allergy meds

dancer · Post by **dancer** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 10:04 am

Having trouble with allergies/nasal congestion and considering Claritin type med - any wisdom out there?

birdiebaby · Post by **birdiebaby** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 10:27 am

Hi Dancer,

For me, Claritin does an OK job. It's available in generic for for less cost at the warehouse stores than I can get an Rx antihistamine for. But to be honest, my allergies are such that it makes only a moderate impact on me.

I saw my sleep doc/ENT yesterday, and he wants me to flush my sinus daily with a Grossan Nasal Irrigator. Additionally, he prescribed a nasal steroid spray. If your allergy sypmtoms are primarily nasal, NasalCrom is an anti inflammatory that's available over the counter. You might want to test those waters first. If it has any impact on your allergies, you may want to contact your Dr. for other options by Rx.

northernlights · Post by **northernlights** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 10:56 am

Hi:

I've been on Flonase for several years now, and never have a problem with allergies (even with a dog and a cat in the house!!) anymore. You have to get this by precription (at least up here in Canada), but it really is a wonderful med. I'm sure it helps my usage of the CPAP be more effective. Actually, I'm finding that since I've been on the machine, my allergies seem even less active. Hmmmmm. Anyways, good luck!!

Steve.

sarnadle_vector · Post by **sarnadle_vector** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 11:49 am

Astelin is a great, spray-in, type prescription med. It really helps with sinus swelling and general congestion. I also use Liquibed-D (guaifenesin) to control deeper head congestion...and the sinu-cleanse neti-pot stuff is really helpful too.

-SV

http://www.hearmesnore.com

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 12:20 pm

The gold standard of mucolytics (mucous thinning medications) is water. If you get sinus problems easily up the usual recommendation of 6 to 8 cups of water a day to 8 to 10, even 12 in hot weather-and if you work in the heat it goes even higher. You don't get to count caffeine containing drinks and hard alcohol. Herbal tea, lemonade, beer, soup, watermelon & high fluid content foods, all count.

Try the claritin if you don't have any contraindications (see the box) and if you need a little more add nasalcrom spray. If that combo doesn't work you'll probably need to go to a steroid spray or the new antihistamine spray (Astelin). Claritin is an excellent drug-the best I've ever used-better than any of the RX'd drugs for me. Being OTC does not indicate a drug is used for more severe allergies-it is that it has been in use a long time with few serious side effects and the insurance companies pushed to make it OTC (they won't pay for them once they are OTC). Some of the other Rx drugs will be going over the counter. It is what works for you. Different allergy meds can work better for different allergens. Some work better for molds, while some work better for pollen. If you know your allergies it helps otherwise get samples from the doc and see what works for you. Going to an allergist helps as they get loads of samples.

dancer · Post by **dancer** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 3:12 pm

Thanks for the responses! My allergies are a minor problem and I'm sure the Claritin will help; I've used it before and have no contraindications. I can't take other antihistamines as I hate the "head buzz" and anxiety they give me. Nasal spray will be my next step if the Claritin doesn't work. Again, thanks for responding!

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 3:41 pm

I highly recommend that you consider a much simpler and cheaper home made saline rinse.

The idea behind it is that with regular use (once a week or so) you flush out all the allergens clinging to the nasal/sinus cavity walls which contribute to allergies and nasal congestion to begin with. You address the root cause of allergie related symptoms.

All of the antihistamines including Claritin have their side effects, that being drowsiness even if they say non-drowsy* on the box.

* see drug facts panel

The saline solution is simple to make at home:

-1/4 teaspoon of tablesalt in a 12oz water glass.
-pinch of Arm & Hammer baking soda (yep it's pure).
-fill the glass with pure water, give it a stir

You can start with Morton's iodized tablesalt but with continued use some people can get irrititation from the iodine in the salt, but you can buy non-idodized Morton salt with without. $.59 at Albertsons, the ear aspirator is in the baby section on top shelf for $3 bucks. Think Arm & Hammer is $.59 cents for a box.

After mixing, I nuke it in the microwave for 30-seconds (check your temp) and use a baby ear aspirator holding head over sink to rinse out nasals passages, I use half the water solution on left side, the other half on right side. Yep that pinch of baking soda makes that dried mucosa come flying out. Just like swimming.

You can also use a ceramic yoga netti pot instead of the ear aspirator, it is easier to clean and sanitize but I find the ear aspirator works better.

Start off every night before bed, then you'll find you only need it every other day or so, then after a week maybe only once a week and maybe not as frequent after that. But you probably won't need the Claritin any longer.

Claritin comes in 2 forms. One is Claritin-D which contains Loratadine 10mg/Pseudoephedrine Sulfate the nasal decongestant.

So if you have a lot of thick mucosa in the back of the throat possibly going down even to the lungs then use the D version otherwise use the non-D version which is just Loratadine 10mg.

Note: Claritin is expensive, go to Costco and you can buy generic Claritin for much less. I use the Kirkland brand "AllerClear" which is Loratine 10mg, EXACT same chemical as plain Claritin, it costs only $14 for 300 tablets.

Claritin-D is now a controlled substance due to the meth heads so you have to take the card to the pharmacy to get it. They also have a Allerclear version of the Claritin-D for much less.

Nasal congestion has a big impact on cpap therapy and mouth breathing. Address it and life will get easier.

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 3:54 pm

It is interesting how different things work for different people-when I have a lot of thick mucous I avoid pseudoephedrine as it dries out & thickens the mucous more for me. It is only when I have the non-stop watery/runny nose that I take it. Water is what helps the thick stuff for me-but use the nasal rinses too to help keep things loose and flush allergens, dust, etc.