Allergy medicine

Question

For as long as I can remember, I've had seasonal allergies, mostly during the spring when all the pollen starts floating around. It’s like clockwork, and I’ve always tried to manage it with over-the-counter allergy medicine. Most of the time, things work out fine, but this year, I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s been much worse than usual. My nose is constantly stuffy, and I’m sneezing non-stop. I also have this itchy feeling in my throat, which makes it hard to sleep. Some days I feel like I can’t get a full breath because my chest feels tight, and I can hear this wheezing when I breathe deeply. It’s so bad that I’ve had to stay home a few times from work because of how miserable I feel.

I’ve been taking my usual allergy medicine for the last few weeks, but it doesn’t seem to be working as well as it used to. I’ve tried both the regular antihistamines and the ones that are supposed to be stronger, but neither seems to help much anymore. I even tried some nasal sprays, thinking maybe I just needed a different kind of relief, but nothing is really making a dent. The symptoms just keep coming back, and it’s starting to get me frustrated. I’ve heard about people using other types of allergy medicine, like corticosteroids, but I’m not sure if I should go down that route. I don’t want to take something stronger if it’s not necessary.

I’ve also started getting these headaches, which I never really had with my allergies before. It’s like the pressure from my sinuses is building up and causing these pounding headaches. I’m not sure if that’s related to the allergies or if I might have developed another condition along with them. I’ve read that people with allergies sometimes develop sinusitis, and that could be what’s going on with me. But it’s tough because I really don’t want to take too much allergy medicine and end up with more side effects.

I’m curious if I should switch to a completely different allergy medicine or if I just need to give it some more time for my body to adjust. I’ve been to my doctor, and she just keeps recommending the same over-the-counter treatments, but I’m starting to wonder if there’s a more long-term solution out there. I don’t want to keep suffering through this, especially if it’s just going to get worse as the season continues. Should I be looking for something more specific, or is there a better treatment plan I should ask my doctor about?

Do I need to try something stronger like a prescription allergy medicine or would that be overkill for my symptoms? Any tips for making sure I’m not just making things worse by relying on my current treatment? I’m just feeling stuck, and I want to know what my options are before this gets any worse.

Dr. Evgeny Arsentev · Accepted Answer

It sounds like you’re experiencing a significant exacerbation of your seasonal allergies, and your symptoms are affecting your daily life, including sleep and work. Given your history of seasonal allergies and the persistence of the more severe symptoms this year, including the wheezing, tightness in your chest, and new headaches, a structured plan for management is crucial.

1. **Re-evaluate Current Medications**: Since your current over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal sprays are not providing adequate relief, consider discussing the following options with your doctor:
   - **Intranasal Corticosteroids**: These are often more effective than antihistamines for controlling nasal congestion and can provide significant relief of allergy symptoms. Common options include fluticasone (Flonase) and mometasone (Nasonex). They usually take a few days to reach full effectiveness, so consistent usage is important.
   - **Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists**: Montelukast (Singulair) is a prescription option that may help with both allergy symptoms and asthma-related wheezing.

2. **Asthma Assessment**: Your wheezing and chest tightness raise the possibility of an asthma component. It's crucial to get assessed for asthma by your doctor. If asthma is confirmed, they might prescribe a rescue inhaler or other long-term control inhalers.

3. **Sinusitis Consideration**: The headaches you're experiencing alongside the nasal symptoms could indicate sinusitis, which can occur concurrently with allergies. If you suspect sinusitis, it may be worthwhile to discuss the possibility of sterile saline nasal irrigation or a course of antibiotics if your doctor suspects a bacterial infection.

4. **Long-term Management**: An allergist can conduct specific allergy testing to identify triggers and discuss immunotherapy (allergy shots) as a long-term option to reduce your sensitivity to allergens. This could potentially lessen your symptoms significantly over time.

5. **Monitoring Symptoms**: Keep a detailed log of your symptoms, noting when they occur, potential triggers, and your response to any treatments. This can empower both you and your healthcare provider to make an informed decision about managing your allergies.

6. **Lifestyle Modifications**: Avoid exposure to known allergens when possible. Keeping windows closed during high pollen counts, using air purifiers, and showering after being outdoors can help minimize exposure.

7. **Follow-up**: Schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor or a specialist for a comprehensive evaluation and to discuss the above options in depth. It's essential to communicate the increase in severity of your symptoms to ensure you receive appropriate care.

If at any point you experience severe shortness of breath, chest tightness that feels unmanageable, or other worrying symptoms, seek emergency care immediately. The steps above will help guide your next actions and provide you with a structure to alleviate your current situation effectively.

Allergy medicine - #9001

Doctors’ responses

If you need a detailed answer, ask your question to a doctor

About our doctors

Related questions

Popular questions

Doctors online

Latest reviews