Vaso-Motor Rhinitis vs. Allergic Rhinitis vs Asthma

Rx's include Nasonex, (generic: Ipratropium 0.06% spray) 1 ea nostil q 8hr, from Int Med.-- Flonase (generic: Fluticasone Prop 50mcg. spray) from Allergist, 2 ea nostril qd. Allergist ordered Astelin, Insurance would not pay.  Int Med said to stop Flonase. Flu Shot, 9/09. Allowed Waldryl (Dye-Free Benadryl from Walgreens)--Antihistamine 6 per day. Can not control sinus congestion, runny nose. Or mucous at back of throat. Allergy tested. Allergic to every indigenous tree & bush in Arizona. Dust Mites. No known food allergies. Took trip through Pacific Northwest, came off plane in a wheelchair, unable to walk. Non smoker x 10 months. HELP!!  

[bsmsl]

Several thoughts...

When were you prescribed Astelin?  If it was within the last 8 months to a year, I am maybe a little surprised your insurance wouldn't pay, but not shocked.  I would be shocked that your allergist prescribed it in that time frame.  Meda Pharmaceuticals, the maker of Astelin, has been in the process of fading out Astelin and replacing it with Astepro since around April of last year at the latest.  An allergist that didn't know this would scare me.  Ask one of your drs for Astepro or Patanase.  Both are nasal antihistimines.  Then look online for eiter product's website  www.(astepro or patanase).com for money saving coupons/cards.

Also, has your allergist talked to you about using saline rinses?  Doing a saline rinse up to 5 times a day really reduces sinus congestion by washing it out and reducing exposure to allergens.  You can pick up a bottle or neti pot ar any pharmacy.  Salt packets are available, or you can just use 1/4 tsp non-iodized salt and a pinch of baking soda in 8 oz of water.  

As far as stopping the Flonase, you should only take either Nasonex or Flonase.  Both are nasal steroids.  I guess your internal med dr was deferring to your allergist's choice on that one.  Again, your allergist scares me not telling you to stop the Flonase when he prescribed the Nasonex.  Or worse, did he even realize he was prescribing a second nasal steroid?  Go to www.nasonex.com for a monthly printable coupon for $15 off your copay on that one.

I would also suggest that you talk to your allergist about a better antihistimine like Zyrtec.  The Waldryl would tend to make you more drowzy and has to be taken quite often.  It is a first generation antihistimine.  The second generation ones are much better.  Zyrtec is a 24 hour antihistime, so you would only have to take it once a day.

I hope some of those things help you.  Honestly, you might consider finding another allergist.  Those are two pretty big mistakes he made, especially prescribing a second nasal steroid and double dosing you on them.