Thanks
dave
I'm suffering badly from what I initially thought was a hangover, but on reading the post about pollen levels, I realise that I have been suffering with hay fever for the last few days. Can anyone recommend a brand of antihistimines that are not going to send me to sleep during client meetings ? I can usually nod-off for a couple of minutes during these, a full head-on-table event may be noticed...
I use Cetrin 10 which is a generic brand, it contains exactly the same ingredients as some of the leading brands such as Zirtek but is a fraction of the price. It has never made me sleepy which I can't say of meetings .
what are your symptoms of hay-fever? the classic rhinitis (runny nose, sneezing) itch red eyes, sore-throat?
The newer generation of anti-histamines are non-sedating an example would be claritine another one is zyrtec. Claritine pollen is actually available in the pharmacy without prescription. So you can give it a try. if you have problems with stuffy nose and the rest you can also get back to me...I know what would help...
xyzal is my weapon of choice.
Maxilliary sinus pains, eye pain, headaches. I thought the photosensitivity was down to something else, but it seems not...
dave
Im was taking a generic from Sandoz have switched to Cetallerg though.
OK, which antihistamines make nicely drowsy. I can kill two birds with one stone. I suffer from hay fever and I can't sleep.
I find Piriteze (one a day tablets) best and order them from.......... http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/
Semprex might help. Might need a prescription tho'
you probably have sinusitis. If you don't have any heart problems. Get a decongestant and wash you nostrils with sterile saline solution 2X a day and the antihistamines if you have any allergic symptoms. If this measures doesn't work....you might need antibiotics....but I would leave the antibiotics out just yet.
Try the different brands of non-sedating anti-histamines ...if you want generics here are a list of brands:
Cerzin mepha or Certirizin Helvepharm( cetirizin) which is the same as zyrtec
Loratin 10 ( Loratadine ) which is claritine
Xyzal doesnt have a generic just yet
Aerius is new no generic.
Thanks for the help guys.
dave
sorry to burst your bubbles guys but semprex is a non-sedating anti-histamine.....
I used Telfast for several years now during the initial hay period. It makes the throat and mouth a bit dry, but it hasn't made me drowsy so far. It comes ion 60mg, 120mg and 180mg dosages. The recomemnded dosage is 120 mg per day, either as 1 60mg tab morning and evening, or just 1 120mg tab in the evening.
I would also suggest to try accupuncture. There is a doctor ein Konstanz, Germany, who apllies a kind of electro-accupuncture, which I found very helpful. After 1 session I didn't have to take the pills anymore for a few months. But he only treats aptients with strong symptoms, he said, because only then the additional irritation/stimulation by accupunture is most effective.
Maybe give it a try?
Marc
I have Cet eco made by ecosol 7.95 a box of 10..got em over the counter with no prescription.
I take them at night to help me sleep and stop hayfever.
I'd tell that to my wife who, when taking it, would barely be awake beyond football kick-off time. Now she makes half-time!!
If the tablet contains Loratadine its usually non-drowsy and can be bought over the counter - Claritin
If it contains Cetirizine Hydrochloride - zirtek/zyrtek then it usually makes you drowsy and really doesn't mix well with alcohol.
I always have a pack of these around because they seem to be more effective.
Thats the guide I use anyway when I buy tablets.
This year is pretty heavy with pollen. I've tried so many different lotions and potions and find Aerius to be very effective at not making me drowsy, but it isn't as full-on as Zyrtec. Zyrtec takes away the pain - and I mean pain - but renders me useless. Perhaps I'm useless anyway, ho ho
If you're asthmatic, you may notice an increased heart rate and the shakes. Seek advice if you're on asthma medication.
Another tactic is to give yourself a 'bump'. Ahem. Various other methods include strong coffee, very cold peppermint syrup (see Migros), a shot of tequila or equivelent (seriously), and my favourite: a bowl of cold water in which to plunge your face.
Stay away from dairy stuff, depsite the temptation to eat yoghurt or ice-cream, as this increases the mucus in your system.
An annoying factor with hayfever is those who don't suffer don't understand how incredibly tedious and painful it can be. I'm a very non-aggressive sort, but when I'm on fire inside reacting to the pollen, I could walk through walls...
I'm a notorious hayfever sufferer. I have tried all sorts of combinations and have found that Telfast 180mg every day in combination with Beconase nasal spray have been the most effective for me. No drowsiness, but the Beconase can dry out your nostrils and occasionally be a bit painful.
Actually, I've only been in Zurich for 5 days and my unaccompanied luggage arrived today. I'd packed a three month supply of Telfast and ripped open the box to pop one straight away. The pollen here is bad but so far I haven't found it to be as bad as in Melbourne, so hopefully no need for Beconase this season. If you do find that you become a regular/serious hayfever sufferer (it has been known to get worse over the years for some people) then I have found the best response is to start taking your antihistamines at the first sign of symptoms and keep taking them for the whole season to build them up in your system.
Anyway: this is what works for me (this is not professional medical advice!). Everyone is different and you're not likely to need the same heavy doses as I do. I have found every brand to be different though so if you find one doesn't work well, another might be better for you.
Uncle Max: I totally agree with you. If you've never had bad hayfever you've no idea how debilitating it can be. I've been a sufferer my whole life and on the bad days I might as well stay in bed for all the use I am to the world.
I'll throw in my 2 cents here: Semprex and Aerius. The past two days have been way bad....
regards
Peter
aside from antihistamines,i take my topical steroid and I'm practically symptom free and gets to enjoy the good weather....