Antihistamines for Post Covid Symptoms?

Hi, a few weeks ago I tested positive for Covid… It caused an asthma flare but my Fostair and Ventolin along with a course of Dexomethasone steroids seemed to have kept it manageable… Although the actual illness passed very quickly (temp, awful throat, horrible barking coughing fits) I have been left with a slight cough and exhaustion. I still have 0 taste or smell, and I also sound like I am full up with cold when I talk, although I have no runny nose or anything like that, and I can breathe through my nose, so I am thinking this must be inflammation further up in my sinuses - although I don’t have sinus pain (I think the steroids helped massively with that!) unless it is something to do with my throat/voice box, although if it was I would assume that I wouldn’t actually have a voice - not that I sound like I have a cold, and if there is inflammation further back then it would explain loss of smell and taste still?

Has anyone used antihistamines to help? I do have Acrivastine at home that I used to use for my hay fever, however although they are supposedly non drowsy they do make me feel tired especially when first taking them so I’m reluctant to try them due to the fact that Covid has left me feeling exhausted anyway! I also have Fexofenadine that I now use for my hay fever, and although they aren’t drowsy I am a little reluctant to start them just yet because I’m anticipating that my asthma won’t be happy come hay fever season, and mine usually kicks in by February, so I want to keep my stronger antihistamines for when that starts so I get the full boost from them!

Does anyone have any tips or recommendations? I know I’ve tried Loratidine and Certrizine in the past, they’ve been useless for my hay fever, but wondering if anyone has tried these and if they are non drowsy? I can’t remember!

I also have Dymista steroid spray that I’m using as well as a sinus rinse!

Thank you!

[Poobah]

Maybe a nasal rinse or a steroid nasal spray would help you get over the blocked nose phase. Antihistamines will only help if the inflammation is being caused by an allergy. Have a chat with your doctor about a nasal spray prescription. Whatever you do, don't use decongestants (Sudafed, Otrivine etc) for more than the recommended period of 4 or 5 days as these can cause rebound symptoms and make the symptoms persist.

The steroid spray won't give instant relief but will deal with the inflammation after a few days.

[Hidden in reply to Poobah]

Thank you! I am already on Dymista anyway, and I’ve been using a sinus rinse too twice a day.. yeah I agree with you re the decongestants and rebound symptoms so I’ve avoided them!

[peege]

Hi, regarding whether or not cetirizine or loratidine are drowsy in my opinion it depends on the individual. Some (like me are drowsy & couldn't possibly drive safely) and some are absolutely fine. Because Cetirizine makes me drowsy I take one at about 8pm, it's worn off by 8am so I can get on with the day.

[Birthday60]

I would use Olbas oil and get out into the fresh air and walk - get your blood circulating and breathing deeply, it’s interesting how other countries are handling covid and we are currently kin Norway - very few long lasting effects but they do have a more outdoor life

[Jolu29]

Hi I was really unwell with covid months , found avymys nasal spray helped loads prescribes by gp and vitamin D. I take anthedtimes prescribed not sure if they did make much difference.

[ForestFreda]

I understand that antihistamines such as fexofenadine are being prescribed for post covid syndrome.