OTC Antihistamines : Have any of you had to... - PBC Foundation

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OTC Antihistamines

gwillistexas profile image
24 Replies

Have any of you had to take antihistamines? I’ve had head, nasal and chest congestion for a week. No temperature that I’m aware of. My pharmacist suggested Claritin or Allegra. I’m being very cautious and was just wondering?

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24 Replies
CeeCee101 profile image
CeeCee101

check with your doctor, but I have read they can actually make itching worse. I use saline nasal sprays when needed.

butterflyEi profile image
butterflyEi

i have used Cetirizine in the past, it was prescribed by my GP.

Buddy2017 profile image
Buddy2017

I take Benadryl once a day throughout the Summer for prickly heat and Cinnarizine if I have a vertigo attack . If I get clogged up I'll take Sudafed . I've had no side effects or problems

Chris21 profile image
Chris21

I use a steroid/antihistamine nose spray every day and Claritin when needed. Not had any side effects.

CKH73 profile image
CKH73

I take generic Allegra almost daily - as recommended after my last bout of bronchitis. Then when additional congestion starts I also use Flonase. No problems have been had for me.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply to CKH73

thank you. My pharmacist recommended Allegra or Claritin and Flonase. Of course It’s the weekend and I can’t ask my hepatologist. Is your hepatologist okay with it?

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply to gwillistexas

I haven’t had bronchitis in so many years, as long as I take my flu shot. I planned to get that this weekend but not with this mess.

CKH73 profile image
CKH73 in reply to gwillistexas

My PCP is fine with it she actually interned with my first hepatologist. I only go to the hepatologist when I’m having issues or feel that there may be progression of the disease.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply to CKH73

that’s good to know. I think I’m going to one of our urgent care clinics and see for sure what I have. My boss has been out for 2 weeks so I need to be able to carry on. I would feel fine if I could clear all congestion.

I worked all last week like this so it’s time…😊

CKH73 profile image
CKH73 in reply to gwillistexas

hoping it’s nothing much. My mom is currently congested with cold like symptoms- she’s tried lots of OTC. She just started Mucinex and it seems to be helping the best.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply to CKH73

Hope she feels better soon.

LorraineLouise profile image
LorraineLouise

I take Allegra every day, and Flonase nasal spray. I have taken these for years. With no adverse side effects , to my liver. I have PBC . The Allegra also seems to help with my itching

Hope this helps,

Lorraine Louise

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply to LorraineLouise

thanks for the positive reply. Does Allegra also hel with chest congestion? My pharmacist says all the head and nasal congestion is probably causing chest congestion.

LorraineLouise profile image
LorraineLouise

When I’ve had nasal and chest congestion. I have taken Mucinex. It really seems to help. And again , no adverse reaction, thankfully. I hope it helps you. Being congested is a miserable feeling. On top of everything else we deal with🤦‍♀️

Lorraine Louise

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply to LorraineLouise

yes, it makes me feel heavy. I’ll see what urgent care says before I buy anything. Thank you so much 😊

LorraineLouise profile image
LorraineLouise

Wishing you the best.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply to LorraineLouise

he said bad allergies. So I’m off to get Flonase and Allegra. He preferred Zyrtec. Also calling a prescription for prednisone. Hopefully this will get me going.

LorraineLouise profile image
LorraineLouise

Prednisone is a miracle drug. It really works well. Within 24 hours you will start to feel better.

Lorraine Louise

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply to LorraineLouise

Thank you!

Jlruggie profile image
Jlruggie

I take an antihistamine like once a year for a 3 day stuffy nose and it’s never bothered me

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply to Jlruggie

Thank you. I’ve never had allergies affect me this bad. But we’ll see if the antihistamines and prednisone give relief.

VeeWat profile image
VeeWat in reply to gwillistexas

what dose pred did you get?

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply to VeeWat

he was going to give me 40 mg. Then he said 20. I picked it up and it was 10 mg 2 x day. Doesn’t sound like much but I’ll give it a try.

VeeWat profile image
VeeWat in reply to gwillistexas

for how many days?

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