I've been dealing with various problems that I believe are allergy related for the past 3 years (August to October, especially). I get sinus pressure and congestion, itchy/watery and burning eyes, headaches, dizziness, feeling 'fuzzy' headed, nervousness, as well as stomach issues and shortness of breath sometimes. Some of these symptoms come on VERY fast and then go away as fast as they came on.
My dr originally diagnosed me with mild anxiety. I didn't believe it b/c of the sinus and eye problems. They all seem to go together.
Last year the Ear, Nose & Throat dr did some allergy testing on me but I didn't react to anything. That was a scratch test with 80 needles. He gave me a few different allergy meds to try but they didn't seem to work. I have also tried a ton of OTC meds as well with no relief.
Luckily, most of my stomach issues were found to be from my gallbladder. I had it removed in May and that part is feeling MUCH better.
I'm just wondering how hard is it to find out what, if anything, I'm allergic to? I tried to narrow it down myself but it happens inside, outside, in the car, at the grocery store, all times of the day and I can't notice a different if I eat anything special.
THe skin test is the way to diagnose allergies. Your symptoms are exactly the same as mine. You may have some sinus issues such as, a deviated septum, blockage, or even a sinus infection. You should go see the ENT again and describe your symptoms.
Hi Mom & Jess! You both sound just like me, what with allergies, rhinitis, gall bladder troubles, etc. I am sitting writing to the board right now with a chemical patch test stuck to my back with 23 allergens itching me right now. I do know that I'm allergic to the hair dye test, nickel, rubber, I think cobalt and also possibly carba mix. This is the test that takes all week to do and it was put on my back yesterday,will be rechecked tomorrow (9/19), and finally taken off on Friday (9/21). It can be a nuisance because of the itch if you're allergic and because it takes the week to do, but I have to say I have gotten an education about chemical cross-reactions. I've had all three tests done--food, environmental, and chemical. I don't know where I'd be without my allergist. They're the only group of doctors that actually will run just about every test there is. I get chronic hives and I know a lot of it has to do with my digestive tract, and the allergist was the one who treated my hives very well before I got my gall bladder out 4 weeks ago. As far as diagnosis, it's more time consuming than hard but once you do it, it's nothing. I've learned how many real poisons that there are out there and have learned to avoid them. They can't test for food dye allergy, but I learned about the cross-reaction to azo dyes in foods and others if you're allergic to hair dye. These tests have saved my life and I am forever grateful to the people who administered them. I hope I've shed some light on the subject because I can't sing enough praises for my allergist. I also hope you have much luck with yours, too!! Take care & be well--Hopeto--
Thanks. I did see an ENT who did a cat scan to check for a blockage. That was clear and I didn't have a sinus infection, which I've had MANY in the past. I had sinus surgery about 15 years ago and they supposedly fixed a deviated septum, so that shouldn't be the problem either.
Fortunately for me, it's not a constant thing and it doesn't REALLY interfere with my normal life. However last week I did take Benedryl Allergy and an hour later, my hubby thought I was drunk. I was in bed and sound asleep by 9:00pm. I'm no usually in bed before 11:30 or 12:00.
Are allergies hard to diagnose? 
