Help: Ladies with allergies...

I am dying

I was told I could take Claritin but they wanted me to stay away from Claritin D because I was so exhausted that first trimester they thought it would put me to sleep.

But I can not stop blowing my nose (sorry if that's TMI)

My poor nose is raw. I can't take more claritin today cause I took a 24hr dose.

What are you using?

I am allergic to life in general. Dust, mold, some tree pollens, cat dander (i have three cats), and basically just the world as a whole.

Your suggestions will be GREATLY appreciated.

Re: Help: Ladies with allergies...

i have very bad allergies as well and i am just suffering through it. when it gets so bad i can't sleep (nightime is the worst for me) i take tylenol cold and sinus, which seems to help.

my OB told me that there aren't a lot of good allergy meds for women who are PG, so i am just prepared for a bad spring.

ETA: if it gets very, very bad, one drug your OB can prescribe is zyrtec, which is a category B drug and generally safe for preggo women, although for me, i have not found it to be very effective in the past (i took allegra-d while not PG)

Message edited 3/9/2008 11:15:31 AM.

Re: Help: Ladies with allergies...

I dont know what to tell you to take..but I just want to give you a and hope you feel better!

Re: Help: Ladies with allergies...

Thanks..
You're right LB, nights are BAD!

Sometimes my sinus are so dry I can't breathe thru my nose and then my throat gets so dry I wake up catching and trying to breathe... UGH

I am spending more and more mornings in bed with a tissue stuffed up one side or the other. Its the only way I can get sleep. SOOO sexy!

"hey baby wanna... wait lemme just yank this out....*pluck*... ok, now where was I?"

Message edited 3/9/2008 11:25:53 AM.

Re: Help: Ladies with allergies...

I was taking rhinocort (nasal Spray) before PG and asked Dr about it and she said it was fine. It has a steroid in and I was uncormforatble with the idea of taking a steroid. I did stop taking it during the first trimester and was miserable, even though I was still taking clariton.

Then I read in one of my books (I think it was the mayo clinic guide to pregnancy) that

1) the nasal sprays with steroids in them are fine
2) Its important that the mother get enough oxygen to the baby

I figured if I can't breathe, I'm not getting enough oxygen to the baby so I started with my nasal spray again and can now happily breathe.

I also started using a Netti Pot (aka nasal cleanser) Its a kinda gross holistic treatment- looks kinda like a small teapot - and cleans out the dust, dander etc that are hanging out in your nostrils. I got mine at vitamin shop. Do a search online and you'll see what it is and how to use it.

I hope you are feeling better soon -

Re: Help: Ladies with allergies...

I am all about the Neti Pot! I think I have everyone at work hooked on it too!

Re: Help: Ladies with allergies...

They told me I could take Benadryl. For me it works better than all the non-drowsy onces. I didn't take it but I had it on hand. I used a saline nose spray a lot. Also, maybe TMI, I blew my nose while in the shower. The steam helped get everything out.

Re: Help: Ladies with allergies...

I have bad allergies too. I take Clarinex everyday. I did for my last pg too.

Re: Help: Ladies with allergies...

I use Nasonex twice in each nostril every am as well as Singulair. Singulair is also category B. My RE said it was fine.

Re: Help: Ladies with allergies...

Wow.. great suggestions

Thanks everyone

Re: Help: Ladies with allergies...

I've always had bad allergies, but they haven't been so bad during pregnancy.

I caved in a couple of times at took Tylenol Allergy Relief, but I don't know if I was supposed to take that or not.

Hope you're feeling better!