I had to take antihistamines and such as far back as I can remember. Still do sometimes, but flonase generally takes care of the problem. It doesn't give immediate relief. Takes several days to finally give relief. Once it does, I can stop and am usually good for a month or more. I think it's over the counter now. Definitely, the best weapon in my arsenal. Best wishes on conquering your allergies.
I’ve been recieving allergy shots for 2 years now and my health insurance pays for 100% of the very expensive serum, and I only pay a portion for my shot every month.
Get some Xyzal. I’ve had horrible allergies my entire life and Xyzal has helped a lot. I used to eat Claritin like candy, and Zrytec doesn’t do anything for me. One thing I have learned through going to the doctor for allergy shots, you have to preemptively take antihistamines for them to work. I take 1 a day, every day during pollen season and it works.
Aller-Flo a Kirkland/Costco equivalent to Flonase
Allegra-D 12hr to combat the postnasal drip that sets off my coughing fits.
And when that fails I have my Magic Elixir…Promethazine-Codeine syrup. I guard that like Coke guards their formula.
I haven’t needed any of that this year so far.
I live your pain man. You ain’t seen nuthin till you see SC in the spring away from the ocean, like here at my house, about 120 miles inland. I have never seen anything like this. For about three weeks during spring everything in town, inside and out, is caked with lime green pollen. That would include the inside of my sinuses. When the breezes are light, one can see thick clouds of pollen wafting around the neighborhood. I tried shots pills et al. The only thing that works for me is a nasal wash twice a day, and stay inside as much as possible. That nasal wash kit can be had at any drug store or discount chain. The brand I use is Neil-Med. There are others. Good luck, har, as if luck helps.
Now this is weird. The pollen clouds put on a real show with a pencil beam flashlight at night, and laser pointers as well. Might as well have some fun with my seasonal misery. Right now I’m using an Olite warrior-x for pollen illumination, and a water-cooled one watt krypton laser (not recommended).
I don’t take anything for seasonal allergies because I only get mild symptoms. But for cat allergy, I take a generic Sudafed. It seems to work pretty well. Best if taken in advance, as Yourrid said above. I don’t have a cat, and most of my family and friends don’t have cats either, but my Brother-in-law and his wife do have a cat, and I usually pop a pill before going to visit them.
I have allergic asthma and do Claritin in the morning, Zyrtec at night during the worst allergy times (May & June).
I’ve just started using Flonase and it’s amazing.
The rest of the year I go through a bottle of Claritin then I switch to Zyrtec and then switch back so I don’t build up a tolerance for either one (hopefully).
I don’t do Sudaphed because of the side effects (dopey).
I don’t do Benadryl because I’ve heard that it may increase the chances of developing Alzheimer’s.
I keep both of them around for emergency use though. My son tripped on something and landed on ragweed or something just as bad and his face started swelling up like he was rapidly decompressing. Had to chance the Benadryl on that occasion.