How crummy! For the pollen issues, have you ever considered using a neti pot? I know it sounds really unpleasant, but neti-ing on a regular basis in the spring has been as effective for my hay fever as antihistamines ever were, and it doesn't make me stupid drowsy all day long.

I used to have at least one or two days every spring when I would just have to go home and take the day off work -- either the uncontrollable sneezing or being completely drugged out on Benadryl would make it completely impossible to get anything done. These days I have no problem with pollen, and it's mildly amazing to me.