Let me begin by saying I am not a doctor. I have no medical background and what I'm going to share is my personal experience (with links to hundreds of others with the same experience). You may have had absolutely no issue when taking Zyrtec, or Ceterizine, and other similar anti-histamines long term and praise the Lord that you have not. It's just not fun. At all.
Here's my story--it's lengthy:
Last December (2014) I noticed my asthma was kicking up. I have always had activity induced asthma that occasionally flared with seasonal changes. After going to the doctor I was started on an antibiotic, a steroid pack, and a new inhaler. A few days into taking the antibiotic and steroid pack I started feeling nauseated, having stomach symptoms, and just overall feeling like yuck. We were out of town for Christmas and this was just not my idea of fun. The morning we were at the airport, heading back home, I noticed that my thighs had red bumps all over and they itched like crazy. I wasn't a fan of it, but I also didn't think too much of it. We got home and it continued. The next day it had spread and off to the doctor I went. I received a tub of cream and a new steroid. I also started taking Zyrtec and Zantac (acts as both an antacid and H-2 blocker). I finally started finding relief from the constant, crazy hives, itching and burning. I was so relieved. I started trying to take less of the medication to see how it would go. On New Years Eve I had a slight headache so I took one Ibuprofen and POW, hives all over and a fat, swollen lip. After speaking to my doctor I doubled up the dose of my steroid and took another Zyrtec. Within 30 minutes I was back to being somewhat "normal". Apparently, when you are having a hives response you should avoid any type of NSAID (Ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve) because it can make a hives outbreak even worse. I found this out firsthand and still, a year later, the only pain reliever I have taken is a Tylenol.
Just to give you a visual of what was going on during this period of time. It's not pretty. :)
This was every day, even with the medication, which after a while I did see improvement.
After having hives for six weeks your "acute hives" get named "chronic hives". I was recommended to visit my allergist for skin testing and blood work. When I asked him how long this could last he smiled and said, "Well, it could be another week, a month, or ten years." So comforting. Leading up to the skin testing you have to get off of all antihistamines for one week. Within 24 hours I started feeling intense burning and itching in my feet and hands. It was unlike the previous symptoms, with far less hives, but instead deep burning. One spot would burn and itch and then go away only to return somewhere else. It was constant and miserable. My allergist said this was normal and it made sense to me. I get off the Zyrtec and my symptoms return. In my mind, at this time, it just reaffirmed my need for the medicine. I tested positive for pretty much every environmental allergen, but who knows if that was even a new development. I could have always had sensitivities to these allergens. He prescribed another round of steroids, told me to continue the Zyrtec and Zantac regimen, and use the cream as needed. He suggested allergy shots (a five year commitment, with multiple shots each week in the beginning) or I could continue this for now.
I decided to continue this regimen and after a few months of slowly taking away certain medications I was able to just take one Zyrtec a day. I tried to start spreading out how often I took Zyrtec as well. I know one antihistamine a day doesn't seem like much, but for someone who likes to take the least amount of medicine possible and leans more toward the holistic side of things it started to bother me that I felt like I could not get off of it. It made me nervous to even think about it and if I missed my next dose by even 30 minutes I would start experiencing the intense burning and itching, starting in my hands and feet. Once again, not my original symptom.
Honestly, after praying to God for healing, I felt like He was telling me to stop taking the Zyrtec. So I tried. In February 2015 I tried and only made it a few days. I had flare ups of burning that would rotate across my body. My hands felt swollen, to where I had a hard time bending my fingers. The pain radiated within and itched like mad. I wanted to tear my skin apart and despite all of my quoting scripture, researching the mess out of the internet, and trying every holistic treatment I could find (drinking apple cider vinegar, mixing essential oils, using Witch Hazel, cold compresses, etc. etc. etc.) I just could not handle it. Back to the Zyrtec I went and I found relief within 30 minutes. All of this made me feel even more dependent on it and it would freak me out if I went out without my Zyrtec pill. I kept telling myself, "Well, this is why I am on it. I need this medicine and that's just the way it is." Not only did I not like being so dependent on it, but it was expensive! I tried to get off of it again during the summer of 2015 and lasted four days. I had the same intense burning throughout my body, my joints started aching, and my hands alternated between red flare-ups, burning, and then a swollen sensation. Again, none of these were my original symptoms I was having when I started Zyrtec. I convinced myself that this is what it was going to be, even though I had never been so dependent on any type of allergy medicine ever. I told myself it wasn't that big of a deal in the larger scheme of things and it could be way worse (and it could be!). However, I still had this nagging feeling that it just was not right. I would pray about it and I still felt like God was telling me to stop taking it. I just didn't like that I had become so absolutely dependent on it and that I was putting it into my body every day. It honestly started depressing me and heightened my anxiety level for sure.
Researching these types of things on the internet usually is not good at all and usually increases my fear, but this time was different. After typing in "Zyrtec withdrawal" I came across literally hundreds of people posting the exact same experience. Many had been taking this medication, along with other antihistamines, for months and years, yet when they tried to get off of them they would first start experiencing the burning and itching in their hands and feet. As days would pass without taking a Zyrtec it would become unbearable, moving across their body, and as they would scratch one area it would get even worse and then move to the next area. They felt hopeless, depressed, and completely tied to this drug. Some got off for a matter of days and went right back to it. There were a few that finally started feeling relief around Day 15 and some it took 6 or more months. Doctors would tell them that they needed to keep taking the Zyrtec because the symptoms they were having when not taking it were the very reason they needed to continue taking it. That logic definitely makes sense. However, many of these people never had the itching and burning in the first place. They started taking Zyrtec for the occasional runny nose and itchy eyes due to seasonal allergies. Now they would have crazy burning and itching if they missed their dose, even by a few hours. Many articles stated that with long term antihistamine use the body is blocking the histamines from being released. Your body becomes dependent on the antihistamine to take care of business. However, when you try to get off of the antihistamine it is like opening a flood gate that goes crazy in your body and everything is to the extreme, making you want to go right back to taking that antihistamine. Your body no longer knows how to respond appropriately and therefore is overreacting. Makes perfect sense to me.
Here are just a few links tied to the "Zyrtec withdrawal":
Zyrtec Withdrawal is a Nightmare
Flood Law Group-putting together a case against Zyrtec
Cetirizine (Zyrtec) Withdrawal & Unbearable Itching
Consumer Affairs Complaints and Reviews about Zyrtec
Personal Account from a Person Who Suffered with Zyrtec Withdrawal
Unbearable Itching from Cetirizine
So, starting on November 9, 2015 I decided to dive into the Whole 30 eating. It basically looks like this for 30 days:
As I referenced in an earlier blog post, "Dr. Caroline Leaf, a doctor with over twenty years of brain research, wrote a book that I would highly recommend called Who Switched Off My Brain?. In her book she says, 'A sudden burst of stress lowers immunity. However, even more ominous is the effect of small amounts of day-to-day stress. This confuses your immune system, effectively setting in motion the autoimmune response that causes your body to turn on itself.' It is crazy how many different things within ourselves are effected, complicated, and/or destroyed by fear thoughts and anxiety. She goes on to say, "Your thoughts can sweep away stress, making you more clever, calm and in control of your emotions, or they can do just the opposite! The choice is yours. Every thought we think should be weighed carefully, because as we think so are we--'For as he hath thought in his soul, so is he...' (Proverbs 23:7)."
Here's my story--it's lengthy:
Last December (2014) I noticed my asthma was kicking up. I have always had activity induced asthma that occasionally flared with seasonal changes. After going to the doctor I was started on an antibiotic, a steroid pack, and a new inhaler. A few days into taking the antibiotic and steroid pack I started feeling nauseated, having stomach symptoms, and just overall feeling like yuck. We were out of town for Christmas and this was just not my idea of fun. The morning we were at the airport, heading back home, I noticed that my thighs had red bumps all over and they itched like crazy. I wasn't a fan of it, but I also didn't think too much of it. We got home and it continued. The next day it had spread and off to the doctor I went. I received a tub of cream and a new steroid. I also started taking Zyrtec and Zantac (acts as both an antacid and H-2 blocker). I finally started finding relief from the constant, crazy hives, itching and burning. I was so relieved. I started trying to take less of the medication to see how it would go. On New Years Eve I had a slight headache so I took one Ibuprofen and POW, hives all over and a fat, swollen lip. After speaking to my doctor I doubled up the dose of my steroid and took another Zyrtec. Within 30 minutes I was back to being somewhat "normal". Apparently, when you are having a hives response you should avoid any type of NSAID (Ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve) because it can make a hives outbreak even worse. I found this out firsthand and still, a year later, the only pain reliever I have taken is a Tylenol.
Just to give you a visual of what was going on during this period of time. It's not pretty. :)
This was every day, even with the medication, which after a while I did see improvement.
After having hives for six weeks your "acute hives" get named "chronic hives". I was recommended to visit my allergist for skin testing and blood work. When I asked him how long this could last he smiled and said, "Well, it could be another week, a month, or ten years." So comforting. Leading up to the skin testing you have to get off of all antihistamines for one week. Within 24 hours I started feeling intense burning and itching in my feet and hands. It was unlike the previous symptoms, with far less hives, but instead deep burning. One spot would burn and itch and then go away only to return somewhere else. It was constant and miserable. My allergist said this was normal and it made sense to me. I get off the Zyrtec and my symptoms return. In my mind, at this time, it just reaffirmed my need for the medicine. I tested positive for pretty much every environmental allergen, but who knows if that was even a new development. I could have always had sensitivities to these allergens. He prescribed another round of steroids, told me to continue the Zyrtec and Zantac regimen, and use the cream as needed. He suggested allergy shots (a five year commitment, with multiple shots each week in the beginning) or I could continue this for now.
I decided to continue this regimen and after a few months of slowly taking away certain medications I was able to just take one Zyrtec a day. I tried to start spreading out how often I took Zyrtec as well. I know one antihistamine a day doesn't seem like much, but for someone who likes to take the least amount of medicine possible and leans more toward the holistic side of things it started to bother me that I felt like I could not get off of it. It made me nervous to even think about it and if I missed my next dose by even 30 minutes I would start experiencing the intense burning and itching, starting in my hands and feet. Once again, not my original symptom.
Honestly, after praying to God for healing, I felt like He was telling me to stop taking the Zyrtec. So I tried. In February 2015 I tried and only made it a few days. I had flare ups of burning that would rotate across my body. My hands felt swollen, to where I had a hard time bending my fingers. The pain radiated within and itched like mad. I wanted to tear my skin apart and despite all of my quoting scripture, researching the mess out of the internet, and trying every holistic treatment I could find (drinking apple cider vinegar, mixing essential oils, using Witch Hazel, cold compresses, etc. etc. etc.) I just could not handle it. Back to the Zyrtec I went and I found relief within 30 minutes. All of this made me feel even more dependent on it and it would freak me out if I went out without my Zyrtec pill. I kept telling myself, "Well, this is why I am on it. I need this medicine and that's just the way it is." Not only did I not like being so dependent on it, but it was expensive! I tried to get off of it again during the summer of 2015 and lasted four days. I had the same intense burning throughout my body, my joints started aching, and my hands alternated between red flare-ups, burning, and then a swollen sensation. Again, none of these were my original symptoms I was having when I started Zyrtec. I convinced myself that this is what it was going to be, even though I had never been so dependent on any type of allergy medicine ever. I told myself it wasn't that big of a deal in the larger scheme of things and it could be way worse (and it could be!). However, I still had this nagging feeling that it just was not right. I would pray about it and I still felt like God was telling me to stop taking it. I just didn't like that I had become so absolutely dependent on it and that I was putting it into my body every day. It honestly started depressing me and heightened my anxiety level for sure.
Researching these types of things on the internet usually is not good at all and usually increases my fear, but this time was different. After typing in "Zyrtec withdrawal" I came across literally hundreds of people posting the exact same experience. Many had been taking this medication, along with other antihistamines, for months and years, yet when they tried to get off of them they would first start experiencing the burning and itching in their hands and feet. As days would pass without taking a Zyrtec it would become unbearable, moving across their body, and as they would scratch one area it would get even worse and then move to the next area. They felt hopeless, depressed, and completely tied to this drug. Some got off for a matter of days and went right back to it. There were a few that finally started feeling relief around Day 15 and some it took 6 or more months. Doctors would tell them that they needed to keep taking the Zyrtec because the symptoms they were having when not taking it were the very reason they needed to continue taking it. That logic definitely makes sense. However, many of these people never had the itching and burning in the first place. They started taking Zyrtec for the occasional runny nose and itchy eyes due to seasonal allergies. Now they would have crazy burning and itching if they missed their dose, even by a few hours. Many articles stated that with long term antihistamine use the body is blocking the histamines from being released. Your body becomes dependent on the antihistamine to take care of business. However, when you try to get off of the antihistamine it is like opening a flood gate that goes crazy in your body and everything is to the extreme, making you want to go right back to taking that antihistamine. Your body no longer knows how to respond appropriately and therefore is overreacting. Makes perfect sense to me.
Here are just a few links tied to the "Zyrtec withdrawal":
Zyrtec Withdrawal is a Nightmare
Flood Law Group-putting together a case against Zyrtec
Cetirizine (Zyrtec) Withdrawal & Unbearable Itching
Consumer Affairs Complaints and Reviews about Zyrtec
Personal Account from a Person Who Suffered with Zyrtec Withdrawal
Unbearable Itching from Cetirizine
So, starting on November 9, 2015 I decided to dive into the Whole 30 eating. It basically looks like this for 30 days:
Oh it's been rough! Especially on my birthday, Thanksgiving, and making Christmas treats, but when you are desperate for a change and healing with something you will go all out. I will do a post on this at some point, but the main changes I saw/felt was that I slept so much better! I didn't wake up in the middle of the night and I woke up incredibly rested. Another positive was that I needed to take my Advair inhaler on a pretty regular basis (at least 3-4 times a week). I have only taken it once in these thirty days. I feel a lot more energy and don't hit that afternoon slump of just being plain exhausted. When it came to my Zyrtec, I was able to cut my pill in half and just take half a day.
In the middle of the Whole30, on November 27th, I decided to try, yet again, to get off Zyrtec completely. I prayed and used all of those people that posted about their "Zyrtec/Antihistamine withdrawal" as motivation. Let me tell you, the first week was ROUGH. Just like the previous times. However, this time, I kept telling myself that it would pass, that God was my strength, and with His power I could get over the hump. My husband was a great strength for me too. I asked him to read and research some of the articles and posts online. All I wanted was to run to my medicine cabinet and down some Zyrtec so I needed him to be an informed advocate for me to stay away from it. On Day 4 I sat at my desk, head over my Bible, and just cried. I never cry due to pain. The only time I remember doing so is in the last weeks of my bed rest while I was pregnant with Hoot (and honestly part of that was probably hormones). Adam walked in and asked if he could pray for me. I felt peace sweep over me and I said out loud, "I am not going to let this win. God wins. Satan has no hold on me and this is not of you God."
My last day of taking 1/2 a Zyrtec was November 27th. I also went to a holistic doctor who gave me natural whole food supplements to detox my liver and get everything balanced in my intestines. Basically what a probiotic would do as well. It is now December 9th and I still have not taken a Zyrtec. Every day is SO much better and now it has just become more of a nuisance instead of deep pain. Praise the Lord :)
There is still the thought that the antibiotic I took in the beginning of all this started it all. However, I feel that something else got it all going. We travel out of town to see friends and family for Christmas. This includes eight different Christmas celebrations. It doesn't matter how I rearrange things it is still stressful to some degree. On top of just a lot going on, I was also not feeling great last Christmas (thus being the reason I was on meds to begin with), which added to the stress. I am a firm believer that our thoughts play into our health. This is confirmed both biblically and scientifically.
As I referenced in an earlier blog post, "Dr. Caroline Leaf, a doctor with over twenty years of brain research, wrote a book that I would highly recommend called Who Switched Off My Brain?. In her book she says, 'A sudden burst of stress lowers immunity. However, even more ominous is the effect of small amounts of day-to-day stress. This confuses your immune system, effectively setting in motion the autoimmune response that causes your body to turn on itself.' It is crazy how many different things within ourselves are effected, complicated, and/or destroyed by fear thoughts and anxiety. She goes on to say, "Your thoughts can sweep away stress, making you more clever, calm and in control of your emotions, or they can do just the opposite! The choice is yours. Every thought we think should be weighed carefully, because as we think so are we--'For as he hath thought in his soul, so is he...' (Proverbs 23:7)."
God loves us and wants the very best for us. Thus, the reason not fearing, not being anxious, and trusting is mentioned over a hundred times throughout scripture. It's not by accident. Stress and fear can wreak havoc on the body and mind, driving a wedge in your relationship with God. On the flip side, the more you trust the closer your relationship becomes.
"A heart that has peace is life to the body, but wrong desires are like the wasting away of the bones."
Proverbs 14:30 NLV
After moving away from family and friends I battled chronic anxiety, even if it was the "small amounts of day-to-day stress" that Dr. Leaf mentions. I feel that this all got started as a result of my thoughts and my immune system being lowered due to stressful thinking. So, daily, I have been more aware of "taking every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). When our thinking is in line with God our body will respond accordingly. It's amazing the chain reaction that can be set off just by our thoughts.
I had the recent opportunity of praying with someone at a recent medical visit that is currently experiencing a very similar skin condition. If I had not been experiencing this myself I may not have had the opportunity, or motivation to pray with her. God's blessings even in the most unexpected situations. They are everywhere.
I felt the desire to share my story with antihistamines just incase you are experiencing similar symptoms or are considering taking Zyrtec and similar antihistamines long term. Many people are perfectly fine with long-term antihistamine use and that's wonderful. Just be sure to talk to your doctor, but ultimately pray for direction when it comes to decisions concerning your health. LISTEN to Him. After all, He is the "great Physician" and the One who knows you and your body better than anyone. He is your Creator :)
After moving away from family and friends I battled chronic anxiety, even if it was the "small amounts of day-to-day stress" that Dr. Leaf mentions. I feel that this all got started as a result of my thoughts and my immune system being lowered due to stressful thinking. So, daily, I have been more aware of "taking every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). When our thinking is in line with God our body will respond accordingly. It's amazing the chain reaction that can be set off just by our thoughts.
I had the recent opportunity of praying with someone at a recent medical visit that is currently experiencing a very similar skin condition. If I had not been experiencing this myself I may not have had the opportunity, or motivation to pray with her. God's blessings even in the most unexpected situations. They are everywhere.
I felt the desire to share my story with antihistamines just incase you are experiencing similar symptoms or are considering taking Zyrtec and similar antihistamines long term. Many people are perfectly fine with long-term antihistamine use and that's wonderful. Just be sure to talk to your doctor, but ultimately pray for direction when it comes to decisions concerning your health. LISTEN to Him. After all, He is the "great Physician" and the One who knows you and your body better than anyone. He is your Creator :)
This was the best blog post I have ever read. I am sitting here searching for relief, I have been on Zyrtec for 6 years.... I am so fed up being dependent on medication at 28 years old. I am getting extreme headaches and sinus pain from stopping. I tapered down the does every 2weeks to and 1/8th of a pill so the itching is not as bad. I am on day 1 with no Zyrtec. I am a fellow Christian and and looking to God for this one. I am now experiencing crazy headaches, fatigue, and kind bobble headed , did you get any of these sensations going off?
ReplyDeleteExcuse everything spelled terribly wrong, my head hurts so bad it hurts to type :)
DeleteI apologize for just now seeing your comment! It was rough and I still have flare-ups, even a few months later. I will occasionally take a half of a Claritin (maybe once every few weeks), but it is SO much better. I am obviously not a doctor so please be sure to talk to your doctor before stopping medications. This is just what worked for me and I have seen daily progress! Praise the Lord. I know how miserable it is and I'm sorry that you are struggling! Instead of using the steroid creams I have started using the Gold Bond lotion with menthol (in the green bottle). It helps tremendously to cool the area and stop the itch! Maybe give that a try too? You will be in my prayers because I know that it is miserable!
DeleteFrom the UK here. Found your blog tonight after experiencing itchiness. Recall it's been an hour or two past 24 hours from taking my last Cetirizine pill. The symptoms are familiar to me from past occurrences when on cetirizine (primarily pollen season/summertime) yet I fail to take a pill within 24 hours of my last ingestion - boom - itchiness strikes. Incessant too. Randomly occurs all over my body, from head to toe. Like a dance party with your nerve endings.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it's been a while since I last felt the itchiness due to not taking anything over the winter. I only recently started up again due temporarily living in an environment with a cat which can also affect me if I get too close. However I've not been on a strict routine. Probably taken a pill 4 days out of the last 7 but the itchiness tonight is a little concerning, because it's so obviously tied to the medicine or withdrawal therein.
So relieved to find many others (although we share the same pain!) have experience of this bizarre itchiness. It's definitely something to be concerned about. Unfortunately before googling I did pop a pill, but now I'm thinking about what can be done?! The trouble is, the pollen season is on the horizon and I suffer dreadfully from hay-fever.
Cetirizine does have a positive effect for me, although it's not perfect, I do find it absolutely necessary during the worst time periods. So what alternatives are on offer that can seriously combat pollen? I did try some homeopathic anti-pollen stuff last year. I was mildly happy with it. I will continue again this year, but for the long term, what can reliably substitute cetirizine?
I am so sorry that I am just now seeing your post! How are you doing? Any better? Sending prayers your way!
DeleteI'm so glad I read this blog. I because to wean myself down on Zertec from 10ml to 10ml every other day, to 5ml every other day and then 4, 3, 2, until I finally quit taking it. I'm on day 6 no zertec and it's hard. I can't wait for the itchiness to go away. How long did your itching last? I've heard it taken 2 weeks :(
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for the late response! After I posted this I got pregnant and I couldn't deal with pregnancy sickness AND the Zyrtec issues so I started taking it again. I am currently on the path of working my way off of it. SO not fun, but I'm hoping to push through this time. When you start taking it again it seems to start all over! How are you doing? Prayers your way!
DeleteI am sooo happy I found this blog I started zyrtex/cefterizine 9years ago when I started a new nursing position in a drug treatment clinic - apparently Im allergic to something in the air there - requested vents be cleaned of course wasnt done so I tried cefterizine -it worked so well - fast forward to this past monday my pcp says to me hmm your working on losing weight - did u realize antihistamines can cause weight gain- of course i say to him no - ive been on this for nine years - you confirm this whenever I come in for an appointment- so i decided on monday to stop cefterizone cold turkey I didnt think it would be an issue -Im a nurse - never heard anything abt withdrawal symptoms - welll - ive been yucky since Tuesday - headache sinus axhes -my face and head and chest hurt plus im having scattered itchy sensations all over- Im kinda grumpy and also stomach is sensitive. I broke and took one cefterizine tonite before finding this blog ��- im thinking seriously about finding a holistic practioner cu this is unexceptable- I have been praying the rosary and chaplet of divine mercy to help me which I find helps me in keeping my busy mind settled- Thanks for sharing Amber!!
ReplyDeleteDeb
Good morning Deb! I am so sorry that you are struggling! I truly KNOW how you feel. I actually tried to stop taking Zyrtec on three different occasions. This last time (May of this last year) I slowly worked up to just taking 1/4 of a pill a day until that was bearable. Then, I just had to tough it out after that. I actually went to an allergist, who before I was even done with my story, said, "You had Zyrtec addiction". He explained that Zyrtec is not truly "addictive", but your body becomes accustomed to suppressing histamines on a regular basis and then when you stop taking it they go crazy. He said he sees it quite frequently with Zyrtec specifically. I'm praying for you this morning Deb. :)
DeleteSo I came across your page as I was researching Zyrtec withdrawls. After reading many pages about the itching, I was also looking to see if anyone was having headaches and palputations. I didn not try to stop willing. I had to stop taking it 3 days ago for a test I am getting tomorrow and thus the withdrawls started in 24 hours after I stopped taking it. Since I have been reading up on it, I am going to try to not go back on it and get through the withdrawls. It's winter time so my allergist wanted me to back down on my allergy medications anyway ( zyrtec and flonase). The I see him again in the spring right before allergy season starts. I will then ask him what I could try that is natural or less chemical on my body. I hate taking medications like you as well. The more i can get off of them the happy I am. I have been on a daily dose of Zyrtec for 5 years now. I have seen another page of people talking about the itching. I have a few spots here and there so far. My biggest issue is the headaches. Oh my goodness. I sure hope that they stop in a couple days. So day 3 for me so far. I have noticed that a few people have suggested Quercetin, which a natural (eucalyptus tree) that they tale for allergies. The only issue I have with that is that I tested 28 out of 30 things I am allergic to. Since I am allergic to a lot of trees, flowers and grasses I am not sure i could use that. I will ask the allergist when I see him in 6 months. I have also seen where some are upping their Vit C and taking a Clartin if need be. So i don't know yet. I just know since my hand was forced to stop this for a test I don't have any plans of going back on it. Everything for a reason and I am seeing it as God's way of getting me off the stuff. Thank you for your blog. It was so very helpful and I will continue to research what others are reporting. God Bless your day.
ReplyDeleteIt is a bit of a hard road, but after three tries I was finally able to stop taking it. I just had to slowly taper down. Gold Bond (the green bottle) helped with the itching along with Witch Hazel. However, if you have any testing done don't use the Witch Hazel (maybe Gold Bond too) because it can effect testing so I'm told. Hang in there! There are tons of testimonies about the side effects and my allergist recently told me he sees it all of the time with Zyrtec specifically. Praying continually and saying His word out loud helped tremendously too!
ReplyDeleteWell I had to give in last night at midnight and took a Zyrtec. I couldn't stand the itchy swollen eyes. It was so bad the one eye was just about swollen shut. I went to Urgent Care first thing this morning. She gave me a steroid shot and said get back on the Flonase and Zyrtec, talk to your allergist. So I came home called my ENT and said I have to cancell my test. I had to take a pill and get a shot today. I see the ENT this week. I will discuss with him what i can do to get the ENG test done without going cold turkey. I was doing okay until the itchy swollen eyes. I am doing some better. I can't believe the hold that drug has on everyone. It's crazy. I will see if tappering down will work for me and change to something less agressive on my system. I'll see what the allergist has to say when I see him. It's a crazy. .....Yes all night last night when my eye was swollen so bad all I kept saying was " Jesus is the sweetest name I know" , he got me through the night. Take care and God Bless.
DeleteWOW! Your story sounds SO much like mine. Perfectly healthy and then a round of Cipro for an intestinal bug I caught in Cancun...and then HIVES everywhere. Doctor put me on the Zyrtec/Zantac cocktail and things cleared up. Then, I went off both at the same time to prepare for allergy testing. The itchiness was unbearable and the hives came back in full force. I had a slight headache before a big presentation I had to give so I took Advil. 30 minutes into my big presentation, my lips blew up like cartoon lips. I had to race out of there to go to the urgent care. Prednisone and back on the "cocktail." I found Whole 30 and started the diet and by day 6, my hives were nearly non-existent. Life has been good with a few flares here and there since then (That was early January). Now, I am about to stop "the cocktail" and I admit that I am terrified. I know what is coming and I just hope I can power through. My question is, did your hives ever go away or are you still battling the flare-ups? Thanks so much for this AWESOME post!! :)
ReplyDeleteHey! Thanks for sharing your story. So, I have stopped taking my cetrizine for about five, possibly seven days now? I tried stopping earlier and I ended up continuing the zyrtec (cetrizine) and feeling completely dependent on the allergy medicine. Which, makes me feel awful, because I hate feeling like I'm beholden to drugs.
ReplyDeleteI am currently in the whole itchy everywhere phase. Eating fruits, vegetables, and meat helps. Reducing sugar also helps a lot too, I've found. What helps the most in my case is warm or hot showers with lard soap and lotion without any artificial stuff in it. The soap I like to use is called Grandma's soap (I am not being sponsored by them, I swear), and the lotion can be made by mixing one part beeswax with one to two parts oil. I use coconut because it's really nice on the skin, but olive works too. Don't use peanut or canola, since these can go rancid sooner. Depending on the measurements, the lotion can fill a tiny six ounce mason jar. I coat my body in that stuff, so the itchiness usually doesn't bug me until night time.
Good luck to the rest of y'all with stopping your cetrizine. The withdrawal symptoms are something the pharmaceutical's website doesn't mention. But if a drug replaces what your body naturally does over time, it makes sense that our bodies would be all out of whack after stopping the allergy pills. Best wishes, and thanks for sharing.
This blog was a blessing. I too am trying to wean off the Zyrtec and the Holy Spirit brought it to my attention that I need to stop taking it. I did some research on the effects of allergy medications and what it does to the body. What I have found is that over time it suppresses your immune system which scared me. So I did more research today about how to wean off from Zyrtec and your blog came up. It was a blessing to read and be encouraged in the Lord to keep proclaiming the power and healing of Christ. Blessings
ReplyDeleteThe pharmacists at Harbor Compounding Pharmacy sympathize with your plight and the psychological toll they can take. We also recognize that Dermatological Compounds , even though manifested externally, are more than skin deep. They can often be indications of internal inflammatory processes gone awry which can be signals of something more serious.
ReplyDeleteHi There,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the knowledgeable blog with us I hope that you will post many more blog with us:-
Zyrtec (cetirizine) is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.
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ReplyDeleteAt Harbor Compounding, we specialize in providing patients with treatment options to tackle adrenal fatigue , whether it’s through lifestyle modification, nutritional supplementation, hormone replacement, or direct cortisol replacement.
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