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  #1  
Old 04-13-2008, 11:43 AM
MrNomad's Avatar
MrNomad MrNomad is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 823
Smile Allergies and altitude - Help please!

Hi, I recognize this question is a little offbeat but my 40 hours are done and I'd like to take the 9A for a long trip. The problem is allergies and the Tucson spring. I refuse to fly while taking antihistamines which dull your senses.

Does anyone have any information about the affects of pollen and such once you're at 8500 feet or higher? In other words, will the allergy get worse or better once we're at altitude?

I'd love to take a trip but I'm NOT about to break my new toy.

Thanks.
Barry
Tucson

Last edited by MrNomad : 04-13-2008 at 11:43 AM. Reason: spelling
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  #2  
Old 04-13-2008, 12:26 PM
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craigvince craigvince is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Stockton, CA
Posts: 1,207
Default Allergies

My experience has been the clear air at altitude clears my head. BUT, if you have any sinus pressure from your allergies, stay out of the air. Altitude will make you feel like your head is going to explode. (Don't ask me how I know.)
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  #3  
Old 04-13-2008, 12:37 PM
Yukon Yukon is offline
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Location: Phoenix, Az
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I took a flying job in Kansas back in the 70's and found I had an allergy to something that was growing in the local area. Driving into town my eyes were watering so bad I could hardly drive the car. But when I was flying, I had absolutely no symptoms above about a 1000 feet. When I landed, it would start again. Lasted all summer.
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  #4  
Old 04-13-2008, 12:40 PM
rvtach rvtach is offline
 
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Location: Tucson, AZ
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This freakin' wind in Tucson today doesn't help the allergy situation any but, I suspect that the farther you get from the source of the pollen, dust, mold etc that triggers your allergies the lower the concenration of those allergens and the less severe your hayfever will be. I.e. since the pollen etc originate near the surface the higher you go the less of it you will encounter. Just a guess.

That said, my experience has been that the real problem is the congestion that goes along with the allergies making a trip to higher altitudes uncomfortable or even painful. My goal generally is to relieve the congestion; not the allergy. So, I don't take anti-histamines (like Benadryl which is also used as an over the counter sleeping aid ). I take a decongestant like Sudafed which is non-drowsy.
  • YMMV.
  • Be careful taking these things if you have high blood pressure.
  • I'd also suggest trying it on the ground a few times before you go flying with it.
  • This post should not be construed as medical advice. When in doubt check with your doctor.
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  #5  
Old 04-13-2008, 12:52 PM
woxofswa woxofswa is offline
 
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Location: Mesa Arizona
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I live not too far from Tucson and can appreciate the misery. I fly for a living and use Allegra D and it does the job for me, with no side effects. It is on the FAA approved list.
I find that flying improves my allergy symptom.
Also, a wise old AME once told me to always carry one of those decongestant nasal sprays in my flight bag, not to use regularly, but to have just in case you get a sinus block while flying and your head starts to cave in on descent. It has saved my bacon a couple of times.
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  #6  
Old 04-13-2008, 01:18 PM
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Mike S Mike S is offline
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Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MrNomad View Post
but my 40 hours are done and I'd like to take the 9A for a long trip.
Thanks. Barry
Tucson
So, I guess I am the only one to notice you have achieved freedom

I agree with the decongestant not antihistamine comments, FWIW.

Enjoy your new found freedom.
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VAF 909

Rv-10, N210LM.

Flying as of 12/4/2010

Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011

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"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."
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  #7  
Old 04-13-2008, 01:25 PM
RScott RScott is offline
 
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Location: Estacada, OR
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Claritin, Allegra and Singulair are all non-drowsy inducing.

Any with the suffix "D" also have Sudafed which is a stimulant and may also dry out your system. For me, Sudafed does no good and has adverse side effects.

Problem with meds may be that once you get to altitude your nasal passages may get too dry.

You can wear a pollen mask for an hour or 2 before flying. May look funny, but it filters out the allergens & lets your head clear. Then when you get to altitude, you will be above the junk and are good until you land again. We have lots of pollen in western Oregon & I have seen several people wearing a pollen mask while mowing grass.
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  #8  
Old 04-13-2008, 01:37 PM
TSwezey TSwezey is offline
 
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Location: Savannah, GA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by woxofswa View Post
I live not too far from Tucson and can appreciate the misery. I fly for a living and use Allegra D and it does the job for me, with no side effects. It is on the FAA approved list.
I find that flying improves my allergy symptom.
Also, a wise old AME once told me to always carry one of those decongestant nasal sprays in my flight bag, not to use regularly, but to have just in case you get a sinus block while flying and your head starts to cave in on descent. It has saved my bacon a couple of times.
I use Allegra-D also. I couldn't survive the Savannah Pollen Fest without it.
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  #9  
Old 04-13-2008, 01:57 PM
N258RE N258RE is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MI
Posts: 59
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Astelin is not FAA approved,if you are a member of AOPA there is a tool to search all the drugs to find out what is approved and what is not,

I just go get shots every week
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  #10  
Old 04-13-2008, 02:55 PM
the_other_dougreeves the_other_dougreeves is offline
 
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Location: Dallas, TX (ADS)
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Air is drier at altitude - this will affect you if you have sinus / allergy problems. Sudafed helps.

In general, you won't have the same pollen / allergan / dust problems you do at the surface - the air is cleaner, but by no means "clean" unless you're somewhere off the Washington coast. The NW corner of Washington is where we get the cleanest air in the US - that's why we sample there to get nice backgrounds.

TODR
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