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Original poster

To wish hayfever was just sneezing?

83 replies

LittleMissGerardButlerfan · 03/07/2013 18:45

Some people I know think hayfever is just sneezing and are genuinely shocked when I say it's so much more!

I get sneezing, itchy eyes, sore throat, sinus headache, nausea from the drip of snot at the back of my throat, drowsiness and just generally feeling blah!

Antihistamines aren't even helping much this time. :(

It's a lot more crippling than people realize! evil pollen grrr

OP posts:
ThreeBeeOneGee · 04/07/2013 08:24

Yes, insect bites turn into massive painful hives.

I am using the following treatments:
Tumble drying clothes, sheets & towels instead of line drying outside.
Neti pot when sinuses get bad.
Beclometasone nasal spray.
Sodium cromoglicate eyedrops.
Cetirizine if I have to be outside for any length of time.
Quick shower when I get in, then change into inside clothes.
Salbutamol inhaler as needed.

That lot seems to keep it under control most of the time! Smile

xylem8 · 04/07/2013 09:59

I live next to a hayfield and this year the sinusitis has been awful.

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 04/07/2013 10:08

God yes it is horrible and the fact everyone thinks it's a mild thing is so annoying. I get the really bad insect bites too. In fact I saw the doctor about this yesterday. He's stated me on a Avamys nasal spray, plus anti-histamines 3 times a day and eye drops. We're going camping in a few weeks which I love except cannot cope with the hayfever. Hope the Avamys does the job...

MrsPennyapple · 04/07/2013 10:32

The worst part for me is the itching in the back of my throat / soft palate. It makes me want to get in there with a fork and scratch the hell out of it. It also extends into my ears, making them feel like they're full of wax when they're not.

This year I haven't sneezed loads, just once or twice through the day, but following a sneeze the throat itch just intensifies x1000 and that lasts hours.

These days I know better than to touch the area around my eyes, AT ALL. It feels like there's a tiny bit of sleep right in the corner, that I just can't get rid of - if I touch my eyes at all when that's going on, it's as if they burst into flames, the itch is so sudden and strong.

Interesting to read that you can take some stuff whilst pg, as I was told by my GP a couple of years ago that you couldn't. Maybe there's some new stuff about that's ok. I'm pg again now, 35 weeks, and so, so tired. Never thought to associate it with hayfever.

I'm a fairly mild sufferer compared to some, I really feel for those with sinusitis, wheezing etc.

SingingSilver · 04/07/2013 11:07

Does anyone else get a weird smell in their nose? And I also feel like I'm constantly on the verge of a nosebleed.

Annoyingly, I now have a voluntary job on a farm one day a week which involves lots of work in the fields so I'm right in the thick of it! The minute I get home my clothes go straight in the washign machine, and I jump in the shower. I have had to wash my hair twice a day sometimes!

Plus I made the decision to keep our cat in. She usually goes out, rolls in the grass, comes in for a cuddle then gloes out to roll in the grass again, she's a walking pollen bomb! So she's grounded, sadly.

Galaxymum · 04/07/2013 12:11

Reading this thread is like finding somewhere I belong! I am suffering the worst hayfever I've had since I was a teenager, but it's my throat that is worst! It just feels swollen, raw and seems to spread to my ears! Inside my mouth I keep getting burnt and I asked my GP about it - he said it's because the pollen is so bad it's burning my mouth on cantact. Itchy eyes, puffy red face and sneezing......then the sinus pain and feeling rotten - it's so debilitating and I feel like a complete wuss that I just want to sleep it off (doped up on antihstamines!).

ThreeBeeOneGee · 04/07/2013 17:12

I hate it when the itchiness is in the bits I can't get to. It's somewhere between my inner ears and my throat. I certainly can't access it to give it a scratch! I use the back of my tongue to rub my soft palate the best I can, but then it gets inflamed and acutely painful in a way that reaches into my sinuses.

Original poster
LittleMissGerardButlerfan · 04/07/2013 17:21

Does anyone get asthma symptoms when they just have hayfever and not all year? And if so what do you use? Is it worth going to the doctor?

I feel breathless and tight chest and seem to fit in with the symptoms but never associated it with hayfever before, another symptom to add to my list :(

OP posts:
ShaggingZumbaStylee · 04/07/2013 18:26

littlemiss yes. Try an antihistamine plus your reliever inhaler - assuming you are asthmatic? What meds are you on already if so?

Original poster
LittleMissGerardButlerfan · 04/07/2013 19:31

I'm not on any inhalers but wondering if you can just get asthma with hayfever if you don't normally suffer?

OP posts:
oopslateagain · 04/07/2013 20:08

I have horrible hayfever plus multiple other allergies and my doctor referred me to an allergy specialist at the hospital. She was Shock that I'd been in such a state for such a long time, and was amazed that nobody had suggested "pushing" doses of antihistamines. The doctor can prescribe OTC antihistamines at a MUCH higher dose than is on the pack.

I'm now on an OTC antihistamine at four times the maximum OTC daily dose, plus another OTC antihistamine every 4 hours if needed as a 'top up', plus eye drops and a nasal spray if required. I have next to no symptoms right now, just the occasional itchy throat.

The only downside is that by 9:30pm I'm yawning my head off, but that's a very very small price to pay.

wheredidiputit · 04/07/2013 20:15

YANBU.

I can't even take antihistamines as the drowsey ones make me sleep for 8 hours, so can't look after children and the non drowsey make me sick. Can't use nasel sprays are used loads when a child so now my nose lining is to sensitive.

I thinking of removing my head turning inside out then give it a good scratch as it all itches, throat, ears and nose and eyes.

BigW · 04/07/2013 20:53

YA definitely NBA. I want to rip my face off. How do you reach that bit between your ear and your throat? I need some kind of contraption, probably fashioned from cotton buds and sandpaper. Hmm

Ladies with long hair, make sure you wash it before bed to get all that nasty pollen out. By no means a miracle cure, but does help a little.

DumSpiroSpero · 04/07/2013 21:15

It's bloody awful at the moment - I'm on prescription only AH's', eye drops and nasal spray and still feel like I have flu on the worst days.

It started slightly later this year for me - early June rather than mid-late May but hoping it will be over the worst in a week or two.

oohdaddypig · 04/07/2013 21:32

Mine isn't as bad this year yet. Last year was hideous. I wound up with a severe sinus infection as a result.

I have in the last month eliminated gluten and cut down dairy (just eat butter and yoghurt).

Might be a coincidence but my hayfever isn't nearly as bad.

I was desperate. I will never eat bread again if it helps my allergies...

5madthings · 04/07/2013 21:36

Aghhh i am dying. My eyes are streaming, all my mouth and throat and inside my nose etc. Its driving me men and i am all dosed u up..

cantpickaname · 04/07/2013 22:03

Such a relief to hear that this is not just my pain. That ear/roof of mouth itch is infuriating, and the sneezing, especially when driving, with the bloody windows shut and boiling to death, has got to be some sort of hazard. I'm on doc prescribed antihistamines (fexofenodine180?) and they sort of help but a day at the park is a nightmare. Totally sympathise with the 5am wake up too as that's when it starts.

Little miss, I've never has asthma but have a blue inhaler for hay fever. Unfortunately no one warned me that they also give you some sort of adrenaline and it is a very strange feeling if you are not used to or expecting it.
I also do usual stuff: no clothes on line, shower and hair wash each night, sun glasses etc but it is awful this year. Sorry, sympathy but not much practical help

eragon · 04/07/2013 22:43

my son has all enviromental allergies, and food ones, others have hay fever in family as well.
My boy has never lived without the side effects of his enviro allergies, they make an impact on him all the time.
At one point his dog allergy was severe, and had a huge impact on his daily life. But that is much better now.
Now the Tree pollen season is the worst.

he is on all year round antihistamines, a combo of 3 at times in different doses depending on reaction at time.

we brought a cheap air/pollen filter from ikea and its made a big difference in his room.

we keep windows closed esp in evening, due to cold /hot air trapping higher levels of pollen.

nasal spray mentioned is a good recomendation on this thread.

you can get a oral treatment for hay fever (silt) on nhs if you can get gp to refer to you an immunologist.

sometimes gps offer steriod injections, but no more than 3 can be given. any more than that then the side effects are bad.

DameFanny · 05/07/2013 19:06

Tree pollen is the bastard to end all bastards.

Nacster · 05/07/2013 19:16

DS1 has a life-threatening pollen allergy. It's a nightmare. I have hayfever, as does DS2, but anti-histamines control it now.

I lost whole summers to the haze of Triludan (you can't get it any more.)

Thank goodness for the non-drowsy drugs!

I am so sad about DS1, even simple things like drying the washing outside are curtailed, and he has allergies from February to September. Even with 2 types of anti-h he looks like he's done 10 rounds with Tyson. Fingers crossed he'll grow out of it a bit.

Nacster · 05/07/2013 19:17

Oh, I took anti-histamines while pg if I was exposed to my other allergens (animals, mainly) because the risk of not taking them was higher than the risk of having them - asthma attacks etc.

sittinginthesun · 05/07/2013 19:25

I went to the doctor this week as I was convinced I had a fungal infection in my throat and mouth - my ears hurt, I have lost my voice, and I have to keep clearing my throat

No fungal infection, but hayfever!

I'm normally bad with tree pollen, but fine with grass. Until this year, apparently....

Original poster
LittleMissGerardButlerfan · 05/07/2013 19:33

I have had antihistamines and nasal spray today and its not even touched it!

OP posts:
SecretLimonadeDrinker · 05/07/2013 19:47

I'm suffering today, worst I've been in years and the pharmacist said all I can have is saline drops, which they don't have, because I am breastfeeding. Grr.

SingingSilver · 06/07/2013 10:17

Yesterday I took loratadine in the morning and cetrizine in the evening. I woke up today without a blocked nose and crusty eyes. Result! Grin

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