Seasonal Allergies

[Anonymous]

When this all started this spring, the 1st doc I took Carson to gave him samples of Singulair. We didn’t notice any complications but also didn’t notice any relief – actually it was probably too far gone and had a sinus infection already. Well, when we went to our specialist he said that Singulair is sometimes a *step* medication and sure enough – it is with our insurance company. We have to try 3 medications over, like, 2 months before they will consider covering Singulair and then they may not even cover it on a Tier basis. Again, I will see what our doc says tomorrow. How hard can it be to get an allergy med to work for a reflux child??! I guess we know!

[Anonymous]

A step medication. It drives me crazy that these insurance companies are able to dictate the medical care we receive.

[Anonymous]

We saw Dr Neidich this morning. We gained – only .4 ounces – but we gained!

Regarding allergies: Carson is still on an antibiotic for the sinus infection he had. He is not on any allergy medication at this time. He is cleared up. We tried Claritin, Zyrtec, Triaminic and all make him worse at night. Dr. Neidich said that in young children that often times happens. He said that HOPEFULLY when Carson is done with the antibiotic, most of the bad spring pollens will be out and we will not have allergy problems. He said to keep the meds and try Zyrtec first next spring. IF Claritin/Zyrtec don’t work next spring we could try Singulair but that it will prob be a step medication for the next 3-4 years! He said if we go to an allergist sometimes they have samples for 2-3 weeks and that will get us through the worst time. If we DO still have allergies this summer we should go to an allergist and try to get samples or Dr Neidich would write a letter to our ins company documenting the antihistimines we used and request for Singulair – then we would see how much it would be.

I know – not really too great of news for allergy people.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the information! Hmmm…..I wonder why these meds can make things worse at night. Strange.

Why is he still on an antibiotic if he’s cleared up?

That’s great that he gained some weight, not much, but it’s sure beats a loss!

Did he say anything about allergy testing and shots? How old do they have to be?

[Anonymous]

Not sure why the meds make things worst at night for us. Neidich said that once he can talk and tell me – he may say that he is feeling more hyper and agitated during the day also.

He was on an antibiotic when he had a sinus infection and then when he got off, his sinuses were bad again, so he was put on Omnicef for 20 days – so we are almost done with the antibiotic treatment.

Carson did have allergy testing done when he was ??9 months?? but we only tested for foods. I am going to have him tested again when he is 2 this summer and I will have them again check dairy/soy/citrus etc. but also spring time allergies/pollen, etc. I don’t know about allergy shots. My other 2 have springtime allergies but they use a nasal spray. I think you have to be 2 before you can use a nasal spray but I don’t think Carson would allow that. It is hard enough to get his medicine into him.

[Anonymous]

I didn’t know that they had “step” medication. We tried Singulair for Isaac and it worked very well until he refused to eat it (the granules in his food) Our ped refuses to give a child under 2 the chewable tabs.

[Anonymous]

I have never had any allergies, but after having Hailey, I seemed to have developed wicked seasonal allergies. The past two years from May to August, my eyes are so incredibly itchy that I want to rip them out of my head, and just yesterday I got some terribly itchy rash all over my face, neck and chest. It’s driving me insane, so I can only imagine what it feels like for a child. I hope that your kids get some relief.

[Anonymous]

Sarah: Did you have to jump through hoops to get your ins co to pay for Singulair? I am sick of our ins.

[Anonymous]

We have to give Kaelyn her allergy meds in the morning. We haven’t tried since she’s been on allegra, but zyrtec used to keep her up at night.

[Anonymous]

I only tried right at bedtime (not good!) and then at noon – because I wanted to spread out his other meds but I wonder if AM would have worked better. Thanks! If Carson seems to still have allergies this summer I will try Zyrtec in the AM and see if that helps. Thanks again! Sometimes I wonder if I even have any brain cells left after so many sleepless nights!

[Anonymous]

Thanks Kim. I think I’ll try Zyrtec in the morning for Ellie as well. I always gave it to her at bedtime because that’s when her allergies seemed to bother her most, but maybe morning or afternoon would still give her relief but not keep her up. It’s worth a try.

[Anonymous]

We were prescribed zyrtec over the winter when Sarah had a runny nose cold. The bottle said to give once a day in the AM but I never knew why. I always ended up givig it to her in the evenings and it didn’t make her wild…but maybe that’s the general reason for giving it in the AM? Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I thought it causes drowsiness. That’s why I hate to give it in the morning, but maybe at naptime would work.

[Anonymous]

I’ve never noticed drowsiness, but that little girl has energy to spare, so maybe it just didn’t matter for her.

[Author]

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