Probably a silly question but have you tried Claritin instead? If I remember right, they're two different meds, maybe you'd find the other more helpful?

Hi Ada,

I do not have allergies but my husband has suffered moderately all his live, would just take benedryl or something and it would subside.. But this year starting around March he just got so bad. They did the testing and of course they say your allergic to everything,dust, mold, grass all that kind of stuff. His numbers did come back high. And for the first time in his live they did give him a allergy shot. It helped but not for to long. But I have heard from so many people this year of how worse there allergies are. They did say to stay away from nasal sprays except for straight saline, they said the nasal sprays can be dangerous and have the opposite effect if you use them to often. What makes it worse for him is that our house is in the woods and lakefront, but we been here for 11 years and it effected him but not like this year. ????Hope you feel better..


Gabbycakes

I have an allergy event once a day. i take nose drops and sinus pills and that takes care of me. i am very sorry to hear of your misery. I have read some posts about benedryl helping with the burning im in misery today, notg sure why my fentanyl patch and methadone arent working well today, and im on edge because my pain is up. how much benedryl should i take for it? i somtimes take 3 if i cant sleep.

any suggestions?
Lori

Some drugs used for chronic pain and depression cause runny nose as a side effect. This will not respond to allergy meds as a rule.

Runny nose is a sympathetic symptom, and enhanced sympathetic tone will cause it. Drugs like Cymbalta, and Effexor, and opiates are well known triggers.

Hi Mrs D...

Again, you have answered the question about why my daughter had a runny nose, it has to be the cymbalta...But the benedryl has helped.

She takes 3 teaspoons of the liquid benedryl. The liquid works better than the pills.

Yes, Benadryl may help.... it has anticholinergic properties, and can be drying. But it would depend on dose, etc. Some adults cannot handle the drying aspect on the mouth and eyes. We all get some drying with age, esp after menopause, etc. Older male patients may have trouble with prostate issues and Benadryl. Benadryl also has some CNS effects, on muscle dystonia and other receptors. It is a pretty complex drug, and we have it OTC now!

Younger patients are more resilient to these effects. Too much drying and viruses can attack more readily etc to cause colds and flu.

Deb do you notice at times it is worse then other times? I have this cough that sounds like a smokers cough and flem comes up. Sorry to be gross. Anyhow they have no idea why and I am trying to make connections but have not. So why I was asking for you if you see connections? Did you notice your runny nose start more after a new med? That is interesting Mrs D about runny nose a side effect of meds. I had always thought it was dryness being a problem. I guess it depends on what med. Feel better