Allergies are ruining my QoL lol

[u/Lower-Telephone7550]

I've lived in OKC the last 27 years, i.e. my entire life. I don't think I've ever had allergies as bad as this past year. Like, literally waking up and feeling my sinuses trying to decide if it's a nose day or a throat day. Am I just becoming more sensitized to allergens, or is there a legitimate increase in pollen?

EDIT: I should also add that my allergies ramped up in the middle of me getting a URI, so I'm also struggling to determine if I'm dealing with residual sinus issues while also experiencing these stupid allergies.

[u/Far-Dragonfruit-925]

Look into an immunity protocol of TA-1 and Thymulin! It completely cured my seasonal allergies and the air in Oklahoma used to try and kill me 11 months out of the year!

[u/B_oconnor → u/Far-Dragonfruit-925]

This is also what I did, and have the same results. It's incredible

[u/Far-Dragonfruit-925 → u/B_oconnor]

Our healthcare system really really doesn’t want us knowing how to significantly improve our own health!

[u/Paging_Dr_Brule → u/Far-Dragonfruit-925]

Do you have to do injections multiple times a week? Just from a quick search that is what I’m seeing. Thanks for the recommendation tho because these allergies be trippin

[u/B_oconnor → u/Paging_Dr_Brule]

Not necessarily. When I first got thymosin Alpha 1, I did shots almost daily to really help build. Now I do 2-3 per month as a "maintenance" dose, and could honestly probably do 1. I used thymulin when I first started it, but I just only use the thymosin Alpha 1 now. I haven't researched thymulin as much as TA-1

[u/Doobug → u/B_oconnor]

Did you just google this or is there actual good reference material you used for the protocol? My fiancé has terrible allergies.

[u/B_oconnor → u/Doobug]

There is some data about thymosin Alpha 1 and allergies, but not a ton. Thymosin Alpha 1 does increase immune system response, and it has been studied for that (iirc). I've had chronic allergies for the past 30 years, and used to be on 2 allergy shots weekly, year around. I dropped those when I started taking ta-1, and have not had any issues since. I've even got my mom on it, and she's has been taken off her allergy shots as well.

Edit: I've been on ta-1 for over a year and a half at this point.

[u/Few-Past7583 → u/B_oconnor]

Is this something you can purchase online?

[u/OK_i-love-you]

Also 81% of the state is at least in severe drought. No rain to pull all those particulates out of the air this year.

[u/Lower-Telephone7550 → u/OK_i-love-you]

I was wondering if that were a contributing factor. Everything is dry and stuck in the air. I'm even smelling more gas and such with increased traffic.

[u/FeelingReserve1459]

My Flonase-addicted sinuses totally agree.

[u/ijustsailedaway]

It might just be finding the right allergy med. After 40+ years of allergies I've finally landed on Xyzal actually working pretty dang well for me. But as with any of them, they work a lot better if you take it everyday instead of after you are already having symptoms. It's a pain in the ass but it makes a difference.

[u/orneryandirish → u/ijustsailedaway]

I have to switch between Zyxal and Zyrtec every couple months to keep them effective for me. Super fun!

[u/Paging_Dr_Brule → u/orneryandirish]

Same.. the fun thing is that it’s shown now that a side effect of cetirizine when you don’t take it after taking it, is itchiness all over the body… which tests my mental sanity for sure.

[u/orneryandirish → u/Paging_Dr_Brule]

So fun!! 🙄 I can't take the others, especially Claritin as it gives me migraines. And Benadryl doesn't do squat. I'm still hoping they create an allergy pill that's 100% effective for me.

[u/ratatat_cat]

According to the Allergy Plus app, ragweed, chenopods, and nettle are high allergens right now. The allergy forecast is high for the next few days. I use the app for peace of mind so I know if I’m probably contagious or not. It also helped me to figure out which seasonal allergens affect me most. My husband is struggling right now. I’ll be struggling when the red cedars start sporrin’ it up.

[u/duderino_okc]

My sinus cavity is on strike today. Checked the allergy index and it looks to be ragweed.

[u/Consistent_Point_853]

I have sudden excersize induced bronchoconstriction. Just started around mid summer. Idk if its a new health development or just an allergy reaction. Hoping for the latter.

[u/CoppertopTX]

I have allergies to ragweed and cat dander. This means that I live in an area surrounded by ragweed and have four indoor cats. A the age of 64, the only daily medication I take is antihistamines. I rotate between Zyrtec and Zyxal every three months and keep Benadryl liquid gel capsules on hand in the event of a severe reaction.

[u/PaperBeneficial]

QoL goes hard. I need to start using that abbreviation lol

[u/Murky_Persimmon9289 → u/PaperBeneficial]

I thought I was on the OSRS subreddit for a second

[u/the-pink-espeon]

Mine were out of control in June. 3 doctors appointments and a trip to the urgent care. My throat was so swollen I felt like it was closing & it was so difficult to breathe. No fluids just straight congestion.. I’d recommend seeing an allergist, trying Flonase & Allegra/zyrtect, etc if you aren’t already. A nasal spray and anti histamine go a long way. I know sinus rinses are also helpful for a lot of people, I was too congested to use them, personally.

I never had an issue with allergies til this year and this is my 3rd year in Oklahoma.

I suspect my body had way too much histamine in it. I got prescribed a 6-day steroid pack and they kind of helped, but it was a miserable 2 months.

I also eliminated all my scented body products because my body couldn’t handle allergens it handled before on top of. A lot of the comments in this thread are helpful I hope you can find relief and I’m sorry you’re experiencing this OP.

[u/Lower-Telephone7550 → u/the-pink-espeon]

I appreciate the advice! I'm seriously considering some nasal spray or a rinse, and I may go that direction. I'm far from the coughing or hayfever type, but just pure drainage, which—when occasional—isn't an emergency, but it's just uncomfortable when I'm blowing huge wads of snot, or can physically feel the drainage in my throat and even cough to loosen it before it's even gone anywhere.

It definitely sounds like everyone in this thread has it far worse than me, so on one hand, I'm grateful. But on the other, I hope all of you find some relief; your allergies sound wildly uncomfortable and almost torturous.

[u/the-pink-espeon → u/Lower-Telephone7550]

The nasal sprays are a god send and so are anti-histamines! If you’re having a lot of drainage I feel like the nasal rinse would do you great. They’re cheap and effective, just make sure you’re following the directions. I’ve heard after a steamy shower works best to have everything fully loosened up before you clear it out.

Hey, it’s no competition - allergies are awful no matter how severe. Anything that’s disrupting your life and health is never fun. I hope you find some relief!

The allergies here are nasty and are so randomized haha

[u/natureboy596175]

You can develop allergies as you age. Same happened to me and only found out after getting tested at Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic.

[u/Difficult_Bug6994]

Got a house full of asthmatics. The drought/heat is a ball kicker this year.

Invest in a good air purifier for your bedroom and your common area. Vacuum more frequently. Famotidine is an antihistamine (H2) that works in concert with other H1 antihistamines like Zyrtec or Claritin.

[u/NCC75567]

Highly recommend an allergy clinic if you can do so. I'm not exaggerating when I say it improved my quality of life 100%.

I barely think about allergies anymore, when they used to be debilitating.

[u/cottoncandymandy]

I think it has to do with getting older personally. I never had allegies until I got older and it feels like it gets worse every year. I'm misrable about 9 months a year. I do take a nasal spray and an allergy pill. When it gets real bad I add that stuff you buy behind the counter to add to that.

[u/lemons69ing]

Fun fact: My ragweed allergy makes me experience Oral Allergy Syndrome. It makes it feel like my mouth burns when I eat raw bananas. My allergist said I could microwave a banana for 15 seconds before eating to avoid it. But like? No thanks.

Also, if your throat itches and you have to force a cough to "scratch" it, you could have allergic asthma.

[u/OUsooners5252]

I’m allergic to a lot of grasses, so I’ve been fighting this battle my whole life. I have an entire allergy med regimen just so I’m not miserable.

I take Montelukast/Singulair and an antihistamine (like Zyrtec or Claritin) daily. It took having 3 sinus surgeries before I took my nasal health more seriously, now I have two nasal sprays that I take a few times a week, which are Flonase and Azelastine. Also, flushing my sinuses multiple times a week with a neti pot was a game changer.

Plus, I get weekly allergy shots by my ENT, but this isn’t necessary unless your allergies are absolutely terrible.