Help with allergies!!!!!!!!!!! - Allergies Message Board

Ltraci2 · 05-26-2005, 11:24 PM

I'm currently on a dose of Zyrtec daily and after I mow our lawn I just suffer - usually only for a day or so and so far not too bad. I mowed yesterday (after mowing 2 days prior) and boy am I paying!

I usually take the Zyrtec around 12-2pm and about 11pm last night I popped a couple of Benydril. At 4:30am this morning I woke up SO stuffy. Nose was going and I was miserable. I've basically beeen that way all day today. Took my normal dose of Zyrtec today but no relief. For the past few days I've had that lovely post nasal drip that is making my throat a little sore too.

My question - is it a bad think to double up on meds? The last few times I've mowed the lawn, I haven't suffered this much or as long. So I'm wondering if I made things worse. I'm not very allergy savvy.

Thanks!

kehorner · 05-27-2005, 02:23 AM

You won't make your allergies worse by taking more meds, but you really shouldn't do that often. Are you on zyrtec, or zyrtec D? If you are on zyrtec D, you should definitely not take benadryl, because they contain the same ingredients. Even if you are regular zyrtec, you should not take benadryl with it. However, my pharmacist and allergist have both said (although rather reluctantly) that, in certain cases, I could take a benadryl maybe 12 hours after taking the zyrtec. But generally, that is something that should be avoided.

There are a few other things that you can try. First, you could get somebody else to mow the lawn for you. You could try wearing one of those masks while you mow the lawn. You could also see your doctor and get a prescription for a nasal spray. That can be combined with the zyrtec and a lot of times they really help, especially if you symptoms are mostly nasal.

I hope that you get some relief soon!

Ltraci2 · 05-27-2005, 08:49 AM

Well, getting someone else to mow the lawn probably isn't going to happen. I'm pretty particular about it and even tho the hubby is more than willing, his availablity isn't that great. I've just never had it continue for 2-1/2 days! Last night was bad too.

Dummy me did buy a couple of those painter type masks and guess what - I forgot them both times I mowed this past week. Smack me on the head! LOL

Nasal huh? Hmmmm............ I hate nasal stuff.

But I'd be willing to try it. Any other things I could try besides benadryl when I could use a little extra relief?

thanks!

Machaon · 05-27-2005, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ltraci2

The last few times I've mowed the lawn, I haven't suffered this much or as long. So I'm wondering if I made things worse. I'm not very allergy savvy.

Thanks!

While some people have severe allergic reactions to only one allergen, such as peanuts, most people are allergic to combinations of allergens.

You can get an allergic reaction to things that you breathe, such as odors or pollens or other irritants in the air. Or..... things that you eat or drink. Or..... things that touch your skin.

It might not be, only, your allergy to grass, that is making you miserable. It might have been a higher pollen or pollutant day, on the day that you just mowed your grass. Or, you might have eaten something that contained somethings that you were allergic to. Did you use any chemical cleaners a day or two before you mowed the lawn? Did you try a new food? Did you just spray for bugs?

Allergies, being combinational, and subject to many variations, are very complex and difficult to get under control.

Ltraci2 · 05-27-2005, 10:52 AM

I just know that after I mow the lawn my nose goes NUTS!

I just doesn't usually last for a 2-3 days. Usually by the night after I'm doing ok. Not so this time. Granted, this is just the beginning of the season too! No chemicals or sprays or new foods, but that isn't to say that foods I've been eating couldn't do it.

I'm just curious at this point about meds you can use to double up on bad days.

Thanks!