Allergies Mean: EXHAUSTION!

James123 · 12-21-2002, 02:10 PM

No one can really understand what I go through cause I look so healthy. I get compliments on my physique all the time. I am 6 ft 2 and 195 lbs, very athletic and look good. So, why is it that I can't go through a day without a 2 hour nap? Why is it that I am so unbelievably EXHAUSTED and FATIGUED and IRRITABLE many, many times a week?
I just can't stand these allergies. I get so annoyed when I hear people talk of allergies as if they're only about sneezing or getting watery eyes. HA! If ONLY that were the case. Allergies to me are EXHAUSTION, intense, incredible exhaustion at various times of the day. There are times at night when I am SO exhausted that the idea of having to brush my teeth before going to bed makes me groan.
I am also sick of the skin rashes I get. Periodically over the years I would get a small red blotch right on my penis! It would itch and go away after a few days. Well, last week it spread all over. Talk about GROSS: I had dry, flaky skin all over my penis. It was disgusting. I thought of the cold sores that I also have now on the inside of my nostrils. These allergies are so frustrating.
I've always managed to survive with allergies. It's been like this since i'm 14 (I'm now 38). But they're getting worse and worse. I am gettin sinus infections too often and they never seem to go away. I have had dark circles under my eyes and my nose has been stuffy for MONTHS now. I am fatigued all day and all night for the last several months.
I have a friend who has more energy than I do--and he has HIV!!!!!
Allergies are so frustrating. I am so tired of being tired. I am so tired of having to take a nap, only to wake up TIRED! I am too young to feel this old. And the kicker is that according to the blood work my doctor took, there is "nothing" wrong.
Oh well, thanks or listening. I am always told how "handsome" I am, how "good" I look and how "fantastic" my body is. Well, I feel like I am 98 years old. I'm going to take a nap.
--Jim

silverwill · 12-21-2002, 09:58 PM

Do we see the same doctor? lol
Mine have been telling me they can find "nothing" wrong with me for 13 years now. (Not just limited to allergies, but to everything else that's wrong with me too!) Sorry you feel so drained. I get that way too sometimes & you just can't get enough sleep, even if you've been unconscious for 48 hours.

James123 · 12-22-2002, 08:30 AM

Yeah, it gets frustrating when the doctors don't know anything. We have to be our own doctors. Last night I changed my pillow case. Someone told me to start doing that every day because of dust mites. I know that I am most allergic to dust and mold. Would you believe that I actually feel pretty good today? There must have been a LOT of dust on my pillow case. (Normally I changed them every couple of weeks.)

We need to experiment with things like this and to try many different diets to see what will make us feel better. I know that if I stop eating dairy (or seriously limit it), I can feel a lot better too. But lately with this sinus infection, it's like nothing is making me feel good.

Well, good luck to you!

momma2boys · 12-22-2002, 03:09 PM

You should go buy a pillowcase cover and an encasement for your mattress and box spring. Make sure it is made especially for allergies, I buy allerease. also it should zip so its airtight. this will eliminate any dust or mold and should make a big difference. You could also consider a hepa filter. Good luck, this should help you.

James123 · 12-22-2002, 06:52 PM

Thank you for that advice. I never knew they made that stuff. I am definitely going to look into it. These dust mites are deadly! Thanks and happy holidays.

(I have felt pretty good today--a LOT better than I've felt just because of changing a pillow case. unbelievable!)

Thank you again.
--Jim