About Zyrtec

Deanna in CO · Post by **Deanna in CO** » Fri Aug 10, 2012 9:11 pm

So I've been wondering some things about Zyrtec. My biopsies in January came up negative for mast cells, so I assumed I do not have mast cell issues. However,I know Tex has said some things suggesting he believes mast cells are involved for all of us with MC. So recently I've tried taking Zyrtec a few times, mainly for my other allergies, and have always thought it seemed to help.

Today there was no doubt. In spite of being on a strict GF DF EF SF sugar-free corn-free low-fiber etc diet, I've been having WD multiple times (6-8 at least) a day. (I think this is due at least in part to my gallbladder problems.) Anyway, with some minor allergy issues today, I decided to take a Zyrtec - and I only had 3 episodes, 2 of which were minor.

So now here's my question: If Zyrtec makes me feel so much better, why shouldn't I just take a Zyrtec every day? Would that work, or would I get habituated to it so it wouldn't work as well?

Deanna

beni · Post by **beni** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 2:15 am

I am also taking zyrtec daily, in the past I managed to wean down the endocort, several times to one every other day then at about 9 plus days later the D. came back so I had to increase the dose again so this time I am taking zyrtec and am down to one every other day with VERY solid poo, avery big difference. I must say I have a lot of alergys and have to take zyrtec often anyway but now I take it every day, I am concerned what will happen if I get off Endocort will I have to take zyrtec forever????????????? I must say that my gut feels different taking zyrtec, in a good way so I am hopeful that this time I will get off the endocort, Beni

mbeezie · Post by **mbeezie** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 5:27 am

My guess is most of us have normal amounts/shapes of mast cells but they behave badly, meaning they degranulate very easily. I too had a normal level of mast cells on biopsy but there is no doubt I was experiencing mast cell issues.

Mary Beth

grannyh · Post by **grannyh** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 6:29 am

Interesting about zyrtec. Have had allergies for over a decade but never took that particular drug for them. Has to be cheaper than entocort:)

Last month I finally had sinus surgery hoping to finally get off the cycle of ear and sinus infections.
grannyh

mickjcat · Post by **mickjcat** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 3:54 pm

I take the generic for zyrtec, I get it at Costco. It is called aller-tec, and it is about 16 or 17 dollars for 365 tablets....a years worth.

I know I digress a bit, just love a good bargain. It has been generic maybe a year, so look for the generic unless it is not recommended by anyone knows something I don't .

grannyh · Post by **grannyh** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 4:08 pm

Wonder what zyrtec would do to you if you didn't have allergies and took it anyway.. Since I just had the tube in my ear and sinus surgery... hopefully I won't need allergy medicines now... nose runs like a faucet as soon as I go outside.. no clogging anywhere..LOL
grannyh

Post by **tex** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 10:07 pm

GrannyH,

Zyrtec should turn off the faucet.

Tex

grannyh · Post by **grannyh** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 10:27 pm

Tex,
Not a good idea to turn off the faucet artifically yet. Still washing the sinuses daily since surgery and getting the rest of the disolving stitches out. Other than being annoying.. it is nice to have sinuses draining instead of clogging up and getting infected. For me good news is having the sinus run/drain but the other end not run/drain..LOL
granny

Post by **tex** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 11:04 pm

I hear you. The ragweed is beginning to bloom, so your sinuses should enjoy plenty of flushing over the next month or so.

Tex

grannyh · Post by **grannyh** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 11:41 pm

In Texas something is always blooming, shedding, or molding:)
grannyh

patc73 · Post by **patc73** » Sun Aug 12, 2012 7:49 am

After reading about Gabes' and Joe's experiment with Claritin/Zyrtec and Benedryl (see this link: http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15506) and their success controlling D due to mast cell activation disorder, I recently began taking both myself to see what would happen. It works! A Claritin generic in the AM, and Benedryl in the evening, have stopped my seven-week flare cold! I also have something called "oral allergy syndrome", where my mouth goes numb after eating bananas, among other high-histamine foods, and my rheumatologist recommended Claritin to control that reaction, so technically, I'm taking loratadine (Claritin) on Dr.'s orders. One thing I've learned in my research is that Zyrtec isn't as safe as Claritin; it's more habit-forming, so I'm sticking with loratadine. I may drop the Benadryl in the P.M., although it has helped me sleep better!

Pat

grannyh · Post by **grannyh** » Sun Aug 12, 2012 8:27 am

Entocort is a very expensive off label use of a prescription drug.. sounds like this is much less expensive and easier to get off label use of over the counter stuff. Will be talking to ENT about this when I go back for follow up on sinus surgery.
grannyh

beni · Post by **beni** » Mon Aug 13, 2012 9:22 am

when I replyed before on this subject I said I was using zyrtec to help me come off endocort but actually I am taking zyzal, pretty much the same thing I beleive. Today I have been reading past threads and papers on mast cell issues and wonder if I am using the correct antihistamine, others seem to be using claratin and benadryl or a combination, what would be best??????At the moment I am down to 3mg of endocort every other day for 10 days now, in the past I made it to 9 days then theD. came back , this time having added zyzal I have no D., a big improvement but today and yesterday I have had noisy guts and some bloating, oh I so hope this is just passing and not a sign of the return of the D. so any advise on the right type of antihistamine would be helpful, I am often plagued with allergys and am prescribed zyzal so have been using this, should I change to another one that would work on the gut better, thanks in advance, Beni

Post by **tex** » Mon Aug 13, 2012 11:14 am

Beni,

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is a short-acting type 1 antihistamine, which is prone to causing drowsiness. Drugs such as Claritin (loratidine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine) are long-acting H1 antihistamines that are much less likely to cause drowsiness. All these drugs are available in the U.S. without a prescription.

Prescription H1 antihistamines include Atarax (hydroxyzine) and Vistaril (cyproheptadine), both of which tend to cause drowsiness. Allegra (fexofenadine) and Zyzal (levocetirizine) are much less likely to cause less drowsiness.

Drugs such as Zantac (ranitidine), Tagamet (cimetidine), and Pepcid (famotidine) are H2 type antihistamines, (which work in the stomach and intestines) and these sometimes help when taken in addition to the type H1 antihistamines. Type H2 antihistamines were originally developed to treat ulcers, and for some of us, they can make our MC symptoms worse.

It's difficult to say which medication (or medications) might work best for you, because usually that has to be determined by trial and error, due to the fact that we each have different situations, and we all respond to meds differently).

There is a class of drugs that has both H1 and H2 histamine blocking effects (which makes it more powerful), but drugs in this class are actually antidepressants, so they tend to be very sedating. An example would be doxepin, which is sold as brand names Adapin, Silenor, and Sinequan.

Tex

grannyh · Post by **grannyh** » Mon Aug 13, 2012 11:19 am

Tex,
Lots of great info. Just not sure what happens if you use these over the counter things if you don't actually need them for sinus.. hope ENT can tell me tomorrow.
grannyh