Cycling and nasal congestion

nancy324

nancy324

Cathlete
My poor DH! Bicycling season is here again and he couldn't wait to get out. But every time he goes out riding he wakes up the next morning all congested. He usually rides up the west side of Manhattan on the bike path. There is greenery there, but there is also car exhaust, so I'm not sure what the culprit is. Over the course of the riding season, the congestion slowly goes away. But I hate seeing him suffer.

Any bike riders out there who suffer with congestion at the beginning of the season? Any ideas regarding how to handle it? Thanks guys.
 
So you don't know if it's allergies or the pollution, right? Maybe if he tried taking a Claritin before he went out? Actually, I'll bet it's the pollution, or he'd feel bad while he was out.
 
Nancy,

Has he seen a doctor about this? Is it strictly nasal congestion?

If he notices the problem more when cycling in the early morning or late afternoon/evening, it's probably nasal allergies. It's the high point of allergy season right now. I have to take a combined antihistamine/decongestant for my allergies. Still, this morning because it's breezy, I'm having problems.

Edited to say, in my experience, the newer allergy medicines are not as effective as the tried and true. I've found that Dimetapp Allergy works best for me. There are also nasal sprays available these days that may help. I take Nasonex which has a steroid medication in it to reduce inflammation of the nasal passages. This medication needs to be taken every day and will take at least three or four days to take effect. It's a prescribed medication.
 
Another alternative is, if he doesn't want to take medicine, stinging nettle. You can get them at Vitamin World and take them 3 times a day.
Works absolutely great for me and my husband and we are here in Texas there allergy season is really big right now.

Kristine :)
 
Kristine,

LOL! I stepped in stinging nettle in our yard last summer and my foot hurt for at least an hour...seriously. I wonder if this is the same stuff. It's a weed, isn't it?

Have you and your husband always suffered with allergies or are you using the nettle as a preventative? I'm very curious about this.
 
Ugh! Allergies! You are supposed to stay in in the morning when allergens are at their highest but who has the time to get out later? I have used stinging nettle but I have had a hard time finding anything that works well. It is sad to resent the beautiful flowers and lushness of spring but sometimes I do! :) I still love the birds and the bees though! :) A friend recommended De-hist, a naturopathic rememdy which may or may not contain stinging nettle. I have not located it yet but when I do, I'll let you know. Allegra gives me the jitters, Claritan just doesn't seem to work and Zyrtec makes me fell weird! More weird? ;) I hope it improves soon. I am armed with saline and tissues at all times! Post Nasal Drip, boo!
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? Mary Oliver
 
Hi Candi,

I know it sounds funny, but yes it is a weed. Yes, we both suffer from allergies, especially in the spring time here in Texas. I started to take about 3 weeks ago, after I had severe allergies for over a week and about 2 days later I could feel a big difference.
But I also notice if I forget to take it one day, do you have to take it every day to help.

Hope that helps.
Kristine :)
 
Thank you Kristine and Bobbi. I'm going to check into this nettle thing!

Bobbi,

Like I said. Medications like Claritin, Zyrtec and Allegra do not work well for me at all. Good old Dimetapp (or Benedryl only at night) keep me sane.
 
My husband recommended Benydryl when I was complaining about the way my noses was squeaking this morning and I was like, yeah, right, I need a nap right now anyway! The Allegra had me cotton mouthed, bug eyed and buzzing around like a bee and since I do that quite naturally,except for the dry mouth and bug eyes, :) it was really scary! I am resorting to praying for an end to the allergy season! ;) You can't get mad at Mother Nature but I think she's a real witch iwth a capital B to give us all this beauty and torture us at the same time!
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? Mary Oliver
 
Thanks, ladies. We're going for our annual check-up together on Friday and I'll see what the doc recommends, but I know she likes Claritin and I don't think it does much. I'll ask her about stinging nettle and see if I can get my DH to take it. It's always such a struggle to get him to try something new, but if the doctor approves it, he's more likely to go along.

I agree, Bobbi. Mother Nature sure is playing a cruel trick. :-(
 
The steroid nasal sprays (Flonase and all the other brands I can't remember right now) have actually been shown to work better than second-generation (that is, nonsedating) antihistamines. But you have to use the sprays every day to get a good effect. I tend to be lazy/not wanting to take meds daily, so I take it only when I'm feeling particularly bad (and as a result never got rid of my congestion when biking). Someone in my office also uses Singulair and says it has let her go off the steroid sprays. I'm wanting to try it, but it's apparently not on our health plan formulary and I have to get my doc to call the insurance company to get permission to prescribe it. :p

Anyhow, spamming here. :) My allergies have been horrendous this past week. Work has fans running or something and I was sneezing nonstop yesterday, then came home and started sneezing and coughing. Ugh.

As for stinging nettle, personally as an person with lots of allergies, especially pollen allergies, I'd be really careful about taking herbal remedies--your husband may react to the nettle. For eg, I can't drink any "herbal" tea--I break out in hives all over. This happened suddenly a few years ago. If you're allergic to pollen, you just don't know if your body will react to an herbal remedy or tea.
 
Bunbun,

That's a good point about the nettle. You must be very careful, especially if you have allergies because you don't know how your body will react.

Again, just because it's a herb (weed?) and natural does not mean it's safe.
 
Hey, Bobbi, have you ever tried taking Benydryl at night to fall asleep AND help your sinuses? For you, wouldn't that be hitting two birds with one pill??
 
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