Allergy Meds

[the_phantom]

I have moderate pollen allergies (spring & fall - summer too ) and my respiratory system is bothered by dust (dirt or hay). I may also be mildly allergic to animal hair, or the dust on it. At home I can live with it, but when I go riding I am very bothered by brushing horses and riding in dusty arenas so I take Claritin. This always worked fine for me, except now I started trail riding in an area with tons of ragweed. A few times I’ve had to take a double dose (which you aren’t supposed to do, according to the package) in order to not be constantly sneezing and running everywhere and so I would not be totally congested at night.

So, I think I need to try something stronger. Anyone with bad allergies - what do you take while riding?

[AKB]

A lot of people use Flonase/fluticasone nasal steroid spray. There is a version that is nonprescription (?Nasacort). You need to use it daily for it to work.

Sometimes, if you use the same antihistamine for weeks, it temporarily is less effective. I would try Allegra or another antihistamine and see if that is better for now.

I have used Nasalcrom/chromolyn nasal spray just before exposing myself to pollen or daily. For me, it works really well. Most people don’t feel it is as effective as the steroid sprays, but for me, it is the best.

[gymangel812]

allegra D 12 hour

[saddleup]

I take, on orders from my allergist, Zyrtec and 12 hour Sudafed (actually, the clone that Walgreen’s offers…the one you have to sign your life away to get, not the one on the shelf), every day. I also use the fluticasone propionate nasal spray. This combination makes my mostly outdoor life even possible.

[Griffyn]

Claratin does NOT work for me. Allegra is the best, Zyrtec also works. Hope you find relief!

[csaper58]

Have you tried a Neti Pot?

[BK6756]

I have bad allergies to all sorts of environmental allegans and most animals, including my three dogs that live in my house, as well as horses, hay, etc. When they get bad, I have to use an inhaler from wheezing so bad.

The best regimen for me is:
generic Allegra 180 mg in the morning (OTC)
Nasonex or Veramyst nasal spray in the morning (Rx)
generic singulair at night (Rx)

The only pricey thing are the Rx nasal sprays but they are a HUGE help for me.

[the_phantom]

Thanks for the feedback. I’m going to try a slightly different Claritin schedule to see if that helps (taking it more regularly than just right before I plan to go to the barn). If that doesn’t work I will try Zyrtec (we have a small pack on hand) and then Allegra, which for some reason I hadn’t heard of before. I do have an inhaler I used to use when I ran track and now use when my lungs tweak out from allergies, but I may also look into one of the nasal sprays/rinses mentioned for nights when my sinuses are bad.

[wateryglen]

Orrrr…you could go to the doctor and get professional medical advice for a medical problem…
And NEVER double dose medications. Never.
Try antihistamine nasal sprays but not in combination with systemic antihistamines. Try some saline nasal sprays (like a neti pot does) to wash away allergens in your sinuses.
Most of all prevention: You must take antihistamines ALL the time, around the clock, AS PRESCRIBED to have the best effect. Just taking here & there doesn’t work as well. And…wear a face mask over your nose/mouth when grooming perhaps. You can buy disposable paper masks at drugstores. Wear them properly. Or even a folded in half bandana is a huge help. I do that when clipping horses. Keep your hair covered or wash it when you get home after a trip to barn. Remove clothing, shower, avoid touching face. Learn as much as you can about your allergies but most of all; see an allergist to confirm exactly WHAT they are. EX: I used to smell hay pads for mold and found it burned/smelled funny/made me sneezy so thought those pads were moldy only to learn after testing that I was highly allergic to that KIND of hay, not mold!

[catzndogz22]

Allegra - or AllerFex from Costco for much less $$. I take it at night and don’t wake up feeling drowsy the next morning like I do with Zyrtec. When my allergies are at their worst during ragweed season, I add a nasal steroid spray at night and the combination of the two keeps me completely comfortable.

Allegra reaches its full efficacy after a few days to a week, so you’ll get the best benefit by taking it daily during allergy season rather than just on an “as needed” basis.

[tollertwins]

Allegra makes me dizzy - Zyrtec keeps me up all nite.

I MOSTLY use Astepro for antihistamine type stuff. You spray it up your nose - it’s topical (also scrip only).
Add in Nasonex (a spray up your nose steroid) if things get really bad.
Take Sudafed during the day.
Use Nasalcrom before going outside when things are really bad…

If I HAVE to take an oral antihistamine, Claritin is about all I can tolerate. The prescription one called Clarinex is a little stronger.