Antihistamines just aren't working

[PolkaDotMankini]

I've been taking antihistamines since Easter but this week has been horrible for hayfever. My eyes are puffy, my lower eyelids are cracked, my nose is streaming, my skin is itchy, I have a headache and I'm utterly exhausted. I used my lunch break to sleep.

I'm using Pirinase Nadal spray, Piriton, cetirizine hydrochloride, loratadine, fexofenadine and eye spray. I'm using Vaseline on my nose and eyelids. I use local honey year-round.

This is just unbearable. What am I missing?

I've Googled the Kenalog injection. It looks promising and I've contacted a couple of local clinics offering it. I know the effects aren't instant but even just feeling like I'm doing something is helpful.

Thanks for the link. Some of those cost a bomb! I experimented with wearing a mask for my commute during the summer (before the pandemic normalised mask wearing) but hayfever sets off my asthma so I struggled to breathe when it got really bad.

I'd love to go to the seaside for a day! The nearest coastline is a couple of hours away but something to bear in mind. I'd want a bath chair, a tartan blanket and smelling salts for the full invalid experience.

My hay fever improved massively by wearing a face mask (though yours does appear to be considerably worse than mine). Can you see the GP and ask for a referral to an allergist?

i had severe Hayfever like you describe and tried every antihistamine. For the past few years I have a Kenalog injection (40mg). Occasionally I need to take an antihistamine if there is a high pollen count. Before I was a basket case and it affected every aspect of my life - my sleep, work, mood & wellbeing. The relief of having the injection is almost instantaneous - quite incredible.

People having Kenalog, do you remember how much you paid for it?

What dosage of fexofenadine are you on? There are different strengths which I didn't know.
I was on 120mg and the GP changed it last week to 180mg and it's made a massive difference

Thank you for this, I've just booked myself in for this tomorrow after work! I looked into it the last couple of years but lots of places stopped offering it during covid as it suppresses the immune system, and it made sense to me not to have it then.

I've had the higher dose fexofenadine 2 x a day and it just doesn't even touch it.

It's all £75 or £80 round my way, seems pretty uniform.

Fexofenadine and beconase Keep me under control, sometimes have to Chuck in a cetrizine. The key for me is to take it very day through the season, not when symptoms start otherwise I'd never get on top of it.

Flexo is a game changer and it's now otc.

I paid £45 for kenalog. The best money I ever spent. The lady who administered it said that some people may need two doses and I expected to be one of them but one dose seems to have done the trick.

To the OP, she also told me the effects can be pretty instant, she said many people walk out of the clinic feeling better. I must admit, 10 minutes after having mine I was sitting in a garden with no hayfever symptoms. At all. In May! It was like a miracle!

I really hope it works for you! 😀

That sounds amazing. I'm booking in ASAP.

I've just checked and it's 120mg of fexofenadine. It's just off-the-shelf stuff, not prescription.

Just to add to your list I do know that Accupuncture works as well.

I have a Kenalog injection booked for Saturday. I hope it works, although symptoms feel a lot more manageable today.

Good luck, hope it works. I'd be interested to hear how you get on. Both DD and I suffer terribly and are on max antihistamines so looking for an alternative, if not for this year but ready for next.

Cromoglycate eye drops from pharmacy or supermarket. Sting a bit but absolute game changer for itchy eyes

I have horrendous hayfever and allergies, last year I was absolutely miserable until the end of summer. That is until my go prescribed dymista nasal spray, best thing I've ever been prescribed. It's expensive so you might have to push for it but so worth it. This year I am barely noticing it's hayfever season.

I had the injection today. It hasn't had any effect so far but hopefully it will start to help over the next few days. The injection itself was fine. Minor discomfort but nothing compared to scratching my face off because of hayfever symptoms.

How are you now @PolkaDotMankini ?

I've been fine all week. A bit twitchy today but that's it.

Wow that's great @PolkaDotMankini - so a vote from you for the effectiveness of the jab then? So glad you're feeling better!