OP, I am the same exact way. I grew up in the DC area, never had allergies and since my late 30s now into my early 40s, they have gotten worse each year. This year, I felt like I had very mild asthma symptoms, like my breathing felt weird along with a tickle, like someone constantly tickling my throat. I have been taking daily Zyrtec and that made the breathing symptoms go away and curb the throat tickle, but definitely allergies felt worse this year more so than others. This weekend, my symptoms have eased up.

Anonymous wrote:There is a link between allergies and gut health. My horrible allergies got way better when I started focusing on gut health, which shocked me. Try phasing in some kombucha maybe? Longshot but might help.

Local honey never worked for me either!

By the way, here’s a link about one study (though there are many others). I was, at the time, working with a functional medical doctor to help repair my gut microflora after it was destroyed by antibiotics. You might consider consulting a functional/ integrative medicine professional since it sounds like traditional methods are no longer working.

https://www.webmd.com/allergies/news/20041223/healthy-gut-may-resist-allergies-asthma

I agree that it's worth seeing an allergist and getting a full allergy reaction panel done, then trying some prescription meds. I never went the shot route because of the time commitment. For me, I use Flonase + Pataday eyedrops every morning during the worst part of the year for me (which starts around now when the big woody trees leaf out). Then prescription Azelastine antihistimine nasal spray, and Zyrtec as needed. It's really helped to have a "regimen" and to try and start it a few weeks before my main irritants leaf out. That's why the testing is so helpful, to help narrow down what's really making you miserable so you can plan ahead.

There is a link between allergies and gut health. My horrible allergies got way better when I started focusing on gut health, which shocked me. Try phasing in some kombucha maybe? Longshot but might help.

Local honey never worked for me either!

I also had allergy shots, but my dr. told me that they work for about 50% of people. The rest may or may not see some partial relief (I think I fall into this latter group, as in it helped reduce the severity of my symptoms to the point where I can manage them fairly well with OTC meds, but did not "cure" me completely).

Yes to changing up your allergy meds. I was on Claritin for years, but now have been on Zyrtec for about 4 years, and so far it's still working.

I have a few weeks (right about now) when I also have to add the allergy eye drops and Flonase to my routine - luckily this period only lasts for about two or three weeks for me, and then it's just back to regular Zyrtec.

On my worst days I have to take a Benadryl (like the other day when I had to get some yardwork done), but for me that is a nuclear option because it takes me out of commission completely, it makes me so sleepy. Occasionally I also take it before bed if I am so stuffy I have a hard time sleeping.

So try a couple of things, and hopefully you will find the right cocktail for you. Hang in there - this is a miserable time for so many of us. And I hate that it's ruining spring for me, which used to make me so very happy (it still does, just from the inside).

I tried allergy shots, but like other pp have said, found them too time consuming for the benefits. I currently use claritin, flonase and allergy eye drops. That seems to get me through most allergy seasons pretty well. I'll switch to claritin D or take a sudafed on days when the congestion gets really bad.

Cycle your allergy medicine. Changing it helps your body not just adjust to it. I've read that every 3 month or so you should switch the med you are on.

Zyrtec worked great for me for a long time, this year I'm using allegra. I'll switch to zyrtec this summer.

I've started taking one year round. In the winter I'll go to claritin for a bit.

Adding Flonase into your routine helps immensely.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband and daughter started allergy shots about three months ago. Be aware that it is quite a time commitment. For the last three months, they have had weekly allergy shots. They will need weekly shots for about another 3 to 4 months after which they should change to monthly shots for the next 3 to 5 years.

This, and after my doctor explained that I would likely still need allergy meds the whole time and may need them after, it seemed like it could be a gigantic waste of time and money.

My son had weekly shots for a year at age 12. Then bi-weekly for another year. And then once month. At 15, he has almost no allergies.

My husband who was on a more abbreviated schedule like the one you describe is taking a lot longer and seems once they switched him to more time in between so quickly- he reverted.

Different allergists, different practices.

I'm not sure why my son was on a longer one---it was just for tree/grass pollen and cats (though we don't have a cat--they said cats are everywhere so they should treat it while doing others).

I'm the PP whose husband and daughter are having shots. I developed fairly severe eczema at the age of 12 and had it on and off, often very severely, until the age of 40. At what point I was almost hospitalised. So I'm very conscious that allergies can get worse over time and am willing to do anything that might help minimise the same thing happening to my daughter. Of course, there are no guarantees. The allergy doctor did say the shots are most effective if done at a young age. My husband has always had bad environmental allergies and also developed an allergy to bees and wasps which we only discovered a few years ago. So, his shots also include venom shots which are potentially more important as they could be life-saving.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband and daughter started allergy shots about three months ago. Be aware that it is quite a time commitment. For the last three months, they have had weekly allergy shots. They will need weekly shots for about another 3 to 4 months after which they should change to monthly shots for the next 3 to 5 years.

This, and after my doctor explained that I would likely still need allergy meds the whole time and may need them after, it seemed like it could be a gigantic waste of time and money.

My son had weekly shots for a year at age 12. Then bi-weekly for another year. And then once month. At 15, he has almost no allergies.

My husband who was on a more abbreviated schedule like the one you describe is taking a lot longer and seems once they switched him to more time in between so quickly- he reverted.

Different allergists, different practices.

I'm not sure why my son was on a longer one---it was just for tree/grass pollen and cats (though we don't have a cat--they said cats are everywhere so they should treat it while doing others).

Anonymous wrote:Allergy shots

+1,000

Life-changing

Anonymous wrote:My husband and daughter started allergy shots about three months ago. Be aware that it is quite a time commitment. For the last three months, they have had weekly allergy shots. They will need weekly shots for about another 3 to 4 months after which they should change to monthly shots for the next 3 to 5 years.

This, and after my doctor explained that I would likely still need allergy meds the whole time and may need them after, it seemed like it could be a gigantic waste of time and money.