running with allergies

So I have just been "diagnosed" with seasonal allergies. I have been "sick" for over a month. Kind of off and on, even ran my last half marathon though it. But this past weekend it got to the point of unbearable. So I went to a clinic (because I assumed sinus infection) and now I have taken zyrtec for 3 days, Flonase for 2 days, and mucinex D for two days. It has gotten better, but still can't breathe fully (my nose is congested)
I took my 6 year old for a run last night (so obviously it was a little slower than I usually go) but I was having problems breathing...Can anyone tell me that this will get better??? or have any suggestions? I'm training for another half that is 1 month away!

Replies

  • JewelE77
    JewelE77 Posts: 134 Member
    I have seasonal allergies and I take OTC Zyrtec gels everyday, Flonase nasal spray at night and for a race/important event I will take an extra allergy pill like Zyrtec or Allegra. It's a pain but it does get better. As long as I stay consistent with taking my Flonase every night during serious allergy season I don't have a lot of problems but if I miss a day, it comes back with a vengeance! Good luck!
  • cococa
    cococa Posts: 122 Member
    *Not a doctor, advice based on my own experience*

    Welcome to my world :). I started treating my allergies 2 years ago and I've come a long way. I take zyrtec everyday. I also now take Singulair every day since I developed exercise-induced asthma. Flonase will take more than 2 days to really kick in, so give it time. If you find that it's not working for you or you'd like a nasal spray that is not a steroid, I highly recommend Azelastine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azelastine). Most places make you try Flonase first, but if it doesn't work and you go in and ask they'll probably give you Azelastine. Azelastine is different than Flonase in that it works right away. I use Azelastine twice a day. It tastes bad, but it's totally worth it and if you tilt your head right you won't have to taste it. I also highly recommend using a saline spray as a preventative measure. It's easier than a Neti Pot and cleans you out pretty well. I just use Arm&Hammer Simply Saline on a daily basis.

    If you're treating your allergies and still having trouble breathing on runs, you may need an inhaler like ProAir. I take two puffs before long runs and hikes. I originally went into my allergist for seasonal allergies, but when I described the trouble I had breathing on hikes and runs even though I trained and could do them fine some days but not others, she recommended the inhaler.

    Unfortunately there are no cures. The goal is to treat them to the point that you have no symptoms. I hate taking medicine, so I tried to make it on just the Zyrtec for a while - but when I went back in with symptoms still my allergist said that I just needed to be consistent with everything. She originally told me that I could try going off of it in the "off season," but in California there really is no off season, so I'm on everything year round. She said that on particularly bad days I could take up to 6 Zyrtec, which is just madness to me. I have had some rough days where I've take two, but that's my max so far.

    On my runs, I've found that water is vital. This keeps my throat and lungs clear of mucus that builds up from allergies. I also know that my symptoms are the worst on hot, dry, windy days - so I avoid running outside in those conditions. I've also worked hard at keeping my shoulders down and using my diaphragm to breath. There's other theories out there about vitamin D, folate, and vitamin C. I tried taking supplements for a while but didn't notice much of a difference.

    Best of luck and feel free to message me with any questions you have along your way! It's daunting at first, but you can do it!