Does anyone else have these? I suffered all last summer with a dry cough that kept me awake most nights and a runny nose. I thought I was dying - really. I had no idea I had allergies.

I finally got into an allergist and I'm allergic to trees and grass. No wonder I was so sick I was outside all last summer.

So it's started again and I just started Claritin, but I had to call the pharmacy last night, the Claritin cleared up the running, stuffy nose but not the cough. He said it could take days for the antihistamine to really kick in. I'm so miserable - but happy I'm not dying LOL. I had to take a cough suppressant last night just so I could sleep a few hours.

This constant cough tires me out, I feel sick and my stomach muscles are sore from coughing. I work in a hospital and everyone keeps looking at me like I have the plague. I so don't want to be on medication for 4 months, has anyone had the allergy shots? Do you know of any more natural remedies? I can't stay in the house and I can't keep the doors closed, the kids are in and out of the house constantly all day long.

What worked best for you?

By Trina~moderator on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 08:12 am:

My kids have allergy induced asthma. The first symptom of an asthma flare is a persistent cough. They take allergy meds (DS: Claritin, DD: Allegra) and that helps, but they also have a HEPA air cleaner in their bedrooms. This was the first thing our Allergy/Asthma specialist recommended and it has made a big difference. They are outside often during the day, but breath clean, allergen free air all night while sleeping.

DS used to take Pulmicort (asthma maintenance) but has been doing so well that he no longer needs it. DD still has to take it daily, but hopefully she will eventually not need it as well.

Talk with your doctor about the possibility of asthma. Allergies and asthma often go hand in hand.

By Chai~latte on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 08:26 am:

Yeah, thanks Trina, last year people kept saying to me "You sound like you have asthma". I was wheezing as well. No wheezing this year so far, just a horrible dry cough. I'm also allegeric to dust so I have covers on the bed and pillows, but I know I don't vaccum or dust enough. I cleaned my office yesterday and that's probably what caused my coughing fit.

I have a methacholine test scheduled for July and I'm seeing an immunologist this month and back to the allergist in July. I never would have though allergies could make you feel so sick. I really feel like I have a cold.

Can you give me an idea of how much the HEPA air cleaners cost?

Thanks again.

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 08:28 am:

All 3 of us have allergies. Mine didn't start until after I was an adult. I take Allegra but I still have a couple of weeks through the summer where I feel bad regardless of what I take.

Natalie (getting ready to be 4 yrs) has them pretty bad. She gets a bad drip that then sounds like a terrible cough. It's always just drainage. Mucinex has worked wonders for her! It seems to keep the drip at bay at night, and keeps it all from running down into the top of her chest and sounding like she needs to be hospitalized.

I was afraid that Nat had asthma once I heard her first breathing and coughing after allergies when she was 2. I took her in on 3 different occasions, all different doctors, and they each told me that hers was just the drop that had collected at the top of her chest and bottom of her throat. They reiterated to me that it was NOT asthma (for her), but that a good decongestant would really help. The Mucinex is perfect. I've taken the adult version as well and it really worked for me, too!

Claritin does nothing for me. Sometimes you have to try out different ones to find the one that works for you. Natalie takes Zyrtec and Flonase, but the Zyrtec only helps a little. She's allergic to all the other major meds (Singulair, Allegra, Claritin), so we're stuck until we can see the allergist when our new insurance kicks in.

By Trina~moderator on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 09:47 am:

We have an older version of this model:
Honeywell HEPA air cleaner

By Debbie on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 10:21 am:

I have severe allergies, and so do both of my kds. I take Allegra D during my peak allergy time. It is the only thing that works. It has the decongestant that helps me with cough, and post nasal drainage. I also have a nasal spray that I use occasionally. My ds has very severe allergies that trigger asthma and reflux. He has to take Extendryl Jr. Tablets, and Singulair to keep his under control. We are actually thinking about doing allergy shots in a few years when he is a little older. I have heard that Claritin is one of the weakest allergy medications. If you are still not feeling well while taking it, I would make an appointment to see your allergist, so they can prescribe something else. With my ds, it took trying several medications to find what works best for him. He has been on his new meds for about a year, and he has not had a single problem related to his allergies and asthma. The right medication makes a big difference!

By Chai~latte on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 10:32 am:

Oh thank you all so much. I feel like crap, now I know why I was so very sick last year, I really did think I was nearing the end of my days.

My ears hurt and feel weird, the cough has subsided but my throat is raw, it's really difficult to get into the allergist. I just might make an appointment to see my GP this week and see what he can do for me. I so hope my kids don't get this, it's tough on me I can't imagine little ones having this.

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 09:45 pm:

My ears ALWAYS hurt with my allergies and I hate that. I wish I could take Allegra D, but it has bad side effects for me unfortunately. Sounds like you need some type of decongestant either until you get a better allergy med for you, or in addition to you allergy med. I hope you're feeling better soon! It's certainly no fun.

By Amecmom on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 - 02:29 pm:

I so feel for you and hope you get your symptoms under control soon. For me, Nasonex works really well along with a rescue inhaler on the rare occasions that I can't get cough under control. Singulair works very well for my children - but I have not needed it.
I really like the Nasonex because it does not make me feel drugged like Claritin and Zyrtec do.
Hope you feel better.
Ame