Allergies

[Tommy T.]

I thought I would fire up a new topic on allergies since there seems to be some interest in these and not clog up the Corona Virus thread. Some of the same information I am giving here is also in another thread about health and home care from several months ago...

I have suffered through allergies my whole life. Fortunately I grew out of many of them but some still persist. They were part of the reason I left Seattle. Some of the weed and tree pollen and year around moldiness made me miserable at certain times of the year and gave me a lot of discomfort all year.

Here in Davao I experience periods of allergic reactions - sometimes stronger than others. They usually last several days. I am guessing it is some type of plant pollen that is released but really do not know.

A world class allergist and fellow sailor met with L and I for several hours a couple years ago and discussed allergies.

He also recommended Zyrtec and it works well. My eyes get watery often on the bad days and make me look like I am crying - I hate that. I have some anti-allergy eye drops for those days but my supply is running low. I have not checked to see if they have it here: Naphcon A.

I also use a nose spray sometimes called Nasonex which is a brand name of Mometasone Hydrate. This works wonders by acting similar to a steroid and desensitizes the sinus tissues.It is not addictive and not a steroid - just acts like one. I used to need this or a similar medicine twice daily in Seattle. Now I use it a few times per week.

But, as already suggested, the best advice is to find an allergist. They may run tests on you or just offer some meds for the symptoms. It will be up to your budget and situation.

[Mike J]

When I lived in Yakima, Washington I was tested for allergies.  The allergist gave me micro injections of various "stuff".  They had to use both shoulders and went through over 75 syringes (I lost count).   It turned out I was allergic to 100% of everything I was tested for.  I gave myself weekly shots for 2 1/2 years to dampen down the allergic response.  Also I would get a depo medrol shot twice a year during peak allergy seasons.  I got better, but still suffered a lot.  Here I seem to have fewer, but more dramatic response to pollens.  It is not uncommon for me to sneeze up to 8 or 9 times in a row.  A bitch for sure if I am driving.   

I use the nasal spray "Aller-Flo" (fluticasone propionate) twice a day.  I buy it via Amazon and have it shipped here about a dozen bottles at a time.  Also the generic zyrtec from Generic Pharmacy once a day.  Both help, especially the nasal spray.

[Tommy T.]

When I was quite young my parents took me to a hospital for the subcutaneous injections. In my case it was 212. I had rows of them up and down both arms and on my chest and back too. I remember starting to howl from the very first one all the way to the last.

Then, after determining the worst offenders (like mold and pollen, grass(not THAT kind)), I started going once a week for four allergy shots to desensitize me. I got to not being at all bothered by the needles. My doctor was just like Marcus Welby - kind, gentle and caring. This is also back in the days of house calls for when I was really sick.

When I went to Germany to school for a while, I brought my allergy shot meds with me. By then I was down to two shots, once a month. They gave me the shots and I had a bad reaction - I think they went a bit heavy on the dosages. I never went back and never had shots since. So I count myself pretty lucky for the experience.

Oh... I buy the Flonase over the counter at pharmacies. I used to use Vancanase but they laughed at me at the pharmacy - "That's old medication and we do not carry it. Try this." And I did and it works even better than the other.

[OnMyWay]

Following with high interest.  Perhaps you all could post up the cost of the meds you use?  Any issues with the generics?

[Tommy T.]

4 hours ago, OnMyWay said:

Following with high interest.  Perhaps you all could post up the cost of the meds you use?  Any issues with the generics?

The Flonase come in two sizes - one is ~ 550? and is 18 gms/140 spray doses. At my rate that lasts me a couple months. The smaller bottle is about half that size and costs something like ~250-300. I have not checked for generic for this. I have a feeling that there may not be one.

The Zyrtec I think has generic available but, again, I have not checked. I know there are at least two versions of it but don't know which is the so-called generic. L takes it sometimes mainly for systemic allergy symptoms like hives or itching and it usually takes care of it. If it gets serious, then out comes the Benadryl and go to bed.

I just realized I did not give you price for the Verlix (Zyrtec). They run about P27-29 each.

Edited February 23, 2020 by Tommy T.

[Heeb]

1 hour ago, Tommy T. said:

 

I have suffered through allergies my whole life. Fortunately I grew out of many of them but some still persist. They were part of the reason I left Seattle. Some of the weed and tree pollen and year around moldiness made me miserable at certain times of the year and gave me a lot of discomfort all year.

 

I'm the reverse, I never had any allergies until I hit my mid thirties, I also had problems in Seattle, dust mold and pine are big ones for me. I've had more problems sleeping lately, I'm an insomniac and I think the Cetririzine (Zyrtec) is kicking my restless leg syndrome into overdrive, I feel like I'm on edge.

[Tommy T.]

3 hours ago, Heeb said:

I'm the reverse, I never had any allergies until I hit my mid thirties, I also had problems in Seattle, dust mold and pine are big ones for me. I've had more problems sleeping lately, I'm an insomniac and I think the Cetririzine (Zyrtec) is kicking my restless leg syndrome into overdrive, I feel like I'm on edge.

According to that allergist I mentioned, Zyrtec has mild, if any, side effects. This is what Kuya Google has to say about this:

Cetirizine side effects

Cetirizine is a newer, second-generation antihistamine. Unlike first-generation antihistamines, cetirizine is less likely to cause side effects such as dangerous drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, and overheating.

That said, Cetirizine can cause adverse effects, such as:

drowsiness

excessive tiredness

dry mouth

stomach pain

diarrhea

vomiting

Tell your doctor about any unexpected side effects that you have while taking cetirizine. Also, discuss any ongoing or bothersome side effects. These effects are usually not emergencies.

 

We actually take Verlix which is just a different brand of the same thing.

 

I, too, get the restless leg syndrome but just occasionally, fortunately. I don't know what brings it on but find that, if I get up and walk around a little, it seems to go away faster.

 

Edited February 23, 2020 by Tommy T.

[GeoffH]

I had bad allergies as a child and went through the 'allergen testing procedure' which (the first time) consisted of a scalpel making small cuts up and down my arms with a fluid containing the allergen to be tested for a reaction.  Then the result was marked as negative or by a number from 1 to 5 (increasing strength of reaction).  I had a couple of 5 and some 3 and 4 reactions.  This lead to my GP prescribing twice weekly desensitizing injections for quite a while.  They seemed to help for a few years but the allergies came back later on and I was sent back to an allergy specialist.  I wasn't looking forward to being cut with a scalpel again but this time they had a sort of mini medieval torture device modelled on the iron maiden.  It was a spring loaded set of 20 needles with allergens in containers attached to each needle.  That was placed over a large fleshy area (legs in my case) and the spring released instantly injecting me with 20 needles, then repeat with the other leg (to this day I think I prefer the scalpel!).

In the past I've used various cortico steroids but currently I use Nasonex and it works fairly well, on bad days I will top it up with a Zyrtec and really bad days with allergen eye drops.

 

 

Edited February 23, 2020 by GeoffH

[Tommy T.]

10 minutes ago, GeoffH said:

allergen eye drops

What eye drops do you use, Geoff? I will need more soon and would appreciate a reference.

[GeoffH]

4 minutes ago, Tommy T. said:

What eye drops do you use, Geoff? I will need more soon and would appreciate a reference.

I use Visine that I buy in Australia (I'm here every few months), I'm not sure if it's available in the Philippines but there may be a product with similar ingredients?  It works fairly well but it does sting a bit when you first put the drops in.  I don't use it a lot so a couple of bottles does me a while.

Edited February 23, 2020 by GeoffH