Allergy/Sinus Headaches, advice please

As soon as the weather starts getting warm, I get these headaches almost EVERY DAY. It usually doesn't start until 1-2 pm, and at that point it is a constant pain in my forehead and cheeks.

Allergy meds usually work (Zyrtec, Claritin) but make me SO DROWSY (even the non-drowsy ones) i can't stay awake at work!

I have tried Advil Cold and Sinus, which is the only thing that works without making me sleepy...but the effects are only there for 3 hours and I have to take more.

It's really frustrating =( does anyone else suffer from these, and what has helped you?

You should probably ask your doctor about this.  There are lots of causes of headaches... dehydration is really common, for example.  But there are others and they can be symptomatic of other illnesses.  So always worth getting a proper diagnosis rather than guessing and self-medicating.

Try to avoid taking decongestants (Sinutab etc.) because they can actually make the problem worse if used for long periods. 

I have a neti pot.  Bought it about six month ago and it helps a lot.  Haven't had to take any sinus medicine since.

It is about $20.  Cheaper thn sinus meds for the year.

thanks gi-jane,

i went to a doc years ago regarding this problem and he recommended allergy shots weekly, which only made me feel worse.  i will have to go get it checked out again though.

i am definitely not dehydrated...that is a different type of headache, i've had those!  this is definite sinus pressure.

do all allergy meds (like i mentioned zyrtec and advil cold and sinus) count as decongestants?

wow spoiled_candy...i just watched that vid, that really works?!?  i thought it was a joke at first!

No joke, your phramacy should carry it.

When I first got it, I did it every day.  Now once a week a fine for me or whenever I start feeling stuffed up.

Try the neti pot idea! There's also another kind that's like a water bottle that you squirt up your nose, my allergy doctor told me to just do it in the shower. I should really try it, apparently I have chronic sinusitus, but somehow the idea of squirting water up my nose just doesn't appeal to me...

 

Oh and they often try to sell you little packets of powder to mix in the water to squirt up there, some sort of saline solution.. my doctor told me it doesn't really make a difference, just use warm water!

Mine came with salt packages.  But you can use sea salt if you want, just make sure that you use the right amount.  Make sure that the water is warm or it will bother you.  Test it on the inside of your wrist first.

hmm..maybe i will check today and see if my local pharmacy has the neti-pot.

hayleymajayley!!  have you tried it yet?

Instead of seeing an allergist, maybe you should see an ENT.  After years of going to allergists, I finally went to an ENT.  Turns out I have a deviated nasal septum.  A quick surgery to fix it and all's been well for years.  Haven't touched a sinus medication since then.

If you're sure your problem is allergy/sinus, if the above suggestions don't work, I highly suggest asking your doc (ENT would be great, but a primary/GP would work, too) to prescribe an Rx nasal spray for you.  Ask for a sample of whatever he/she recommends for your specific problems/symptoms first.  There are boatloads of allergy/sinus nasal sprays, and not all of them work for everyone.  I have severe allergies/sinus/asthma and have suffered for years, most recently being forced to buy the behind-the-counter Claritin that still contains the pseudoephedrine because that was literally the ONLY thing that worked and could get me through the day without making me comatose.  I quit being willing to pay the now ridiculous $$ for Rx "nonsedating antihistamine" allergy pills, so I went the OTC route for awhile. 

I am now everyday thankful for Nasonex.  I use it once a day, and I have not had a single allergy/sinus symptom in over a year that I've been back on it (used it years ago with the same excellent results, so I knew what to ask for).  It is at least half the cost of most Rx pills, works better than the OTC junk, and I have it delivered to my door through mail-order pharm 3 months' worth at a time.  Again, highly recommend that you talk with your doc and ask for a sample.  Remember that it can take up to 2 weeks of regular use to achieve maximum benefit with nasal sprays, but they DO WORK.   If you decide to try one and get a sample, ask for a different one if it doesn't work after the full sample has been used.  They can be temperamental, but if you find the one that works for you, it's totally worth it to relieve the 24/7 misery. 

thank you all so much for your advice.  you have suggested things that i wouldn't really think of myself!

jdbcmt: is an allergy spray the same medication as allergy shots?  just curious.

morrighu: i will def try seeing an ENT.  my allergist only recommends OTC allergy treatments, which just don't work!

notalone:  In my experience, and as far as I know, no.  There are numerous prescription nasal sprays available now (and I would only recommend prescription sprays), all for treating various different allergy/sinus symptoms/conditions, usually based on their causes or sometimes other meds you are taking, i.e., some meds only treat very specific symptoms and are limited in what they can do, so sometimes combo drug treatments are recommended for maximum benefits.  I say this only to reiterate what I said earlier.  Talk to your doctor and describe as fully and accurately what symptoms you are having and what they seem related to, strong odors, perfumes, seasons, pollen, humidity, sinuses, general allergies, etc., because there are different nasal sprays for different conditions. 

In my experience, you will not notice much if any symptom relief with allergy shots.  They are intended more for very long-term use and for "desensitizing" you to whatever you are allergic, thus eliminating symptoms, supposedly, because over time you become not allergic to those things anymore.  Nasal sprays will provide relatively quick onset and lasting relief of symptoms, when used regularly, and as prescribed.  Provided you find the right one that works for you and your symptoms/condition. 

If yours are severe, and if your insurance covers allergy shots (or if this is not a concern for you), I might even do the allergy shots and the nasal spray to cover both bases and help yourself in the long run.  The spray will be forever.  If you stop using it, your symptoms will return.  If you are desensitized to your triggers, then you might find more permanent and long-term relief of your symptoms without meds.  Note:  I do not know if allergy shots work.  I know people who swear they do.  I took them myself for awhile until I became unable to go to get the shots 3 times a week and then wait around in the office for awhile to make sure I didn't have a reaction, so I stopped.  I didn't take them long enough to notice any benefits.  I can't say one way or another if they work, only that they are supposed to work by desensitizing you over a very long period of time of getting regular shots.

Hope this helps. 

I've suffered from allergies since I can remember.  And I got diagnosed with sports asthma in high school with no major problems, but lived in an urban area later on which was horrible and made my symptoms bad daily.  I took allergy shots as a kid and they definitely helped (I'm allergic to cats but can now be in the same room as them).  Although, it's a pain in the butt.  I have several different meds to help control everything and have tried a bunch of different things.  I love my nasal spray.  I use Flonase and hate when I miss it.  I currently live in FL where we don't really get winter and my allergies go away.  But, that helps me out so much.  It's a temporary relief, does not cause drowsiness, but can dry you out from what other people have said (I've never had this).  OTC like Afrin are temporary fixes and not to be used long term.  But, you really need to go to a doctor.

Good luck!

thank you all so much for your excellent and informed advice.  i will be going to the doc in a few weeks to discuss my symptoms.  in the meantime, my dad (who is a doctor also) got me a few  samples of nasal spray that he usually recommends for symptoms i have (i forget the name) and he uses himself.  i'll try this for a few days and if it helps maybe discuss with my doctor about getting a prescription.

i also spoke with a few ppl who get or did get allergy shots.  i didn't know that they were supposed to fix "long term".  i'm not sure if this is for me, but will let you all know after my appointment!

again, thanks so much!!  hopefully i'll be rid of these headaches for good soon!!