Re: Allegra issues--Need other recommendations

[Guest guest]

Dr. G advised us to use Cetrizine.  Our son weighs 53 lbs and we give him 5mg

 

From: Terri <andersonterri@...>

Subject: Allegra issues--Need other recommendations

Date: Sunday, March 13, 2011, 9:16 AM

 

All:

I know I read recently a post here regarding Allegra causing issues.   We

experienced it yesterday.  Does anyone know any allergy meds for our kids that

seem to do the job (help with seasonal allergies) without the negative side

effects? 

We are going to put a call into Dr G on Monday--but curious in the interim what

our alternatives may be.

Thanks- Terri

[Guest guest]

Did you try Zyrtec or Clariton. Clariton worked well for my son.

On Sun, Mar 13, 2011 at 8:16 AM, Terri <andersonterri@...>wrote:

>

>

> All:

>

> I know I read recently a post here regarding Allegra causing issues. We

> experienced it yesterday. Does anyone know any allergy meds for our kids

> that

> seem to do the job (help with seasonal allergies) without the negative side

>

> effects?

>

> We are going to put a call into Dr G on Monday--but curious in the interim

> what

> our alternatives may be.

>

> Thanks- Terri

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hey Terri,

What kind of issues is Allegra causing?

In our case, it causes extreme irritability and oppositional behavior, maybe

some depression.  Soy lecithen does the same thing, and it seems like if a kid

is sensitive to one, they're sensitive to both, so I'm curious about that

connection.  (I've pulled charts at a couple of clinics to see if this pattern

I

was seeing with my kids and hearing from others on this list on occasion and

found a connection in all of our kids w/oppositional behavior that they all were

on zyrtec or allegra, and had dairy intolerances.)

It seems like it usually takes some time for this to build up though, since we

have usually stopped watching for a med reaction by the time they kick in with

the allergy meds (in our family) which is why I was curious what your reaction

is, since you referred to just one day?  I also took Allegra and if I took the

higher adult dose, I felt really irritable and had a lot of anxiety.  I could

cut that dose into a 1/4 of the adult dose and I'd get enough control with less

symptoms, but I do think it contributed to an anxiety crisis I had not too long

ago.

I have not found an allergy med that didn't cause the problems with daily use,

but claritin was the least problematic.  But we don't even use that one daily

except in the very worst periods where their eyes are watering and sinuses are

all stopped up and they're at highest risk of getting a sinus infection with it

- then we'll deal with the consequences.

In the meantime, we do use benedryl at bedtime for the child who gets extremely

irritable (only works thru the night), and nasal sprays during the day when

needed.

My other child was recently put on an old medicine called periactin for gi

issues (cyclic vomiting syndrome) which has been real effective for his nausea

and vomiting spells - they haven't come back.  But I'm only giving it at

night. 

It made him sleep at school the few times he took a small dose in the morning,

so that's not ok.  It's a low low dose, but I'm not seeing any negative

behaviors at all - in fact he's quite happy these days.  I wonder if it would

be

tolerable, effective, and maybe even help with the kids who have bad gut

problems?  I've never heard of Dr G using it, and if it does cause too much

sleepiness then that defeats the purpose anyway.  But it does seem to help his

sinuses too, even just the half a pill he takes at bedtime.  We'll see how it

does during pollen season, which is just hitting us now. 

For us, we just have to deal with it.  During pollen season, they change

clothes

when they come inside.  If not, then I cover where they sit with a blanket so

they don't get pollen on the furniture where they lounge.  They wash their hair

every night, use nose sprays, and keep their rooms pristine, keep their beds

made up to keep any pollen out of the bed, things like that.  And just take

claritin at the worst periods, and take breaks from it when the meanness kicks

in.

HTH

________________________________

From: Terri <andersonterri@...>

Sent: Sun, March 13, 2011 8:16:53 AM

Subject: Allegra issues--Need other recommendations

 

All:

I know I read recently a post here regarding Allegra causing issues.   We

experienced it yesterday.  Does anyone know any allergy meds for our kids that

seem to do the job (help with seasonal allergies) without the negative side

effects? 

We are going to put a call into Dr G on Monday--but curious in the interim what

our alternatives may be.

Thanks- Terri

[Guest guest]

Would love to hear more on allegra from all of you! My son was very irritable on

Claritin and zyrtec so Dr. G rx’ed Allegra, we start it tonight.

, per what you wrote below…does it have soy lecithin in it?? My son

can’t tolerate that at all either and it definitely builds up over time, hard

to tell it’s that for a while.

Oh and thank you for the reminder of periactin b/c my son is a huge gut kiddo.

I will write that one down in case we need it! thx

kathi

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of

Sent: Sunday, March 13, 2011 12:56 PM

Subject: Re: Allegra issues--Need other recommendations

Hey Terri,

What kind of issues is Allegra causing?

In our case, it causes extreme irritability and oppositional behavior, maybe

some depression. Soy lecithen does the same thing, and it seems like if a kid

is sensitive to one, they're sensitive to both, so I'm curious about that

connection. (I've pulled charts at a couple of clinics to see if this pattern I

was seeing with my kids and hearing from others on this list on occasion and

found a connection in all of our kids w/oppositional behavior that they all were

on zyrtec or allegra, and had dairy intolerances.)

It seems like it usually takes some time for this to build up though, since we

have usually stopped watching for a med reaction by the time they kick in with

the allergy meds (in our family) which is why I was curious what your reaction

is, since you referred to just one day? I also took Allegra and if I took the

higher adult dose, I felt really irritable and had a lot of anxiety. I could

cut that dose into a 1/4 of the adult dose and I'd get enough control with less

symptoms, but I do think it contributed to an anxiety crisis I had not too long

ago.

I have not found an allergy med that didn't cause the problems with daily use,

but claritin was the least problematic. But we don't even use that one daily

except in the very worst periods where their eyes are watering and sinuses are

all stopped up and they're at highest risk of getting a sinus infection with it

- then we'll deal with the consequences.

In the meantime, we do use benedryl at bedtime for the child who gets extremely

irritable (only works thru the night), and nasal sprays during the day when

needed.

My other child was recently put on an old medicine called periactin for gi

issues (cyclic vomiting syndrome) which has been real effective for his nausea

and vomiting spells - they haven't come back. But I'm only giving it at night.

It made him sleep at school the few times he took a small dose in the morning,

so that's not ok. It's a low low dose, but I'm not seeing any negative

behaviors at all - in fact he's quite happy these days. I wonder if it would be

tolerable, effective, and maybe even help with the kids who have bad gut

problems? I've never heard of Dr G using it, and if it does cause too much

sleepiness then that defeats the purpose anyway. But it does seem to help his

sinuses too, even just the half a pill he takes at bedtime. We'll see how it

does during pollen season, which is just hitting us now.

For us, we just have to deal with it. During pollen season, they change clothes

when they come inside. If not, then I cover where they sit with a blanket so

they don't get pollen on the furniture where they lounge. They wash their hair

every night, use nose sprays, and keep their rooms pristine, keep their beds

made up to keep any pollen out of the bed, things like that. And just take

claritin at the worst periods, and take breaks from it when the meanness kicks

in.

HTH

________________________________

From: Terri <andersonterri@... <mailto:andersonterri%40ymail.com>

>

<mailto:%40>

Sent: Sun, March 13, 2011 8:16:53 AM

Subject: Allegra issues--Need other recommendations

All:

I know I read recently a post here regarding Allegra causing issues. We

experienced it yesterday. Does anyone know any allergy meds for our kids that

seem to do the job (help with seasonal allergies) without the negative side

effects?

We are going to put a call into Dr G on Monday--but curious in the interim what

our alternatives may be.

Thanks- Terri

[Guest guest]

Thanks to all for your comments.

Yes, my son is also not good with soy lecithen either.    We have used

Allegra

on and off--and also thought there may be a connection.   Yesterday and today

confirmed it.   He is very irritable--and just seems very off.  He is just

not

himself.   He hit his buddy in the eye today.

We had a terrible stomach virus that lasted 7 days--with 3 days of throwing up

at the end of February--and ever since we have struggled to get back to where we

were.

We have been on valtrex for now 17 months now...and we are switching to Famvir

this week.   I would love any feedback on how that change went from other

folks.

   Valtrex was the wonder drug for us.   Once was on this--he really

took

off.   We did not have any negative effects either --like we have had with the

antifungals.  

I keep telling myself this is a journey but the last few days have been

challenging....hoping the light will come soon. 

 

________________________________

From: Kathi <kathi0908@...>

Sent: Sun, March 13, 2011 12:19:37 PM

Subject: RE: Allegra issues--Need other recommendations

 

Would love to hear more on allegra from all of you! My son was very irritable on

Claritin and zyrtec so Dr. G rx’ed Allegra, we start it tonight.

, per what you wrote below…does it have soy lecithin in it?? My son

can’t

tolerate that at all either and it definitely builds up over time, hard to tell

it’s that for a while.

Oh and thank you for the reminder of periactin b/c my son is a huge gut kiddo. I

will write that one down in case we need it! thx

kathi

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of

Sent: Sunday, March 13, 2011 12:56 PM

Subject: Re: Allegra issues--Need other recommendations

Hey Terri,

What kind of issues is Allegra causing?

In our case, it causes extreme irritability and oppositional behavior, maybe

some depression. Soy lecithen does the same thing, and it seems like if a kid

is sensitive to one, they're sensitive to both, so I'm curious about that

connection. (I've pulled charts at a couple of clinics to see if this pattern I

was seeing with my kids and hearing from others on this list on occasion and

found a connection in all of our kids w/oppositional behavior that they all were

on zyrtec or allegra, and had dairy intolerances.)

It seems like it usually takes some time for this to build up though, since we

have usually stopped watching for a med reaction by the time they kick in with

the allergy meds (in our family) which is why I was curious what your reaction

is, since you referred to just one day? I also took Allegra and if I took the

higher adult dose, I felt really irritable and had a lot of anxiety. I could

cut that dose into a 1/4 of the adult dose and I'd get enough control with less

symptoms, but I do think it contributed to an anxiety crisis I had not too long

ago.

I have not found an allergy med that didn't cause the problems with daily use,

but claritin was the least problematic. But we don't even use that one daily

except in the very worst periods where their eyes are watering and sinuses are

all stopped up and they're at highest risk of getting a sinus infection with it

- then we'll deal with the consequences.

In the meantime, we do use benedryl at bedtime for the child who gets extremely

irritable (only works thru the night), and nasal sprays during the day when

needed.

My other child was recently put on an old medicine called periactin for gi

issues (cyclic vomiting syndrome) which has been real effective for his nausea

and vomiting spells - they haven't come back. But I'm only giving it at night.

It made him sleep at school the few times he took a small dose in the morning,

so that's not ok. It's a low low dose, but I'm not seeing any negative

behaviors at all - in fact he's quite happy these days. I wonder if it would be

tolerable, effective, and maybe even help with the kids who have bad gut

problems? I've never heard of Dr G using it, and if it does cause too much

sleepiness then that defeats the purpose anyway. But it does seem to help his

sinuses too, even just the half a pill he takes at bedtime. We'll see how it

does during pollen season, which is just hitting us now.

For us, we just have to deal with it. During pollen season, they change clothes

when they come inside. If not, then I cover where they sit with a blanket so

they don't get pollen on the furniture where they lounge. They wash their hair

every night, use nose sprays, and keep their rooms pristine, keep their beds

made up to keep any pollen out of the bed, things like that. And just take

claritin at the worst periods, and take breaks from it when the meanness kicks

in.

HTH

________________________________

From: Terri <andersonterri@... <mailto:andersonterri%40ymail.com>

>

<mailto:%40>

Sent: Sun, March 13, 2011 8:16:53 AM

Subject: Allegra issues--Need other recommendations

All:

I know I read recently a post here regarding Allegra causing issues. We

experienced it yesterday. Does anyone know any allergy meds for our kids that

seem to do the job (help with seasonal allergies) without the negative side

effects?

We are going to put a call into Dr G on Monday--but curious in the interim what

our alternatives may be.

Thanks- Terri

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathi,

It never occured to me to see if any of those meds have soy lecithen in them ...

do they use that in pills?  If so, I'll check for sure in the future.

I'd be curious to know Dr G's opinion on periactin.  I've never seen him use it

so he could have a reason.

Thanks,

________________________________

From: Kathi <kathi0908@...>

Sent: Sun, March 13, 2011 12:19:37 PM

Subject: RE: Allegra issues--Need other recommendations

 

Would love to hear more on allegra from all of you! My son was very irritable on

Claritin and zyrtec so Dr. G rx’ed Allegra, we start it tonight.

, per what you wrote below…does it have soy lecithin in it?? My son

can’t

tolerate that at all either and it definitely builds up over time, hard to tell

it’s that for a while.

Oh and thank you for the reminder of periactin b/c my son is a huge gut kiddo. I

will write that one down in case we need it! thx

kathi

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of

Sent: Sunday, March 13, 2011 12:56 PM

Subject: Re: Allegra issues--Need other recommendations

Hey Terri,

What kind of issues is Allegra causing?

In our case, it causes extreme irritability and oppositional behavior, maybe

some depression. Soy lecithen does the same thing, and it seems like if a kid

is sensitive to one, they're sensitive to both, so I'm curious about that

connection. (I've pulled charts at a couple of clinics to see if this pattern I

was seeing with my kids and hearing from others on this list on occasion and

found a connection in all of our kids w/oppositional behavior that they all were

on zyrtec or allegra, and had dairy intolerances.)

It seems like it usually takes some time for this to build up though, since we

have usually stopped watching for a med reaction by the time they kick in with

the allergy meds (in our family) which is why I was curious what your reaction

is, since you referred to just one day? I also took Allegra and if I took the

higher adult dose, I felt really irritable and had a lot of anxiety. I could

cut that dose into a 1/4 of the adult dose and I'd get enough control with less

symptoms, but I do think it contributed to an anxiety crisis I had not too long

ago.

I have not found an allergy med that didn't cause the problems with daily use,

but claritin was the least problematic. But we don't even use that one daily

except in the very worst periods where their eyes are watering and sinuses are

all stopped up and they're at highest risk of getting a sinus infection with it

- then we'll deal with the consequences.

In the meantime, we do use benedryl at bedtime for the child who gets extremely

irritable (only works thru the night), and nasal sprays during the day when

needed.

My other child was recently put on an old medicine called periactin for gi

issues (cyclic vomiting syndrome) which has been real effective for his nausea

and vomiting spells - they haven't come back. But I'm only giving it at night.

It made him sleep at school the few times he took a small dose in the morning,

so that's not ok. It's a low low dose, but I'm not seeing any negative

behaviors at all - in fact he's quite happy these days. I wonder if it would be

tolerable, effective, and maybe even help with the kids who have bad gut

problems? I've never heard of Dr G using it, and if it does cause too much

sleepiness then that defeats the purpose anyway. But it does seem to help his

sinuses too, even just the half a pill he takes at bedtime. We'll see how it

does during pollen season, which is just hitting us now.

For us, we just have to deal with it. During pollen season, they change clothes

when they come inside. If not, then I cover where they sit with a blanket so

they don't get pollen on the furniture where they lounge. They wash their hair

every night, use nose sprays, and keep their rooms pristine, keep their beds

made up to keep any pollen out of the bed, things like that. And just take

claritin at the worst periods, and take breaks from it when the meanness kicks

in.

HTH

________________________________

From: Terri <andersonterri@... <mailto:andersonterri%40ymail.com>

>

<mailto:%40>

Sent: Sun, March 13, 2011 8:16:53 AM

Subject: Allegra issues--Need other recommendations

All:

I know I read recently a post here regarding Allegra causing issues. We

experienced it yesterday. Does anyone know any allergy meds for our kids that

seem to do the job (help with seasonal allergies) without the negative side

effects?

We are going to put a call into Dr G on Monday--but curious in the interim what

our alternatives may be.

Thanks- Terri