Allery symptoms and conditions

I have been on Zyrtec for three years (Every day) haven't noticed mood swings in myself? My mother also takes them every other day and is not particularly moody. Although she has trouble sleeping which she attributes to the menopause But if i don't take one within 24hrs I get very itchy and hive up..now that I'm breastfeeding I've just noticed my daughter is very irritable..and am beginning to think it's related to the zyrtec. I'm changing to claratyne in the morning to see if there's a change..very,very interesting and scary reading all the side-effects!!

My daughter has been on prednisone since October, 2006 -today is July 25, 2007. She is a 35 years old with asthma and allergies. Originally the pulmonologist thought she had ABPA (Allergic Bronchio Pulmonary Aspergelosis) and put her on 60 mg daily. This year has been a nightmare for her. That original diagnosis apparently was erronous, but she was kept on the high dose for breathing issues, with instructions to lower it as she could. As of today she is on 30 mg. daily. Side effects? So you know she is no "loser", she is a PhD in Biomechanical Engineering, has two patents to her credit, has spoken at numerous medical conferences (for vascular surgeons and cardiologists), and has had countless articles published in medical journals. Now she can't concentrate much less sit still, has not read a book in months (she used to read at least one book every week), she has two research publications that need to be finished but she can't focus on the work, is totally exhausted and needs to rest after only a couple of hours of mild activity, has a face she has described as looking like a mongoloid. Her beautiful, big, blue eyes are slits in her face. Clothes that fit yesterday wouldn't fit today - and those that fit today won't fit tomorrow. She craves food in the middle of the night and said she usually eats 2 bowls of cereal. She has terrible pain in her torso. Her esophagus has become so eroded she is on 6 different meds for that, and as a result cannot eat salads or raw fruits or anything that might irritate the lining of the esophagus. Her body is covered with huge dark bruises. The latest side effect made evident happened this past Saturday night. She fell striking her shins on a carpeted step. Her skin has become so thin that it actually burst open. She said it reminded her of when we'd blanch tomatoes in boiling water to peel them, and how the tomato skin would just burst open. That's how her leg was. That little fall cost a trip to the ER for stitches, tetanus shot, and antibiotics. Her husband is a career military, so since they married 1 1/2 years ago she's lived in 4 states, there's not much history among doctors. She lives now in Kansas and has started seeing specialists through the university there. We just wish she could go to Mayo Clinic for complete evaluation, but unfortunately military insurance doesn't seem to cover the best.

My 2.5 year old son just started taking singulair a week ago. He has had problems with allergies since he was about 6 months old. He has been on Zyrtec since then. This spring the Zyrtec just didn't seem to be doing a very good job supressing his allergies plus with a higher dose of Zyerc it made him very tired and irratable. So I brought him in and was perscribed Singulair for him. First couple of days everything was fine. By the third day he started throwing up in the A.M. He hasen't had an appitite since then. It's been five days. Also, after giving him the medicine at night he coughs and coughs while falling asleep. Also, his sleep pattern is very random. He has started falling asleep at odd times of the day. He then can't sleep until 12-1 A.M. He sleeps until very late hours in the morning then. He also has appeared very pale with dark circles under his eyes. Finally last night while I was at work I got a phone call from his daycare. He had broken out in a rash and was very itchy. The rash covered his face, behind his ears, accross his shoulders, and down is neck and chest. This was a very simulair rash to what had happened when he was given sulfa meds. I immediatly said to not give him the singulair that night and to give him Benadryl. This morning the rash has subsided and after reading this page I have called our doctor and have got a referance to an Allery specialist. I do know that he will not be taking Singulair anymore.

I share the story of many others on this site...

Severe fall allergies, despite years of ineffective perscription allery pills and steroid nasal sprays. Nothing seemed to work. A doctor at my University health clinic suggested the shot (actually Triamcinelone). I've been getting the shot (now Kenalog) every September for 10 years, and absolutely love it. In fact, my wife and kids can't wait for me to get it, because allergies turn me into a grumpy, tired monster! Over the counter pills make me extremely sluggish and irratable.

10 years, no dents or headaches! Just pure relief... if you can't find a doctor who will give it to you, keep searching. I've also been able to convince a doctor or two by suggesting that I will only need 1 low dose shot. Many are hesitant (in my opinion) because they're afraid you'll keep coming back to ask for more. Just 1 a year does it for me. Hope this helps.