I love everything about HRT except this nose!

[shaniam]

OK, I have a rather unusual dilemma. Has anybody heard of this?

I've been on HRT (androcur, estrace) for coming on a year and am feminizing quite nicely. My face has changed and all the masculine lines are gone, my body is softer, and the little girls are coming along very well. I'm quite happy with the results, though I've developed an unusual problem I didn't expect.

I've had seasonal allergies for a few years, the occasional hay fever, and I had also noticed getting the sniffles when putting on makeup, etc. Now however, it feels like my allergies have exploded. Every morning, it's the same thing: watery eyes, runny nose, and sticky saliva that makes me want to spit all the time. I can barely walk down the street without wiping my nose and face, and by the time I get to work I'm a total mess. After about an hour or so, it usually passes and I'm OK. I've tried a few things that've helped. I take anti-histamines daily, and I've greatly reduced my coffee intake, that was really bothering me. Also, I no longer used any perfumes or scented products. I've noticed chewing gum also decreases the urge to spit constantly, but still it's a problem.

I wasn't sure what it was at first, but it seems to coincide with the time I first started estrogen. I talked to my doctor about it. She agrees and said a lot of pregnant women also experience these symptoms. I've increased my dosages a couple of times, so she feels it'll probably die down after a while. I'm not so sure.

Has anybody else ever heard of this? Did it go away, or was this a lasting problem for you? Is there anything I can do to treat this other than what I'm doing?

Thanks.

-Shannon

[Jade H]

Wow, it struck me recently that just the opposite seems to be happening to me...
I've always had issues with sinusitis and general air-borne allergies, but in the last 7 months (since starting E) I've been fine. I was however been taken off Androcur when I started E. Perhaps it's more to do with A than with the E?
Just shows again how we all react differently...
In my case it could also simply be a "state-of-mind" thing?

[lady amarant]

I've had sinus problems my whole life, and I found going vegan made a HUGE improvement to my life. Try and cut dairy out of your diet for two or three weeks and see if there's any improvement.

~Simone.

[Audrey]

you know after starting HRT my allergies and hayfever symptoms did get way worse for awhile.  My sensitivity to allergens has increased quite a bit, especially cigarette smoke.  It seems to have gotten a little better though after about 9 months to a year.

[shaniam]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. I was wondering if this thread was going to get a response.

lady_amarant, you may have something there. I was wondering about dairy as well. I put milk in my coffee, as well as on my cereal in the morning. It might be part of the problem. Something else to cut out of my diet, see if it makes a difference.

-Shannon

[Princess_Jasmine]

If you find that none of the above is the problem, I suggest seeing an allergist because if you have had hay fever symptoms for a while and just recently they are exploding, it could just mean your allergies are growing worse.

In my case, my allergies got worse and worse over years to the point I cant even sing anymore because I have so much post nasal drip. I get allergy shots now to make my body less sensitive to the allergens. You might want to get tested for allergies and see what you are allergic to. That can help you to know what ya need to avoid

[shaniam]

If you find that none of the above is the problem, I suggest seeing an allergist because if you have had hay fever symptoms for a while and just recently they are exploding, it could just mean your allergies are growing worse.

In my case, my allergies got worse and worse over years to the point I cant even sing anymore because I have so much post nasal drip. I get allergy shots now to make my body less sensitive to the allergens. You might want to get tested for allergies and see what you are allergic to. That can help you to know what ya need to avoid

Sounds like good advice.

I'm still hoping my doctor is right, and this'll pass. If not, getting tested by an allergist is the next logical step.

-Shan