Why is each year different?

[Workingman]

It is breezy, cold, clear, dry, the blossom is out ... and I am suffering like never before.

Last year we still had soddin' blossom but I was not so bad.

I am off to buy me a chainsaw.

[meriad]

maybe not the blossom?

But seriously, I assume you're talking hayfever? I usually don't struggle, have the odd stuffy nose and sneeze but nothing I take meds for .... this year I'm struggling with something to do with either ear, teeth or who knows - but have the very strong sneaky suspicion it's allergy related.

[JanB]

Next door - the not so nice one - was strimming earlier and that set me off

But then again, he really should take his tractor and turn it over, rather than strim it. We're in for a long hot, dry summer and he really needs to get his act together

[Workingman]

maybe not the blossom?

But seriously, I assume you're talking hayfever? I usually don't struggle, have the odd stuffy nose and sneeze but nothing I take meds for .... this year I'm struggling with something to do with either ear, teeth or who knows - but have the very strong sneaky suspicion it's allergy related.

It is the blossom, Ria, I have it every year with tree pollen and when it is this bad I sometimes need scrip anti-histamines as the otc ones do not quite work. As for the allergy, go get it checked out. Please do not end up getting a problem with your ear(s) and ending up with labarynthitis or similar.

Jan, I would turn his bl==dy tractor over... then set fire to it.

[AliasAggers]

Every year I suffered from Hay fever caused by tree blossom, but it affected my eyes, not my nose.

My doctor, many years ago, recommended I took one Loratadine 10mg tablet every day during the
tree pollen season, and these certainly work for me, and, importantly, they do not interfere with
my anti-coagulation medicine. However, I didn't suffer nasal problems, it was my eyes that kept
watering. I suggest you might try Loratadine tablets.You can get them over-the -counter at Boots.

[Kaz]

Strangely, Doreen is suffering for the first time ever this year, we were talking about it today. She's 80!

[lissie]

I have suffered with hay fever for years and the Doctor suggested taking an Anti Histamine every day.
This year it is worse than ever and i put it down to the numerous fields of rape all round here.
I soon as i drive past them i start sneezing and my nose runs constantly.

[Workingman]

I was at my volunteer group this afternoon and others were complaining as well.

It does seem odd, but this year looks like being a bad one for us tree pollen sufferers.

[meriad]

it definitely does seem worse, doesn't it

And Frank - just to let you know that I have been to the GP to get my ear checked and all is fine; the dentist cannot figure out anything wrong with my teeth so we're at a bit of a loss. The GP has given me some meds. Don't know what though as it hasn't arrived yet (I've registered for an online pharmacy as they deliver vs having to collect from the chemist) but after speaking to Nadine yesterday it sounds as though it may be amitriptyline which I don't think I'm all that keen on. I'm coping as is so will see how I get on without resorting to the big stuff.

Aggers - quite a few people find that the Loratadine loses it's effectiveness after a while, in which case switch to the citrizine (also from supermarkets), take those for about 6 months and then go back to the Loratadine.

In the meantime maybe we should all buy shares in whoever makes tissues

[JoM]

Last year I was hardly affected. First year since 1972
I usually get a bit sniffly mid-March with tree pollen but this year it's affecting my eyes and still is now, a month after tree pollen allergies usually clear up for me.

For the sniffles I use Beconase, that usually does a good job through the Summer. Anti-histamine tablets on their own don't touch it.