Mickalino Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 If I think I got allergies, what type of doctor should I see ? Should I go straight to a specialist if my insurance allows it, or should I first go to my Primary Physician ? And if I go to a specialist, which one ? Would if be an ENT ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 It depends on the extent of the condition. I got tested when I was 4 years old, and back then the testing wasn't fun. I was injected 28 times in each arm, and then had to sit for a long period waiting to see what I reacted to. Thy don't do that any longer as far as I know With so many of the great drugs on the market, I would go to the primary first. More then likely, some flonase or one of the other common ones will fix you right up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgun88 Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 i have allergies year round.... so i feel your pain. ha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doozinbrah Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 Maybe try an Air Purifier, there are alot on the market now. I have an Oreck Air Purifier and it seems to do a good job helping my daughter with her allergies. Like Pete said too, check with your primary first. If it is bad enough they may send you to an Allergist. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blondie Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 If I think I got allergies, what type of doctor should I see ? Should I go straight to a specialist if my insurance allows it, or should I first go to my Primary Physician ? And if I go to a specialist, which one ? Would if be an ENT ? You can go to an allergist. If you go first to your primary care physician, he will be able to tell you IF you indeed do have allergies OR if you are suffering from a cold. He then will direct you to the correct doctor. If your PCP is in your network, then he might be sure to send you to a specialist who is also in your network. Blondie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickalino Posted March 6, 2006 Author Share Posted March 6, 2006 How about Benadryl ? Can that be depended upon, on a regular basis ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walking Deadman Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 How about Benadryl ?Can that be depended upon, on a regular basis ? Benadryl is a pretty solid drug......just as good as any other anti-histamine on the market and treats minor/moderate seasonal allergies well. It's really cheap as well (compared to claritin and other meds). Biggest drawback is that it causes drowsiness/sleepiness in many patients (that's why the 2nd generation antihistamines- zyrtec, Allegra, Claritin, Clarinex were primarily created in the first place) and isn't recommended where you need full concentration. Some meds. (including nasal steroid sprays like flonase and Nasonex and the other other anti-histamines) have better coverage with animal dander and pollution/environmental allergies than Benadryl. As for seeing a specalist.....just depends on various factors: 1) Will your insurance pay for it w/o a referral from your primary? 2) How long to see the specialist......you may have a LONG wait for specialists (not many and a long wait list), primary docs. have waits also but you may be able to see one sooner than later. 3) Do you know any good specalists.....if you already have heard of one, you don't really need advice form the primary. But if you don't, the primary probably has a specialist that they can refer you..... If you take a OTC medication (Over The Counter) just make sure you read the package info. (directions, warnings, drug interactions etc.) b/c some people shouldn't be taking anti-histamines based on the medications or disease states (ex. enlarged prostate) that they have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 How about Benadryl ?Can that be depended upon, on a regular basis ? I use it often enough. I get real bad sinus headaches, and it does the trick for me. I use the stuff for severe sinus headachs. I'm luckey it doesn't make me sleepy. I also had a problem with my left ear a while back. I went to my primary, and he said it was being caused by allergies and sinuses. Gave me the flonase for a few weeks, and all was well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopper Dave Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 Allergies suck. I'm allergic to everything. Literally. Mold, pollen, dust, ragweed, dustmites, cats, dogs, birds, ****roaches, etc. I've had to get shots for the past 9 years. It was the only thing that helped me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanCollins Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 Maybe try an Air Purifier, there are alot on the market now. I have an Oreck Air Purifier and it seems to do a good job helping my daughter with her allergies. Like Pete said too, check with your primary first. If it is bad enough they may send you to an Allergist. Good luck! Good advice here. Mick you didn't mention your symptoms?. But if it's pollen and dust, then shut your windows, and get an air cleaner and put it in your bedroom. You spend 8 hours a day in there. This will help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CandaceM23 Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 Last year I decided to see a specialist because I was sick of the sinus headaches. I was referred to an Ear, Nose and Throat doc ... who proceeded to test me for allergies ... which was a cruddy experience. I had a 'scratch test' done - where they lightly scratched my back in about 30 different areas. I ended up being allergic to pretty much everything outside (grass, pollen, ragweed, a few different trees, mold, mildew, blah blah blah). The specialist said that allergy shots were the best treatment method because Zyrtec, Claritin and a few others didn't work for me. I took the allergy shots for about 6 months and then got sick of spending 45 minutes, three times a week at my doctors office. Good luck. Sinus problems suck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumrunner6900 Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 Good luck. Sinus problems suck. :applause: Yes they do! I have allergies as well, but I've just decided to tough it out and use OTC meds (like benadryl) to help out. It seems to be a terrible experience to go to an allergist, have them test you, and then have to take shots the rest of your life. I have a few friends who have been through it and they are a slave to their shots....and they are expensive too! When I was a teen, I was diagnosed with allergies and given Claritin. Did nothing for my allergies and gave me headaches. Use the air purifier as mentioned, Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) when you ain't got **** to do, and if you see a doc, try out Allegra-D. It won't make you drowsy and it actually worked for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumrunner6900 Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 Last year I decided to see a specialist because I was sick of the sinus headaches.I was referred to an Ear, Nose and Throat doc ... who proceeded to test me for allergies ... which was a cruddy experience. I had a 'scratch test' done - where they lightly scratched my back in about 30 different areas. I ended up being allergic to pretty much everything outside (grass, pollen, ragweed, a few different trees, mold, mildew, blah blah blah). The specialist said that allergy shots were the best treatment method because Zyrtec, Claritin and a few others didn't work for me. I took the allergy shots for about 6 months and then got sick of spending 45 minutes, three times a week at my doctors office. Good luck. Sinus problems suck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumrunner6900 Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 oops...that 2nd post wasnt supposed to happen! anyone else getting messages about server problems? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gchwood Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 Allegra and Nasacort and you should be set! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopper Dave Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 Allegra and Nasacort and you should be set! That's just plain wrong. Many people have allergies so bad that NOTHING except shots work. That's the point I was at when I moved to South Florida (the allergens are MUCH worse there than in Pennsylvania), and while Zyrtec and Claritin would help, they were essentially like taking tylenol to get rid of the sinus headache. They were just stopgaps. Shots are pretty much your best bet if nothing else works, plus they have added perks, like not being affected by poison ivy and poison oak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gchwood Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 That's just plain wrong. Many people have allergies so bad that NOTHING except shots work. That's the point I was at when I moved to South Florida (the allergens are MUCH worse there than in Pennsylvania), and while Zyrtec and Claritin would help, they were essentially like taking tylenol to get rid of the sinus headache. They were just stopgaps. Shots are pretty much your best bet if nothing else works, plus they have added perks, like not being affected by poison ivy and poison oak. what do you do if you don't want shots every week? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopper Dave Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 what do you do if you don't want shots every week? Don't ***** about having allergies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huly Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 I am allergic to everything! Even pez! I started going to my regular doctor when my allergies started at age 12. They put me on Claritin. As a teenager they wanted to see what I was allergic to so they sent me to an allergy specialist. After 250 shots in my back and a swollen red back they realized I was allergic to everything. Including cats, dust, grass etc. They kept me on the Claritin. Just in the last year I have changed to Zyrtek (spelling). As long as I take my pill I am perfectly fine. I own cats etc (short hair as long hair I can not handle). It all depends on the person. I hope this helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rictus58 Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 This must be a record...a Mickalino post, 20 posts in ,with not one SS references Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickalino Posted March 6, 2006 Author Share Posted March 6, 2006 Good advice here.Mick you didn't mention your symptoms?. I get a lot of phlegm stuck in my throat, which I cough on, and choke on. My cheeks under my eyes get bloated and puffy and red. My eyes get irritated and dry up. I sneeze a lot and get congested in my sinus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickalino Posted March 6, 2006 Author Share Posted March 6, 2006 This must be a record...a Mickalino post, 20 posts in ,with not one SS references Yea, surprised no-one thinks I'm allergic to Scott Stapp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlayAction Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 I get a lot of phlegm stuck in my throat, which I cough on, and choke on. My cheeks under my eyes get bloated and puffy and red. My eyes get irritated and dry up. I sneeze a lot and get congested in my sinus. Other than the puffy eyes those symptoms could also be the results of a cold virus. But the cold will go away while the allergies are there forever. OTC medicines will help but it's best to know what it is you are allergic to. I would not go to an ENT but rather an Allergist. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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