Allergies and Benadryl and Sudafed

[samiam]

Greetings from Florida...

I'm on Allegra 180mg time release (1 pill a day) and Nasacort nose spray for my nasal allergies. (I tell people I'm allergic to breathing.) Sometimes I'll substitute Clarinex for the Allegra, but I don't really notice a difference. I've tried Flonase, but it didn't didn't help.

I must also be extra-sensitive to seasonal spring and fall stuff that flies around because sometimes my allergies flare up. My nose drips into my throat so much that it feels like a sore throat. I also feel warm but rarely have a fever.

During these episodes, I'll take an Allegra D (which has a dose of Sudafed in it) and cut the tablet into halves or even thirds. The Sudafed works great with my nose and throat, but I notice my heart seems to be pumping harder.

I did some research on this site and noticed some folks said that Sudafed is nasty and that Benadryl is a suitable substitute for Sudafed. But the Benadryl website talks about heart side effects, too.

Also, if any drug says it MAY cause drowsiness, it will, and I'm extra goofy for the next 12 hours. Sometimes I get drowsy, sometimes I can't sleep. That's why I cut these drowsy medications in half or third doses. Even medications that proclaim they are non-drowsy can cause me problems.

Allergy shots are out of the question. I did that as a teenager with no results. In 1982, I went into anaphalactic shock (sp?) when I did the testing and no allergy doctor wants to touch me now. Can't blame them!

What do y'all recommend? I'm not on Coumadin. For those on Coumadin, what would you experts recommend for them?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[geebee]

Sudafed will cause heart racing/palpitations in many people. It is not something a heart patient should take.
My regimen for allergies is Bendadryl and 12 hour nasal spray. The spray keeps me breathing (I alternate sides to keep from getting dependant) and the Benadryl dries up any running.
I, too, tried Flonase but the burning never went away so I gave it up.
I use Children's Benedryl (either liquid or the fast dissolving). I can usually make it work with the smaller dose and I don't get sleepy.
Good luck.

 

[tommy]

I use Claritin (now OTC) and Nasonex nasal spray. I get a couple of bad days each season, but this combination generally works very well for me.

I tried Sudafed the last time I had a cold and noticed that I couldn't sleep. My heart rate was around 90 - normally low 50's at rest. No more of that stuff for me.

Benadryl knocks me out cold. I suppose it relieves the nasal symptoms, but I sleep through them.

 

[Ross]

I'm in the same boat. I've come to the conclusion to use whatever works. None of the prescription stuff phases me. Sudafed does. Yes, there is a price to pay, but man, it's so nice to be able to breath!

 

[mntbiker]

You may want to try the childrens benadryl - liquid. That has worked extremely well for me and no drowsiness.

 

[Karlynn]

Generally anything with a decongestant isn't a good thing for someone with heart issues. But you have to know your own body as well. If I "accidentally" get something with a decongestant in it I pay for pretty good. Rapid heart, arrhythmia - yuck. In 14 years I haven't had a cold or allergies so bad that I'm willing to put up with the heart punishment.

I have noticed in the 14 years that I've stayed away from decongestants that my colds are of no longer duration than before when I was the decongestant queen.

I will use antihistamines because they do not affect my HR.

 

[BillCobit]

I did some research on this site and noticed some folks said that Sudafed is nasty and that Benadryl is a suitable substitute for Sudafed.

Benadryl isn't really a therapeutic substitute for Sudafed - they're in different classes. Benadryl is an antihistamine - i.e., blocks the inflammatory effects of histamine in the body's allergic response to an antigen. Sudafed is a mild central nervous system stimulant that causes vasoconstriction in nasal mucosa & thereby alleviates a runny nose - regardless of whether the runny nose is caused by allergy or a cold.

Benadryl is notorious for its anticholinergic side effects, most notably drowsiness and dry mouth. Hence the popularity of some of the more modern agents. For people who are sensitive to these types of side effects, Benadryl is typically one of the least tolerable agents.