Trying zyrtec, don't know what to do!

Hi all,
I'm new to the allergy forum (but not new to HW). I'm having a horrendous time this year with allergies, as I'm sure you all are. I've been on Allegra since I was 16, so that's, uh...about 16 years. I take it every day year round so I don't break into rashes and start sneezing and having asthma - I'm highly allergic to pretty much everything. This season, though, it's just not cutting it, and I've been taking Benadryl also sometimes (and then going to sleep), and I'm thinking of switching completely to zyrtec, or at least trying it -- zyrtec instead of the allegra, that is.
Any opinions on zyrtec vs. allegra?
My doc is nearly impossibly to reach...I left a message for her last week and she (without reaching me) called in a script for Flonase. I've never had success with nasal sprays before because I can't stop sneezing long enough to get the medicine to stay up there!
I also tried allergy shots once, since an allergist recommended them, but my arm swelled up to twice its size and stayed that way for about 5 days. The allergist said they would have to really dilute the serum, and essentially I'd be getting shots forever and ever, so I just didn't think it was worth it. Any opinions on that also?

I was on and off Allegra for years and it only marginally helped my allergies. Then I switched to Zyrtec and it was a miracle med for me. But like most of the meds I take, my body got used to after a while and it wasn't as effective so I added Singulair to the mix. These two meds control my allergies much better then Allegra. I never stopped Allegra a few days before starting Zyrtec and the transition was like the difference between night and day. I hope if you switch that you find the awesome relief I did. However, be sure to take it at night because it can cause drowsiness.

I wish the pollen would quit too! I think tree pollen is worst for me, because my allergies are always terrible in spring and then a week or two in fall (so would that be leaf mold? Or ragweed? Who knows). My pharmacist did say it was okay to just take Zyrtec this morning instead of Allegra, so I tried it...and so far I'm feeling pretty good! It'll be a minor miracle if I actually don't feel allergic today!
I never knew people got used to certain meds - that's terrible! So I guess maybe it's time for me to switch. And I will try to reach my doc to talk about officially switching and ask about the med that's newer than zyrtec. Thanks everyone! You've made me feel like I'm not alone in feeling like these allergies might kill me this year. :)

I'm in misery all year round:
spring- trees
summer-grass
fall-weeds
winter- mold
If it's a plant, I'm allergic.

Have you've had any allergy testing done?

Joy

Well, the zyrtec has worked wonders today! I feel so much better. I'm taking another one now (took one early this morning) so I can get on a night-time schedule instead of a morning schedule, since I was pretty sleepy this morning after I took it. But I did feel a whole lot better! Yay!!
I did have allergy testing done, and I tested highly allergic to almost every single allergen -- indoor and outdoor ones, pets, everything. I can't remember exactly, but I think the doc said dust mites and cockroaches were the highest, but I always seem to feel the worst when it's tree pollen season. That was the doc who recommended shots, and I just didn't want to submit my arms to horrible swelling and itching for so many years!
And yes, Chartreux, my lyme is totally gone I think! It was a long battle, but I do think it's over now.

Wow Congrats on getting over the Lyme.......now good luck with those allergies...

well i did get lucky in nyc and found a good allergist who did all the shots separately. these docs that just want to throw you into one shot should be shot themselves!

saw my allergist once a week and he would monitor the progress and administered all the shots himself. unheard of now.

came down with ezema and now take allegra. it is helping me though this season. it is true that you have to switch around meds as they become ineffective.

singulair is not an antihistamine but works very well at the root cause of the allergic problem which is cellular in nature.

well best of luck to all.

Bdavis, welcome to Healingwell! :) It depends on your symptoms as to which one would work better - Zyrtec or Zyrtec D. If you have a lot of post nasal drip or a runny nose then the D might work better. Just keep in mind that the D in Zyrtec D stands for decongestant and that can hype of the heart rate a bit so if you do end up taking it, take it in the mornings so it won't interfer with your sleep. Regular Zyrtec should be taken at night because it can cause drowsiness.

Hi Alfers,
I've got severe allergies to tree and grass pollen. Three years ago, it started becoming uncontrollable. I went off Allegra and started on Xyzal, in hopes that it would make a difference. While it works better than Allegra, I wish I could say it solved all my problems, but it didn't. I did get my allergy shots increased in strength, but I'm still suffering if I spend much time at all outside. With asthma, I have to be extra careful. My doctor has suggested that I get outside and try my new shot strength to see if it helps. I've been taking daily walks, but if I spend much time outside I get some pretty severe symptoms--mostly throat, sinus, and lungs.

I was hopeful that the Xyzal would do the trick, but while it's better, it didn't fix me. When I started it, I threw open my classroom windows, and went outside without worrying. That didn't work...ended up with a sinus and lung infection. So, I take the Xyzal, keep my windows shut, and limit my exposure to tree pollen.

The sad thing is that when the tree pollen reduces, the grass pollen increases. Fun for us, isn't it?

My allergist thinks I may need to switch to Xolair--a new alternative for asthmatics who don't respond well to traditional therapy. I'm moving to a new city, so will be getting a new allergist. I'll have to see if he/she agrees with that plan.

Good luck with getting your allergies under control. According to internet sites, global climate change has increase pollen levels lot, and made the season longer as well. It doesn't look like this severe allergy/pollen problem is going away any time soon.

If you haven't tried nasal washings, I'd recommend them. I've used them for years, and they greatly reduced my sinus infections. Also, whenever I come inside after pollen exposure, I do a washing to get the pollen out of my sinuses before it can do as much damage. Worth a try!
Take care,
Denise