Changing Weather

HI:)

It has been very cold here and now it is really warming up and sunny this weekend. My asthma is acting up and my eyes are very red and puffy. Does this happen because of the weather? What otc pills might help? I am already on combivent, duo neb, singular, fexofenadine, uniphyl and prevacid. I just got off 15 days of antibiotic for an eye infection caused by allergies. Also, what otc cream can I use to keep my eyelids moist. They are so dry. Thanks:)

Don't you just love Spring???? :) My allergies have been horrible these past few days because of the warm up and our trees haven't even started to bud yet! I would bet that it's the weather/spring combination that is affecting your asthma. As for your eyes, if they continue to stay red then it's best to see an opthmalogist to rule out any serious eye infections especially if you are any medications that contain steroids. I have chronic dry eye and I have been able to get by with Thera Tears but there are several otc eye drops/gels that you can use for dry eye.......which will also help with the eyelids. You can also try using either a cool or warm washclothe every once and a while for you eyes. My eyes respond better to warm but puffy eyes sometimes feel better with cold so you have to experiment to find what works for you. Also since your eyes are red, try to avoid any eye drops that have vasoconstrictors (redness reliever) because you may get the rebound affect - it can make the redness worse if used longer then 3 days.

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^{@--->--Sherry--<---@}

Red, do you live in the Midwest? Our weather sounds the same. I was on prednisone but am off now. Does the steroid in advair or nose spray count? I went to the opthamologist and he said the eyes problem was allergies but my internest said it was an infection and gave me erythromycin for the eyes and augmentin too. So, who is right? I used the antibiotics just in case! Thanks for the help:)

Prednisone can stay in your system for up to a year - but it also depends on the dosage and the length of time that you had taken it. Shorter the time you were on it, the shorter the time it will stay in your body. The steroids in nasal sprays still count but actually a smaller percentage of the steroid actually enters the blood stream but if taken for any length of time, it can still have the build up like prednisone - it just might take longer. If I had to choose between the opthamologist and internist, I believe I would go with the Opth. because this is their specialty. But as long as antibiotics don't bother you, then short term usages shouldn't harm anything.

I live in Michigan and our temps just started turning the corner. I am counting down the days until summer now! :)

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^{@--->--Sherry--<---@}

Dear Ceebee: Sorry to hear that you're struggling w/allergies & asthma. The only allergies affects my eyes (itchy, dry, & causes my eyes to become VERY red). I was on a Rx eye drop that helped tremendously, but I've found an OTC drop that works actually better. It's Ocular (eye drops for allergies) and I found it at, of course, WalMart. My son is asthmatic, but one of the few that is not bothered by pollen or dust. When he was little, he would love to play in the "yellow dust", but let him get around someone smoking and he will crash in a matter of seconds.

If you have asthma as well as allergies, Spiriva is a long-acting bronchodilator that is only taken once a day in the morning. It will keep you airways open for 24 hrs. This might help control you asthma while you fight the allergens. Barometric pressure changes also affect asthma sufferers, so watch you weather channel and adjust your asthma meds when the pressures are high.

Hope you feel better soon!

Hey Red,

We be neighbors. Wisconsin here. Last summer was nasty for asthma here. I was in hospital in June, July and August with attacks. I am hoping this summer is better or I will be staying in the house and the AC. I do not want a repeat of last summer. I almost didn't see fall. Here's to an asthma free spring and summer:)