Vitamin C as antihistamine, NAC, Zyrtec/Singulair

[Guest guest]

Deb, I've read that vitamin C in larger doses may have an antihistamine

effect in Firshein's Reversing Asthma book. I tried taking 2000

mg a day, but didn't find it made a big difference for me. I also have

restless leg syndrome. It started during my 3rd pregnancy and continued

after and I absolutely could not sleep! The doc said it often can be

from low amounts of calcium and magnesium and since then I've found

taking extra calcium 1000 mg and magnesium 500 mg with my vitamins makes

it much better. I can sure tell the difference if I forget to take

them. I don't know that they would help for everyone, but it sure made

a difference for me.

I have found Zyrtec to be the most effective thing for my severe

allergies. I also take Singulair for my asthma and they can be taken

together. Zyrtec blocks histamine and Singulair blocks leukotrienes, so

they attack allegies by two different paths. I've tried all the other

antihistamines, but found Zyrtec best, although my allergist said it

makes about 10% of people drowsy, even though it's listed as being

non-drowsy. He said it's mostly noticed that they fall asleep when

they're just sitting around but it isn't very noticeable if you're up

and active. He said he never gives it to people like long haul

truckers, but that it's generally the most effective of the " non-drowsy "

choices.

Barb, I use a supplement with NAC that I add on to the Zyrtec during my

peak allergy season, as I'm still miserable on just the Zyrtec during

ragweed season. It has helped. It includes NAC, bromelain, quercitin,

stinging nettles and vitamin C. I tried taking the NAC supplement

alone, but had to add the Zyrtec back on, as it just wasn't enough to

control my symptoms by itself. I think it might work alone for someone

with milder allergies though. I got about the same effect as taking a

claritin (which I was on before switching to the Zyrtec) from it.