A few questions!

[Blondee15]

Today I did something good~ I saw an allergist & had allergy testing done. Surprisingly my skin handled it pretty well, & I came out with allergies to ragweed, dogs, cats, dust, pollen, mold, birch trees, bluegrass..I think that's all of it..my first question is what can I do to control these triggers..what do YOU guys recommend & have tried & worked/didn't work to control these allergies? What products do you recommend..we have been given a bunch of allergy product catalogs now & we are trying 2 decide what would be the most worthwile stuff 2 buy, cuz the stuff isn't very cheap! What do yall do about non allergic triggers..what have yall found are often non allergic triggers?
Also I was told I had fluid in my ears, which explains the constant pain & pressure..will Flonase(steroid nasal spray) help that to drain? I'm following up in 2 months about that w/ him but i'm just curious..also what causes fluid in the ear? I have been told I have Eustachian Tube Dysfunction, do the two relate at all? Would ear tubes help if the fluid doesn't drain..b/c i've had this problem for almost 2 years now & if it'll help, well i'd be totally willing..! This can get reallllly painful!
One more question! For those who live in Florida..how bad are the pollen counts down there? I'm going down there in about 2 1/2 weeks for a little over a week & I want 2 know if I should be bringing all my rescue meds(nebulizer & xopenex, bottle of prednisone, advair 500/50..I normally take 250/50) in case of a severe sudden flare up cuz that can happen even here in Chicago & I used to think Florida was the answer to feeling better..now i've heard otherwise.
Thanks guys!!

[Crossbow]

I wash my sheets, blankets, and mattress pad as often as I can manage. That helps a bit - I always feel better for a day or two after washing everything.

They have pillow covers and stuff that are supposed to block allergens but I hear they don't work and are a waste of money.

"Ionic Breeze" is one of the least effective, possibly THE least efffective, air purifier on the market. Don't get one of those.

[Vball_#4]

I don't live in Florida but have been there several times and always come back with a respiratory infection. Mold always seems to be the biggest problem when I stayed next to the ocean. Also when I was down there last spring Red Tide was in. I'm not sure if it is now but I was on the gulf side close to Sarasota. The red tide causes chronic coughing while on the ocean. You may want to see if this is in before you go down there if you are going to the beach. I could not breath while on the beach last year. Best of luck.
Vball_#4

[chigs489]

I'm not sure steroid nasal sprays will do anything for your ETD. I would talk to an ENT about this in detail, and see what she recommends.

Be careful with the Prednisone! I have to take this twice recently for a sinus condition, and I'm now having carpel tunnel syndrome-like symptoms, pain in my lower legs, and acne. There are a lot of nasty side-effects, so unless there is a compelling reason to take the drug, I would stay away from it.

[Blondee15]

Originally Posted by chiggins1066

I'm not sure steroid nasal sprays will do anything for your ETD. I would talk to an ENT about this in detail, and see what she recommends.

Be careful with the Prednisone! I have to take this twice recently for a sinus condition, and I'm now having carpel tunnel syndrome-like symptoms, pain in my lower legs, and acne. There are a lot of nasty side-effects, so unless there is a compelling reason to take the drug, I would stay away from it.

Their supposed to keep open the ET, I guess they can reach up there from your nose..or that's what I've been told. I don't know about seeing an ENT..it's so hard 2 see a specialist with my insurance, plus i've already gone through an allergist & pulmonologist, neither has seemed very concerned about the ETD but the allergist told me I had fluid in my ears..which I read up & found out that happens when the ET has been completley closed for a while(!!!!). To me that raises a little concern that there isn't enough being done for my ETD..my ears have been killing me these past few days as the allergy season begins & i'm wondering what happens if I don't get this fluid & ETD taken care of..maybe i'm just paranoid..I don't know I will give this a few more days & if they don't stop hurting i'll call back the allergist & see what he thinks.
I have only taken prednisone for nasty asthma flare ups, only in bursts & only when I drop into my red zone of peak flows..I HATE the stuff..but if I want 2 stay alive, sometimes it's necessary.