So this is what my doctor recommended. Help...

[feloni]

"Mediol, 6-5-4-3-2-1." This means, to take 6 pills in the first day, then take 5 in the 2nd, then 4 pills next day, and so on. So I assume that after the 6th day, I won't need this anymore?

"Follow with Flonase sprays at bedtime", for how long should I do this? Weeks? Months? Years?

"Allegra D at AM, and Allegra at PM". I haven't been tested for allergies yet, so dunno, for how long should I do this without taking the shots? ...for years and years?

"Aciphlex twice a day for 3 days, then before breakfast once a day". For how long? Apparently I also have Acid Reflux which is heartburn, I already suspected this because I usually get this sensation. (mildly thank God)

So my doctor thinks the root of my problem are allergies, and I didn't think it was so serious. (Involves my heart?)

I dunno, I feel pretty sh1tty right now. Since I've been a kid I'd sweat a lot, and feel all this symptoms, mildly to moderetaly, but I never took care of it until now, 19 years old. Is this that serious? Will I have to take stuff for the rest of my life?

What do you suggest? Any opinions?

Thanks in advance.

[reader1]

Acid reflux is when you have a build up of acid in your stomach and it comes back up your esophegus. (I know, I spelled that incorrectly.) Post nasal drip from allergies can cause this to happen. The acid can tear apart your esoph. so it is important to take one of the better meds to treat reflux.

Medrol is an anti-inflammatory. One normally takes these in short tapers - meaning 6-7 days in decreasing doses. That is because that, since they are oral steroids, you need to taper the dose to give your adrenal glands the opportunity to keep producing cortisol. I don't have time to explain that further except to say that tapering is important in order to avoid a lot of side effects. Flonase is also a steroidal anti-inflammatory but since it is inhaled it is very safe and can be taken over the long term. Allergies cause inflammation of the sinus passages, so anti-inflammatory drugs are very important.

Allegra-D has sudafed in it. A lot of folks find that sudafed keeps them up at night, so a lot of docs prescribe a 12 hour dose in the am with the -D, and a 12 hour dose at night without the decongestent.

It sounds like you have mild to moderate allergy symptoms. The medicines should help you a lot. If they don't, then you need to consider testing for allergy shots. It might be a good idea to get the tests anyway, in order to help identify specific allergens in order to avoid them as much as possible.

That said, there are a lot of allergic folks who take 5 or more meds daily in addition to allergy shots just to stay out of the hospital, much less feel better. It sounds like you are getting appropriate care from what you have described. I hope it works well for you.

[chigs489]

Medrol is Prednisone, it is to suppress the immune system and decrease swelling. It is a powerful corticosteroid, with a lot of nasty side-effects (potentially).

I've been on it a few times. I had a lot of weird skin problems, but other than that, it worked well.

What are your current symptoms? Do you have a sinus infection? Bad allergies?

There are ways to treat these problems WITHOUT having to take a Medrol dose pack.

[feloni]

Thanks for the advices.


...I've been feeling pretty good actually, I've been drinking tons of water and I feel that alone helps a bit. Sometimes one of my nostrils is blocked, but before I did Yoga and did all this breathing excersises my symptoms were worse. Today for example I feel fine, no real symptoms present (I think?), other than the usual loss of smell, it's been at least a year or two since I haven't smelled an odor. Unless I get an object close to my nose, I won't be able to smell it.

Every now and then I get sneezing attacks, and nasal congestion. I hardly ever cough, you could say I never cough.

What are the side effects in your skin?

[feloni]

...and when my symtoms go away, and I get my allergies treated. What should I do in the long-terms? Would over the counter meds control my allergies and chronic sinusitis?

Note: I'll probably get my allergies tested in a month or two.