Allergies are sooooo bad, what to do

[nanwilson]

My allergies have never been so bad, my eyes and nose are running like a tap. My swift LT is making my nose swell inside, my quattro makes my eyes swell........
I'm taking 24 hour claritin, I've sprayed with nose stuff, but I still can't see, cant stop sniffing & dripping.....UGH I don't know what else to do. I would like to try a different mask but have no idea what. I was doing so well, I was doing the happy dance then these allergies.......CRAP!
Norma

[Julie]

Hi, you could either be allergic to the material in the mask itself, or possibly have your humidifier set so high that it's causing trouble (not uncommon!). If your Claritin doesn't help then maybe you need to either find something to use as an interface between the mask and yourself (I wonder if the Lansinoh cream would help?), or else speak to your DME about masks with different material (there is even a cloth type, though whether it's any good as a mask I'm not sure).

[nanwilson]

Thanks Julie
I have been at this for almost 5 months now, so should not be the material in the masks, also have played with humidity was up to 2.5 now back to 1. Also use lansinoh but only on the edges of the nares, should I be lining my nose with it? If this does't subside in another day or two I'm headed to the doctor, its been 3 weeks of ups and downs with the allergies.
I will only use my quattro for the next couple of weeks, no more pillows I'm thinking.
Norma

[nosenabook]

Here's what I can think of:
Have you had frost yet? Your problems might be seasonal.
Have you changed the filter on your CPAP?
Certainly if the mask is irritating, use a different one.
Benedryl?

[SleepingUgly]

In some people's opinions, Claritin doesn't work well. Try Allegra (it's by prescription). If you want something somewhat less systemic, you could also try antihistamine sprays in conjunction with nasal steroid sprays.

[echo]

I don't understand, are the allergies against the mask or cpap itself, or is it daytime allergies just getting worse at night?

Normally I would just recommend to do a good sinus rinse with a neti pot, make sure all the filters are cleaned/changed, and soak all parts in vinegar water and then soapy water (mask, cushion, hose, humidifier).

[elena88]

ditto on the allegra D 12 hour.. only for me it lasts twenty five hours..

my grass allergies are off the scale, and this did the trick, I only used it a few times, because
I cant stand feeling "drugged up"

but if youre suffering that much go for it!

[Jaylee]

I do a Clariton/Flonase combo, while using the neti pot daily and praying for the first frost. I dislike Ragweed season.

[kempo]

Clariton D 24 hr is the only thing that will open my nose this time of year. I take the generic from Wally World. Even though it's over the counter you have to show your driver's license to buy it. I'm ready for a good frost.

[Jaylee]

Clariton D 24 hr is the only thing that will open my nose this time of year. I take the generic from Wally World. Even though it's over the counter you have to show your driver's license to buy it. I'm ready for a good frost.

I wish I could take the D version, but I have high BP.

[sleepymama]

i haven't used it myself but i know people that swear by the neti pot including the doctors (tv show )

[nosenabook]

I use a simpler version of the neti pot, it helps so much that if I remembered to do it twice daily, every day, I could stop meds most of the year.
Not at this time of year, although the allergy shots help also.

[Kevin G.]

A couple of table spoons of vinegar in the humidifier has helped me with some nasel gongestion.

[pdean44]

The allergy season has been exceptionally bad this season. I complained about it to my doctor recently. He prescribed flonase spray and zyrtec last year. He recommended i stick with what I was using. The zyrtec is now over the counter and seems to work better than claritan for me.

[nanwilson]

[quote="pdean44"]The allergy season has been exceptionally bad this season

I agree, I haven't been this bad in YEARS. Normally we are in a very dry hot zone, but this year it has been wet and there are more mold spores in the air. I seem to have gotten a handle on the sneezing and nose running with the claritan and by staying inside. I also stopped using my Swift LT as it seemed to have been doing something to the inside of my nares...been using my quattro for the past few days.
Thanks all for the help and suggestions.
Nan