Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Maple Tree Allergy

All 13-year-old Billy Blalock wanted to do was rake his neighbor's leaves to earn some spending money. When the sneezing fits began, the boy's plans were threatened unless he could swallow a potent antihistamine prescribed by the family doctor. Thankfully, a California Health Insurance Agent had made the price of the pills a little easier for Billy's parents to swallow.

Billy Blalock was eager to earn extra money. He needed a new skateboard and Playstation 3, but his parents were scrimping just to get by. His "job," raking leaves at the Jones next door in their modest Rancho Bernardo 'hood', seemed like a no-brainer. When Sally Jones, a pert brunette thirty-something whom Billy considered "a second mom," agreed to Billy's raking after school, the teenager was elated.

"I can rake!" he exclaimed to Betty, his first mom, "I can rake!" "Yes you can," she replied deadpan, sort of like a 34-year-old feminine version of a Caucasian Barack Obama.

But a strange thing happened on the way to Billy's raking. Underneath the Jones's imported maple tree, an exotic from New England, Billy sneezed. He returned to raking. He sneezed again. He started raking again, a bit more tentatively this time. Suddenly he sneezed in a burst, once, twice, three times, perhaps a hundred times as he couldn't stop sneezing. Billy was sneezing so hard he was crying. He ran away in tears from the poisonous tree straight to Sally's ample bosom. "Second mom! Second mom!" Billy cried, "I can't." "You can't what?" Sally asked, noticing the tears in the eyes of her neighbor's son.

"Rake," Billy blurted, sobbing.

Billy's real mom Betty decided to seek a medical solution since they'd purchased an individual child's plan from a California Health Insurance agent. Dr. Quag was friendly to Billy at his office and patted his belly several times, which seemed a bit weird to the boy. The prescription, however, gave Billy hope. The doctor prescribed sixty milligrams twice a day of a drug called fexofenadine, also referred to as Allegra, and the funny thing was, Billy had even heard of it, having seen it recently on a TV commercial. "Allegra," Billy said, "I'll be Taking Allegra so I can rake by the maple tree!"

"Yes, you can," said Dr. Quag, "if you remember to take your peach-colored pills!"

Betty was there too. "It's peachy that Billy's Allegra isn't costing me out of pocket," she said.

"Are they peach flavored?" Billy asked.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Allegra Caused Me 30 Days of Misery - Here's Why

Allegra is all over TV and radio these days. "Get relief from your seasonal allergies" - sounds promising right? Sure it does, as long as you don't have the horrible side effects I had. Here's my story...

It was August 2007. I have bad hay fever symptoms and was looking for a safe and effective solution to provide some relief from my symptoms for the next (hopefully not so miserable) season. I eventually came upon an online prescription website with what seemed to be very reasonable prices on medication named Allegra. The benefits sounded great. The side effects, not so much, but like everyone else I figured I'd never experience any of them. So I went ahead and purchased a 60 day supply to give it a whirl. I received the pills about 2 days later in unmarked packaging. Now the fun begins.

I normally try to avoid prescription medications like the plague. But my seasonal allergies made me so miserable, I was willing to try anything. I immediately took my first pill and didn't notice any change for about 2 days. At that time I started experiencing drowsiness and a backache. I didn't think anything of it at first, figured it was just your average every day aches and pains, which usually go away on their own. I was very wrong in that assumption! After 5 days total of taking the medication, those symptoms continued and even worsened to a point where I was having to take pain medication to function normally. Keep in mind I had not been informed about the Allegra side effects, so it didn't cross my mind that this medication might be causing them. So I continued taking the medication.

Into my 14th day on Allegra, I was not only having the original side effects, but now some additional ones as well. My ears were starting to have severe pain and I was beginning to experience symptoms of insomnia, which for me was very strange. At this point I didn't know what was wrong with me. I was becoming very miserable and didn't know why. I was experiencing relentless and severe ear pain, insomnia, drowsiness, backache and headache. It was getting to a point where my quality of life was next to nil. My work suffered severely and so did my social life, not to mention my mental health at the time. I was 100% miserable!

This went on for another 2 weeks, for a total of 1 month of what I like to call "hell on earth". I finally made an appointment with my Dr. to try and figure out what was going on. I know what you're thinking, why wait so long? Well if you knew me, you'd know why. I basically have to be on my death bed before I drag myself into the Dr's office willingly. But that is exactly how it felt, so I finally made the appointment.

My Dr. was perplexed at first as well. But eventually told me that I should try getting off of the Allegra to see if that had any effect on the symptoms. So I immediately stopped taking the medication, and sure enough the symptoms started to recede immediately. About a week later I started sleeping more at night, and my various severe pains had vastly improved. After 2 weeks Free of Allerga, I was feeling about 95% back to my old self again. I was absolutely ecstatic that all I had to do was stop taking Allegra to cure the problem! I had no idea one allergy medication could make me feel so miserable.

My advice: Make SURE you know the possible side effects of any medication you plan on taking. I know this seems like a no brainer, but you need to be 100% informed before taking any prescription medication, so you don't spend 30 days in hell like I did. And don't be an idiot like I was, go to your Dr. to obtain the medication, don't go and order it online without being informed first.

I still have seasonal allergies, but am I going to try another allergy medication to help with the symptoms? No way! On another note, I have a 30 day supply of a great seasonal allergy medication at half the retail price. Any takers? No? I didn't think so.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Allegra Allergy Medicine Side Effects - What Are the Potential Side Effects of Allegra Oral?

What is Allergy? It occurs when there is a problem with the immune system. You're body thinks common things like dust and dirt are dangerous. The body then tries to get rid of the foreign substances any way possible. Cold symptoms are the most common result.

Most allergies can be placed in two general categories:

• Name host
• Environmental

Over the years there have been enormous improvements in the medications used to treat allergic conditions. Allegra Oral is an antihistamine that has been used to help allergy suffers for years. While it is very effective in treating seasonal allergy symptoms, there are some potential side effects.

With this medication the following sides effects may occur, stomach upset, menstrual cramps, back pain, cough, fever, stuffy nose, earache or dizziness. If these side effects persist or worsen contact your doctor immediately.

Additionally, the following infrequent side effects may occur, throat irritation, sinus irritation and congestion, dry mouth, indigestion, infection caused by a virus, muscle pain, drowsiness, low energy, rash, headaches, general pain, nausea and vomiting. Last but not least the following rare side effects may occur, an acute nose infection, acute throat infection or acute sinus infections, hives, a life threatening allergic reaction, nightmares, feeling restless, itching, chronic trouble sleeping, and nervousness.

While most of these serious side effects are quite rare, they do occur. It's important to consult your doctor before taking any medication. He'll be able to consult you on the best medication to suit your situation. As about Allegra Oral. Who knows - maybe it will be right for you.

Will Allegra Give Me Relief From All My Allergies?

An allergy is a reaction by the body when the body ingests certain substances such as pollen and other triggers. The body's immune system usually works very well to protect itself against foreign agents. When it comes to allergens, the body needs a little help.

Anyone who suffers from the endless sneezing attacks, watery eyes and itchy skin would do just about anything to alleviate the symptoms of allergie. For some, allergies are life long, and for others they are seasonal, and still for others, diet related.

The familiar tickle in the back of the throat, or the tightening in the chest signal the start of the allergy season, which used to mean the long months of agony for those who suffer from severe allergies.

It used to be that at the first sign of allergy season, on a lovely spring day, people who had severe allergies would shut themselves up behind closed windows fearing what would undoubtedly happen if he or she stepped out of the door.

In the United States alone, there are over thirty five million allergy sufferers. Fifteen million of those sufferer's are children. People who suffer from allergies are known to be pre-disposed to the allergens.

Since Allegra was introduced to the market millions of people's allergy symptoms have been relieved with little or no side effects.

Ranging from slight headaches to drowsiness. Allergy sufferers can again enjoy the outdoors without the fear of an allergy attack.

Allegra or Fexofenadine is a prescription antihistamine that alleviates allergy symptoms of allergies during critical seasons. It is non-sedating medication, with almost no side effects, making it the perfect medicine to take anytime of the day.

Allegra works by blocking the histamines that the body produces that cause symptoms such as runny nose, itchy watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, and a number of other symptoms of allergies.

There are a few different types of Allegra, each available in different strengths; each designed to last up to twenty-four hours. Only your doctor can prescribe the correct dosage. Allegra also comes as an injection, which lasts longer than the tablets. Understandably, most people however prefer to take the tablets.

Although you will notice the results within an hour after taking Allegra, the medicine gradually builds up in your system, so it is important to take the dosage as it prescribed.

Allegra was created for those who have seasonal allergies. It is gentle enough for children ages 6 and older to take. Allegra for children come in either liquid or a tablet that is three times smaller than the adult tablets.

Although no one medicine works on every ailment, Allegra does alleviate the majority of allergy symptoms.

Disclaimer - The information presented here should not be interpreted as or substituted for medical advice. Please talk to your doctor for more information about Allegra.