Allergy medication side effect?

[sandybrown]

Any one there with experience of dementia issues?

Last week the news papers wrote articles on this.

Have been taking Zertik allergy for 35 years!!!

[helixhelix]

It's a bit hard to work out what you're asking. Sadly dementia is increasing common as we all live longer, and there are always loads of theories about things that might trigger it. Do you remember the fuss 10-15 years ago about aluminium saucepans? Which has now been completely disproved. So these days I ignore wild theories that are in popular newspapers as they're usually badly researched, based on a sample of 5 people or indeed sometimes downright untrue! and I particularly ignore anything that says that there's a solution if I just buy their magic product.

[Jora in reply to helixhelix]

I agree with Helixhelix. Worrying too much about dementia could send one round the bend. I try to take it one day at a time. Having said that, I was pleased to read that Methotrexate might be helpful in warding off Alzheimer's!

[sandybrown]

Thank you for your answer. Medication given by doctors help one problem and bring another problem! Allergy, food or environmental has been a problem for me therefore I have been on one day allergy medication for many years. Only now i am paying attention to side effect! Sorry for not making my question very clear.

Thank you.

[Angela123]

Hi there. I think you are referring to an article in the paper which said some antidepressants can cause dementia? I take Amytriptyline for neck pain and this is one. I don't think the report is a definite one, but you can discuss it at your next doctors appointment if you are worried. That's what I will do. Angela

[sandybrown in reply to Angela123]

Thanks.

Doctors give medication and I take it, this is the only Zirtek Allergy, once a day,medication I have been taking for the last 35 years. At 68 I am reading about side effect, Dementia! Have an appointment with the doctor on Friday and will discuss.

[Hidden]

Bala - What I read in relation to dementia last week was long term taking of anti histamines. Piriton which my son has taken for hay fever over many years was one that was mentioned.

Helixhelix - I was reminded of the aluminium saucepans scare only yesterday when my daughter saw me making marmalade in a large aluminium jam pan and asked if I should be using it. I told her it was rubbish but she probably thought I was in the first stages of dementia!!

[Hobbits]

My BF wont eat pickles. He told me anything pickled or preserved will give you Alzheimers Disease.

He looks at me very concerned as I chomp on my Bick's 'Polskie Ogorki' giants.

He shakes his head when I spoon out pickled beets from the jar.

We are kinda at at stand still here.....he looks and watches.....but he knows not to comment anymore.

I think everything we eat will give us something eventually, from pesticides in our fruits and vegetables, to hormones and antibiotics in our meats, to medications, to breathing the smog, molds and disinfectant cleaners, and household carpets that supposedly leach a toxic invisible poison ( I sometimes wonder if hardwood floor companies did the study?)

A long time ago I read that coffee increases you risk of cancer, I stopped drinking it scared to death cause I drank 3 cups a day and both my parents died of cancers...now research shows it actually can prevent some cancers.....I suffered a week of extreme migraines from my caffeine withdrawal for nothing. I'm happy to say I'm back on the cuppa.

Working in the healthcare field I know Alzheimer's Disease and related conditions are one of the most terrifying to see loved ones go through, and people are terrified of developing, for good reason. I look at it like RD, if your going to get it, your going to get it, no one thing is the cause. Us RA folk take some pretty strong meds with some disturbing and scary risks, but like anything we weigh the benefits with the risks.

I can relate to how you are feeling, having taken your med for so long then reading the article. I was on the drug Vioxx for a long time, then one day I went to pharmacy to get a refill, the Pharmacist told me the drug has been recalled, it apparently can eat the valves to your heart. Over the next week it was on the news and reported in papers.

I was terrified though, because it was the only drug that helped me, and because I could have heart damage.

know if a drug is actually that bad, it will be recalled, if the science is there.

If it gives you comfort I wonder if there is an alternative med you can take just to have peace of mind.