I can't take it anymore - what should I ask for?

[episodic]

Claritin with the pseuphedrine (spelling) extended release doesn't work. Neither does Zyrtec Extended release. Both are the new 'over the counter' allergy medicines. 2 benadryl work for like 4 hours.

What should I ask the doctor for?

Symptons: Sneezing Fits, runny nose, eyes watering.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: episodic
Claritin with the pseuphedrine (spelling) extended release doesn't work. Neither does Zyrtec Extended release. Both are the new 'over the counter' allergy medicines. 2 benadryl work for like 4 hours.

What should I ask the doctor for?

Symptons: Sneezing Fits, runny nose, eyes watering.

let me know when you find something. i have a friend who can't find anything that works either.

have you tried any nose sprays, like Nasonex?

 

[blackdogdeek]

that weekly shot thing? there was another thread about the OP having to get shots every week. after 2 years he's allergy free. i think that's what he said.

EDIT: here you go

 

[SSSnail]

Try the generic medicine of the same family instead of the branded ones, they work wonders. The two pharmacists in my household told me that.

 

[episodic]

I was using the generic loratadine (claritin). Don't think there is a generiz Zyrtec yet.

Allergy shots are problematic. I live 100 miles from where I'd have to drive back and forth for a while to get tested, etc. Huge expensive pain for me. Anything else 'prescription' wise that I can ask for that works?

Flonase anyone? Singular. . .? What?

 

[Analog]

Well, I can tell you all the things you mentioned don't work for me either. So I'll tell you what works for me - you have to decide for yourself. When I'm really bad (like ragweed season), I use Naphcon-X for the eyes (OTC), Singulair pills (prescription), and the most important, which is also a prescription, Astelin nasal spray. I've tried just about everything and this triad really works, no drowsiness.

I know it requires a prescription, but that's what it'll take. HTH

 

[episodic]

I don't mind the prescription, the allergy clinic is just too far for the shots. The local family pracs want to refer you for the shots, they'll write the scrips.

 

[tefleming]

Originally posted by: episodic
I was using the generic loratadine (claritin). Don't think there is a generiz Zyrtec yet.

Allergy shots are problematic. I live 100 miles from where I'd have to drive back and forth for a while to get tested, etc. Huge expensive pain for me. Anything else 'prescription' wise that I can ask for that works?

Flonase anyone? Singular. . .? What?

They do make a generic Zyrtec.

I'm using Fexofenadine (generic Allegra 180) and Fluticasone Propionate (generic Flonase).

Between those two, I'm usually pretty good. I've recently added Astelin to the mix (only periodically for congestion).

 

[blackdogdeek]

100 miles? i don't know how the shots work but wouldn't you just get a needle and a bottle of stuff that should last a while? i admit i'm completely ignorant on the topic but i can't imagine the most prohibitive aspect of the shots would be proximity to a distribution center.

 

[lizardth]

neti pot + claritin does the trick for me

 

[Mr Pickles]

Why not let the doctor tell you what you should use instead of you telling the doctor? Weird concept, I know, with our 3 minute WebMD searches and 5 minute off topic forum posts from random, uneducated people. Believe it or not, your doctor is a professional when it comes to health.

 

[robphelan]

the only thing that ever worked for me was Claritin D... however, I found that OTC Afrin nasal spray works great - clears me up faster than claritin d and a whole lot cheaper.

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: Mr Pickles
Why not let the doctor tell you what you should use instead of you telling the doctor? Weird concept, I know, with our 3 minute WebMD searches and 5 minute off topic forum posts from random, uneducated people. Believe it or not, your doctor is a professional when it comes to health.

I have a hard time trusting. I once had to call a doctor back for my wife after she waited 4 hours to see him for nausea and left without one scrip for nausea. I had to call him back and say, ummm, maybe some phenegran? I find it is best to be proactive and tell them what you want. If it is contraindicated, fine - tell me. Otherwise, just write the scrip.

Now if I had heart disease, cancer, or something else, I'd yield to a professional - but you better believe I'd be like - "what about this or that" constantly. You can find many many stories about people that are proactive and do some research themselves can (and often are) be in a better position. I simply wanted to know what else worked for people here.

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
100 miles? i don't know how the shots work but wouldn't you just get a needle and a bottle of stuff that should last a while? i admit i'm completely ignorant on the topic but i can't imagine the most prohibitive aspect of the shots would be proximity to a distribution center.

Gas 4.00 a gallon. Time off work.

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: tefleming

Originally posted by: episodic
I was using the generic loratadine (claritin). Don't think there is a generiz Zyrtec yet.

Allergy shots are problematic. I live 100 miles from where I'd have to drive back and forth for a while to get tested, etc. Huge expensive pain for me. Anything else 'prescription' wise that I can ask for that works?

Flonase anyone? Singular. . .? What?

They do make a generic Zyrtec.

I'm using Fexofenadine (generic Allegra 180) and Fluticasone Propionate (generic Flonase).

Between those two, I'm usually pretty good. I've recently added Astelin to the mix (only periodically for congestion).

I didn't think that Allegra had a generic yet. Are you in the US?

 

[blackdogdeek]

Originally posted by: episodic

Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
100 miles? i don't know how the shots work but wouldn't you just get a needle and a bottle of stuff that should last a while? i admit i'm completely ignorant on the topic but i can't imagine the most prohibitive aspect of the shots would be proximity to a distribution center.

Gas 4.00 a gallon. Time off work.

i agree that if it were 100 miles away it would make no sense. i just thought you could give them to yourself instead of having a clinic do it.

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: episodic
I was using the generic loratadine (claritin). Don't think there is a generiz Zyrtec yet.

Allergy shots are problematic. I live 100 miles from where I'd have to drive back and forth for a while to get tested, etc. Huge expensive pain for me. Anything else 'prescription' wise that I can ask for that works?

Flonase anyone? Singular. . .? What?

Is it 100 miles for someone in your insurance network, or just 100 miles to the closest place that can do it (Which would put you in the middle of nowhere, USA)

 

[marleymarl]

I'm on Nasonex and I havent had an allergy attack in over a year and I live in the allergy capital of the US. 2 squirts in each nostril before bed and all is good. Which reminds me I need to go and get another year prescription...

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: Injury

Originally posted by: episodic
I was using the generic loratadine (claritin). Don't think there is a generiz Zyrtec yet.

Allergy shots are problematic. I live 100 miles from where I'd have to drive back and forth for a while to get tested, etc. Huge expensive pain for me. Anything else 'prescription' wise that I can ask for that works?

Flonase anyone? Singular. . .? What?

Is it 100 miles for someone in your insurance network, or just 100 miles to the closest place that can do it (Which would put you in the middle of nowhere, USA)

The 2nd. I have a general prac - but if you want anything fancy - you gotta drive.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: episodic
I don't mind the prescription, the allergy clinic is just too far for the shots. The local family pracs want to refer you for the shots, they'll write the scrips.

all long as you have the allergy shot prescription you can get the serum and have your local family prac give you the injections.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: episodic
The 2nd. I have a general prac - but if you want anything fancy - you gotta drive.

Like needles and latex gloves?

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: marleymarl
I'm on Nasonex and I havent had an allergy attack in over a year and I live in the allergy capital of the US. 2 squirts in each nostril before bed and all is good. Which reminds me I need to go and get another year prescription...

$10 off coupon for Nasonex Nose Spray

https://www.nasonex.com/nasx/a...eb_program_id=00100000


$20 off coupon for Astelin Nose Spray

http://www.astelin.com/info/of..._resources/coupon.html

 

[episodic]

The problem wouldn't be the serum, it'd be the 'testing' aka all the pokes in the back.

 

[nanette1985]

I too have issues with all the allergy meds. I was talking to the person standing in front of me in line at Starbucks who suggested Nasacrom. I figured what the heck, won't hurt to try - and it really helps. I've made it all thru this spring allergy season without being horribly sick all the time.

MD's, including allergists, prescribe expensive stuff that doesn't help much. (The shots did nothing)
Stranger in Starbucks recommends something that does help a lot.

Hmmm.

 

[Bryophyte]

Originally posted by: blackdogdeek

Originally posted by: episodic

Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
100 miles? i don't know how the shots work but wouldn't you just get a needle and a bottle of stuff that should last a while? i admit i'm completely ignorant on the topic but i can't imagine the most prohibitive aspect of the shots would be proximity to a distribution center.

Gas 4.00 a gallon. Time off work.

i agree that if it were 100 miles away it would make no sense. i just thought you could give them to yourself instead of having a clinic do it.

You shouldn't give them to yourself because of the risk of a serious reaction to the shot. You're being injected with things you are allergic to. You need to be at a doctor's office where they can deal with things like anaphylactic shock. You don't want to have your throat swell shut and die.

In addition, they make up dilutions of increasing strength, and give you increasing amounts of each one until you move up to the next dilution. You don't just get the same thing each week. They keep track of what you got last time and your reaction to it, and use that the next time to decide what you get.