Hay Fever - How I Got My Stuffy Nose Problem Under Control

Sometime in the last 20 years, I developed some form of Hay Fever which caused my nose to be stuffed up around 7:00 PM and ended approximately 12 hours later each day. It mainly affected me indoors where I lived and got better or worse depending where I lived. I absolutely hated this and at first I was using nasal inhalers which alleviated the problem but wound up raising my blood pressure and after a while stopped working because I had developed a tolerance to them. Saline nasal sprays which apparently do not affect blood pressure, didn't work on my stuffiness at all. I started panicking and at times I'd go to sleep worrying that I'd stop breathing and die! I had no other symptoms, I really didn't seem to be that affected outdoors and the allergy and nose specialists I went to see, said I had some form of hay fever.

The worst thing is, as I've gotten older, this went from a seasonal allergy to a year round allergy. The one and only product that worked immediately for me but I had to stop using regularly was Claritin D because it affected my blood pressure. I was using Claritin D, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, it worked great, but as I said, I had to stop because of what it was doing to my blood pressure. Regular Claritin had no affect on my stuffiness at all. Through seeing various doctors and trial and error, I've developed a method for myself which controls my stuffiness problem most of the time. What follows is what works for me and you should use it as a rough guide when dealing with your hay fever stuffiness problem and discuss things with your doctor where applicable. I should note, that the occasional times, when I'm still stuffed up and can't can't control my stuffiness, I do use a 12 hour Claritin D which provides me with instant relief but I only resort to using Claritin D as a last resort.

This is the method I've developed after years for controlling my hay fever stuffiness. Please remember what works for me may not work for you.

1. Location, location, location. There is an excellent possibility that where you live triggers your hay fever the most. You could live 4 blocks away and your hay fever could decrease or increase greatly. If you contemplate moving to another location, I would somehow try to stay a few days in that location if you can and see if there's a noticeable affect. I'd also talk to other people in that location and check out if there is more or less pollen and trees in that area.

2. Prescription drugs. I use Flonase in the evening and my breathing became night and day better. Somehow of all the prescriptions for Nasal I've tried over the years, Flonase was the most effective in relieving my nasal problems. I do not use the generic version of Flonase as I'm paranoid that it won't be as effective as the brand drug and I'll gladly pay the difference in price, To me, it is worth it having the security of feeling 100% confident of a drug working rather then being unsure about using the generic. You might feel differently.

3. Air Conditioning. I have my air condition on 24 hours a day 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year, no matter how cold it is outside, as I need a constant flow of air circulating. When air doesn't circulate or is stale, I feel awful. For whatever reason, the colder the temperature is in my apartment, the better I breath. I do not set the air condition to automatic, repeat I do not set the air conditioner to automatic and set it on a fixed temperature which I adjust usually in the morning and mid-afternoon early evening. At one location I lived, I was comfortable at a fixed temperature of 68 degrees. At another location, I had to make it 59 degrees in mid-afternoon/early evening and 62 degrees in the morning. The main thing is, keep lowering the air condition temperature if the current temperature doesn't work for you, no matter how low its set for. I found when I had it set on 59 degrees my body really didn't feel cold and on the occasions it did, I'd sleep with my bathrobe on over my pajamas. Note, my electricity bill is fairly high because of my air conditioning use, but that is a price I'll gladly pay to help my breathing.

4. Air Purifiers. I use both Hoover Silent Air Ionizing Purifiers all through my house as well as Honeywell Quiet Hepa Air Filters, depending on the room and what's in it. The Silent Air Purifiers are silent just as listed and the Quiet Hepa Air Purifier are louder but you'll get used to them and they're more powerful, This is basically trial and error on how you use them. I generally use the Silent Air in smaller rooms and the Quiet Hepa Air Purifier in the bigger rooms and turn them on as needed.

5. Hepa Vacuum Cleaners. I use a Hoover Bagless Vacuum Cleaner. Please note, you might notice, especially in the bedroom, that when you vacuum that day, the air might not feel as good that night though it should be fine in the following day. When that happens you might want to try sleeping in a room that you didn't vacuum that day like a second bedroom, or in the living room on a couch or sofa bed.

6. Bedding. I don't use feather pillows or any bedding with feathers and use allergen bedding (sheets, covers, etc.).

7. Food. I try not to eat anything after 7:00 PM because it definitely increases my stuffiness. I also try not to drink soda after 7:00 PM.

8. I find sleeping on my left side makes my nostrils more open then sleeping on my right side.

9. If I'm lying down and feel stuffed, I get up for a few minutes which seems to help my breathing.

I hope my routine is helpful to you but the main thing to know is that what works for me may not always work for you and to always consult with a doctor on medical matters.

03 Dec 2008 04:08:53

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