yukky hayfever

[Moose1]

hi,

So we all feel horrible when the old hayfever kicks in, especially when our lungs decide to throw a wobbly as well. But does anyone know why we feel so bad? Is it the effect of histamine in the body?

Emily H - I was looking through old threads and saw that you said singulair helps your hayfever as well - I've been telling my parents that I think this year it's really helped dampen down my hayfever. Unfortunately though, my hayfever has suddenly really kicked in. I can honestly say i've not missed it these past couple of months lol.

Hope everyone else isn't suffering too much

Christine

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Hi Christine,

Sorry to hear that you are suffering with your hayfever at the moment, I can relate! I think it is particularly bad this year, even my husband, who doesn't normally have any trouble at all, has been sneezing this year.

You are right in saying that the presence of excess amounts of histamine in your body can make you feel generally lousy, and don't forget that lack of sleep if you are woken by wheezing, sneezing or itching doesn't really help. Anti-histamines can also make you feel drowsy and generally out of it, especially the older ones.

Montelukast (Singulair) is now licenced for allergic rhinitis as well as asthma, and can be very helpful. Personally, I don't think it makes much direct difference to my asthma, but it certainly does help my hayfever, which of course has a knock-on effect on my asthma.

What anti-histamine are you taking? If it is not terribly effective, it may be worth asking your GP if you can change to a different one. There is no overwhelming evidence that one is any better than another, but ancedotally some people do find that a change makes a difference. If you are not already on one, a steroid nasal spray can also be extremely helpful (and is not associated with the systemic side effects that you can get with anti-histamines) and chromoglicate eye drops can help with sore itchy eyes.

As you say, there are lots of other threads on here with advice about hayfever, which may be useful to you - I find nasal/sinus irrigation particularly helpful for my chronic perennial rhinitis.

Hope you feel better soon,

Em H

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Ah yes, all the joys of hayfever...

I've suffered for about 18 years now and it doesn't get any better... and this is my first summer with asthma as well (diagnosed yesterday) so this is gonna be fun...................... *nb there is a hint of sarcasm there * hehe

*hugs to all hayfever sufferers*

[Moose1]

Sorry for delay in replying.

I take Desloratadine for hayfever and use Optrex Allergy Eyes.

I have been very lucky this year, hayfever didn't kick in as early as previous years (i don't know if it was because I was away at uni) and although it's been bad the last couple of days but generally okish.

I'm thinking i'm going to up my symbicort inhaler, only on 2 puffs of 200mcg, last year i was on 2 puffs of the 400mcg so i got some flexibility

roll on september.....:oD

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I used to take cetirizine for my hayfever (the strongest one you could get) and still no relief from the damn symptoms! A couple of months ago, I went to the homeopath in town and he prescribed me Euphrasia (30c) and told me to take 3 little balls in the morning and again before bed and within four days I had no more hayfever!

You have to finish the course, but the ball/pill things are teensy and sugary so it's no great chore!

I advise anyone suffering to go see a homeopath and see if they can help you! He also told me that cetirizine can cause/exacerbate heart murmurs or irregularities, and I have a slight irregularity with my heartbeat, so I'm not taking any chances!

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Please don't take any alternative remedies without checking with your Dr or pharmacist first some can seriously interact with other medication.

Bex