If it's not one thing, it's another. While I love the signs of spring I've been seeing, I've learned to dread them as well. Ever since we moved East, blooming daffodils are now harbingers of doom. I always knew I had seasonal allergies, but I wasn't prepared for them to result in fevers, chills, and severe body aches. Every sports injury or broken bone I ever had is screaming for attention. Think death-bed flu....
The one bright spot is that I can take OTC medicines to knock it down, but I hate being dependent on drugs....
Oh, screw it - time to head to the pharmacy!
Wow, not to endorse any specific product or anything, but Loratadine sure works fast.... I'm already feeling better. Less body aches, more clear headed. woo-hoo!
ReplyDeleteI personally became to immune to that. Have you ever tried allergy shots with an allergist? I can't do it in the sad little area we live in now, but they were truly a lifesaver. I only needed to take med in rare cases. Because it's been almost a year since I've done that treatment, I'm back to where I was: sneezing, watery eyes and problems breathing.
DeleteI am hoping that I never become immune to OTC medicine. Just in case, though, I bought a second flavor to mix it up a bit...
DeleteUnfortunately my insurance doesn't cover much by way of allergy shots. I can look into it again, but it seemed that it was going to be a significant out-of-pocket expense.
Austin Air Filter. Best $350 we ever spent.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info - I'll have to look into it. Are cheaper versions a total waste of money? I'm not trying to skimp, but at that price it might have to wait until I buy a new computer and pay my taxes this year...
DeleteCheaper brands are a waste of money (they help, but they don't work miracles). I do not know if the smaller size Austin Air Filter is worth the money or not.
DeleteWe bought ours during one very desperate week in graduate school (after reading this: http://www.schlockmercenary.com/blog/a-breath-of-fresh-air). It was worth every penny and meal of rice and beans.
It is still one of my favorite things we own. It brings clarity and sleep 2x a year.
Bummer-- it looks like the price has gone up. I wonder if it varies seasonally... We definitely have the full size-- the junior used to be under $200!
ReplyDeleteAnd you a scientist, too. Better living through...
ReplyDeleteMy dad recommends any good HEPA filter (think Honeywell, around $200); I have one and it does help. The prairie around here kills me - especially the ten-acre-ragweed one. Oy.
I may have to try investing in a cheaper version at first.
DeletePart of my reasoning is that my outdoor allergies aren't normally this bad. 2 out of 4 springs out here were tolerable (without noticeable aches/fever/etc.)
The other part is that I am poor. :)
At least I am not the only one.
ReplyDeleteIf people don't have allergies, they don't realize how they go beyond the sneezing and itchy eyes with symptoms resembling the flu. Unfortunately for us, the mild winter and unseasonably warm "spring" we are having right now has made my allergies unbearable.
We have a HEPA air filter which works great for me (sleep! yay glorious sleep!) if I am in the same room with the windows closed, etc. but as soon as I step outside it's all over. Claritin seems to not work anymore and neither does the prescription Flonaze crap (actually, that made things worse).
I've just resigned myself to suffering....
Does Allegra/Fexofenadine work for you? I bought some as a backup plan but haven't tried it yet.
DeleteIs it bad that part of me hopes that my job search ships me across the country to a location where I have a chance of enjoying Spring? Just wondering....