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Allergy Season: Why do I have symptoms out of season?

Posted by fab44 @fab44, Dec 9, 2022

I understand that since we are now in December it is no longer allergy season. That being the case, there should be a drop in allergy cases. I am wondering why my constant throat clearing does not change and continues on through the year regardless of season?

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fab44 | @fab44 | Dec 11, 2022
In reply to @dustycat52 "I also have allergies in December and sinus pressure and pain. I’m in the coast in..." + (show)
@dustycat52

I also have allergies in December and sinus pressure and pain. I’m in the coast in Northern California,

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I am sorry to hear about your allergies. You mentioned the Northern California coast which got my interest. I have family in Santa Barbara County and visit them on occasion. My sinus drainage situation there is much improved. I relate it to the salt air from the ocean. I have heard from a forum on sinus issues that their situation has improved by the ocean climate. Anyone else experience this?

Thank you!

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 11, 2022
In reply to @fab44 "Thank you Sue! I just found out that there is a "Perennial Rhinitis" which is where..." + (show)
@fab44

Thank you Sue! I just found out that there is a "Perennial Rhinitis" which is where I am at. I am dealing with many options that hopefully will help my constant throat clearing condition.
On 11/09/22 I had surgery on my nose and sinuses: ESS, Septoplasty & Turbinate reduction. The surgery was a success and I am breathing better now but still have the constant drainage and throat clearing. I am continually searching for a solution to help. I have what I call my "5:00 PM meltdown" with mucus lodged in my throat. It is on-going very hard to live with.
Thank you!

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A 5 o'clock meltdown sounds like a medication wearing off. If you are using a 24 hour antihistamine you may need to supplement about 1 hour before that. I find that it helps me to avoid a full on allergy attack if I take a benadryl when exposed to a lot of allergens (hiking, gardening, sanding ..)
Have you tried that? Or changed antihistamines?
Sue

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1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Dec 11, 2022
In reply to @lacy2 "...so hard to find out sometimes what the sensitivity is causes by, so true, Sue. even..." + (show)
@lacy2

...so hard to find out sometimes what the sensitivity is causes by, so true, Sue. even laundry detergent we bought .... safe enough for babies skin etc..and on the back of bottle mentions an ingredient that causes dermatitis...have to read the fine print; its years since had our walls washed and i remember years ago spring cleaning included washing walls..wonder if they harbour allergens... even am wondering about my eye drops; shampoo; I don't want to use the antihistamines cos of my chronic dry eyes etc... on the merry-go-round again!
ps read the ingredients, the ones in tiny writing, using magnifying glass! frightening... even toothpaste! h-e-l-p ! J.

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Hi Valerie- I agree with you. Our world is now inundated by so many brands that carry so many chemicals that I think that we might never know a lot of causes. As Sue said, there are people who have year-round allergies. I'm thinking that after this past year of unseasonably warm temps there might be longer seasons that mesh into each other.

I have year-round allergies, but I'm not sure what they are. I take an Allegra year-round but as you stated that might not be a great idea given your dry eyes.

Not all antihistamines are drying. Have you asked your doctor for a recommendation about them?

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1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Dec 11, 2022
In reply to @willows "I have allergies caused by sprays like windex, hair spray, face powder, room freshener. This might..." + (show)
@willows

I have allergies caused by sprays like windex, hair spray, face powder, room freshener. This might be aggravating you to the point of you being more sensitized which could let your allergies take over with a minor exposure of what you are actually allergic to. Often people believe that they are allergic to something but it could be a sensitivity rather than a true allergy that has a specific immune system function.

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Wow, great answer. People get words all muddled up all the time. Local areas have their own terms, states have their own, and doctors, hospitals and clinics all have their own. But mre important is what is behind the words.

The primary difference between an allergy, a sensitivity, and an intolerance is that an allergy is characterized by an immune system reaction to a substance, a sensitivity involves no immune response and an intolerance is characterized by the body lacking a chemical or enzyme needed to digest a certain food.

One time I was at the hairdresser's a long time ago and the hairspray being used next to me caused me to lose my voice. NO jokes, please! It eventually came back with no damage that I am aware of.

I hope that every dr. pays attention to the difference without causing more trouble by prescribing something that would cause more harm. We have to make sure that we question what is being surbscribed too! Right?

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1 reply
willows | @willows | Dec 11, 2022
In reply to @merpreb "Wow, great answer. People get words all muddled up all the time. Local areas have their..." + (show)
@merpreb

Wow, great answer. People get words all muddled up all the time. Local areas have their own terms, states have their own, and doctors, hospitals and clinics all have their own. But mre important is what is behind the words.

The primary difference between an allergy, a sensitivity, and an intolerance is that an allergy is characterized by an immune system reaction to a substance, a sensitivity involves no immune response and an intolerance is characterized by the body lacking a chemical or enzyme needed to digest a certain food.

One time I was at the hairdresser's a long time ago and the hairspray being used next to me caused me to lose my voice. NO jokes, please! It eventually came back with no damage that I am aware of.

I hope that every dr. pays attention to the difference without causing more trouble by prescribing something that would cause more harm. We have to make sure that we question what is being surbscribed too! Right?

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Absolutely. We tend to put a lot of credibility in what doctors say or prescribe. That is not wrong or misguided, after all they are the ones with the medical training, however Its best to do our own research on the topic in order to question our physicians and have an intelligent discussion with
them about our specific condition.

REPLY
Valerie | @lacy2 | Dec 11, 2022
In reply to @merpreb "Hi Valerie- I agree with you. Our world is now inundated by so many brands that..." + (show)
@merpreb

Hi Valerie- I agree with you. Our world is now inundated by so many brands that carry so many chemicals that I think that we might never know a lot of causes. As Sue said, there are people who have year-round allergies. I'm thinking that after this past year of unseasonably warm temps there might be longer seasons that mesh into each other.

I have year-round allergies, but I'm not sure what they are. I take an Allegra year-round but as you stated that might not be a great idea given your dry eyes.

Not all antihistamines are drying. Have you asked your doctor for a recommendation about them?

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,,, just phone call to optometrist who said if antihistamines dry my eyes more to double up on dry eye drops but I dont want to as they burn a bit and make my eyes feel weird... see her tomorrow so will clarify .. guess I can't have it both ways....also have narrow angle glaucoma.... that and chronic dry eyes double edged sword.... J.

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fab44 | @fab44 | Dec 11, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "A 5 o'clock meltdown sounds like a medication wearing off. If you are using a 24..." + (show)
@sueinmn

A 5 o'clock meltdown sounds like a medication wearing off. If you are using a 24 hour antihistamine you may need to supplement about 1 hour before that. I find that it helps me to avoid a full on allergy attack if I take a benadryl when exposed to a lot of allergens (hiking, gardening, sanding ..)
Have you tried that? Or changed antihistamines?
Sue

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I am not currently not taking any meds including antihistamines & Benadryl. I am concerned about the side effects of taking these and many others. I have not been on any daily medications all of my life and hope I can continue to do that. I think the "meltdown" is due to the build of phlegm all day and in the late afternoon it gets lodged in my throat and drives me crazy. I use a sinus rinse, a vaporizer and saline nose spray. I have nights that have keep me up until 1;00 PM and later due this throat mucus. It is getting to where I dread the evening/night time because of this. I am always looking for solutions.
I appreciate your reply and concern.

REPLY
2 replies
fab44 | @fab44 | Dec 11, 2022
In reply to @fab44 "I am not currently not taking any meds including antihistamines & Benadryl. I am concerned about..." + (show)
@fab44

I am not currently not taking any meds including antihistamines & Benadryl. I am concerned about the side effects of taking these and many others. I have not been on any daily medications all of my life and hope I can continue to do that. I think the "meltdown" is due to the build of phlegm all day and in the late afternoon it gets lodged in my throat and drives me crazy. I use a sinus rinse, a vaporizer and saline nose spray. I have nights that have keep me up until 1;00 PM and later due this throat mucus. It is getting to where I dread the evening/night time because of this. I am always looking for solutions.
I appreciate your reply and concern.

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Sorry, it was 1:00 AM.

REPLY
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 11, 2022
In reply to @fab44 "I am not currently not taking any meds including antihistamines & Benadryl. I am concerned about..." + (show)
@fab44

I am not currently not taking any meds including antihistamines & Benadryl. I am concerned about the side effects of taking these and many others. I have not been on any daily medications all of my life and hope I can continue to do that. I think the "meltdown" is due to the build of phlegm all day and in the late afternoon it gets lodged in my throat and drives me crazy. I use a sinus rinse, a vaporizer and saline nose spray. I have nights that have keep me up until 1;00 PM and later due this throat mucus. It is getting to where I dread the evening/night time because of this. I am always looking for solutions.
I appreciate your reply and concern.

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Sometimes I need to consider whether the desire to not take medication is worth sacrificing quality of life. Daily misery and loss of sleep would be a deal breaker for me. Each of us must make the best decision for ourselves.
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
fab44 | @fab44 | Dec 11, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "Sometimes I need to consider whether the desire to not take medication is worth sacrificing quality..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Sometimes I need to consider whether the desire to not take medication is worth sacrificing quality of life. Daily misery and loss of sleep would be a deal breaker for me. Each of us must make the best decision for ourselves.
Sue

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I understand that completely and when I am having a hard time I think about going back on the antihistamine. I have done it a few times but always stop after a week. The Mucinex states (in bold print) "do not take longer that 7 days". I believe one of the side effects were kidney stones.
Benadryl had side affects of "dementia & Alzheimer's". This is very concerning to me.
I have ordered an Air Purifier and better filters for my ac/heating system and will see what happens with that.

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