> I can't recall the doctors' suggestions other than to avoid
antihistamines.
> If anyone kept any of those posts regarding allergy remedies for singers,
> I'd be grateful if you'd re-post them.
The treatment of allergies and side effects or lack thereof of
antihistamines and decongestants is individual. There are some precautions
to consider but side effects are not 100%. They are *potential* - you may
have none. Remember that in clinical studies, about 20% of people have side
effects to placebo.
As a rule, Claritin and Allegra tend to be nonsedating and less drying than
others but people have reported drowsiness and dryness, so go figure.
Singulair was mentioned. This is not approved for allergy but we have had
some off label benefit noted for allergy symptoms. It has almost no risk of
side effects, though there are many potential side effects noted in the PDR.
Other antihistamines may be helpful. I have had people take Zyrtec and have
no drowsiness and others can not stay awake at all.
Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) and Entex (phenylpropanolamine) are decongestants.
These are more drying than antihistamines as a rule. Entex and Entex PSE
(pseudoephedrine) add guaifenesin to help moisture retention. They can
cause jitteriness, rapid heart beat, loss of appetite and insomnia and
phenylpropanolamine can significantly raise blood pressure and has been
associated with death (rarely).
Nasal steroids are effective and have no vocal effects. They can irritate
the nasal lining and cause nosebleeds.
It is difficult to recommend any particular treatment for singers. Your
entire medical history and other medications must be considered. There is
no absolute contraindication to any of them.
Regardless of which you use, adequate hydration is essential for the singer,
as usual.
John
John Messmer, MD, Assistant Professor, Family & Community Medicine
Medical Director, Penn State Geisinger Health Group, Palmyra, PA
"Try not. Do or do not; there is no 'try'." -- Yoda
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