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severe allergies and fatigue causing me to feel so depressed?

please someone help! i have been suffering from debilatating allergies/sinus probs, fatigue, and dizziness for about a year now. i do have allergies to mold, dust, milk products, and corn products. my allergy doc says my symptoms are all from allergies, but i have been trying everything 2 avoid the allergens, been getting allergy shots, tried numerous allergy medications, with no help from anything! does anyone else experience this type of thing? i seriously feel like i am getting so depressed. i cant hardly function, let alone enjoy anything. i suffer every single day. please, if anyone has any advice, etc, please let me know.
thanks so much!
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Avatar universal
Please read this posting, to explore a possible solution, if you have the same conditions as me, but didn't know it.

Hello,  I first read this forum about 6 years ago.  I have suffered from severe allergies since I was 10 years old.  I am now 36.  Like most of you, my allergy symptoms were very debilitating;  Fatigue to the point of always being tired, a constant itchiness all over my skin, dizziness, and massive brain fog.  This was accompanied by the typical allergy symptoms of sneezing, itchy/watery eyes, and nasal congestion, along with mild asthma.  During allergy season, I became extremely irritable, to the point that i was constantly pissed off, depressed, and felt alone.  I couldn't trust my emotions, as I would always overreacting to the slightest of bad news.  I was miserable and eking through life during allergy season.    I am highly allergic to grass, trees, dust, ragweed, etc.  My symptoms have also put my life in danger a few times when driving with dizziness and brainfog.  I have gotten into a couple of accidents, due to my lack of attentiveness.   I sometimes had to pull to the side of the road to take a 20 min nap, when it was real bad.  I have been on allergy shots for 10+ years, would take  8 zyertec (although I have tried all the antihistamines)a day, nasal steroids, nasal antihistamine, sudefed, xolair injections.  I have also tried bee pollen, sublingual tablets on top of my allergy shots, max dosage of allergy shots, supplements from a naturalpath, candida elimination diet, anti-anxiety meds, anti-depressant meds,  and acupuncture.  Nothing worked!
       The reason I am posting after all this time, because I finally found something that was effective.  I finally found a allergist that made a connection to an underlying condition of ADD.  I was never hyperactive, far from it, so I never figured I had ADD.  Especially, because outside of allergy season I don't have too many issues concentrating.  The overlap of ADD with allergies is not well known, but there are some medical journal articles noticing a higher amount of allergies in children with ADD, and others to suggest a possible connection.  My allergies  trigger ADD and the symptoms that go along with it, which is why my brainfog, dizziness, and irritability were caused.  I have now been on vyvanse for the past few months, although still taking 4 zertec a day, and maximum dosage xolair injections, and both nasal steroids and antihistamine sprays.  I stopped my allergy shots, as I wasn't a responder after 11 years and no reduction in symptoms.  Since being on Vyvanse, I feel like I have my life back.  The itchiness is suppressed with the dopamine release.  I can focus on the tasks I need to focus on, both at work and at home.  I am no longer always fatigued and tired all the time.  I actually enjoy socializing now, where before I would avoid it because I couldn't keep up with normal brain processing speed to have a normal conversation.  It's not a perfect solution, but a hundred times better.  I wanted to post, because after 26 years, I think I finally figured out the underlying issue.  I hope my story will help someone else  make the connection. Especially if you have any family members that have ADD or ADHD, there is a higher likelihood that you may have some underlying form of ADD also.. Good luck to everyone, I hope you all figure out the root cause and how to treat it.
-Jason
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Interesting!have had bad allergies all my life and im having the worst season ever right now. I live in Florida so it's extra special! But my son had severe adhd and allergies. I always thought i had ADD too but at 50 I've never been dignosed,  but i feel it.. And there is a family history,  so i probably do.  Will look into this further.  Thanks
Avatar universal
I am right there with you.  I have not been able to work in years.  Had to move back in with my parents, and the only thing any idiot doctor says is that, "I am depressed."  I am NOT depressed; I am not that type of person.  I am a go-getter, money maker, an idea man, and was a functioning member of society until adult onset allergies.  It has caused my hormones to go all over the place.  I can literally sleep 18 hours with a CPAP and wake up exhausted and unable to function.  This is not some midday sleepiness or afternoon lag.  It takes me two hours to even make it out of bed and out of the house.  I fall asleep anytime I close my eyes.  It is borderline narcoleptic, and there are no doctors that take me seriously.  If your body is agitated and inflamed on on a cellular level, then nothing you do is going to be normal.  Of course it mimics depression.  I can't get out of bed and can't do anything and don't receive joy or pleasure from anything.  Any help you get, I would love to hear about.  
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Avatar universal
Thanks Jason 11111, it actually makes some sense...  I am not ADD but I have always been very busy person, cant sit down for long.  I have alol of a sudden after never knowing what sinus or allergies are, suffered now for 3 years.  To the point where my head feels so heavy, my body and joints sore, eyes puffy, ears blocked, dizziness, that I even thought I was having a heart attack...  I had the sinus operation that helped for a month, but it never will be 100%.  So the ADD thing is worth a try and even my ten year old who is also very busy guy battles terribly with allergies.  I am going to try something for ADD homeopathically for both of us just to see anything is worth a try these days.  
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Avatar universal
I am so happy i found this forum....my sinuses and allergies always make me sick...I thought I was crazy at times because of dizziness unstable shaky etc..Thanks happy to be a part of it, made me feel sane.
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Avatar universal
I live in the desert most of my life, then I moved to Florida, I started getting severe Migraines to the point I could not get out of bed for days and weeks.  Tried all the doctors, then I fiqured out and looked around the place and saw all these fungus and spoors,  I couldn't see, my head pounded.  I then started flushing my sinus with a Netty Pot, took Pseduphedrine and nasal spray.  I think I had a toxic reaction to alll the Molds that grew in my sinuses.  After literaly two days I started feeling better.  Molds off gas toxins that if you are not use too it can be bad.  I have moved back to the desert and seems tham I still get a case one in a while but the simple things I discribed helpd very much and you can get them from your pharmacy with out a percsrption
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Avatar universal
Thank you for the advice! I was able to find Yerba Santa on Amazon which is also known as Santa Herba! How do you use the drops? I can't wait to try...
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Avatar universal
You would be better off to go to another Dr. He say get rid of your pets? thats lame.. Try to use a Zyrtec regular not the D.. Once at night everyday. You can also use a saline spray everyday for the nose and also Nasonex helps me as well ..Just not at the same time..Costco has a generic brand for Zyrtec that's only around $17.00 . 365 pills per bottle. Cant beat it. It's usually seasonal for me and I just watch my symptoms. Can get sinus infections if I don't. Also there is a natural over the counter in health food stores that is a grapefruit extract spray that seems to  really help. Also if I can suggest to have your pets bathed often.. (at least every couple weeks if they go outside, cats inside not as often.. every couple months is fine. Use a vinegar and water mixed spray on their feet when they come in from the outside to clean the feet. This could be bothering you more .. Good luck
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Avatar universal
Don't want to scare you, but if you are having shortness of breath - get checked out by a doctor.  My son had the same problem, just shortness of breath - ended up in hospital immediately - had triple bypass surgery.  He is feeling great now.

As for sinus trouble - a water and salt mixture sniffed up the nose will clear your sinuses.  Don't use the ones already mixed - they are not strong enough.  Had a headache for three days, nothing helped until strong salt mixture, cleared sinuses in an hour.
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Avatar universal
Feather pillows and comforters!!!!! Do you have them? Get rid of them immediately and wash your hands and clothes!!!!
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Avatar universal
I have had allergies off and on throughout my life. I have never had pain in my left arm until recently, the light sensitivity is another. I was sneezing so bad last night I thought someone was pulling my arm out of its socket it hurt so bad. It seems like I have more and more of a harder time with the after affects. It usually takes me a couple of days to feel right again. This morning I am still light sensitive, headache, tired feeling, and brain fog. I am considering going home as its affecting my job performance, which is not something I can NOT deal with.
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Avatar universal
I just checked it and it turns out Santa Herba is NOT available in USA due to it containing a a banned ingredient.. It is available in Europe where I live. So sorry for wrong information. I wish you all fell better xox
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Avatar universal
Hello,

just a brief message as I have very little time, I have been experiencing same symptoms as most of you guys for a long time, sometimes it gets much worse especially in Spring time. What did reduce all symptoms was when once in my life i moved to the seaside.. I lived there for 2 years and had no allergy symptoms at all.. It's not possible for me to go back there now so allergies are back in my daily life. What does help me (along with some standard allergy + asthma  meds) are homeopathic drops called Santa Herba (they're Swedish but available almost everywhere). They help with nose and eye irritation as well as with breathing problems (dry cough) and they bring quite a quick relief, they also help to calm down. Much love to you all don't give up the fight
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Avatar universal
I feel your pain! Or at least I did. The best advice I can give to anyone dealing with this is remain strong (remember there are always others worse off than you) and to think outside of the box and look at alternative therapies. I tried acupuncture, bowen therapy and unfortunately these did not work for me (although acupuncture made me smile uncontrollably afterwards for about an hour and bowen has been a godsend for my chronic lower back issue). I eventually decided that I would have to use a more direct approach ie. an applied treatment to my sinuses. I tried a neti pot which did not help me and a few natural nasal sprays again with no luck. Thankfully I ran across another natural nasal spray (sinusoothe) and it has cured me at long last. This may not be the one for you and it may be one of the others out there will suit you better but I can hand on heart that this does work and is well worth trying.
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Avatar universal
I feel your pain! Or at least I did. The best advice I can give to anyone dealing with this is remain strong (remember there are always others worse off than you) and to think outside of the box and look at alternative therapies. I tried acupuncture, bowen therapy and unfortunately these did not work for me (although acupuncture made me smile uncontrollably afterwards for about an hour and bowen has been a godsend for my chronic lower back issue). I eventually decided that I would have to use a more direct approach ie. an applied treatment to my sinuses. I tried a neti pot which did not help me and a few natural nasal sprays again with no luck. Thankfully I ran across another natural nasal spray (sinusoothe) and it has cured me at long last. This may not be the one for you and it may be one of the others out there will suit you better but I can hand on heart that this does work and is well worth trying.
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Avatar universal
Hey hi are you feeling now? Just read your post as I feel your pain.the same thing is happening to me.
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Avatar universal
I have had these same problems with allergies. I mostly have weather allergies but I recently think it might be due to my pets. I have one cat, but have not had the carpets changed in awhile-I have had pets that have passed on. So the hair from my previous cat and dog might be in there as well.

You feel like you have no energy to do anything. You always feel a background sickness coming on. There seems to be no end in sight. This last year I went to the doctor because I thought I had some kind of immune deficiency. She said it was allergies. I started taking one claritin a day, then added on allegra, and flo naze. I just stopped taking all of them because I was started to take meds so much it was becoming aggravating.

I'm at a point right now where I am very aggressive with how I self-talk to myself, not in a mean way. But just like, "I will not allow allergies to ruin my day." "I am the happiest and healthiest man alive." Stuff like that. Sometimes just acting like you are the happiest and healthiest person helps a lot.

I started working out really frequently and that makes a difference. Not necessarily really hard or anything. But making sure I get a full body work out, from the shoulders and arms down to legs and calves. Getting a good night sleep helps. I vacuum weekly. That helps.

To be honest though, there were other times in my life where I did not have this problem, especially when I was not living in Sacramento, CA, which is known for bad allergies. Also, I am living with a person right now he brings much unneeded stress all the time. There is a part of me that thinks once I move out I won't feel the same allergy feeling. I really think stress has a major part in it.

Anyways just some things to keep in mind. I have been dealing with these feelings ever since I've been living in this current house with this room mate-two years.

Good luck and God bless,
Chris
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Avatar universal
Hey Guys,

I have had these same problems with allergies. I mostly have weather allergies but I recently think it might be due to my pets. I have one cat, but have not had the carpets changed in awhile, which needs to be done.

You feel like you have no energy to do anything. You always feel a background sickness coming on. There seems to be no end in sight. This last year I went to the doctor because I thought I had some kind of immune deficiency. She said it was allergies. I started taking one claritin a day, then added on allegra, and flo naze. I just stopped taking all of them because taking so many meds for allergies was becoming aggravating.

I'm at a point right now where I am very aggressive with how I self-talk to myself. Not in a mean way, but just like, "I will not allow allergies to ruin my day" or "I am the happiest and healthiest man alive!" Stuff like that. Sometimes just acting like you are the happiest and healthiest person alive helps a lot.

I started working out really frequently and that makes a difference. Not necessarily really hard workouts or anything. But making sure I get a full body work out, from the shoulders and arms down to legs and calves. This helps me gett a good night. I vacuum weekly. That helps.

To be honest though, there were other times in my life where I did not have this problem, especially when I was not living in Sacramento, CA, which is known for bad allergies. Also, I am living with a person right now who brings much unneeded stress all the time. There is a part of me that thinks once I move out I won't feel the same allergy feeling. I really think stress has a major part in it. I know from research that stress can affect the strength of the immune system. Wouldn't it make sense that having a lower immune system might make me more susceptible to allergies, and thus making me have them more?

Anyways just some things to keep in mind. I have been dealing with these feelings ever since I've been living in this current house with this specific room mate-two years. I know. It's horrible. Lol.

Good luck and God bless,
Chris
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Avatar universal
I also have clogged ear swooshin and ringing. I have always had sinus infections, but now have tested positive to 19 chemicaks and metals, through pach testing. It's the delayed skin allergies, that also causes blisters and rashes. I am allergic to chemicals in clothing , shoes, all shampoos and hygiene products, even organic bedding and shampoos. I am also alkergic to Formadehyde and many more things. I am bedridden due to blisters and rashes and unable to breath. My  eyes  stay matted up, or burning and itching, head and ears stay clised. The skin reactions are tv worse. No hell com doctors after a seeing many and over a hundred thousand out of picket.  Am I. The bd 24/7. It's very hard. I would suggest patch testing along woth other allery test.
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Avatar universal
Like all of you I to suffer from sever allergies.  Most people think I am just plain nuts when I  have an allergy attack.  Never know what brings it on.  But what happens is it starts with a stuffy drippy nose and by two days later the cough starts.  The cough is so bad that I can't sleep and it affects everything I do.  Eventually I will get mucus in my lungs and cough that up consistently, and the vomiting will start. This usually last at least a month.  In the past year when I have one of these attacks, I started to aspirate my food.  So tomorrow I head back to the allergist, so they can do a scope of my throat.  I hope that you all find some relief, as I am hoping too.
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Avatar universal
Hello folks I get severe allergies as well and I live in the uk. Very depressing. I get mold allergies cigarette smoke allergies dust, grass and a whole host of things. Whilst in the UK I take piriton every night and clarity on average 3 times a week. I have a house In Spain and I don't get any allergies at all really unless I visit a furniture shop car showroom etc. To put it in perspective I stayed in Spain for 3 months and took a total of 5 piriton for the whole duration. So guess what I am moving to Spain as your health and happiness is the most important thing in the whole world.

I live in an old house which has poisoned me with mold spores for years now but I am taking action and selling it. I am really hoping to live like a new person very soon and I am literally counting the days.
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Avatar universal
I am miserable! Last October I was dx'd with severe mold allergies and severe asthma due to the mold allergies. I have been on a roller coaster ever since of medications, Xolair injections insurance issues and since Dec 2013 I was laid off due to the fact my work place was mold ridden so I could no longer work there. I keep brain fog, memory loss, fatigue, horrible sinus pressure and fstigue. Basically I am home bound from May till late December because of the mold outside. If I do go out on days when mold counts are high from me I pay the price for days. This isn't something that you just pick yourself up by the bootstraps and move on with. This is life altering debilitating misery!!! Half the time I feel like I have cotton stuffed up my nose. I can't breathe in heatt and humidity. I have told my doctor my allergies are so bad I can't function and he says well you are on a good regimen of meds I don't want to change anything. Jeez thanks Doc!  In the meantime I have no life, not able to work, getting sicker and more depressed. So, everyone here suffering with allergies and asthma and you feel alone. You are not. I definitely feel your pain. What to do about it I do not know. I live in fear of having a major allergic reaction to mold one day that is going to do me in. I really don't know how much more of this I can take. This is not a life, this is torture!
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Avatar universal
i liked message u posted im going thru the same thing ...always this time of year and i know its the problem but it still doesnt stop me from being freaked out...i hope u get this message and thank u for taking the time to post your experience in helping me to realize..im not crazy either!!!
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Avatar universal
I just found this site by chance but am glad I did. I've been suffering with bad ear congestion in my left ear for about 3 years now. Sometimes in the right but mostly in the left. This all started after I had a complete hysterectomy and everything has gotten worse for me because menopause was forced upon me instead of just happening naturally. I just feel horrible all the time. I have many other health problems that have stemmed from getting hit in a car by a drunk driver almost 20 years ago. Since then, my life has went downhill. Back pain, neck pain, headaches, panic attacks and anxiety,TMJ, stomach problems, etc etc. I moved back to my hometown of KY in 2008 after living in FL for 15 years and I think a lot of the problem is I live on a farm. Well, I had went to my GP and he gave me antibiotic drops for my ear and said to take regular Claritin. Neither helped at all so he referred me to an ENT who said I have severe allergies and am allergic to both types of dust mites, molds, 6 kinds of local trees and a bunch of local weeds, cats, dogs and even cows. He wants me to start allergy shots but have started taking Claritin-D and it hasn't helped a bit. My ear stays so clogged up all the time that I constantly hear my heartbeat and now it has turned into the bump bump bump rhythm of my heart but more of a buzzing whooshing sound too. This drives me crazy and when I turn my head to the right it gets worse. It's doing it right now as I sit and type this. My quality of life is so bad and I am so tired all the time, can't sleep good, headaches, and now my eyes are always burning and eye drops haven't helped much either. I'm thinking of just trying the allergy shots because nothing else has seemed to work but I'm scared to in a way because I've heard bad things about them, like feeling worse and it just takes so many years. I totally feel sorry for everyone on here and hate to know that so many people suffer with allergies. They are just debilitating and make life horrible. Has anyone else had the ear congestion like me and heard the sounds, and all that? Everytime I swallow, I hear a click and my ears pop.
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Avatar universal
i sleep a lot because of allergies. Does anyone else here sleep a lot too because of allergies? Sometimes, it's the only way my allergies will go away- if i sleep it off. In general, I've quit all the medication a long time ago, didn't want to be on medication the rest of my life. Although I will take medication in times of desperation. The diet has worked for me but it's difficult sticking to it. Then I start feeling ok and start eating bad again- sugars, bread, alcohol, ETC. Sometimes I get extreme fatigue. I am allergic to basically everything. What I ingest, breathe, eat, drink, put on my body, stress, ETC. I have thought of doing LDA treatments (Low Dose Allergy Treatment- NOT the same as Regular Allergy Shots.) Sometimes I feel like I could be sleeping my life away.Sometimes I snort a lot because I can't breathe. And when my sinuses are blocked, I can't breathe either. I already have sleep disorders and these allergies just compound my sleep disorders. It's hard working because I'm always tired and sleepy and I have bosses that are always bitching at me because of this. Sometimes I feel I should live in a bubble and just eat vegetables, then I wouldn't have anymore allergies.  Does anyone else sleep a lot too due to allergies and fatigue??
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