Spring Allergies

Chrisann · 04-29-2008, 08:10 AM

Does anyone know of a good antihistamine and decongestant for spring allergies? I can't take the pill anymore, its too large, (I tried and it got stuck for hours!!!) and the doctor said to not crush decongestants. She recommended liquid, but I can't be carrying a bottle around all day. The other suggestion was melt in your mouth antihistamines, but that still doesn't solve my decongestant problem.

I tried the sinus capsules, opened it up and put the pellets in my smoothie, didn't work. Tried regular cold and sinus gels, didn't work either.

If anyone has any ideas that work, please let me know.

Southern Missy · 04-29-2008, 08:28 AM

Hi Chrisann! Living in Alabama, we definitely know the ins and outs of ALLERGIES. I used to get sick 3 or 4 times a year with sinus stuff and then last year my PCP put me on Singulair. It is a prescription but MAN, IT ROCKS! We are a family of 6 and all of them have been sick twice this year while I have been just fine. It works great! Singulair is small but also comes in a chewable. Most doctor offices have samples although I don't know if they have the chewable samples, hmm...

Anyway, hope this helps!

rnmom80 · 04-29-2008, 08:35 AM

I use Zertec which is over the counter now and is really small. Claritin also has a dissolving tablet available now. Zertec works better for me. Good luck!

NanaRenan · 04-29-2008, 08:47 AM

Two Words:

Neti Pot!!!!

Before my Lap Band surgery I had a 30+ year Sudafed/Mucinex 24/7 habit, with about three or four rounds of antibiotics a year when it went to sinusitis.

I'd heard about the neti pot (Bought one called SinuCleanse from Walgreen's for about $15.) and decided post surgery was the time to use it. I'll be 9 months post-op May 14th and I've not taken a single pill for congestion or drainage or anything related to my sinus SINCE!

I started out using it twice a day, but now I only use it when I needed it which is typically two or three times a week.

It's worth a try -- crushed pills AND liquid meds are YUCKY!

Good luck!!

bandster_1007 · 04-29-2008, 08:51 AM

here in arkansas allergies are a big problem also, i personally do not suffer, but my 7 year old has been tested and is allergic to all the good stuff, weeds, grass, etc. they have a liquid zyrtec now, that i give him regularly, and then as for the decongestant you can always use a nose spray.

i know that the claritin and zyrtec pills are small, but when i am at my right fill (recently unfilled), i cannot even keep down a birth control pill, comes right back up...so i'm slowly educating myself on all the alternative medications.

Cerrin · 04-29-2008, 09:16 AM

I have to second Nana on the neti pot. Really worth it.
Little ackward to use to start. But I do mine in the shower. lol I kinda get messy otherwise. But it is great!

Glogirl · 04-29-2008, 09:37 AM

I am having a lot of difficulty with the drainage issue and my Lap Band do you think the neti pot would help with that?

bandster_1007 · 04-29-2008, 09:42 AM

what exactly is this neti pot, and can 7 year olds use it?

mammanan · 04-29-2008, 10:40 AM

Tavist and Claritin are both good over the counter antihistamines that come as liquid ( and in the case of claritin.. as dissolvable tabs) ..Both are band friendly but don't contain decongestants... I think the decongestant containing form Claritin D only comes as a tablet.

I love Singlular because it is a once a day med that helps asthma and allergys but also contains no decongestant. It is prescription only and the adultt dose of 10 mg is a swallowable tab ( but you could have your MD prescribe 2 of the 5mg chewables to be lap OK).. I am a pediatrician and have never had a patient object to the taste!!!

The neti pot, as I understand it ,is a nasal cleansing system using a saline (salt water) solution....and should be fine to use in a 7 year old if they don't object to it...

Another thought would be to talk to your MD about prescribing a nasal steroid as this might negate the need for a decongestant...

Final thoughts... there are chewable children's cold and allergy meds that include decangestants... often the dose is only written for up to 12 years of age... but if you compare mgs with adult equivalent meds you can still use these as an adult..

Good Luck,
Nancy

Cerrin · 04-29-2008, 10:45 AM

Hope this helps explain what a neti pot does.

Nasal irrigation is a personal hygiene practice which involves flooding the nasal cavity with warm saline solution (salt water). The goal of nasal irrigation is to clear out excess mucus and particulates and moisturize the nasal cavity. Either a fluid-filled syringe or a neti pot can be used. The practice has been subjected to clinical testing and has been found to be safe and beneficial, with no apparent side effects.

The saline solution irrigation and nasal flush promotes good nasal health. It can be used by patients with chronic sinusitis including symptoms of facial pain, headache, halitosis, cough, anterior rhinorrhea (watery discharge), and one study has even reported that nasal irrigation was “just as effective at treating these symptoms as the drug therapies.”[3][dubious – discuss] In other studies, “daily hypertonic saline nasal irrigation improves sinus-related quality of life, decreases symptoms, and decreases medication use in patients with frequent sinusitis,[2]” and irrigation is recommended as an “effective adjunctive treatment of chronic sinonasal symptoms.”[4][5]
Nasal irrigation is reputed to help prevent colds and otherwise promote good nasal health by cleaning out the nasal passages and helps alleviate stuffiness, dryness and the symptoms of allergies.[citation needed].
For those who suffer from chronic sinusitis, nasal irrigation is a quick and inexpensive way to promote ciliary function and mucus turnover, decrease edema, and improve drainage through the sinus ostia.
To summarize, nasal irrigation can purportedly:

Clear out sticky, persistent mucus and help reduce nasal congestion
Cleanse and rid the sinus cavities of allergens, irritants, and contaminants
Treat chronic sinusitis
Treat acute bacterial rhinosinusitis[2]
Treat allergic rhinitis
Prevent common colds and flu
Relieve nasal dryness
Promote healthy nasal passages
Treat empty nose syndrome (a crippled nose caused by over-aggressive turbinate resection)
Improve breathing
Reduce coughing and other symptoms of post-nasal drip
Temporarily reduce symptoms of phantosmia
Generally improve sinus health.

Yogic breathing practices known as pranayama are enhanced by the practice of jala neti since many of them involve deep breathing through the nostrils.
Other benefits practitioners may notice:

Vision is clearer. Jala neti will clean the tear ducts, enabling better cleaning and moistening of the eyes.
Improved sense of smell
Improved sense of taste
Deeper, more relaxed breathing