Dee/reddirtramblings said...

I take Clarinex, and it really helps me with no zombie effects. It's by prescription. Or, you can take Claritin-D. I used the 12 hour so I could sleep at night.~~Dee

Johno said...

Had my first allergy attack of the season yesterday. They suck. I read that allergies have something to do with Stem cells and you can go through phases where they can be very bad and then go away. (That's the good news). The stem cell cycle is 10 years though. (Um, that's the bad news).

Linda Jennings said...

I thought Kentucky was the worst place in the USA for allergies and sinus problems!

Jill of All Trades said...

I am so sorry that you've had to deal with this. For me, well, being a lifetime Okie I've finally got sort of a handle on it, but not sure how I do it exactly. I've been on prescription Allegra for years now and when I feel something that Allegra can't handle I throw in a Zyrtec once in awhile. I am also a believer in saline nasal sprays that seem to help to keep the nasal passages moist and other looser (sorry). Good luck with all and "Bless You"

Lynn said...

I have read that honey (raw, preferably unfiltered) from your local area will help if you start eating a teaspoon or two daily for several months before allergy season starts. It has to be honey from hives that are within five miles of where you live.

I have tried this. (We had bees for several years. They all died but we're going to try again this year.) No miracle but I think it actually did help a little bit. My allergies didn't completely go away but they didn't seem quite as bad the year we had honey from our own backyard.

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