I am trying to get off Zyrtec after having taken it for the last ...

Hi Mae,
I've been taking Zyrtec for 9 years for itchy skin and stopped taking is suddenly about 5 days ago. The itchies are still there, worst is the inability to fall asleep, constant ringing in my ears, neck, upper back pain.... the list is endless.
I was wondering if you knew how long these withdrawal symptoms last for?
I don't want to start taking Zyrtec again after be free for a week, however, it itchy skin and body aches are driving me nuts and the doctor is no help.
Thanks,
Mary

It's been almost a month and I am still trying to get off Zyrtec. I am down to 5mg every other night. By the end of the second day, I'm having some muscle pain, itching, and so forth, but not quite as bad as three weeks ago. I am just trying to tough it out. I switched to OTC Benadryl to help with sleep (I am breaking it in half). This is a slow process, but I think that I will be off of the Zyrtec in another two or three weeks. Then I will wean myself off of the Benadryl and try to sleep without help from a drug.

It appears that it will take me about two months to wean off of Zyrtec.

I would like to find something that works as well as Zyrtec does for my Springtime allergic asthma, so that I never have to take it again. But there is nothing else out there at this time.