Seeking Others Advice Regarding Allergies and Medication

There is a big correlation between asthma and milk allergies, especially if you experience nasal congestion and sinus irritation. The unfortunate thing is, many asthma medications have milk in them. You can do a couple of things, get tested for some food allergies, particularly to dairy, wheat, peanuts and tree nuts or do an elimination diet for 3wks and slowly introduce the foods back in one by one. If you get a reaction, you have your answer. Best to do this with a notebook.

Dr. Christiane Northrup, MD, author of Mother Daughter Wisdom, states: "Dairy is a tremendous mucus producer and a burden on the respiratory, digestive, and immune systems." Dr. Northrup says that patients who "eliminate dairy products for an extended period and eat a balanced diet … suffer less from colds and sinus infections."

I;ve included a link to my family health column on food allergies, feel free to browse, you may find some worthy info (even if it has to do with kids, adults react the same way) http://www.examiner.com/x-7158-Chicago-Family-Health-Exam...

Ever since I rid dairy, I no longer have hayfever or any other fall allergies. I've saved myself quite a bit of money and am much healthier!

Good Luck!
J. W. MPH
Maternal and Child Health Educator
Chicago Family Health Examiner

Hi J. - I have allergies and asthma. The singulair helps with allergies, but is really for the asthma. I find when I'm not on the singulair, I have more asthma attacks even though my allergies aren't bad. The singulair really helps keep the asthma better in line. During the really rough seasons (spring & fall), I add Zyrtec (or the generic version) to my regimine of allergy meds to help with the sinus drainage, itchy eyes, sneezing and all the other allergy related symptoms.

I have found the asthma tests are never correct. I've had tests done several times that said I don't have asthma, but then I've wound up in the hospital not able to breath and am told I have it. It seems if I'm not having problems at the time the tests are done, then I don't have asthma. However, when they do the tests when I can't breath, I have asthma. If you've had attacks where you can't breath and have to get your emergency inhaler, then you've got asthma - maybe not a severe form, but you've got it.

Hope that helps - take the Singulair.

This is how this was explained to me once and I believe it to be true after some trial and error.

You may "seem" to be just fine not taking the allergy meds but then when you DO get sick you will be sick worse than you may have been if you were taking the meds and it will last longer than it would have.

I agree that taking meds all the time doesn't seem right for long term health care though. I would probably be looking for alternative medicine to help i.e: chiropractic care or something like that.

I take Singulair along with Allegra for environmental allergies, and I don't have asthma. Sometimes I choose to just take the Allegra, especially in the winter months when my allergies are not as bad. I don't know of any harm that can come from not taking it (except that your allergies might flare up.)

My doctor also tells me to take allergy medication year-round to help prevent sinus infections and other side effects when I get a cold. But if you don't like Singulair, I'm sure you could take whatever is effective for your allergies. Also, if you are just not liking the medication for whatever reason you should be able to call the doctor who prescribed it and ask for another med to be prescribed without having to go into the office.

One thing to try that really helps with allergies - especially sinus issues - is a neti pot. It looks like a small tea pot. You put a little salt and some warm water in the pot and pour it into one nostril (leaning over a sink). It comes out the other nostril. It feels a little wierd at first, but that goes away. I was abble to clear up a sinus infection using one.

You can buy a neti pot at Walgreens or any health store (along with Whole Foods).

Good luck!

I have also had very good luck with the neti pot. It is amazing! I was getting sinus infections every other month and now when I feel like one is coming on I use the neti pot and have been able to avoid them all together.
My other suggestion is to look into the Paleo diet. Grains in our diet and in the diets of the meat we eat cause inflammation in our bodies. As an allergy sufferer my whole life I have found relief by changing my diet.

Hi J.,
I too, am 62, and have noticed that my nose seems to run all the time and so does my eye. I feel like when I wear makeup that's when I notice my nose start running. Really, I just think it's the age and our body is changing. The next time I go to the Dr., I'm going to ask him for Allegra...that seems to help my nose from running. I ran out of them and I would like to go back to that med again. Being on a budget is hard when you need your meds and I always ask for generic. Hope you find some relief. Happy and Healthy New Year, Love Jo