(no subject)

[shadesong]

Okay, just took Claritin, which I don't have a prescription for and have never taken before. So if I react badly and end up in the ER, y'all will be able to tell them what I took.

Comments

[amberfox.livejournal.com]

If you're congested, antihistamines won't help for at least a few hours. Antihistamines may keep you from getting *more* congested, but you need a decongestant to clear it up in the meantime. I used to recommend Tavist D, but they pulled it off of the market: the decongestant they were using was linked to an increased risk of stroke. So these days I'm using Benadryl for allergies, and Robitussin severe congestion formula, or more often the generic equivalent from Eckerd's, for breathing. Having to take 2 different drugs is annoying, but breathing is *not* optional, so I deal.

[technomom]

And antihistamines only help if the congestion is allergy-related. They don't do diddly for infections.

[shadesong.livejournal.com]

Poo. I got all cottonmouthed for nothing. :(

B

Re:

[technomom]

Decongestants are what you need, sweetie. Is it mostly in your head or your chest, or both?

If you take any cough medicine, pay careful attention to whether you're taking an expectorant (helps break up chest congestion so you cough it up) or a cough suppressant (helps you stop coughing to get some rest). I'm still unclear as to how the ones that claim to combine both work.

If you have a vaporizer, use it. Preferably with some of that menthol stuff to get it in the air. If you don't have a vaporizer, boil water in the kitchen so the steam gets around the house. Or go sit down in a really hot shower to let the steam work on you.

[amberfox.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I recommend drinking a lot of water, too. Don't force yourself or anything, but keep it on hand; I find that water helps break up the congestion. I don't understand it, but if it works, I'm happy.

[shadesong.livejournal.com]

Congestion's all in my head, though I am having a bit of shortness of breath. Not taking cough medicine, just sucking cough drops. No inhaler, but I'll try the shower thing...

[amberfox.livejournal.com]

Point. I'm used to taking them whenever I get choked up, but almost all my breathing troubles are allergy-related. All antihistamines do is block allergic reactions, though, so they won't help anything else.