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Browsing tag: allergies

  • January 11, 2010

    Poor health costs money

    So I tried to book a doctor’s appointment today. Apparently that won’t be happening until Thursday. So I saw a nurse instead, who told me to “go spend some money” and buy hayfever tablets and some eye drops (Come on. The whole idea was that I’d get prescribed meds for my hayfever because paying what equates to a dollar a pill at the pharmacy is out and out INSANITY. Oh yeah, and my eye dryness/itchyness/gunkiness may just be allergies, or it might be a slight infection. Hooray.)

    A coworker took pity on me and gave me a Claratyne, which worked wonders…. for a few hours. I still ended with a couple handfuls of wadded up used tissues (sorry) by the end of the day. I hate my body. If only they did tradeins on that kind of thing.

    Anyway, instead of buying Loratab (which according to this extremely reasonably-priced site is the same as Claratyne), I picked up a box of Lorfast. Will the gods of name-brand medicine rain down their displeasure on me? I sure hope not. They both contain 10mg of loratadine, so I’m guessing it does exactly the same thing.

    Cost: $24 for the tablets, eye drops and depilatory cream, which I’m giving a try after all your super helpful feedback – thanks!

    Today’s outfit (added a chocolate brown scarf afterwards):


    Yesterday’s outfit, which I basically wore variations of all weekend:


  • November 3, 2009

    Nobody likes a Mr Sniffles

    4014611539_bfdaef47d5Sorry – was watching How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days the other day… But seriously, my hayfever calmed right down after we moved into our new place.

    And then the weather changed.

    ARGH! It’s unseasonably cold and the winds never die down. Maybe that’s partly because we live by the sea now (not golden sandy beaches, more like rugged, unswimmable water – might take pics some time).

    I need some heavy duty meds, ’cause I’m sick of constantly trying to stem the runny nose. And it’s not a good look at work – I’m building up a name as the one who’s always sneezing and always has tissues all over her desk. I also hear primrose oil helps; not that I have any idea how that might work.

    Any recommendations, fellow snifflers?

    Photo / mcfarlandmo

  • July 28, 2009

    A possible unexpected side effect of my allergies

    As long as I can remember (at least back to puberty…) I’ve had dark undereye circles. You know, that sort of purple/grey half crescent under the eyes? They never go away. When I am especially tired, I do get full on bags, but that’s rare.
    Anyway, apparently they may be due to…….my hayfever!
    Who would’ve thought?

    Among this extensive list of hayfever symptoms, I found:

    • stuffy nose all the time or during specific seasons
    • water discharge from the nose all the time
    • reddened, pebbly lining in the lower eyelids
    • frequent throat-clearing
    • breathing through the mouth
    • snoring
    • rabbit-like movements of the nose
    • a horizontal crease across the nose as a result of constant rubbing
    • bouts of sneezing, especially in the morning
    • repeated nosebleeds
    • headaches because of pressure from inside the nose
    • frequent earaches, fullness in the ear, ear infections or hearing loss
    • dizziness or nausea related to ear problems
    • chronic cold without much fever
    • nasal voice because of blocked nasal passages
    • dark circles under the eyes as a result of pressure from blocked nasal passages on the small blood vessels. Also known as “allergic shiners”.

    Huh. Pressure on the small blood vessels. Don’t sound too healthy…but when have I ever claimed to be? Remember, I don’t even exercise…

  • November 15, 2008

    Silly season

    It’s officially allergy season!

    I just can’t fathom why I was okay last year despite constantly wearing my contacts (I had absolutely no probs with them, long days aside. It must be the abrupt change in seasons. One night I was sleeping wrapped in blankets the next night, next to naked throwing off the duvet.

    It’s bad, bad bad. Right from getting up in the morning, through till the afternoon (the WORST). Unlike the first time I had weird eye probs back in August (around 2pm every afternoon, without fail) this starts first thing, and apparently it’s due to the most pollens being around from 5-10am. Websites advise wearing close fitting sunglasses or filter masks. Yeah, right. Why not just go around in fullblown SARS gear? Then there’s also the dreaded afternoon grit. Feels like gravel under your eyelids. Even after taking out my lenses and switching to glasses I can still feel it there for awhile. Under circumstances where an individual is probably going to be exposed to a workplace environment with gas or airborne material, protection is important . There are an enormous sort of different mask for smoke available to suit different conditions, and to make sure that staff are safe, it’s necessary to know which sort is required that situations, so as to supply the simplest possible protection.

    Why don’t I just go back to glasses permanently for awhile? Well, with contacts I can wear sunnies (apparently I have slight UV damage so it’s important to me and I swear the sun gets brighter every weekend! Sorting out sunnies when you wear glasses is easier said than done). No worries when it rains. No tears when I cut up onions (we love onions at our house). No more constantly pushing my glasses up my flat nose especially at the end of the day when I start to get a little greasy. I just feel better and more confident in my contacts – is that such a crime? Yes, it’s vanity, pure and simple, and I’m not willing to give it up.

    I’m so looking forward to the day when I can wake up again and not find my eyes glued shut together and bloodshot like the bat from hell!!!