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Default Apr 16, 2019 at 04:08 PM
  #1
Hi Folks, I'm really struggling with seasonal allergies, but the OTC tablets I've taken in the past (it's been a few years) have been super stimulating, and I don't sleep, no matter how early in the morning I've taken the pill.

A few years ago I asked the pharmacist what allergy tablets would least likely cause insomnia, but the one he recommended sent me high as well, like having had several espressos before bed.

There is a spray available now in Canada, but I'm pretty sure it contains steroids, having asthma I know from experience that anything with steroids sends my hypomanic.

Anyone else this sensitive to allergy meds? And did you find something that worked for your allergies without being agitating?

Thanks, guys.

Last edited by lightly toasted; Apr 16, 2019 at 05:18 PM..
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Default Apr 16, 2019 at 04:57 PM
  #2
I asked a couple of pharmacists for recommendations on OTC sinus pressure/pain (predominately) medications and they, knowing I have bipolar disorder, would only recommend nasal sprays. Nasal sprays never did a thing for my sinus pressure/pain. Not a thing! I had tried pills in front of the pharmacy counter, like Tylenol sinus/allergy, but they didn't do much, either, so I'd stop. Have you tried sprays? Maybe they would help.

There's only one sinus medication that ever seemed to work for me, and it is "OTC", no prescription needed, but it's one I had to ask the pharmacist for and present my driver's license for. That did indeed give me a high. Once when I mentioned I took it to my psychiatrist, he told me to stop and never take it again. I confess I did from time to time, but have since stopped. One time I tried to buy it, the pharmacist (who knew me well) gave me a stern look and asked "Are you buying it for yourself or someone else?" I confess that I lied and told her that I was buying it for my husband. She sold it to me, but kept giving me a look. The next time, I went to a pharmacy far from my house, and bought it there, again having to present my driver's license. During some periods, I used it not for sinus pressure, but for the actual high. Not good!

Point to my story? If it gives you some high, or makes it difficult for you to sleep, perhaps you shouldn't take it. I'd ask your pharmacist what they recommend. I believe there are some OTC pills, in front of the counter, for allergies that aren't usually stimulating. Maybe they would help you. They never helped me.

If you live outside of the US, it's possible that the medication I mentioned above, that I abused, may not require a license to be presented. That's another reason to ask the pharmacist for recommendations. Or ask your psychiatrist for some.

Anything too stimulating is bad news for me. I can only even take 100 mg of Lamictal (which I call an "antidepressant") if I have an adequate amount of antipsychotic.

Last edited by Anonymous46341; Apr 16, 2019 at 05:12 PM..
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lightly toasted
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Default Apr 16, 2019 at 05:24 PM
  #3
Thanks, BirdDancer. I haven't actually taken any allergy meds in years, sorry I wasn't very clear in my original post - I've just edited to make it a bit more clear.

I'm pretty sure any med that required a driver's license to obtain would f*** me up, so no danger of me being tempted ..

I'm just looking for something over the counter, not too scary expensive. My allergies have become worse over the past few years, and since everything I remember trying sends me up, I just hide at home with the windows shut and rinse out my nose regularly. I'd like to have a bit more freedom.

ETA when I asked GP for suggestions his response was "I guess benydryl is your only option " , but in a snarky way, like, I don't think he actually believed me when I said the allergy meds were keeping me up...gee, thanks
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