Ricky,
Having very recently gone through the exact same thing, I think I shall add my tupence
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Having wanted to be a military pilot since I've been able to comprehend what a job is, I went to apply directly after my A levels... to cut a long story short, I was honest, and despite no medical history of hay fever, I said I had suffered from symptoms (i.e. sneezing, don't know whether it was hay fever or not). Despite sending a doctors note up too Cranwell explaining that my medical records were clean; I too have been declared unfit for aircrew until 2010.
I know exactly how you feel, for me it was worse than when I lost a close relative a few years back... I felt destroyed (and incredibly stupid for mentioning it). Pick yourself up from it fella!... currently I'm deciding what to do next. I've been accepted to start a History degree next year, which I may well change to a BEng or BSc in Aeronautical engineering. Alternate to that, I am considering going forward for selection as a Rock officer, and looking at getting a transfer to pilot at a later date. Though I do not know how feasible this is.
You are the same age as me, cut off for RAF pilot is 24 to start IOT, and 26 to start RMAS for AAC. That leaves a fair few years to work with. Looked at Universities? As my boxing coaches say 'take it on the chin and crack on'... what the RAF docs have said, perhaps seems silly to the both of us. However, there's 'nowt' we can do about it other than make sure that we are better prepared and determined when we do get an opportunity to go for it
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I've deliberately not put this in a PM, any advice or criticism on my post/situation is welcome
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