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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by johnnyj on December 4, 2006, at 2:49:06
Hello everyone:
I have severe allegries (dust mites the worst) and have tried some anti-histamines. I am wondering what has worked for people without making them depressed or increased anxiety.
My allergic symptom is mostly sinus related. It seems to make my head have a lot of tension.
Here is what I have tried:
1. Allegra: I think it caused stomach pains and will probably try it again though.
2. Zyrtec: Wow, made my head feel much better but is making me a zombie. I am so fatigued. I took 10 mg for two days and am now at 5 and still pretty tired. Seem to be kind of depressed and cloudy on it too. The rest is kind of nice but I am FATIGUED all day and after eating it is worse. Does this get better?
3. Claritin: Will give that a try again but seemed weak.Any comments and/or suggestion is welcome.
Have you found any reaction of the anti-histamines with your meds?
Thank you all.
johnnyj
Posted by notfred on December 4, 2006, at 2:49:07
In reply to Anti-histamines, posted by johnnyj on December 3, 2006, at 15:03:50
>
> Here is what I have tried:
> 1. Allegra: I think it caused stomach pains Any comments and/or suggestion is welcome.
>
> Have you found any and will probably try it again though.
Perhaps take it with food. Related to Seldane, the original nonsedating antihistamine.
> 2. Zyrtec: Wow, made my head feel much better but is making me a zombie. I am so fatigued. I took 10 mg for two days and am now at 5 and still pretty tired. Seem to be kind of depressed and cloudy on it too. The rest is kind of nice but I am FATIGUED all day and after eating it is worse. Does this get better?
It is nonsedating for me. It is also the most effective antihistamine I have ever taken.> 3. Claritin: Will give that a try again but seemed weak.
I found it to be weak, also.
Posted by madeline on December 4, 2006, at 2:49:07
In reply to Anti-histamines, posted by johnnyj on December 3, 2006, at 15:03:50
The only anti-histamine that has ever worked for me has been benadryl, largely because it makes me sleep through most of allergy season.
Posted by johnnyj on December 4, 2006, at 2:49:08
In reply to Re: Anti-histamines, posted by notfred on December 3, 2006, at 15:24:29
yes, zyrtec seemed to do so much for my head tension (sinus problems). I woke up the next morning stuffed up and had so much phlegm because my sinus drained. Felt so much better but the fatigue was horrible. My doc said that maybe I am catching up on my sleep and this will go away. I am on 5 mg and will stay at this for a few more days. I was in bed for about 10 hours the past few days. Not sleeping all of the time just tired. But it felt kind of good.
Do you still take zyrtec? I think people that have anxiety on these anithistamines may be taking the "D" type as I was told to stay away from that and will.
Strange how zyrtec was nonsedating for you. We are all so different.
Thanks for the suggestions it is much appreciated.
regards
johnnyj
Posted by notfred on December 4, 2006, at 2:49:08
In reply to Re: Anti-histamines » notfred, posted by johnnyj on December 3, 2006, at 21:51:51
> Do you still take zyrtec? I think people that have anxiety on these anithistamines may be taking the "D" type as I was told to stay away from that and will.
>
Yes, I take zyrtec every day. I don't take the D version, it causes high blood pressure, for me.
All decongestants do that to me.
Posted by Wildflower on December 4, 2006, at 15:08:17
In reply to Anti-histamines, posted by johnnyj on December 3, 2006, at 15:03:50
You sound like me... I think I've tried everything out there.
Have you tried Singulair, Flonase or Astelin? I've found that taking an oral medication alone does not work. I'm currently taking a combo of Singulair (at night) with Flonase (in the morning). My doctor said that there has been some research on combining Flonase and Astelin to help with sinus pressure. You might want to look into that.
Posted by johnnyj on December 4, 2006, at 17:29:12
In reply to Re: Anti-histamines » johnnyj, posted by Wildflower on December 4, 2006, at 15:08:17
Thank you for your response it is greatly appreciated. Do you have any side effects from either of the meds?
Sinus pressure is the worst for me.
regards
johnnyj
Posted by Wildflower on December 4, 2006, at 19:39:14
In reply to Re: Anti-histamines » Wildflower, posted by johnnyj on December 4, 2006, at 17:29:12
Fortunately, I don't notice any side effects from the meds.
Good luck!
Posted by yxibow on December 5, 2006, at 13:23:22
In reply to Re: Anti-histamines » Wildflower, posted by johnnyj on December 4, 2006, at 17:29:12
> Thank you for your response it is greatly appreciated. Do you have any side effects from either of the meds?
>
> Sinus pressure is the worst for me.
>
> regards
>
> johnnyjHave you ever tried (I assume you must have ), preservative free (or not) saline solutions? They can be rather effective at penetrating the passages.
-- Jay
Posted by LlurpsieBlossom on December 7, 2006, at 16:29:08
In reply to Re: Anti-histamines » johnnyj, posted by yxibow on December 5, 2006, at 13:23:22
I take seroquel 300mg, which is not intended to treat my allergies, but does a fantastic job. in addition to being an atypical antipsychotic, it has some antihistimine actions.
Pdoc told me that the reason why some antihistamines make me sleepy (seroquel knocks me out like * that) is because they cross the blood brain barrier. Benedryl crosses BBB, but claritin doesn't.
I dunno about any of the others. I'm pretty satisfied with seroquel, plus 10mg claritin when necessary, and albuterol inhaler standing by for wheezing.
-ll
Posted by JLx on December 9, 2006, at 16:05:33
In reply to Anti-histamines, posted by johnnyj on December 3, 2006, at 15:03:50
I used to take tons of prescription antihistamines and decongestants, had the allergy shots, etc. but rarely have any problems any more.
For several years, when my allergies flaired up, I took a product from NOW foods called Respir-all http://www.nowfoods.com/?action=itemdetail&item_id=3001 This product contains quercetin, which is recommended by Dr. Andrew Weil for allergies.
"Quercetin is found in buckwheat and citrus fruits. I recommend it for allergies because it appears to stabilize the membranes of cells that release histamine, the mediator of allergic reactions. Taking quercetin is preventive, that is, you take it regularly to prevent symptoms from developing, not just to deal with them when they occur. And it has to build up in your system to work; allow six to eight weeks to see what it can do for you. Take 400 milligrams twice a day between meals." http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA158469
I think it is the other things I take that have gradually built up my resistance to allergies so that I don't take Respir-all any more, such as selenium, fish oil, magnesium, Vitamin E, bromelain, Vitamin C, Vit B12.
Antihistamines and decongestants also have a rebound affect. Perhaps discontinuing all of them for a time may "right" your system.
JL
Posted by johnnyj on December 17, 2006, at 20:31:42
In reply to Re: Anti-histamines » johnnyj, posted by JLx on December 9, 2006, at 16:05:33
I have found claritin to be quite weak but it has no side effects.
Allegra, is pretty good, but I have a constant slight headache. I am wondering it it is ok to take something every day for the headache. I guess there are others I can try too. Maybe the headache side effect will go away after a time?
Allegra also messes a little with my hearing. Something going on with my sinus.
I have tried some quertin and had some side effects so I am going to lay off it and try it again.
I am going through allergy shots and it just takes time.
Awesome info from you all thank you.
johnnyj
Posted by johnnyj on December 20, 2006, at 9:24:00
In reply to Re: Anti-histamines » johnnyj, posted by JLx on December 9, 2006, at 16:05:33
Update:
I started Allegra again and it seems to work very well except for a slight headache. Well, the last few days I feel "depressed" and today I kind of feel like crying. I don't feel too bad after taking it but the next morning is not good. I did a search on google and a side effect is depression. I am irritable too. This is terrible because the sinus pressure is about 70% better and I have some energy but I don't feel very well.
This really is bumming me out. Zyrtec was good also but the FATIGUE was terrible.
This is the end of the thread.
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