Monday, March 2, 2009

Allergies - Red Cedar Pollen

We are in the midst of red cedar pollen allergy season here. Of course the red cedar is not actually a cedar but a juniper, Juniperus virginiana to be precise.

I am terribly allergic to the pollen of these things. Not anaphylactic shock allergic but bad enough.

If that is not bad enough the newspaper reports that the pollen is going to last until the end of March.

I can't think of any good news about this really.

There was another article in the paper the other day in one of the Metro Sections. The writer said that if you were allergic to red cedar pollen you should not live in Oklahoma. She said she had tried every remedy she could find to no avail.

I do understand the sentiment.

I think I've tried most remedy. Right now I am trying Zyrtec-D© along with Alavert© and some stuff called Chloraseptic™ Allergen Block gel. I also have NasalCrom© and Zicam Allergy swabs. These are the ones that seemed to help. The others I've already discarded entirely.

Then I have Benadryl® which is about the only thing that actually works all the time but makes me sleepy as all get out and makes me feel drugged after I finally wake up.

Now the Zyrtec-D© has pseudoephedrine hydrochloride in it as well as the cetirizine hydrochloride. The pseudoephedrine content requires me to give my driver's license and signature in order to get it. Also someone will become suspicious if I buy a whole bunch of it.

The pseudoepedrine makes my heart race some and kind of fires me up. At the same time it kind of makes me feel heavy with sleepiness across my brow. I've heard some people say they like that feeling but I'd just as soon not experience it.

I am carrying around my epi pens just in case, too.

It is funny how the pollen makes me feel. I am not always bothered by it. It comes in waves and it varies by geography. Even where I am sitting in the house makes a difference.

We cut down all the cedar trees over at the farm except one. That sucker will be gone as soon as I can arrange it's removal. It would be gone already except the guy that's going to do it suffers from the same allergy.

But out here at Judy's place the things are everywhere even though they are pretty far away.

I view them as the enemy and shout out at them when I am driving by and see them. Well, only when I am alone.

I have another season of allergies that begins in late April and lasts through a good portion of May. I don't know what it is.

4 comments:

Lori1955 said...

Oh that must be just awful. I am blessed that I don't have any allergies. I hope something works for you that doesn't make you feel like a druggie.

dave said...

We once lived down wind from your state. In the spring this horrible allergy would descend and I was told it was the Mountain Cedar.
I liked Texas, but I am glad to be away from those allergies. I have some in the NW, but only for a few weeks in the spring.

~Betsy said...

I was fortunate to outgrow my seasonal allergies. I know that doesn't make you feel any better, but maybe there's hope for you?

My kids suffer from allergies and both have different reactions to different medications. Benadryl works like a charm for them both, but it puts Nikki in a coma and Brian bounces off the walls.

I hope you feel better soon.

¸.•*´)ღ¸.•*´Chris said...

My brother lives in NC and has been an allergy suffer for his entire life, all 54 years of it. He was asthmatic when he was little and would have convulsions along with is attacks. Truly a nightmare. I call him the problem child of the family, kiddingly and lovingly.

I don't have allergies too badly but I did notice I stuffed up when I visited the humane society today to drop off a donation of dog food. I get my seasonal stuff but nothing I can't handle. I can't imagine dealing with serious allergies like you. I hope you find some relief soon. The Zyrtec is good stuff. I used to take that before it went OTC and my insurance didn't cover it any longer. Take care.