How to manage COPD when having allergy symptoms?

Posted by crabby55 @crabby55, 1 day ago

I was dx a year ago with mild COPD. Basically I have no symptoms. I am affected by walking uphill or stairs, I get out of breath easily. I know exhaust and dust trigger me. How do you keep allergy symptoms, nasal, drip, congestion, sneezing etc from going into an exacerbation? I haven't had allergy symptoms in years but am very affected this year. I am trying hard to not let it get into my lungs.So far successful. Last year I wasn't careful around dust, ended up with bronchitis just as I was retiring so was overbooked at work, no time to rest and hindsight realized I had an exacerbation. That was my real wake up call to my COPD. Fortunately I am not working now so I can lay low. I'm taking mucinex which helps tremendously and getting lots of rest. I don't want to get sick like I did last year. That lasted a good month. What do you do to be careful?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Support Group.

frouke | @frouke | 1 day ago

I would suggest getting a good antihistamine if you can tolerate them, also wearing a mask can be very beneficial. I bought an air filter with charcoal hepa filter which also helps with allergies, try to watch the weather channel to see how bad it is outside and stay indoors on bad days. If you see your doctor ask to see an allergist, they can test you to see what allergens you are most sensitive to.

snoots | @snoots | 1 day ago

I have my dr call me in an antibiotic m. I also started DUPIXENT to help not have so many

mjm10312011 | @mjm10312011 | 15 hours ago

I use fluticasone, azelastine and my pulmonologist just added singulair. I also use air purifiers with hepa filters and watch the pollen counts. I was tested and have mold and pollen allergies and dust bothers me alot. Try to avoid really high pollen days if possible.

narelled23 | @narelled23 | 9 hours ago

A daily Clarityne has helped my shortness of breath. Immunologist said I could take 2 daily if I needed to.

qari24 | @qari24 | 6 hours ago

Hi @crabby55,
One thing that usually helps is trying to get the allergy symptoms under control early, before it moves into the chest. Saline rinse and an antihistamine during allergy season can help with the nasal stuff, and avoiding dust exposure as much as possible really makes a difference. Keeping indoor air clean like using a purifier if possible and staying well hydrated also helps thin mucus. Mucinex and rest when symptoms start creeping up is a good approach too. The main thing is not to “push through” if it feels like it’s moving downward, resting early can prevent a flare.