Flonase Allergy Relief Nasal Spray, 24 Hour Non Drowsy Allergy Medicine, Metered Nasal Spray - 120 Sprays, 0.54 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)

As a physician, I've offered this to my patients for years and have gotten good feedback. Now, I've used it my self and I'm very pleased with the results. I recently moved back to Houston, TX and I've noticed that the pollen here has really been affecting me. I would get the classic symptoms of sneezing, scratchy throat, runny nose, and itchy eyes. It got to the point where I had to take Zyrtec every single day. Of course, I always prefer to not be on medications every single day but this was a case where the benefits outweighed the risks because without treatment I felt quite miserable. The Zyrtec (anti-histamine) was working well but I didn't like the idea of being on an anti-histamine for prolonged periods of time. Although it is generally considered safe to be on continuous anti-histamines, histamine is an important chemical signaler in the human body and has a wide array of functions. Therefore, I suspect there could be a possibility of unwanted effects with prolonged anti-histamines. There are a few studies that showed small amounts of weight gain in males who used prolonged anti-histamines; though this should be taken with a grain of salt as it is too early to make big speculations from these studies and there could have been confounding factors. Still, I wanted the ability to at least alternate between anti allergy therapies so that I would not have to be on a particular one for prolonged periods of time. Therefore, I ordered some flonase and tried it for my self. I have been using it as the manufacturer recommends with 2 puffs per nostril per day for 1 week, then 1 puff per nostril per day. I am happy to report that I have had very effective control of allergy symptoms with Flonase starting from Day 2 (day 1 I also took Zyrtec as a bridge). It works just as well as the anti-histamines have worked for me. Even the effects of dust and cat dander have been controlled well by using Flonase. Of course, this is a steroid therefore there is a possibility of reduced immune function in the area of prolonged exposure. It is rare, but in some individuals they can develop an opportunistic candidal (fungal) infection on the the back of the mouth similar to what rarely happens to asthmatics who inhale nebulized steroids for prolonged periods of time. If that were to happen, that is easily treated with antifungal mouthwash. Again, this is a rare adverse affect but as a doctor I feel it should be mention it still. My personal plan is to alternate between therapies. Likely, I'll use Flonase for 2 months then Zyrtec for 2 months then switch back again. There are no studies behind this method but it is what I will personally do. I have recommended Flonase in the past to my patients based on clinical trials and patient feedback, and now I can recommend it based on my own personal use. Pros: - Effective control of allergy symptoms when taken regularly - Does not put an overly unpleasant taste into nasopharynx/oropharynx (back of mouth) Cons (relative): - Has to be taken every day

Just wanted to offer some tips that may help people to get more of the product out of the bottle. My generation was always used to nose drops, which required you to tilt your head back to administer them, so that is what I was trying to do with my Flonase, as it felt natural to me. I finally figured out that the applicator works better if you put your chin DOWN. and hold the bottle level. As the bottle gets empty, I take a flashlight to see through the brown glass of the bottle, to see which way the tiny hose inside it is curving. You can get a little more out by tilting the bottle accordingly as you administer them to yourself. I suggest buying the 120 dose bottle over the 60 dose....to lessen the occurrence of the "last little bit not wanting to come out" situation. And as the directions say to shake it GENTLY, I think it helps to just sort of swirl the bottle around as it gets empty, that way the product stays at the bottom of the tiny hose, and is not lost coating the sides of the bottle. All that said, I love Flonase...it has made a big difference in my overall health. Previously, it seemed like every time I caught a small cold or had an allergy flare up, it always blew up into a sinus infection, then to sore throat, then to bronchitis, and twice, into pneumonia. Flonase nips the problem in the bud, before it has time to grow into something worse.

Best solution I've found, by far, and I've tried a LOT. This is the first time in years I haven't had to take at least one Cetirizine (Zyrtec) every single day, and I often took 2 or more in a day. My allergies (and/or like non-allergic rhinitis) were minor most of the time, but they were constant. And at least a few times a year, they would flare up severely: I would have to take combinations multiple doses of multiple antihistamines every day for several days or more- I'm talking 3 cetirizine, 2 diphenhydramine, and couple chlorpheniramine maleate.. Sometimes even more than this, and sometimes I even had to resort to Prednisone. This sounds like an insane amount of drugs to take, but that's what it took for me to function. I also tried various nasal sprays, both prescription and non (Astelin, Nasalcrom, and prescription steroid sprays that I can't remember). I've only been using Flonase for about 2 months at this point (on my second bottle, and I stretched the first one out long past its labeled doses), but so far I've almost completely stopped taking zyrtec or any other antihistamine. I can't remember the last time I took any, but probably have a few times since I started Flonase. These are dramatic results for me. I know steroid sprays aren't without side effects, but being free from taking systemic antihistamines is huge for me, and my liver and body will probably thank me in ways I don't even realize.. Who knows how well this solution will work long term, but for now this stuff is remarkable, and worth it's weight in gold.