Allergy People, What Do You Take for a Decongestant?

[Jacob83]

I'm going to give Flonase a shot, but I'm just curious what everyone takes for seasonal allergies.

My left nostril has been clogged 80/90% of the time the past few weeks and I'm officially sick of it. My tinnitus is also worse in my left ear and I figure if my left side is going to ring/hiss louder I should at least be able to breathe out of my left side I'm talking about just congestion, btw, not runny nose or sneezing or anything else.

When I had my ENT appointment a couple weeks ago, she recommended Lorazadine, but my T rang a lot louder the day I finally tried it, so I didn't take it again. I should note, I was also having a very stressfull day that day and a friend asked me if I wanted to indulge in some herbal fun with him and I said sure. I know that is known to spike tinnitus, so I don't know if it was that or the Lorazadine. I couldn't care less that it was ringing louder, but I did later that night when I came down and it was still ringing pretty loud.

 

[Gr8fulDude]

Flonase and Claritin D. Neither have ever affected my T, one way or the other.

 

[Owen]

@Jacob83 My tinnitus is connected to a lot of things, including allergies and ETD, so when my nose becomes blocked, my tinnitus increases significantly in perceived amplitude.

I guess you mean Loratidine as it is generally considered one of the safest antihistamines, which is why it is often the first choice for doctors to suggest. I don't find it affects my tinnitus, but equally, it has never really made much difference to inflammation within my nose - nor for that matter has any systemic antihistamine. From my own expereince, you are better off with glucocorticoid nasal sprays such as Flonase (Fluticasone propionate), as suggested in the previous post or perhaps Beconase (beclometasone dipropionate) . We are all different and if one doesn't work, it is often worth trying a different, albeit similar alternative.

For me personally, the thing I have found most beneficial long term is Dymista. It is a combination of Fluticasone propionate and Azelastine, a topical antihistamine.

I hope you get it sorted.

 

[Jacob83]

@Owen , Yeah, I meant Loratadine, thanks. How long after starting Flonase did you start to find relief from allergies?

 

[Owen]

The Dymista tends to improve things within a few days, but at this point I need to keep taking it for any benefit. In my case, the routine of 1 week, twice per day and then reduce it to just in the morning seems to be enough to keep it under control.

I personally only found the glucocorticoid nasal sprays without Azelastine to help a little.

 

[Jacob83]

Flonase is definitely working for me now. 2 sprays in each nostril in the morning and I've been able to breathe through both nostrils throughout the day. I still have this weird head congestion thing, though. I mentioned this in another post, but I'll mention it again... if I sit and hum with my mouth closed, the volume isn't consistant in my left ear, like it bounces up and down in volume. No problems hearing, I just notice it sometimes when I'm talking. If I move my head in a different direction, I can find spots where it doesn't happen. It's weird. I'm thinking another week or so on flonase and then maybe I'll throw an anthihistamine into the mix if this head stuff doesnt go. I haven't done any research on taking flonase and an antihistamine yet, so I don't know.