Oh Thank God

[SeaCat]

Oh thank the gods for that wonderful chemical mix called Claritin D. Because of it I am not in pain for the first time in four days. Hell I can even concentrate.

Cat

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Oh thank the gods for that wonderful chemical mix called Claritin D. Because of it I am not in pain for the first time in four days. Hell I can even concentrate.

Cat

Ain't it sweet? The generic version works just as well for me, and when combined with generic Sudafed, it works even better.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[glynndah]

Oh thank the gods for that wonderful chemical mix called Claritin D. Because of it I am not in pain for the first time in four days. Hell I can even concentrate.

Cat

Oh, yes. Sudafed and I are well acquainted. Well, that and some heavy-duty antibiotics at the moment.

 

[SeaCat]

Ain't it sweet? The generic version works just as well for me, and when combined with generic Sudafed, it works even better.

Rumple Foreskin

Claritin D is Claritin with the Sudafed added. (Which is why it is behind the counter, and why I can't stock pile it easily for emergencies like this was.)

Claritin (Loratadine) and Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine Sulfate) on their own don't cut it for me, but mix the two together and my sinuses are happy.

Cat

 

[SeaCat]

Oh, yes. Sudafed and I are well acquainted. Well, that and some heavy-duty antibiotics at the moment.

Sinus Infection?

Cat

 

[glynndah]

Sinus Infection?

Cat

And bronchitis, too. A bad winter for me.

 

[jomar]

Oh, yes. Sudafed and I are well acquainted.

Time for a new cat!

Claritin D is Claritin with the Sudafed added. (Which is why it is behind the counter, and why I can't stock pile it easily for emergencies like this was.)

Claritin (Loratadine) and Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine Sulfate) on their own don't cut it for me, but mix the two together and my sinuses are happy.

Cat

I did Claratin D for years and it worked well, especially the 12 hour, for me. I'm trying it without the D now because my doctor said you want the drainage (not convinced), but mostly because it runs the risk of raising blood pressure in men of a certain age. Of course, I can't find anything to really substantiate it on the net so... But now, the D version is a pain in the butt to buy because drug laws.

 

[glynndah]

Time for a new cat!



I did Claratin D for years and it worked well, especially the 12 hour, for me. I'm trying it without the D now because my doctor said you want the drainage (not convinced), but mostly because it runs the risk of raising blood pressure in men of a certain age. Of course, I can't find anything to really substantiate it on the net so... But now, the D version is a pain in the butt to buy because drug laws.

I used to be kinda flattered that they thought I knew enough about chemistry to actually make the stuff, but now that they're stopping everyone ...

 

[jomar]

I used to be kinda flattered that they thought I knew enough about chemistry to actually make the stuff, but now that they're stopping everyone ...

They didn't try to close your lab too, did they?

 

[glynndah]

They didn't try to close your lab too, did they?

I'm still eluding detection.

 

[jomar]

I'm still eluding detection.

Oh Thank God.

 

[Weird Harold]

Pseudophedrine HCL does raise blood pressure -- it only takes a home blood-pressure cuff to prove it.

If you need proof from the internet, there was a MLB outfilder who collapsed during a game a cople of years ago; his condition was blamed on Pseudophedrine abuse.

It does sound a bit wonky that the doctor wants you to drop the decongestant (which is what promotes drainage) and keep the anti-histimine (which is what dries up the secretions) with the justification that "you want the drainage." The blood pressure problem with sudafed is well known and documented on the warning label.

 

[kimbalee]

Used Mucunex DM, and it worked wonders. Was sick for a week, took it and was functional in 2 days. costs around $25 OTC though. Worth it for me.

 

[glynndah]

Used Mucunex DM, and it worked wonders. Was sick for a week, took it and was functional in 2 days. costs around $25 OTC though. Worth it for me.

You can buy a generic version of that. I'm on my third or fourth bottle.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Over the counter Zicam Eucalyptus/Menthol will not only clear you sinuses, but your cerebellum and cerebrum as well. Now if your ENT spec. will proscribe Nasocort, it's gentler but lasts even better.

 

[Just-Legal]

Since y'all are so good with this stuff, know anything good for migrane? I'm on Migraleve and the other half is on Imigran but we don't seem to be going anywhere. If I keel over once more I'm gonna scream...

 

[Weird Harold]

You can buy a generic version of that. I'm on my third or fourth bottle.

(re: Mucinex DM)

You can buy generic guafinesin tablets with a decongestant in them, but I haven't seen any that were timed release like the brand name Mucinex products.

That doesn't stop me from using a generic "mucus relief" tablet, although I have used Mucinex and find it does work better than generic tablets (with or without decongestant) -- just not enough better to warrant the extra cost.

 

[Weird Harold]

Since y'all are so good with this stuff, know anything good for migrane? I'm on Migraleve and the other half is on Imigran but we don't seem to be going anywhere. If I keel over once more I'm gonna scream...

I don't know of any specific OTV remedy for migraines that works better than prescription meds, I do know that in many cases, the "Migraine Formula" "Arthritis Formula" and "Extra Strength Formula" are the exact same formula with different lableing -- Check the ingredients list and compare to other products to determine if you should be paying more for a "migraine formula."

The most important thing for migraine relief is to learn what your triggers are and what the warning signs are so that you can medicate before the migraine sets in. A 35mg aspirin taken as soon as the "aura" begins and before the pain fully manefests will do more to ameliorate a migraine's severity than taking a double dose of the strongest pain-killer you can lay your hands on after the pain takes hold.

Finally, the best quote about migraines ever:

I have no idea what causes migraines, but I'm pretty sure it's not aspirin deficiency. -- unknown

 

[voluptuary_manque]

About one third of migraine sufferers gain relief by strapping thermometers onto the palms of their hands and then imagining that their hands are getting warm. It's a bio-feedback technique that transfers blood from the brain to the hands. It takes a bit of learning but once you start to see the mercury rise it gets easier and easier. Unfortunately, only about one third get relief.

 

[jomar]

Pseudophedrine HCL does raise blood pressure -- it only takes a home blood-pressure cuff to prove it.

If you need proof from the internet, there was a MLB outfilder who collapsed during a game a cople of years ago; his condition was blamed on Pseudophedrine abuse.

It does sound a bit wonky that the doctor wants you to drop the decongestant (which is what promotes drainage) and keep the anti-histimine (which is what dries up the secretions) with the justification that "you want the drainage." The blood pressure problem with sudafed is well known and documented on the warning label.

I wasn't as clear as I should have been. I think his point was while drainage is good, using decongestants to shrink nasal passages (restricting blood flow) is offset by the increased risk, with age, of higher blood pressure.

 

[glynndah]

I don't know of any specific OTV remedy for migraines that works better than prescription meds, I do know that in many cases, the "Migraine Formula" "Arthritis Formula" and "Extra Strength Formula" are the exact same formula with different lableing -- Check the ingredients list and compare to other products to determine if you should be paying more for a "migraine formula."

The most important thing for migraine relief is to learn what your triggers are and what the warning signs are so that you can medicate before the migraine sets in. A 35mg aspirin taken as soon as the "aura" begins and before the pain fully manefests will do more to ameliorate a migraine's severity than taking a double dose of the strongest pain-killer you can lay your hands on after the pain takes hold.

Finally, the best quote about migraines ever:

Even better, read the labels. Most so-called "migraine" or "tension" headache formulas are nothing more than aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine. Try one aspirin, one acetaminophen and a serving of whatever caffeine you desire. This usually works for me and it's much cheaper.

 

[Weird Harold]

I wasn't as clear as I should have been. I think his point was while drainage is good, using decongestants to shrink nasal passages (restricting blood flow) is offset by the increased risk, with age, of higher blood pressure.

That does sound more like I understand the problem with sudafed and blood pressure.

Even better, read the labels. Most so-called "migraine" or "tension" headache formulas are nothing more than aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine. Try one aspirin, one acetaminophen and a serving of whatever caffeine you desire. This usually works for me and it's much cheaper.

The aspirin/acetaminophen/caffeine formulation is "Extra Strength Excedrin" or generic copies thereof. Excedrin has non-aspriin (acetaminophen) formulations and there are generic copies of those formulations also.

There are basically only three OTC pain relievers: Asprin, Tylenol (acetominophen) and Aleve (Naproxin Sodium/NSAID.) Each has benefits and drawbacks that long-term users need to be aware of. Some brands, like Extra Strength Excedrin ar formulations of varying ratios of one or more of those three pain-relievers with one or more other OTC product like caffiene or sudafed