
Every fall (for the past twenty years or more) I take antihistamines for my ragweed allergy for about eight weeks. No big deal. At least I didn’t think so.
This year when I stopped taking Allegra-D I started suffering withdrawal symptoms. I had no idea antihistamines were addictive!!! I felt sick at first and had an awful headache the first day. Then the infernal itching started. I itch everywhere!!! Eyes, tongue, throat, in my ears, palms, feet, everywhere. The itching is truly horrendous. The sort of itching that makes you want to shred your skin. I’ve never experienced anything like this. I look and feel like the victim of an angry cat.
Other symptoms include chills, headaches, nausea, upset stomach, and just plain scatterbrained. I’m supposed to be unpacking this house but I just couldn’t yesterday. I would pick up an item and have just no idea what to do. I’m clueless about many things…not usually about the items I own. Except for the itching today has been better. The kids and I put together a useable school room today. Even though everything is still a mess in the house we are getting back to school tomorrow. I have enough material for the next two weeks or so. By then we should have our book shelves up and the room completely unpacked.
Sadly, I’ll still be itching. According to the experts I’ll suffer for the next two to four weeks!!!! Today is only the third day. I could buy another package of the pills and cut them in half to reduce the symptoms. But I am a little too angry to give the company more money when there was nothing in their literature about addiction.
Maybe the Lord will look down on my suffering and lessen my time in this purgatory.
Now, I need to figure out how to handle my allergies for next fall. There must be a natural way.
October 9, 2015 at 8:50 pm
Ugh! You poor thing. I’m supposed to take an antihistamine to compliment my asthma pills, but I’ve never felt like I needed it. Now I have a reason to tell my doctor when she asks why I don’t take it! Praying your itching goes away sooner than soon….
Also, it’s awesome than in the midst of all this you got your classroom usable. Congratulations. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 10, 2015 at 12:19 pm
Thank you for posting this blog. People believe that OTC drugs are safe and do not create problems related to our bodies and how they function. This is one of the main reasons I created my blog site. I am NOT an extremist. I believe all approaches to better health have their place and efficacy. I think most people are simply unaware of the reality of relying on 1 approach to health.
When we financially invest our money, we are taught to DIVERSIFY. This is supposed to provide safety and better results. Healthcare is similar. Using various strategies to customize and maximize results is the best approach I have discovered as a physician.
Using a conservative approach to provide the body the tools needed to maintaining overall health has yielded excellent results with my patients.
Your blog post will likely stimulate others to think about the possible ramifications that pharmaceutical drugs can cause and seek out more conservative and effective approaches that produce safer and better results.
I’m so sorry you had such an adverse reaction associated with your antihistamine.
LikeLiked by 2 people
October 11, 2015 at 7:57 pm
I am a bit shocked to be going through this! However, now that I have done some research I am no longer so surprised. I’m still trying to figure out how to handle my allergies next ragweed season…
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 21, 2015 at 9:58 pm
Allergies can be a nightmare. Take care
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 17, 2020 at 9:58 pm
I stopped taking Allegra about two weeks ago and the itching is so unbelievably pervasive. It wakes me at night. I’ve cut my nails very short and tried lotion, powder, rubbing alcohol, hydrocortisone, baths in Epsom salt and then baking soda. The baking soda is so far the best but I will distract myself and meditate until it passes somewhat. I keep my skin covered and say to myself “no scratching”. Now I know what it is I am NOT taking Allegra anymore and going to tough it out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
September 23, 2020 at 8:46 pm
I’ve had no trouble with claritin
LikeLike
December 2, 2020 at 3:47 pm
I have stopped taking Allegra now for 2.5 weeks and the 1st week was horrible the itching, welts , nausea and no sleeping is bad
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 9, 2020 at 7:48 pm
Good luck to you! I haven’t taken it since my addiction.
LikeLike