Daily Allergy Management & Impact on Clearance

@scoop Histamines are great mucus producers, so it seems reasonable that antihistamines would reduce mucus. Maybe ask your allergist?
Our state fair has been in full swing for 11 days, and I have been there for 5 of them - just got home after another 10 hours (all play this time.) Until today, I have had a major allergy attack each time, and came home just about drowning in mucus from sinuses and lungs, in spite of using all my inhalers and an antihistamine. Today I premedicated with an additional antihistamine dose and am just fine tonight.
Why was it so bad? In addition to seasonal pollen, recreational weed I now legal here, and everywhere we sat down outdoors people were smoking it or cigarettes or cigars. Surprised we didn't gat a high just walking around.

I have mild bronchiectasis and lifelong serious allergies. Currently, I am starting my 5th month of allergy shots. I completed allergy shots 15 years ago but they returned 2 years ago. The shots seem to go fine. I take and antihistamine the day I get them. Taking antihistamines daily thickens the phlegm and makes clearing my lungs more difficult, so I just take them 1 to 2 times a week. However, the last several weeks I have been at the highest level of allergy shots and I am getting flares almost daily. Every time I step out of the house, in an N95 mask, I get triggered and my lungs fill up. If I vacuum with a N95 mask on and a smock over my clothes, I get phlegm fill up. I am not sure I am going to make it through the shots, which is very upsetting. Without the shots the bronchiectasis exacerbates with allergen contact, and with the shots, I cant leave the house either. If leave the house for any reason I have to wear an N95 mask, with or without allergy shots even though I shower, when I come home, nasal rinse, don't re-wear my clothes, and use a humidifier. So I feel your pain.

If have heard that the shots will help the bronchiectasis, so I really want to finish them.

What to do, that is the question. No option I can see. So I am calling Mayo Monday.

@barnettk18 Interesting. How often do you clear your lungs? Are you using 7% saline prior to airway clearance?

For reference, I receive three shots once a month at the same time: trees and grasses, cats and dogs, and dust mites and molds. Apparently allergy shots for trees, grasses, dogs, and cats and dust mites are very effective. Molds less so. I'm over half way through the 5 year maintenance plan. The allergist/immunologist calls immunotherapy (allergy shots) low hanging fruit and in my case a no-brainer (lots of allergies).

In relation to BE, I am not sure how much shots have helped but I am confident that the daily Allegra has diminished chest phlegm and certainly decreased the sinus headaches I experienced every day. I've had days like you have when it seems difficult to clear. On those days, I increase fluids and use mucinex. I also found that the timing of Allegra dose important. For me it works best to take during daylight hours and not before sleep. Some days I skip if I am too dry. Every other day (or every 36 hours) seems a sweet spot but sometimes that's difficult to keep track of. It's worth noting that I am also on Brinsupri (for almost 6 months now). Although I need more time on Brinsupri and not quite ready to declare success, it's seems headed in that direction.

@scoop Thank you so much for this reply. Helped a lot. I am getting weekly allergy shots and each week the allergens seem stronger, but the tightness in the chest and fullness, and more phlegm are the real problems. Do you know whether the increased need to clear your lungs when you are getting allergy shots decreases again when you have finished, or does it cause a permanent worsening of the bronchiectasis?

@barnettk18 My understanding is that allergy shots and worsening bronchiectasis are unrelated. When you describe chest tightness and fullness it makes me think of asthma. Do you have asthma along with bronchiectasis?

There was time I started allergy shots and after the first one I had tight chest and was short of breath, it was very light but after the second and third I knew shortness of breath were caused by the shots. The allergist said she would have to experiment with adjusting g the dose( I am allergic to mold and fungus). The shots were stopped and instead she works with me on building my immunity.

@lilianna What is she recommending to build your immunity?

@scoop yes, asthma as well, lifetime, on Tezspire which helps quite a bit. Good to hear that the phlegm increase caused by allergy shots and exposures will not worsen the BE. Thanks!

In my allergy seasons I do a nasal lavage (salt water in a neilmed or guru nanda squeeze bottle) after being outdoors. I like to believe it’s rinsing out the allergens adhering to my sinus tissues. My daily nebbing helps too I think. I can’t use flonase any more due to nosebleeds.

Allergy shots have become difficult and I am almost to maintenance. Allegra is not enough. Tried Zyrtec this week and it was the best day since I started getting allergies again a year ago. However, I am having trouble clearing my lungs, bringing anything up, and my chest feels tight. The tightness can happen when I huff to hard and then I have to do some belly breathing to get my wind pipe and chest to relax, which helped. But still, with all my huffing and such, didn't get a thing up and some tension left in my chest. I may have to go back to Allegra, Anyone have any advice???