Allergies suck!

[llama44]

I seem to have just developed allergies this past year. Right now they are really bad. I itch all over and I keep sneezing and my nose is full of gunk. Dang! I'm taking benedryl and was wondering what the "normal" dosage of that is. Or how often I can take it a day. Right now I'm only supposed to take 12.5 mg in the morning (they thought it was making me sleepy, but I'm so used to it now) and 50mg at bedtime. Is that normal? And to top it all off my fiance is trying to sleep in and I can't stop sneezing so I'm sure I'm keeping him awake.

[LunaRufina]

Depending on what the allergies are, you may need to try something else instead. You could give zyrtec or claritin a go, but check for med interactions.

I don't know much about the actual workings of allergy meds I just know sometimes different ones work better for different allergies.

Here' a comparative allergy med chart:

http://www.aaaai.org/patients/resources/medicationguide/allergymedication.stm

I don't know how helpful it is, but it just tells you your options and give you some links where maybe you can find some more info.

[notfred]

I have major allergies, so much so I relocated across the US to get away from some of my allergens.

You want Zyrtec, it is the longer lasting and more powerful of the OTC antihistamines. It was prescription until a few years ago. Its generic is cetirizine, it is OTC. you can buy the brand, Zyrtec OTC, also.

I have not have any problems with interactions with the 14 + meds I take. As with most 3d generation antihistamines Zyrtec is non drowsy for most.

If you don't want to take meds all your life you can try allergy desensitization shots, see the Allergist for those. They take a while, it is a series of shots taken every week for a while but they have allowed me to reduce my use of allergy meds.

If your complaints are mainly concerning your nose and Zyrtec does not do it, Rx steroid nasal sprays have been around over 30 years, so we really know the steroid says in the lining of your nose and does not go into your system. They are very very effective at treating nasal allergy symptoms. There are a number of these sprays that are generic. I have taken a nasal steroid spray continually since 1981 with no problems. They work extremely well for me and relieve all my nasal symptoms.

There are a number a nasal rinsing systems on the market, I use Neil Med. It is not near a bad as it sounds. It is actually quite easy to do. I urgue you to try a nasal saline rinse, it is an effective and OTC treatment. Very decongesting and soothing. Walgreen has Neil Med.

nf

[llama44]

Thanks for the tips guys! I will definitely look into zyrtec. That's good that they have a generic. Also sprays don't sound too bad either. I am so new to this so your help is greatly appreciated!

[null0trooper]

Depending on what the allergies are, you may need to try something else instead. You could give zyrtec or claritin a go, but check for med interactions.

I don't know much about the actual workings of allergy meds I just know sometimes different ones work better for different allergies.

For some (severe) allergies, a person can end up needing a combination of diphenhydramine, cimetidine (both are antihistamines, but go after different receptors), AND prednisone and still have serious reactions. With the person I'm thinking of, it didn't entirely help that she also had reacted paradoxically to the diphenhydramine.

In my experience, a person can go literally for weeks taking 50 mg diphenhydramine every 6 hours. I plead the Fifth Amendment regarding what might happen to the next doctor who puts me in that position again.