Such a bigot

[Tired_Old_Man 1]

We had the same situation much of the time when we lived in Orlando. I finally found a fabulous woman Internist and she opted out after a bad case of burn out. None of her male partners were worth a hoot.

I never have been able to understand why doctors don't listen. They never wanted to listen to my dad, and would get all exasperated when he wanted to "take up their time" with actual discussion of his symptoms.

Medical care in the U.S. is very frustrating. Sorry you're having to go through the tests, but the good thing is that you'll have some assurance that, if all goes well, you don't have anything more serious than a bad sinus infection.

Have you ever used Flonase? It has changed my DH's life! Seriously.

Flonase, yes and Nasonex (not at same time) and anti-histamines and decongestants. Both the Flonase and Nasonex work for me for a while, then they stop working and finally they add to my symptoms, so I can only take them for a few months, then stop for a few months, then take them...

I had similar medical problems back in Brooklyn until the late 1970's. Then I went to an EENT in 1978 and he sent me to an Allergist, a throwback to the old days who took his time and listened. After many years of treatment, I improved 95%. However, after a while, he would not play the games that the insurance companies require and stopped taking any insurance, so I could not afford to go to him after 1998 and I started with another Allergist (recommended by the first), who even though he received all my records for 20 years, refused to treat me unless I started from scratch.

One of my blood tests this past week was to determine my allergies. They no longer do the skin prick testing according to the Florida doctors. Even though the skin pricking technique is time consuming and (mildly) painful and uncomfortable, it worked on me in the past. I wonder if the blood test technique is better or just more cost effective (insurance companies again).

[BJean 16]

It seems that the latest wisdom about Flonase and Nasonex (I've used both too) is that if you only take them part of the time, they can actually cause your symptoms to be worse. Also, they say that if you take Flonase for a time and then quit, you are much more prone to infection. That's why I quit taking either of them. I wasn't good about using it everyday during the off allergy season because after using it for a while, the Flonase would give me a headache and nosebleeds. Then I'd wind up with a sinus infection. No one seemed to have an answer until last year when they told me that you can't use it part time. It's a big commitment that you have to be determined to stay with. It isn't for me, but for DH, it has made his life completely different. He used to live on Dristan sometimes months at a time and still had the swelling, eye itching, ear ringing and itching, etc.

I don't know about those blood tests. I took them to determine food allergies and was never convinced that the results made any sense.

I hope you don't think that I'm too off the wall (not that I'm not) but I used acupuncture in Orlando and it helped me more than anything. I went to a Dr. Hou and he was truly a miracle worker. They have a father and son practice. John the son, was my guy. They are not only accredited in Chinese acupuncture, but they have medical degrees too. My insurance covered it. I not only benefitted from the allergy stuff, I lost weight and didn't even diet. I know there are a lot of quacks out there, but if you really check them out and talk to someone who has gone to them, they can be real livesavers.

My best to you for getting an honest diagnosis and the best possible treatment!

[Tired_Old_Man 1]

It seems that the latest wisdom about Flonase and Nasonex (I've used both too) is that if you only take them part of the time, they can actually cause your symptoms to be worse. Also, they say that if you take Flonase for a time and then quit, you are much more prone to infection. That's why I quit taking either of them. I wasn't good about using it everyday during the off allergy season because after using it for a while, the Flonase would give me a headache and nosebleeds. Then I'd wind up with a sinus infection. No one seemed to have an answer until last year when they told me that you can't use it part time. It's a big commitment that you have to be determined to stay with. It isn't for me, but for DH, it has made his life completely different. He used to live on Dristan sometimes months at a time and still had the swelling, eye itching, ear ringing and itching, etc.

Allergy season in Florida seems to last for 12 months a year. I took my nasal spray religiously, and still got in trouble with them.

I don't know about those blood tests. I took them to determine food allergies and was never convinced that the results made any sense.

I hope you don't think that I'm too off the wall (not that I'm not) but I used acupuncture in Orlando and it helped me more than anything. I went to a Dr. Hou and he was truly a miracle worker. They have a father and son practice. John the son, was my guy. They are not only accredited in Chinese acupuncture, but they have medical degrees too. My insurance covered it. I not only benefitted from the allergy stuff, I lost weight and didn't even diet. I know there are a lot of quacks out there, but if you really check them out and talk to someone who has gone to them, they can be real livesavers.

My best to you for getting an honest diagnosis and the best possible treatment!

The only acupuncturist in this town is a ultra Right-wing Christian conservative who looks like, but is slightly to the Right of Sun Myung Moon. He loves to talk politics and I am scared to allow him to use those needles on me, especially that one that saws "Jim Bowie".

[BJean 16]

Oooh. Point well taken! You do have to be concerned with who exactly is poking you!

Hang in there, buddy!