This is my least favorite part of the year! Every year at the beginning of February, I start to get the sniffles, sneezes, scratchy throat, watery eyes, runny nose, etc. The causing agent is non-other than the devil I referred to in this title, POLLEN.
HOW MY LIFE CHANGES EVERY YEAR THIS TIME
- Obviously, outside activities get NIXED (sorry kiddos playing spring sports, God Mommy/Auntie/Mentor can’t support:(
- If I’m forced to be outside, I have to wear a mask
- I keep my shades on when in and out of the car (you may do this anyway, but I find it annoying to add more junk to my already over-sized jam packed hand bag
- I have to get all domesticated and make sure filters are in tact. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters help remove pollen from the atmosphere.
- I have to use a nasal spray (Nasonex® ) every morning
- I take Zyrtec® that is available over the counter, every night
- I take Xyzal® every morning. Yes I just listed 2 antihistamines. My allergies are really terrible. I discovered Xyzal® a few years ago before it went generic. The available OTCs at the time weren’t giving me relief. Of course, the insurance company didn’t want to pay for it with all the OTC options, so I used a coupon. Then it went generic. BIG WHOOP!!! Generic price was $89.99 cash!!! I was able to get my company’s discount card that took it down to $49.99. Then I discovered this discount card, which I gift to you on my freebies page. Look at the difference. My allergy medicine went all the way down to $27.84!!! That’s not all. It also helps with the most common weight loss drug (Phentermine) , with a $10 savings on a 30 day supply. Most insurances don’t pay for Phentermine. It provides discounts on several medicines and is helpful for people with no insurance & people like me. I gift it to my PFL readers. Go on and print your copy or screenshot it and save it on your handy phone!
Ok, so more of my miserable maintenance…
- I sometimes have to take Sudafed® by mouth as well as Nasonex mentioned earlier
- I sleep with a boring white hypoallergenic pillowcase that doesn’t match my sheet set
- I wake up some mornings with my eyes shut together from mucus (that doesn’t happen too often anymore)
- I sleep with a humidifier in the room
- I admit, I don’t always feel like showering before going to sleep but it is a must during pollen season
- I have to use Patanol® eye drops on particularly bad days
- I drive through the $5 carwash about 2 time a week & get it rinsed off in between by whoever is willing to do it for me that doesn’t suffer from pollen (it’s so pathetic that even baby sis volunteers regularly to rinse the pollen off)
I read about eating pollen from honeybees to build immunity to it. Has anyone heard of this and had first hand experience with it?
I hope my account of dealing with the devil provided you with some tips if you suffer or know someone suffering. If not, at least you got a drug discount deal out of spending a few minutes with me for My Health Monday. If you didn’t find anything useful, maybe you’ll like this….
Remember above I stated that I take 2 anti-histamines. They have some nasty side effects but I think I am from a different breed because I have never suffered from any of them. They cause blurred eyes, confusion, trouble urinating, dry mouth, and constipation. In pharmacy school, this is how we remembered these side effects.
Rx Fitness Lady wants to know…
- What is your least favorite time of the year?
- Do you have any personal tips to add to pollen allergy relief?
Rx Fitness Lady
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Oh my gosh you poor thing, you must be so so miserable this time of year!!! Those symptoms are so brutal, my mom and hubby has them and my heart breaks when I see them suffering! Thanks for the prescription card. I never needed one until this year, unfortunately obamacare (although I love my president) now has me paying full price for meds for the entire family. Something I’ve never done my entire career, so I need to be in the know when it comes to buying meds. Thank you!!
Nellie recently posted…Friday Fitness Check In: Focusing On The Positive
You’re welcome Nellie. I hope that it helps a bit & thanks for your concern my dear!
I detest allergy season too! My biggest issue is watery eyes and horrible headaches! The headaches are what kill me! These tips are awesome, because all I was ever told was to get an allergy shot (which I never got)
Sherelle recently posted…Love Series: Thoughtful Ways to say I love you
A lot of people think it’s that easy but you actually have to get a referral and they have long waiting list and want to test you for every allergen under the sun.
Oh wow Joi! I feel so bad for you! I too LOVE Spring, but the pollen sure does make it a bummer! I do know that if you eat honey made locally(pollinated by local bees) it helps your body build an immunity to the pollen. Our kids suffered from allergies, but since we all started taking Juice Plus, we have seen a significant drop in this. You can check it out by clicking the Juice Plus tab located at the top of my blog. Praying that this season will not leave you miserable like the previous ones. Hope you can ENJOY the Spring this year(outside that is) 😉 Have a wonderful week!
Michell recently posted…The Backlash of Bitterness…
Thanks Michell, will check out the tab. I read that it was local honey but I guess I need to research more on exactly where you get that from. On the upside, I LOVE a maxi dress:) Can’t wait to rock them.
Ok, I wish we used those sayings to remember the side effects – that’s golden, i love it!! haha!
Man, sounds like you get quite affected this time of year. I’m lucky to never suffer from that, but my mom certainly does!
I cannot wait for spring time – my absolute favourite season(I’m REALLY not a Summer person..I’ll sweat just sitting still, not cool.)
TorontoRunner recently posted…Running / Meditation
That was just for you if not anybody else I knew you’d be tickled;) Summer is a little too hot for me too but I’m always happy to see it and the pollen hitting the road!
Allergies are the worst! I never had them in my life until we moved to NC. I spent the first 3 years living here getting allergy shots. They are better now, but still flare up from time to time!
thedoseofreality recently posted…10 Examples Of Why Facebook Makes Us Happy (And You Should Totally Hang Out With Us There)
Got to love the South! I am overall grateful that here in GA, the pollen is usually the most of my environmental issues. So many other cities have mass destruction at the hands of mother nature, so I take my pills and spray and enjoy my city the best way I can.
Allergy season can seriously “suck.” I know I suffer with them too. I don’t suffer to quite the extend you do but I get a lot of sinus infections and headaches this time of year. In fact, I had a major headache yesterday….sigh.
I know it’s important to take my medicine daily and “try” to keep the house as dust free as possible. I know that hardwood floors are a plus for major allergy sufferers over carpet (we have hardwood too).
I try not to let it slow me down. I think the only time it can slow me down is when the headaches get bad from sinus pressure (like yesterday). I know having a 4 year-old son I don’t want to miss out on things so I have to try to manage and get through it….sigh
Aaron Brinker aka DadBlunders
Aaron Brinker recently posted…5 Ways To Be A Child Again
Aaron, I’m right there with you on the sinus infections. I get them like clockwork in the spring and sometimes the fall! We are half and half but I hope to transition to all hardwood floors. Yes “TRY” to take those daily doses and Thanks for visiting Aaron!
My least favorite time of year is the winter because the pollution where I live sky rockets. I hate it. I have allergies too but it’s not as bad as the pollution.
Either way, I LOVE my hepa filters!
Kristiina recently posted…{DIY} Braided Cord Bracelet – Kumihimo
Yes ma’am, they are a blessing to ppl like us!
Poor thing. I don’t have allergies but my kids do and it’s the worse thing we don’t go outside very often it’s just way to much stuff out there.
Kita recently posted…Love the one you’re with
When I have kids, I just pray they aren’t into spring time outside sports, bc Mommy just could not be a supporter. I will try to steer them in Mommy’s footsteps and then all they’ll able to think about is hoop dreams:)
I am so sorry you have all of those problems with allergies. However, your health profession has provided you with some great choices. Maybe one day you will outgrow those problems. Let’s claim it today!
That would be nice Mother. Were you saying this when you were pulling my eyes apart years ago *SIGHS* I will await the day and maybe try this pollen pill thing. Thank you for all of your reminders to take all this stuff!
I understand exactly how you feel. I have the same problem. However, pollen is not the only devil that i deal with, mold and food allergies. All of buildings that i work in just say wasn’t up to par which made me have to take Claritin and use my nasal spray daily year round. My office is now located in a new facility which is much better for me. Thanks for your tips.
I’m glad you got a new building. It is so unfortunate when we can’t control our surrounding! Cheers to pill popping for the devilish allergens Kessa! Thanks for commenting and I hope some of the tips help you find more symptomatic relief!
Joi, my daughter has allergies really bad, I may have to try Xyzal because she walks everyday for exercise. She’ll have to stop soon, and she hates that. Good luck, I know how you feel.
Whitney recently posted…Simple Joys Of Life
Thank you Whitney. I have had allergies for years and often times switch from Zyrtec, Claritin, and Allegra to one or the other. When I tried this, it was an amazing difference. Make sure to print the card because you may need it if your insurance company is picky like mine.
Oh poor dear. This time of year is hard on many people. My daughter and husband both has seasonal allergies and it gets really bad for the both of them. I have heard of taken the pollen for the allergies, but I honestly never heard of someone doing it. I’m sure that it has been done, but no one I know has.
KalleyC recently posted…One Word February Update
I’m seriously considering being the guinea pig in my circle. I just thought I’d what my blends had to say on the subject.
Oh my! You really do have to do a lot to deal with this season! I feel bad for you. I don’t have issues with pollen, but I know many people that do and feel miserable during this time of year. I hope it isn’t THAT bad for you this upcoming season.
Britton recently posted…Motivational Monday: When Weight Loss Stalls
Thx Britton, I do hope so too. Some years are definitely worse than others.
I don’t have pollen allergies per say, but I do have a touch of asthma that is always worse when running outside in the spring, ah well a little wheezing won’t kill me (a lot might) I don’t know if I have a least favourite season. Winter up here in Calgary is so dry it does havoc on my skin, but I still love it! Thanks for dropping by my blog and commenting, looking forward to following you via Twitter, I like what you’ve got going on here lady!
Well Thanks Sara. I have followed back. I always try to show support to the featured SITStah! I understand your love! I love my city as well!
So thankful that I don’t have allergies!
Andrea recently posted…What Will Your Children Inherit?
I’m happy for you too Andrea, I don’t wish this on anyone. I’m so thankful my profession exist & there are mediations for treatment!
When I lived in ATL, my allergies were like yours. I considered them deathly. They’re not as bad in FL so I mostly suffer through them. They sometimes get worst at night and I take something. I hope one day your allergies just disappear completely!
Hope recently posted…Natural Hair: Professional Blow Out.
I didn’t know you were in FL, we are kinda neighbors! If they disappeared that would be SO awesome! I’ll be awaiting that day!
i am in the same awful boat, Joi. it’s miserable. and to add insult to injury, i need to have sinus surgery. woo. hoo. i probably should be taking more meds, but i just don’t. Zyrtec makes me so sleepy, however i do use Nasonex.
miss donna recently posted…personal style | take one, pass it on
Hey Miss Donna! Claritin is non-drowsy. I know for me, it is less effective, but I have used it sometimes when Zyrtec was drying me out too much. I’m sorry you have to sinus surgery. I guess my little pity party post just got smacked into perspective.
{Melinda} Wow. I so get this! In a house full of people with allergies and chronic illnesses, I need that card! Thank you for sharing!
Visiting from SITS Sharefest!
Mothering From Scratch recently posted…it’s my party … oh wait, it’s not!
You’re welcome, Melinda! Thank you for stopping by.
Sorry about this, but we can trust God for a healing you know. Will keep you in prayers.
Ugochi recently posted…THE POWER OF A MOTHER’S FAITH
Thank you for your prayer Ugochi.
My goodness, you have it bad! I have never met anyone that has to go through all that you do! I wonder if there is any chance of you out growing it, lol, that is what they use to say back in the day. Well, I hope that somehow you will have a better season! Thank God I only get a lite itch and sneeze, and that is when the cars are covered with it so thick that you can see it. http://fitandbyond40.com
Thank you for the well wishes Margaret.
I enjoi reading yr blog.
Thx Todd, these kind of comments make my day!