Antihistamines, decongestants...and us??

[RNRita]

Okay, so I've had my first cold in over 10 years and it is owning me like a pair of old gym trunks.  I have never been able to take either antihistamines nor decongestants because of how they made me feel, so I suffer a LOT! This time I got so sick that I took a does of Pediacare for colds (children's).  So......it made me feel awful in the head (no real palps) but did not touch the symptoms.

Anyone else have problems with these two drugs?

[CFS56]

I can use the steriod nasal sprays like flonase without setting anything off. Any decongestant is out of the question for me.  I use mucinex, helps sometimes, especially if you are coughing.  Also use a lot of steam and sometimes use a medicated vaporizer.  Hope you feel better.

[Jerry_NJ]

I have almost no "drip", but have congestion almost every night... the Zicam helps.  As I said I use the allergy relief formulation and I think it also helps with "running" noses.  I used the Equate equivalent for nasal congestion last night when I woke up at 3 AM with a solid plug on the right side.  Lying on my left didn't make it shift and I had to get up anyway.  The only symptom I have is congestion.  Thank god very little during the day, maybe that means I'm allergic to my bedroom, or something in it, my wife?  Truth is I have nighttime congestion even when I am in a hotel by myself.  Must be allergic to sleeping, ouch!  

[RNRita]

I've been saying I haven't had a cold in years for years.....I think I may have brought on the cold of the century, though.

I have taken liquid NyQuil at night in the past because I can sip small doses.  However, I usually wake up with a hangover and I don't like that much, either.   I may be in trouble in a few years when I need some of these meds to live.....hahahahhahaa

[itdood]

Wait, didn't you just say a few days ago that you haven't had a cold in 10 years, then you caught this cold?!  you jinxed it !

I can tolerate guaifenesin for coughs, and Robitussin during the day for minor relief.  Motrin for achies is fine..  NyQuil works really well for me too, doesn't set off any PVCs for me and I get a good night's rest.  I stay far away from pseudoephedrine, though I must admin, I tolerated a low dose timed release version of it in Alegra D really well, no prob.

[RNRita]

Thanks, guys.  It helps to know I am not the only one that suffers through colds without relief.  I do use Afrin when I cannot stand being blocked, but the constant drip is the worst. I had to call off work for fear I would drip on patients.  I'm going in tomorrow and ....I think I'm gonna use a cork!

[Jerry_NJ]

I can take the various decongestants but other than the nose spray none help much.  My AFib seems unaffected... but then it is permanent, all the time anyway.

I have used the Nedipot sinus flush/irrigation and don't think it helps much.  I have also seen on network news warnings about some deadly infection that can be gotten using this type device but one can protect against this by using boiled, pure, distilled water. Do not use water straight from the tap... I had been doing that.  I still get a drowning feeling while the flush is running through my sinus.   One can also add salt (not the iodized stuff) and a pinch of soda (the Arm and hammer anti acid stuff) to make the flush.  The idea is to add enough salt to have a saline neutral solution.

[DeltaDawn23]

I ended up in the ER after taking Pseudofed.  I now use Breathe Right strips for the nose, Ayr saline nasal spray, lots of fluids and hope for the best.

[tom_h]

Me too. Pseudoephedrine really got it going for me. I stayed away from all antihistamines if I could.

[littlegreenman1]

Ha! That was my discharge instructions from the ER on my first visit for SVT: "Do not take pseudofed."

I'm ablated, so I take it again and drink coffee like a fiend.
Try the NeilMed Sinus Wash Bottle.  I like it!!  (with premade packs of salt/baking soda)
Other than that: I don't know: good luck

[Jerry_NJ]

I get some nasal relief from Zicam Allergy Relief.  It is "homeopathic", so not immediate acting.  There are several Zicam nasal products.  The Allergy can be used several times a day and as many days as needed.  The idea is that after a week or so on many not need it for a while or may use it just once a day.

It is also available as a swab, at considerably higher cost.  I mention this because unlike anti congestive nasal sprays that give "immediate" relief, the Zicam is sprayed to coat the breathing passage, not the sinuses.  

Good luck.  I use stuff like Afrin when I can't stand it any more.  I'm still working on Zicam.  It worked for my wife...and give me some relief during the day.  It is lying down that really brings on the congestion for me, and it shifts from side-to-side, depending on which side I am lying.