Claratin-D

I was at Sam's Club today and they had a package of 180 Claritin (not D) for $15. Maybe the regular Claritin would help?

"I was at Sam's Club today and they had a package of 180 Claritin (not D) for $15. Maybe the regular Claritin would help?"

I don't think regular Claratin will do much. I took it a few years ago and it did nothing. I need the decongestant part because my sinuses never drain like they should. I also tried Allegra and Zyrtec. Zyrtec worked, but after 2 months it no longer helped.

I took claritin D and it worked but only for a while, it seems in my case that any allergy medication only works for a while then no benefit so I switch around. I am currently taking claritin, I just stopped using allegra D for that reason.

It sounds as though you have some genuine allergy/ENT issues to me.

If you truly have a sinus infection there are times when two to three rounds of ABX need to be taken to clear it up

..I would see an allergist or an ENT specialist....it is thier game and they are very good

The Claritin D works because Claritin D is simply Claritin as the antihistamine bumped up with Sudafed as the decongestant.

If you want to try OTC treatment..You could take Claritin OTC. and buy some cheap generic pseudophedrine and get the same effect. as Claritin D

This will not be detrimental in the short term..however some people experince some cognitive cloudiness while taking sudafed, and sudafed can increase HR

You can take the Claritin for months without probelms

Are your allergies seasonal?

I know from experience allergy pressure/ HA etc can stifle the academics

I wish you Good luck in sorting this out!!

Joyand Smiles * Darla

"Are your allergies seasonal?"

I used to think they were seasonal and I just got "sick" alot in the winter. But I think they are pretty much year round. I know I am very allergic to pollen, dust, mold, mildew, and for some reason certain buildings at my college make it worse. I think they have mold in the central heat/AC units or something. I also have bad eczema and my doctor told me that eczema is linked to allergies and asthma. I dont have asthma, but I do get congestion and wheezing in my chest from pollen and fresh cut grass whenever I try to exercise outside.

One more quick question? Are allergists expensive? That is the only reason I have not yet gone. I dont think my crappy student isurance will cover it. They wont cover anything "preexisting" and they are very picky about it.

Thanks a bunch.

claritan is an older class of antihistamines...perhaps (do you have insurance) by telling the NP that you didn't have any good effects from the claritan she could prescribe something stronger....allegra...singulair...these are essentially the same - newer classes w/ less side effects esp...sleepiness...

I use Zyrtec and Flonase. The Flonase helps the congestion a lot. Claritin never did much for me, and I have hypertension, so the decongestant raised my BP. Flonase doesn't.

I feel for you. Sounds like an allergy to me with possibly a sinus infection mixed in.

I have had some really nasty episodes in the past. One just about a month ago, my eyes continuously ran like I was sobbing for 6 hours straight and then became a very ugly ear infect. My ears are still draining and I have been taking Zyrtec-D prescribed by my Family Practioner for 4 weeks straight. If it lasts much longer I'm going to my ENT.

I would see if you can get into an ENT. Mine took a very different approach to treating my allergies. The first time I went to him he gave me a steroid injection for my Rhinitis, prescribed me Allegra and a nasal sprat "NasoCort". The Allegra didn't do much for me but as soon as I feel an itch in my nose, I go for the NasoCort and it works like a charm, keeps the allergy at bay. Except last month when I ran out of it.

I also used to use Claratin-D and regular Claratin which was prescribed by my regular doctor and it never worked for me either.

I currently use Zyrtec which definitely helps with nasal allergies, just not skin contact allergies.

I would see about getting a better doctor or just trying different methods of relief with the one you have now.

If you are still suspecting a sinus infection, you may want to ask for a Z-Pak. The last really bad sinus infection I had, I took the Z-Pak and within 24 hours I felt almost 100%. It works that well.

The box said not to take it for more than 10 days. So I quit it.

Did it say d/c after 10 days or "not to take for more than 10 days w/o consulting a doctor, etc."

If you have a sinus infection and keep taking Claritan D it may mask the symptoms, and then you would still have an infection. Claritan D is indecated for chronic rhinitus and sinusitus so I don't see why you'd have to d/c after 10 days.

" Are allergists expensive?"

allergists can be expensice as are ENT doctors..

However something to consider is that they usually have rooms full of samples and if you tell them you do not have insurance they can give you different sample meds to try..antihistamines. singulair and nasal sprays I(FLonase. Rinocort Aua, nasonex etc)

as many have pointed out.. the med that works for one does not always work fo another

If you insist on staying with OTC meds, there is an OTC nasal spray..nasalcrom which is good, however these OTC meds can also be expensive..$$$$$

Most practices... ENT/ Allergists etc offer discounts for people without insurance..it is worth a try

..once you get it cleared up and have a plan for treatment you will do much better

I have three childfen in college and will gently remind you about the balance scale, the price of doctor visit and the cost of missing classes or dropping your GPA because of illness..

Can your parents help at all?

I hope you can get some relief..You are worth it!!

Take Care * Darla