Question:
Sleeping problem update/Allergies

Hi everyone, I posted last week looking for help sleeping through night. I talked to my surgeon about it on Friday and he told me to stop working out after work. He's hoping I'm just one of those people that gets too keyed up if I do it too late in the day. So for a week I'm supposed to get up early to work out instead. (Ick!) If that doesn't work he'll prescribe something. So it's a wait-and-see thing. Allergy season has hit early here and I've gone through a box of tissues in a single weekend. I used to just take otc 24-hour generic Claritin or something, but don't have a clue what to do now. Are there any good liquids or even tablets I can crush out there? Thanks once again!    — snickersblk (posted on February 9, 2009)

February 8, 2009
Nik, Claritan makes a product called Reditabs that disolve in your mouth! I live by them when I go to visit friends who have cats since my eyes swell shut if I don't take them.
   — Danielle T.

February 9, 2009
or beneadryl liquid for kids works for me.
   — Eneleh

February 9, 2009
Invest in a Neti pot or sinus cleansing bottle (same idea, different method) They work so great with no meds...Just salt and warm (morn and night) water up the snout! I know it sounds weird, but it cleans all the pollen out of your deep sinuses in your head and the results are as if you didn't even have allergies! I am an outside person as soon as the weather is nice...I suffer from oak pollen more than grasses and other tree pollen, but all pollen does still get me...The neti pot is just so amazing to me for both allergies and colds and sinus infections I have not had a sinus infection from pollen in YEARS since I started using the neti pot...Do a search and read about it...It's nothing new either...and is a very ancient method for allergy relief thousands of years before meds...and still used to this day by western cultures unlike us who take meds for every ache pain and symptom...when there are alternatives to meds! AND THEY WORK! Jsut an idea or in addition to meds...It will help you sleep if you clean all the pollen from your deep sinuses...
   — .Anita R.

February 9, 2009
I have switched from Zyrtec (making my high blood pressure higher) to Nasonex. After my weight loss (115lbs), everything is better:) He has changed my Advair from twice a day to once a day! Maybe he will eliminate it altogether:) My allergies are much, much better since coming to NC. NYC is one big dirty place! I "got" asthma when I was 45 for the very first time! I love it here in Raleigh. Sincerely, Rena
   — RenaMansi

February 10, 2009
My doctor told me when I ask about this that I could take any pills as long as they are no bigger than my pinky fingernail, so I bought a pill splitter and split my vitamins and Citracal in half and take them. I am only 3 weeks out for RNY and have been doing it since I came home from hospital.
   — RAEOSONSHINE

February 10, 2009
All good suggestions. Both Zyrtec and Claritin have melt tabs. I would think the generics would also have that available. Allegra has a liquid form,(I think Zyrtec did too). FYI- You can crush the claritin, but why waste the money on a brand name. The prescription nasal steroid sprays also work great, but lean forward & don't inhale when spraying, then massage up your nose...you don't want it going down your throat. It won't help you there. STAY AWAY FROM OTC NASAL DECONGESTANT SPRAYS, THEY'RE ADDICTIVE! On sleep problem: One thought is to fit some exercise in at break or lunch time. Walk around your buliding! Benadryl works for allergies, but is decent in helping you get sleepy, (tough for daytime use). There are a lot of decent presction medications. Only Ambiem is generic & can be crushed, or swallowed whole. It IS tinier that your pinkie fingernail. Best of luck. It is scarey at first. But if you call the doctor's office, I hope he has a NP or PA or even an RN you can ask quesyions too. Bring up these suggestions. They should be able to answer you without you having to wait till your next appointment.
   — cvalent1

February 11, 2009
Walgreens has a claritin type pill that desolves in your mouth. Glenda
   — preacherkid1

February 12, 2009
Thanks for the advice, everyone. I picked up some of the dissolving (generic) Claritin stuff. Took a couple of days for it to kick in, but it's wonderful!
   — snickersblk