Hello all! I am suffering from allergies/sinus problems and I am sooo over it! I am going to a new allergist on Thursday for more allergy tests. I am also flying next Tuesday and I need to find something to take for this wicked congestion. If I have to fly feeling like I do right now, my head might explode. So, I have been researching different meds to ask the dr about. I have been seeing that ppl are taking Singulair for allergy/ sinus problems. The med was initially used for asthma. Is anyone out there on this med and how's it working for you?
Feel free to org note to discuss in private.
Thanks!

Sniffles

Singular didnt help me as I alos have severe asthma too. But what did help me with congestion and sniffles has been Flonase esp. when I go to another State. It is non-drowsy as well, if you use it before you sleep too you wont wake up all congested either.

shanti0608 said:

If you have sinus it is best to use Allegra D. I have used it because I get very congested and it makes me rather cranky. Allegra D. will clear you up and help your sinus problems. I also take Claritin over the counter ones and its really good.

rachel3 said:

I am currently using Flonase but I only use it when I am really severe. Since I was told that I cannot use antihistamines 5 days prior to my dr visit, Flonase has gotten me through. I do not use it everyday as it was directed by my doctor for 2 reasons, it is $40 a bottle, and I am concerned about the long term use. I have been trying not to use too much out of this bottle because I want to have some to take while flying and while I am out of state.
Thanks for responding.

BucketOfBouncyBalls said:

Some of that stuff makes me feel very groggy and out of it. I do not think I have tried Allegra D, maybe I will ask the allergist about that- Thanks!

shanti0608 said:

yes whatever you don't take Zyrtec...I started taking that and It makes you severely tired....after almost a year of using it I had a very bad reaction to it.

I had septoplasty to resolve my sinus problems. It's a routine operation and it means I can breathe properly, and actually say words like "swimming" without setting off a cataclysmic series of vibrations in my nose.

BreddieMercury said:

Been there, done that. I had sinus and septoplasty surgery May 2003. It helped for about 6-7 months, gradually went back to pre-surgery stuffiness..

I'm a super-nerd. I wear glasses and have asthma and horrid sinuses. Singulair has helped me immensely, but Zyrtec seems to be where it's at for me.

Singulair is something that I have to take before bed, actually, elseways I'm groggy...

I have wicked allergies and the Singulair + Allegra really helps!

shanti0608 said:

Really? I had my procedure in 1998, and even though I sometimes get a little blocked up, on the whole it's great! I had a few things though - slightly deviated septum, a polyp, and when the x-ray came through, the fluid in the sinal (???) cavities showed up as the same density as the bone itself.

I blame this on:

growing up quite close to a chemical factory
inherited sinus problems
addiction to Sinex, a seriosuly powerful over the counter nasal spray. Started at school. After a few years I was getting massive nosebleeds. Gradually weaned myself off Sinex with Otrivine, another less powerful spray, then went cold turkey.

Eventually had the procedure, and apart from a broken nose, I haven't looked back since. Mainly because they must have fused my spinal cords in the operation.

I have used allergy medication (nasal spray! ) for 12 years now. That's more than half of my life! I used Vancenase for a while, then switched to Flonase. I use Flonase and Nasonex now (switch off between the two). I couldn't imagine my life without them, to be honest. Allergies are such a pain in my ass.

Natsume said:

I am concerned about taking an oral steroid for too long...
I do get some relief from my Flonase though more then anything..

There's only one solution - let's all chop off our noses.

I'll do yours; you can do mine.

BreddieMercury said:

[watch the flames - Tom]
[Edited 8/18/05 7:06am]
[Edited 8/18/05 7:07am]

satanass said:

[watch the flames - Tom]

BreddieMercury said:

[watch the flames - Tom]

satanass said:

[watch the flames - Tom]

BreddieMercury said:

[watch the flames - Tom]

satanass said:

[watch the flames - Tom]

I just returned from the allergist. He did an allergy test, which that was the 3rd one I have had so far...
I have a sinus infection, as usual! He gave me antibiotics and wants to start me on several meds so I can feel better by time I fly this coming Tuesday. Then once I return, I can start the allergy shots twice a week.
He wants me to take Singulair, Allega D, Rhinocort for a while.
I have been so miserable the past few days because I had to stay away from antihistamines for 5 days. Today was the worst, I had several major allergy attacks before seeing the dr and I am sooo congested. I am ready to chop off my nose!!!!!I hope that returning to allergy shots helps me. I am sick of taking antibiotics and all of this allergy medication.
Thanks all for dicussing your allergy/sinus problems.
Maybe some day they will get to the root of these problems and we can find some real solutions!

Nero said:

Hey, I wear glasses too, only because my eyes are too dry to wear contacts... Luckily, I do not have asthma, they tested my breathing today and she said it was almost as good as you can get. (Thanks to never smoking, that was a comment I threw in!)
The dr told me to take the Singulair before bed and the Allegra D in the morning!
I hope that I am like you and get some congestion relief from the Singulair while I am sleeping. I get so congested that I snore- Not Pretty!