Allergy Shots and Breathing

[patcher]

Hello,
8 months ago I quit smoking. Before I quit I have always had bad sinuses and allergies. About 5 years ago the allergist recommended I get allergy shots. I refused. Anyway, since I quit smoking my allergies have gone through the roof. At times, I feel like I can hardly breathe. My allergist has prescribed pretnisone for a week and I've taken singular for 6 weeks. Nothing seems to give me total releif. He says my nasal passages were swollen.My house is a little dusty, I clean weekly, dust is one of the major things I'm allergic to. I've been taking shots since october. I know it takes time before the shots work but this is kind of scarey. I'm now wondering is this allergies or something else. I wanted to know has anyone else experienced this? Also, how long does it take before you feel the benefits of allergy shots and what will you feel like then? It's really strange, when I was smoking, I never experienced allergy problems like this, maybe the smoking masked it.

[Titchou]

What antihistamines do you use? Singulair was designed as an asthma drug but has been found to help some people with allergies. If you've never tried anything else, I doubt it will help you if it hasn't after 6 weeks. Have you tried zyrtec or maybe a nasal spray such as flonase or astelin?

[patcher]

I forgot to mention my dr. has me on flonase and astelin nasal sprays. They do help a little.

[Sannah]

Patcher, I saw the same thing happen to my dad. Remember, allergies are an overactive immune system. Your body is responding to things that it shouldn't be. Maybe, when you were smoking, you kept your immune system busy because we all know how bad smoking is for you. Just a theory. Don't start smoking again! Do you have dust mite covers on your mattress and pillows? Wash your blankets in hot water as needed. Clean out your bedroom really well and don't have anything in there that you don't need in there. Can you take out any carpeting, especially that in your bedroom? Can you eat yogurt every day. Yogurt is healthy for your gut because of the live cultures and your gut is where your immune cells are. Then you are not on any antihistamines? These really should be your first line of defense.

[patcher]

Thanks for the information. I plan to try all those things. How's your dad now??