Seasonal Allergies for AN'ers......

[ppearl214]

well, I deem this as a possible "AN Issue", thus, posting here......

I know there has been talk in the past about this, but wanted to survey you all on this.....

A few yrs ago, I began (later in life, eh?) to suffer seasonal allergies (ie: high pollen, etc).  Now, recently.... granted, the pollen count is currently VERY high here in S. New England...... I've been having a lot of ear blockage and headaches on the back side of my head (approx occipital location). Now, I have no sinus pressure across my face or forehead.

Now, we know our ears have a direct correllation to the sinuses... and am curious if any of you have enhanced balance issues, ear blockage (like airplane cabin pressure), headaches, etc come seasonal allergies?  I'm doing a great, enhanced version of a Weeble (you know that toy... "weeble's wobble but they don't fall down") with more wonky head and definate ear pressure.

Any of you notice that when it's seasonal allergy time, you all feel enhanced ear pressure, balance issues, etc?  More than usual?

Thanks!
Phyl

[Curly Jo]

I have dealt with sinus issues including asthma and allergies for years prior to my diagnosis.  At times, I don't know if my dizziness, fullness, etc are due to my AN now or my sinus or allergies.  I currently take allergy shots and daily meds as well.   I do know know that my dizziness is enhanced when I take my medication for migraines so I know at least for the first few hours that I am prepared for the dizziness.  At this time, not sure if the AN has any additional affect on the symptoms you mentioned.  I have multiple other health issues and I do not want to find myself pinning them on my AN now that I know I have one.

Have a great day.

Curly Joe

[Debbi]

Phyl-

Very interesting that you would bring this up.  I've had allergies for years - but mine are barometric pressure and weather induced rather than pollens. That being said, I have been very aware during the last month that every time my sinuses get affected, so does my balance!  I have what I refer to as "wonky" moments where I just feel mildly off balance and even a little fuzzy headed.  This never used to happen, so I suspect it is a combination of the AN and the sinus congestion. 

I'll be curious as to what others have experienced.

Deb (having a wonky day)

[tony]

err yes - I get hayfever/colds/flu etc same as the next guy
Basically any such condition now has twice the meaning it used to
balance is always more unsteady and hearing really struggles
best regards
tony

[nancyann]

Hi Phyl:  I've had allergies all my life.   Been thru allergy shots, etc.   The past month or so my allergies have really been acting up, mainly nasal congestion, watery eyes.    I'm mildly more unbalanced lately;  had ear pain only once (that I can recall) over the past month.   

Always good thoughts,   Nancy

[Jim Scott]

Phyl:

I developed seasonal allergies in my 50's and later wondered whether this had any connection to my AN.  Apparently not, at least in my case.  The AN is shrinking and dying but the allergies remain, although not severe.  I don't experience ear blockage, headaches or disequilibrium when my allergies manifest themselves.  Usually just intense sneezing, which is intermittent and controlled with Zyrtec or Xyzal.  My wife and adult son both have similar allergies; my wife's are fairly severe (she gets shots from her allergist) and my son's are no worse than mine.  Go figure.

Jim

[ppearl214]

thanks folks for sharing your experiences.... appreciated!

Phyl

[lori67]

Now that you mention it, my balance has been a little off recently.  It does seem to coincide with the beginning of allergy season.  I was pretty steady before, but lately I've been doing the Weeble thing too.  I don't have any headaches or pressure, but I wonder if my allergies could have something to do with my wobbling...

Interesting....   

Lori

[Pooter]

Phyl,

Like others, I've had allergies all my life (got the 1,000 shot treatment when I was really young and was allergic to more than not)..  But, I'll tell you over the last year mine have REALLY been bad.  I typically get MAYBE 1 sinus infection per year, but over the last 12-18 months I've had 3-4 of them.  In fact, it was a sinus infection visit to my PCP (2nd infection over 3 weeks) when I asked him about the ringing in my ear and hearing loss that prompted the visit to the ENT, the MRI and the diagnosis of my AN.  I definitely think there could be a corelation between the AN and allergies.  I've also noticed that my tinitus is worse when my allergies are acting up (I also think that high humidity affects it as well).

Thanks for asking the question, because I have been thinking that my allergies were connected in some way but I was waiting to see if anyone else would say something about it on here.

Brian

[han nah]

Hi Phyl

I jumped back on this forum after a few months, to find the answer to your exact question because I have the exact same symptons as you are experiencing. Balance issues, increased unbarable ringing in the ear and headaches and pressure in the head, and flem in the back of my throat - it's all driving me crazy!

I met with my ENT surgeon the other day and mentioned these symptons. He explained that in the translab surgery to remove my AN they drilled through my sinuses, which affects the way my sinuses now drain, hence all the symptons Im experiencing. He has ordered my a cat scan of my sinuses and they are going to see where to go from there. In the mean time he has given me some nose sprays to help - I have only used the sprays twice so Im stilling waiting to see if they help.

I never used to suffer from sinuses infections but I have now had this happen twice since December.

Hopefully there is something that can be done, to help.

Hannah

[ppearl214]

hannah! Great to see you! It has been a while! I know you are in Autumn right now and hoping you are doing ok...... as for all of you that have responded, thank you so much!  I typically didn't make the corellation between allergies and the AN, but it does, to me, make sense... esp. after reading all you have noted.  I'm trying OTC allergy meds to see if it helps calm down the ear blockage/fullness.....

Another "hmph" to add to my list.....

Phyl

[Debbi]

And just to chime in again ... I had a bad sinus headache and stuffiness earlier this week and rushed to my doctor for a remedy (one weak from surgery - couldn't risk a sinus infection).  He gave me an oral allergy treatment and a nasal steroid spray - the latter works really fast, but is prescription only. 

So, I guess what I am trying to say is - if the OTC stuff doesn't work, check with your doc - they have lots of really good meds for allergies now.

Debbi (no longer sniffling in NJ)

[jerseygirl]

I had seasonal allergies for years. Both the allergies themselves and the medications to treat them (even non-drowsy ones) make me so tired! Whenever I am tired, my balance issues come back. I don't know why, perhaps because I exercise less ( I am tired after all!). It is that time of the year again. Yuck!

Debbie, best of luck with your upcoming surgery. I hope to read about a fantastic outcome on Apr. 30!

                                          Eve

[Denisex2boys]

Headaches are BRUTAL and ear pressure is back on and off and my ears are terribly ichy - I HATE allergies - I am still awaiting my surgery date....... my ENT did recommend to me though that IO do a sinus irrigation (preferably twice a day) - I have been doing it once a day (Neil-Med) - and that has helped with the congestion - - - now if I could only gain control of these damned headaches - -

[jb]

Just wondering if anyone uses a Neti pot for sinus irrigation?   I've been using one off and on.  It seems to get a lot of gunk out, and makes my ears pop sometimes, but actually makes me a little dizzier and sometimes gives me a headache for awhile.  I seem to feel better an hour or so afterwards though.  I think how you tilt your head is important, but haven't quite figured out the best technique yet.  I've heard not to do it right before bed either.  Any Neti pot gurus out there?