Hey Fever Remedies?

[Marilee]

I have read that kidney patients need to avoid things like cold tablets and hay fever meds because their kidneys don't clear the medication from the blood as quickly as healthy kidneys do... But wouldn't that just mean that a kidney patient could take just one pill and it would work for a really long time?

What do y'all do when hay fever or a cold messes ya up?

(I ask because it is hay fever season here, and my hubby - while not as sensitive to it as I am - has no remedies)

[lulu836]

I just spent the last 3 weeks doing battle with seasonal allergies.  I was told to take Benadryl at night and Zertec during the day.  Worked like a charm.  I waited to take the Zertec until after dialysis treatment.  I was also prescribed Predisone for the extreme irritation to my respiratory system but I refuse to take steroids voluntarily.

[kristina]

Hello Marilee and lulu, I am very sorry that you have to put up with hay fever-issues as well and I don't know if this is helpful, but an acquaintance suffers from hay fever as well and I was told that it can help to take half a "Piriton Allergy Tablet" and/or on extreme hay fever days a whole "Piriton". The side-effects seems to be that during the first few days it can make a bit tired.
I am very sorry for your trouble and wish you all the best from Kristina.

[kickingandscreaming]

I usually rely on my neph to tell me which meds are safe.  I usually take Loratidine (a generic AKA Claritin).

[Marilee]

Thanks for the tips!   

Kickandscreaming, I also use Loratadine myself, and from your suggestion, I went looking and found this website that confirms that it's 'generally safe' for kidney patients:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-disease/pharmacy-remedies-kidney-disease/

Good to know!

[Charlie B53]

While I rarely take any med for seasonal allergies as most leave me with either a feeling of a big head or drowsy.  With that said, the VA does give me some kind of nasal inhaler with directions to take one sniff each side twice daily.  I only use it once a day in the mornings and it helps to keep my sinus' clear most all the day.

Night time is another matter, even if I use the nasal inhaler my sinus' tend to clof up.  Since I use a CPAP when the clog up happens I cannot breath and wake up.

Years ago I bought a quart bottle of Eucalyptus oil.  About $75.00 at a small local pharmacy, and they had to order it as no one keeps it on the shelf.  I rinsed out and filled an old Afrin bottle so to have a small handy container that I can use to add TWO drops to the water tank of my CPAP.  The sort of medicinal scent helps keep my sinus' and lungs clear all night.  When 11 y.o. Grandson started having seasonal problems I add a couple of drops to the humidifier in his room.  I have also been known to put a drop on a light bulb before turning it on.  I am afraid putting it on a hot bulb might crack it.

Other 'Essence Oils' may be used to 'scent' a room, or the house, depending on your moods.













Sp mod Cas

[Marilee]

Thanks for the natural remedies, Charlie! My sister swears by peppermint oil for all kinds of issues, and for some reason, I've never given 'em a try. Glad to know that eucalyptus works so well for you.

[GA_DAWG]

Rinse my sinuses out nightly with the saline nose spray during pollen season, and take benadryl at night.

[PrimeTimer]

Because of his high blood pressure and meds he is on, my husband can only take mild antihistamines like generic 4-hr Chlorpheniramine Maleate. He's to stay away from decongestants. He also learned not to take the antihistamines too close to bedtime, they keep him up or counter act with his bp meds and med he takes for Restless Leg Syndrome. I'm sure your hubby's Neph can recommend something or a pharmacist. I also tell my husband to wash his face with a warm/hot washcloth thruout the day to get the pollen off his face and nose and eyes areas. Do that as often as necessary because pollen does find a way "in" thru our noses, eyes and even our ears! A nice hot cloth feels good and washes away the pollen. And if you've been outdoors for any length of time, might want to change into fresh clothes once indoors and contain the pollen-tainted clothing until they can be laundered. No fooling. The stuff loves to float, blow and land everywhere! Keep doors and window closed and the air on. Good luck! Allergies are PITA. 

[Marilee]

Just an update:
We got the house as buttoned up as swamp coolers allow (no a/c here), I got 3 air purifiers running, I started wearing one of the paper surgical masks when walking the dogs, and I was taking Loratadine daily, and still the pollen was getting to me. A tough year, indeed.
THEN, I got a generic version of Flonase (fluticasone propionate) and it is working beautifully with no side effects! My eyes have stopped itching/watering, my energy is coming back. I reckon I'd become desensitized to Loratidine or something. Oh, man, it's so nice to feel better (Hubby isn't gonna try it - can't stand the idea of squirting something into his nostrils - but I feel better) .