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

There are two generations of antihistamines on the market.

The first generation includes the ones that cause drowsiness. These enter brain and have central effects besides the antihistamine ones. They are derived chemically from the phenothiazines (antipsychotics). This is why some like Vistaril, are used as sedatives. Dramamine orig formula, Benadryl, ChlorTrimeton, and Antivert (meclizine for dizziness) and Atarax belong to this class. All of these have multiple effects on various neurotransmitters, and are used for other things besides allergies. Benadryl is used for some forms of dyskinesia in fact.

Histamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain...it precedes release of serotonin and other neurotransmitters, and is considered a signaling molecule. So the first generation antihistamines affect many things, because they block histamine's job of initiating actions.

Claritin and Allegra, are second generation antihistamines, and much less potent or useful for allergies. And they do not cross into the brain, and have limited usefulness. In fact there are studies showing Claritin is equal to placebo in effectiveness!

Zyrtec (cetirizine is sort is inbetween the generations. It is a cousin of Atarax which is considered the most potent antihistamine for itching. It has some sedative actions but not as strong as Atarax.

Xyzal (levocetirizine) is related to Zyrtec and does not cross into the brain at all.

As the affinity to cross into the brain, is lost, so are the other actions that are common to the first generation drugs lost. So one would not expect Allegra or Claritin or Xyzal to work on drying things up like Benadryl does. If the runny nose is a Mast cell allergic response, they may work. But for all other causes, they would be ineffective.

A lot of good info. I see my Dr. again today and I will ask him what I should take or talk to him about some of these.
The Allegra D is a joke. The shot did nothing. My eyes water a lot too. I noticed that when I get out in the cold but my nose runs all of the time.

Mrs. D. I am on Metformin, Amitiza, and Nexium for my stomach. I only use the lidoderm patches when I am at my worst,same as the Methadone. I also have lidocaine gel around. I haven't taken the Methadone for awhile now. It really causes my stomach issues to be worse.

I also have a breathing problem. It's related to something else though besides the allergy. He diagnosed me with one last year. I don't breath deep enough.

Thanks,
Ada

thank you Mrs. D for that great information. My Lindsay has been on a lot of those with only the Benedryl really helping lately. She also was on Singular which is another one that is used for allergies. They put her on this for her Asthma.

Thank you again for your great information.

Sandy

Sandy, I have stomach problems also to a point I feel sick all the time and bloated. What exactly does the Benedryl do for Lindsey? I am really interested as I thought Benedryl was used as an antihystamine. If that would help my stomach at all I would be thrilled. Thanks in advance.
Your friend Wendy

Hi Wendy,

Last visit to Dr. K. he recommended Benedryl infusions for her stomach. Supposedly it settles the stomach. He doesn't administer them, but said to try the liquid benedryl to see if it would help. She has lots of burning, sharp pains and vomiting she is miserable. But, since she started taking the liquid benedryl her stomach has settled not completely but it is helping. Make sure you check that it doesn't interfere with your meds. It also helps her sleep. I think anything is worth a try, but if you can talk to your doctor about the benedryl infusions they are definitely a better plan.
Good luck,

Sandy

With my allergies, I was on Allegra D and it wasn't working for my runny nose then my Dr. gave me an allergy shot about a month ago which didn't work so now I'm on a nasal spray. It seems to help. He thinks there is something else causing the runny nose.

Then he put me on Crestor for my high cholestral again and made me promise to take it. I quit it. I haven't let him know yet, hopefully he can find one that don't have the same side effects I already have. It multiplied my fatigue, chest pain, memory loss,runny nose, and swelling. My chest pain was horrible from it.

Thanks for all the help you give me.

Ada

Daniella,
I just started new blood pressure meds, two of them. So I took one in the morning and one in the evening. The one in the evening was like pulling someone's finger out of the dam. My nose ran like an escaped convict. To the point where I would just stuff a big piece of tissue up there. It seemed to taper off after a week or so, but i was supposed to be taking two of those, one in morn one evening, so I added the morning one and instantly my nose was running like a fire hose. Not what I needed. My bp was being pretty good so I stopped taking the morning one. But maybe that is why the dry mouth, because those pills just suck every bit of moisture out of you, in my case, some of it just expelled out my nose not my bladder. I now take two pill with the 'dry mouth' warning. I hate gum, or rather I hate how I forget I'm chewing gum and look like a cow chewing a cud. and I can't do sugarless because of the aspartame. I try drinking water, but in Church, or other places gum is a necessity.

My bp meds do this to me. maybe a reaction to a medicine.