I just want to breathe!

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Permalink Reply by Beth on November 8, 2010 at 4:16pm

SHOTS! I feel your pain, even with the shots I suffer a bit, but less. I got skin tested and am allergic to most trees, which works out well for me during cross. I take allbuterol and Zyrtec if need be. I flare when the weather is colder and need some puffs of allbuterol. I can't take any decongestant like Sudafed, I feel dizzy.

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Permalink Reply by J.D. Kimple on November 8, 2010 at 5:03pm

I used to take shots. Had the skin test when I was in Jr. High and found I'm alergic to over 100 things - mild, mildew, grass, dogs, cats, dust, probably allergic to myself even. I should have been finished when I entered the University of Toledo but it didn't (gradually building up my resistance) so I just quit and lived with it. On regular rambling rides I'm OK. Not great, but manageable.

Definitely will try the Zyrtec. Thank you!

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Permalink Reply by Beth on November 8, 2010 at 6:08pm

Also neti pot! Not sure if you've tried this but it really helps. Feels like you're waterboarding yourself but it works if you do it consistently. I also use Allegra as needed but switched to Zyrtec since I was pregnant/breastfeeding and it's better for that. I feel your pain, my eyes are still itchy from yesterday's race. I got some eye drop sample from my allergist I will have to bust out.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Mayhew on November 8, 2010 at 6:42pm

Flonase and Zyrtec on a daily basis year round. You have to let that stuff build up in your system for a few days, it's not just a day of thing.

I too am on allergy shots. They're not at all painful although I usually get them mid week since they do hurt a bit if I get them the day before or after a race just from the workout your arms get in 'cross. They've been really effective for me. Plus they can help you figure out what you're allergic too which means maybe some lifestyle changes as well.

I find changing sheets at least weekly and washing them in hot water helps a lot during peak allergy seasons. When I lived in a place that had central air getting a HEPA filter for the blower helped.

I've heard a lot of people recommend eating local honey but I haven't started that yet.

My wife and I found cutting dairy to be really really effective. We're not crazy about it but we avoid pizza when allergies are an issue and we've switched to soy milk. It's made a huge difference in the amount of mucus I produce.

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Permalink Reply by Kitboo on November 10, 2010 at 11:51am

I feel you pain! I use Zyrtec---careful! the first few doses may leave you zombie-like, a Zyr-tard. I take mine at night so I can sleep that effect off. I also use a steroid nasal spray (Flonase) and an antihistamine nasal spray (Patanase). I finally got allergy tested and am getting the "shots". However, my "shots" are sub-lingual drops that take only 4 months to take effect then a maintenance dose. Hard to tell if it's working because I'm mostly allergic to plants and they're all freezing/dying this time of year.

Good luck!

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