Zantac. Who knew? Apparently not me. Zantac is apparently a pretty good thing to take if you're in allergic overload as it blocks histamine. The campus nurse told me to get some (well, she did the other day, but I "heard" it as Zyrtec, which is an antihistamine). And she suggested taking the smallest possible dose of Benadryl, even though it really knocks me out. I'll do that this evening, after I'm done with practicing piano and eating dinner.
Though I may only take one at a time - maybe just try the Zantac tonight. Apparently it makes some people drowsy and I don't need the combo of a medication that might make me sleepy with one that I know will.
Oh, sweet. An online medical site says, "You may find Zantac eliminates hives fairly quickly." They say it takes longer for esophagitis to heal, but I don't have that problem. I now have tremendous hope for this treatment - if it stops me from rashing up, that will be fantastic.
She also seemed to think the rash and swollen eye were not as serious as I thought they were, I mean, in the sense of "You really need to get that seriously treated." She didn't think steroid treatment was advisable, and if I can avoid stuff like Prednisone, I prefer to.
3 comments:
Apparently histamine stimulates the production of stomach acid, and traditional antihistamines didn't hit the right spot, so to speak, when dealing with gastric distress.
Which explains the off-label use: Zantac was designed as an antihistamine specifically aimed at the receptors that cause this distress, but it's still, underneath it all, an antihistamine.
Besides, they need to drum up some additional uses for it now that newer drugs (think Prilosec) are on the scene.
also, hugs, and hope you feel better soon.
Ugh, glad you found something that works for you.
Claritin has completely stopped being effective, Zyrtec makes me tired. :( Benedryl has a similar though not as drastic an effect on me as it does on you.
I just found out Allegra can be bought OTC or at least generic now; my doctor just gave me a prescription (fexofenadine). That's worked for me before with minimal side effects.
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