Emma, you're totally right👍 I misspoke there—what I meant was that you can't just look at fatigue as a symptom and call it an allergy, or something along those lines...
Also, Casey Stewart7, try one of those nasal rinsing methods mentioned above (like a Neti Pot or a syringe)... I've been doing it for three days now and it honestly makes breathing so much easier...
Casey Stewart7 said:Hey everyone! I’m not entirely sure if this is the right spot for a question like this, but I figured I’d give it a shot. So, here's the deal—I've never really dealt with allergies before in my life. But about two or three days ago, my nose just started running constantly. My throat doesn't hurt at all, which is weird because I've always struggled with tonsillitis. On top of that, I’m feeling incredibly wiped out—honestly, it feels like I got hit by a freight train. I was wondering if this kind of exhaustion could actually be caused by an allergy, or if there might be something else going on here. Thanks in advance!
Look, you aren't going to figure out if it's an allergy for sure without getting those skin prick tests done. There's no way to diagnose anything based on symptoms alone through a screen. As for the fatigue, I'd say spring fatigue is pretty standard this time of year. Usually, allergies don't make you tired directly, it's just that the constant sneezing and coughing eventually wears you down. Could it just be a common cold? Has it cleared up yet or is it still going? Also, does anyone in your immediate family deal with allergies?
So, I finally saw the doctor. Turns out it's "just" allergic rhinitis. Great. Now I'm loaded up on sprays and Claritin again... I also picked up one of those neti pots to rinse everything out. They told me to do it in the morning, so I'm going to give it a shot now just to see if it actually helps. I grabbed a large syringe too, just in case this gadget is a total waste of time. Honestly, at least they didn't find anything worse. I'll probably get blood work done next week just to rule out any underlying inflammation, though I'd likely have a fever if that were the case. Anyway, time to try this thing...🙂
...hope you guys are all doing alright👍
...besides, I've always been big on alternative methods. I think I'll start looking into some natural solutions alongside these meds...
Nicole Miller71 said:But if a psychiatrist writes you a prescription, you still have to go through your primary care doctor to get it logged, so everything ends up on the record anyway.
...Personally, I haven't used any meds, but I know this friend of a private psychiatrist went straight to the pharmacy (paying out of pocket)....Is that even possible, or am I totally off base?
...I can't recall the exact details anymore, but since she was training to be a preschool teacher, her family did everything they could to make sure nothing showed up on her medical record...
...All in all, it seems like the OP is pretty young, and maybe their issues aren't severe enough to require actual medication. Based on a first glance, they’d probably be better off seeing a psychologist at a counseling center or finding a private psychiatrist...Why bother putting it on an official record if there's no need to?
Sure, you can go through Medicare if you have a referral... but honestly, if you have the option, just go private. Your primary doctor is definitely going to log that you saw a psychiatrist, and let’s be real—that doesn't look great when you're applying for a driver's license or certain other jobs. Back when I was 20, I used a referral once and went to a psychiatrist, but I switched to private doctors later on. They actually gave me a hard time during my driver's license renewal because they saw those psychiatric visits on my record. Why deal with that headache?
Anyone got any homeopathic remedies they actually swear by?
People have suggested marshmallow root tea helps soothe the membranes... I've been sipping on it for a while now, but honestly, I think I need something a bit more heavy-duty.
My palms get incredibly sweaty, especially during the summer when I’m stuck at my computer or driving... sometimes it actually drips right in the middle of a heatwave. It's a disaster. 😢...not to mention how much I have to avoid shaking hands or anything like that. I get that it's nerve-based and probably genetic, but I'm hoping there's some way to get this under control. Red Cross... does anyone else deal with this? Has anyone actually found a solution?
Keith Clark7 said:I’ve got a similar issue, just without the coughing.🙂
Basically, breathing is fine during the day, everything seems okay. But as soon as I lie down at night, my nose gets totally stuffed up and I can't breathe. I used nasal drops for a long time, but they just ended up drying out my throat, which leads to this burning sensation and then a cough.
A while back, I did an allergy test and found out I’m allergic to dust and feathers. I definitely don't have any feathers in my room, and I clean the dust regularly... so I just bought an anti-allergy pillow and swapped out my mattress, so we'll see if that actually does anything.
Anyway, I went to see my doctor recently, and when I mentioned these symptoms, he just laughed at me. He didn't even know what to say, really. They eventually diagnosed me with allergic rhinitis and recommended Flonase. They told me to use it once a day, specifically in the morning. So now I'm wondering—could I maybe use it at night instead? Since that's when my symptoms usually kick in, should I follow the doctor's orders and stick to the morning, or would nighttime be better?
Keith Clark7 said:I'm not anyone. That's just what he told me. I'm heading out to pick some up tomorrow, so we'll see if it actually does anything. Honestly, my biggest issue is that my nose gets stuffed up every single time I lie down. When I mention that to doctors, they look at me like I've lost my mind😕....That's why I asked about being addicted to nasal sprays.😁
Honestly, our doctors here are unbelievable. They act like we’re just making up symptoms when we tell them how we feel. It’s reached a point where you can probably get a more accurate diagnosis from a quick Google search than by sitting in an exam room. I'm feeling a bit better today, but I'm still heading in tomorrow to get some bloodwork and a urinalysis done. Hang in there.👍
ironsurfer8 said:It is entirely possible that this is all allergy-related. Before I finally found a decent doctor who actually had the foresight to send me for allergy testing and prescribe a specific treatment plan, I would feel terrible for weeks on end.
Generally speaking, if allergies this severe aren't kept under control, they can develop into allergic asthma...
What are you currently taking for your allergies?
If it really is just a dust or dust mite issue, simply cleaning the apartment won't cut it. You need to make sure the room where you sleep has no carpets or heavy curtains, and you should invest in a new, high-quality hypoallergenic mattress and pillow. But if this has only flared up in the last few days or weeks, it’s more likely you're reacting to something currently in bloom (and plenty of things are blooming right now).
I had a similar flare-up a few days ago. My doctor initially suggested I take Allegra (once in the morning and once in the afternoon) along with Flonase spray twice a day. I'm feeling a bit better, though I plan to drop to a lower dose once I stabilize. Still, after an attack that intense, it always takes me a few days to fully recover...
I take Claritin (which is basically the same as Allegra) and use that spray too, so this reaction really caught me off guard. I think I need to get my sinuses checked out. Everything was perfectly clear, both my sinuses and lungs, just a year ago. Still, I don't think doing a sinus rinse could hurt...
Samuel Morgan40 said:Look, just a bit of advice—if you're going to collect seawater, please try to find somewhere relatively pristine or at least decent. I'd suggest an open area where there isn't any runoff from sewage systems nearby. For heaven's sake, don't just scoop it up from the Chesapeake Bay, 🙂God forbid.
I guess I'll try this artificial recipe then... just to be on the safe side. By the way, could you tell me which method they actually used to confirm that chronic sinus inflammation of yours?
I'm heading out to Golden Gate Park tomorrow. I'll be coming back with a bottle of seawater and these ingredients for the upper rinse... I might try some alternative method too... but honestly, I still think this is the best way to "flush" everything out 🤣
I remember when I was with Yoge, he showed me this little device used to clear out sinuses. He picked it up somewhere out East... you basically just pour water from one nostril to the other... pretty much the same thing as what was described above
Samuel Morgan40, you hit the nail on the head with what you're describing... I've been digging through my own research for a bit now. I actually went in for some sinus scans and they told me everything looks fine aside from a deviated septum. I'm also dealing with that constant post-nasal drip😢... though I've been drinking this marshmallow root tea and it seems to be helping a little. They told me my allergies are triggered by dust mites. Does anyone know if there's anything that actually helps with chronic sinusitis?
Papa Smurf, it’s almost certainly an allergy if you find yourself feeling better in enclosed spaces...
It’s late, I can't sleep, so here I am listing my symptoms again... I can't breathe, there's constant coughing, and my nose is perpetually stuffed up. As soon as I lie down, the coughing starts and I feel like I can't get any air in (plus this popping sensation in my chest). I went to several private specialists for testing—spirometry, lung scans, sinus checks, you name it—and everything comes back "fine." The doctors claim it's just a severe dust allergy. Look, I don't want to be a hypochondriac, but is it actually possible for an allergy to be so intense that I can't sleep all night and end up gasping for air? It feels exactly like an asthma attack. One night I even rushed to the ER like a lunatic because I couldn't catch my breath, and the woman there just tells me: "It's not pneumonia and it's not bronchitis, just up your allergy meds and you'll be fine." You have no idea how exhausting it is to spend the entire night choking on a cough and struggling to breathe, only to have to go to work in the morning. I'm at a loss. Should I go out and find a second—or third—opinion?😢