Eye steroids for extreme seasonal allergies?

[rszdtrvl]

Does anybody use eye steroids for extreme seasonal allergies?

DS gets bad seasonal allergies. Really bad itchy eyes. So bad that he is in such pain and literally is in tears.

We have gotten steroids for his eyes in the past from his eye doctor. His pediatrician does not like the idea of steroids, because long term use can cause eye issues like glaucoma, etc. However, even with prescription eye drops, the steroids work the best.

I am making him another appt. today with the eye doctor to discuss options (and probably get steroids) but am curious if anyone else uses the steroids during their seasonal allergy attacks. I wouldn't even think about it if DS was not in such pain. His allergies start about the end of May and peak at the end of June and start to slow down mid-July and disappear by August.

 

[EMode]

Have you tried anything other than the steroid drops?
My kids have pretty bad seasonal allergies and their eyes respond well to Opcon-A, its an OTC antihistamine drop. They also use benadryl so that may help when its combined with the drops.

 

[rszdtrvl]

Benadryl makes him too tired and he still has 2 weeks of school left.

He has a prescription for Patanol, plus we have liquid-tears and Zaditor (we don't use the Patanol and Zaditor at the same time - just have both on hand - he has been using the Patanol - the Zaditor I picked up out of town last year when he had a vicious attack and drops were at home).

Right now he is starting to get redness in the whites of his eyes - not major, but I can see it - due to the allergies.

He gets pink eye every year - like clockwork - from the allergies.

When he gets really bad, the eye drops - ANY type of eye drops - burn his eyes. Only exception is the eye steroid (which I had on hand but it expired).

On a scale of 1-10 I would say his eye allergies are at least an 8 - he has his moments where he is just a mess, mentally and physically, from them.

Plus, he has the massive congestion, sneezing, etc. right now. Mucinex D to the rescue.

My poor Disney Snowflake is falling apart......

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Does he have any other signs of allergies, like sinus symptoms? My eyes were driving me nuts too. My doctor told me to use Zyrtec and Nasacort for my sinuses, and my eyes are much better now. I was tearing up from the pain too, and I avoid eye drops because of family history meaning I'm probably going to get some nasty eye problems anyway.

 

[daughtersrus]

Does anybody use eye steroids for extreme seasonal allergies?

DS gets bad seasonal allergies. Really bad itchy eyes. So bad that he is in such pain and literally is in tears.

We have gotten steroids for his eyes in the past from his eye doctor. His pediatrician does not like the idea of steroids, because long term use can cause eye issues like glaucoma, etc. However, even with prescription eye drops, the steroids work the best.

I am making him another appt. today with the eye doctor to discuss options (and probably get steroids) but am curious if anyone else uses the steroids during their seasonal allergy attacks. I wouldn't even think about it if DS was not
in such pain. His allergies start about the end of May and peak at the end of June and start to slow down mid-July and disappear by August.

My DD developed glaucoma that is attributed to the use of Flonase (steroid). We stopped that but she is still on Pataday eye drop and Xyzal pill in addition to the new eye drop for glaucoma.

 

[rszdtrvl]

He takes Zyrtec daily for allergies. And we have an air purifier in the main room of the house for the allergens in the air (and he has one in his room).

He has tried nasal steroids in the past, but he hates them.

His sinus symptoms are going crazy right now, even with the Zyrtec (thus the Mucinex D to try to alleviate some of his congestion).

I would like to avoid the steroids if at all possible, due to the complications that may happen with long term usage. But if it is the only thing that gives him relief we may need to use them. In the past, they have been the only thing that gives him the relief he needs (instant cooling of the eyes) but with all the medical advances, maybe there is something new his eye doctor can prescribe.

 

[stsomewhere]

I have terrible allergies.i wear a hat and dark sun glasses all the time during seasoal allergies, it helps to keep the pollen out of my eyes. I take Clartin- D 24 hr and a reg clartin 24 hour. It seems to help. I keep the house shut up. Run a/c wash face multiple times during he day, shower before before bed and after any outdoor activities. Cold compresses on eyes.

Cetain foods can mimic pollen when eaten. Making allergies worse.
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/seasonal-allergy-cross-reaction-chart

 

[EvangelineG]

Aw, the poor guy!

One of my son's used to get horrible eye allergy issues when he was younger too. What we used was Reactine every day, the panatol eye drops religiously, him wearing sunglasses whenever he was outside (creates a barrier between his eyes and the bulk of the pollens), limiting outside time as much as possible during the worst of it, and washing his face/splashing face and eyes with cool water frequently.

For what it is worth my guy did grow out of the eye symptoms, and his asthma. Right now his nose/sinuses, and eczema are still issues seasonally, but he is not nearly as ill as when he was younger.

 

[bcla]

I have terrible allergies.i wear a hat and dark sun glasses all the time during seasoal allergies, it helps to keep the pollen out of my eyes. I take Clartin- D 24 hr and a reg clartin 24 hour. It seems to help. I keep the house shut up. Run a/c wash face multiple times during he day, shower before before bed and after any outdoor activities. Cold compresses on eyes.

Cetain foods can mimic pollen when eaten. Making allergies worse.
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/seasonal-allergy-cross-reaction-chart

Claritin is ineffective for most people at the 10 mg/24 hour dose. There was an article on this around 2001. During the approval process, there was one critic who was adamant that while Claritin/loratadine was a real antihistamine, he felt that the dose should have been at least 40 mg/24 hours. And the issue at that dose was that people started getting drowsy. And the manufacturer was adamant that it should be marketed as being "non-drowsy".

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/11/magazine/the-claritin-effect-prescription-for-profit.html

Although the F.D.A. advisory committee recommended approval of loratadine, Straus remained skeptical. In the conclusions of a 321-page ''medical officer review'' dated Nov. 9, 1987, he described the proposed 10-milligram dose of Claritin as ''minimally effective versus placebo'' and added that 40 milligrams appeared to be ''the minimum effective dose.'' He also argued that the label ''must include sedation as an adverse reaction and include warnings to this effect.'' A former F.D.A. official, who requested anonymity, said that the agency informally asked Schering to test a higher dose of loratadine but lacked the regulatory authority to mandate it.

Zyrtec is a far more effective antihistamine, but it's considered "low sedating" which means that quite a few people will feel drowsy. I tried it once, and felt woozy for a day. In the late 90s, my doctor would prescribe Allegra (fexofenadine) before Claritin, and only prescribed Claritin once, when my insurance company took Allegra off their covered drug list.

These days I get generic fexofenadine cheap at Costco, but I split the tablets. I tried the full 180 mg "24 hour" dose, but I started getting the shakes. A pharmacist said that splitting the tablets shouldn't be an issue as they're immediate release anyways. There are some 60 mg nonprescription generic versions, which used to be the common prescription dose, but they actually cost more and are hard to find. I found those at CVS, and it was $9 for 12 60 mg tablets; I used a coupon special to get the second for half-off. It's still way more than splitting a 180 mg tablet from Costco. I also prefer not to get an all in one. I don't typically have congestion - just itchy eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. For the times I need a decongestant i just use a generic 12-hour. $6 for 20 caplets at Target or Walmart. Of course I have to ask for it and show my driver license.

 

[stsomewhere]

Claritin is ineffective for most people at the 10 mg/24 hour dose. There was an article on this around 2001. During the approval process, there was one critic who was adamant that while Claritin/loratadine was a real antihistamine, he felt that the dose should have been at least 40 mg/24 hours. And the issue at that dose was that people started getting drowsy. And the manufacturer was adamant that it should be marketed as being "non-drowsy".



Zyrtec is a far more effective antihistamine, but it's considered "low sedating" which means that quite a few people will feel drowsy. I tried it once, and felt woozy for a day. In the late 90s, my doctor would prescribe Allegra (fexofenadine) before Claritin, and only did so when my insurance company stopped paying for it.

These days I get generic fexofenadine cheap at Costco, but I split the tablets. I tried the full 180 mg "24 hour" dose, but I started getting the shakes. A pharmacist said that splitting the tablets shouldn't be an issue as they're immediate release anyways. There are some 60 mg nonprescription generic versions, which used to be the common prescription dose, but they actually cost more and are hard to find. I found those at CVS, and it was $9 for 12 60 mg tablets; I used a coupon special to get the second for half-off. It's still way more than splitting a 180 mg tablet from Costco. I also prefer not to get an all in one. I don't typically have congestion - just itchy eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. For the times I need a decongestant i just use a generic 12-hour. $6 for 20 caplets at Target or Walmart. Of course I have to ask for it and show my driver license.

It was my doctor that told me to take both clartin during high season. They work great. I do not like the way Allegra or Zyrtec make me feel. I also watch what I eat. Wheat, tomatoes, cucumbers and watermelon make my allergies really bad.

 

[rszdtrvl]

His appt. is later on today.

And I have a feeling that I will be stopping at Rite Aid to buy him something with "the D" in it - Zyrtec or Claritin - just to switch over to during this horrible allergy time.

I am just glad it only lasts about 2 months max. And not all of those days are bad - only about 1/4 - 1/2 of them.

Seeing him so miserable has brought me to tears in the past. It seems like every year he has a breakdown so bad that I break down too (and he is 17 - so this shows how much the allergies affect him).

I have been trying to get him to try on sunglasses - I just may pick up a pair at Rite Aid today too.

He is in football, and they are having a lot of outdoor practices right now. Poor kid is going to be in a very sorry shape if we don't get his allergies at least under control.

Thanks for the links and advice everyone! Keep it coming!! I am learning a lot!

 

[bcla]

It was my doctor that told me to take both clartin during high season. They work great. I do not like the way Allegra or Zyrtec make me feel. I also watch what I eat. Wheat, tomatoes, cucumbers and watermelon make my allergies really bad.

Everyone is different. I may work well for some people. However, from discussions I've had with primary care providers and my cousin's husband (a doctor with an allergy specialty) Allegra is the preferred drug for most people because it's considerably more effective than Claritin and less sedating than Zyrtec (which is very effective). There's a lot of criticism about Claritin that the current dose is "barely better than a placebo".

http://healthfully.org/mdcrapm/id15.html

http://www.lansingcitypulse.com/lansing/archives/030507/health2/index.html

Hall finally got to the bottom of the story by reviewing the scientific studies the company submitted to the FDA to get Claritin approved. The standard dose of Claritin is 10 milligrams. The company submitted scientific studies that showed that while Claritin at that dose was better than placebo (dummy tablets), it was only about 10 percent better. Some at the FDA wanted to withhold approval, but they legally could not because a drug, by law, only has to be better than placebo to be approved – no one has to say how much better.

Why did the company submit such wimpy data on Claritin’s usefulness? The answer can be founds in European practice. It’s pretty common for European patients to take 30 milligrams or 40 milligrams, not 10 milligrams, of Claritin. At those higher doses, the Claritin does indeed work better to relieve allergy symptoms. But – surprise – it also makes you sleepy! The company’s whole marketing strategy was to peddle Claritin as “non-sedating,” so it was careful to perform scientific studies only at such low doses that no one would get sleepy. They conveniently ignored the fact that at those low doses, the drug also didn’t work very well. They figured that aggressive marketing would take care of that minor glitch – and they were right.

The Claritin scam has now opened a new chapter with Claritin going both generic and OTC. The company can no longer make huge profits by selling brand-name Claritin. So suddenly their marketing proclaims that Claritin is really a pretty miserable drug after all. Instead of that bad old drug, you need the new super drug, called Clarinex. By the merest coincidence, Clarinex is on patent and will be for many years, so no generic competitor is going to cut into its sales any time soon and the company can charge top dollar for it.

What exactly is Clarinex? It’s the active chemical portion of Claritin. In other words, it’s virtually identical to Claritin. No evidence exists that it’s superior to Claritin in any substantial way. But if the drug company marketers have their way with us, we’ll go on following their Pied Piper chant and throw our dollars after it. Let’s see in the next column if there isn’t a better way to spell relief.

 

[rszdtrvl]

He is to use Alaway 2x/day and got a prescription for Pataday (sticker shock - it is $110 AFTER the insurance). And we are switching him to Allegra-D.

I need to (sigh) go to Walmart this afternoon to get the Alaway and Allegra.

And pick up his prescription this afternoon.

He is worth it!

 

[daughtersrus]

He is to use Alaway 2x/day and got a prescription for Pataday (sticker shock - it is $110 AFTER the insurance). And we are switching him to Allegra-D.

I need to (sigh) go to Walmart this afternoon to get the Alaway and Allegra.

And pick up his prescription this afternoon.

He is worth it!

I guess I didn't realize that Pataday is so expensive. I now realize that our $6 copay is a great deal.

I did a quick search and it looks like there is a rebate available from the manufacturer if your copay is more than $25. There is a max rebate of $1650/ year. Here is a link if you're interested. https://mprsetrial.mckesson.com/pataday5558/home.html

Xyzal helped our DD much better than OTC meds but we had to get a letter from the doctor before insurance would cover the prescription.

 

[bcla]

He is to use Alaway 2x/day and got a prescription for Pataday (sticker shock - it is $110 AFTER the insurance). And we are switching him to Allegra-D.

I need to (sigh) go to Walmart this afternoon to get the Alaway and Allegra.

And pick up his prescription this afternoon.

He is worth it!

Generic versions of Allegra are available. I understand that a lot of prescription plans won't even cover it because it's non-prescription and because there are generics available. However, I'm guessing that it could be a generic version that could be very cheap and covered. I remember getting a prescription once for a generic where I literally paid just the negotiated cost which was less than the copay.

When loratadine went on the market non-prescription, my prescription plan at the time completely cut off all low/non-sedating antihistamines. I remember my mom was taking Allegra, and her prescription provider gave her some coupons specifically for Alavert (Wyeth's version of loratadine), but stated that they would no longer be covering Claritin, Allegra, or Xyrtec.

 

[princess barbara]

Has there been any talk of starting allergy shots? Also Claritin etc. has to be taken everyday during high season- or whatever you are allergic to is blooming-to be most effective. He also should shower frequently and put on clean clothes. Also everyone should take their shoes off at the door to keep allergens out of the house if possible.

 

[rszdtrvl]

No allergy shots. Never been mentioned by his doctor.

I tried the rebate/discount offer and since DH is employed by the state, it didn't work. Bummer. Kudos to our pharmacy though, who tried it even after picked up the prescription.

Yeah - it was sticker shock. $185 before insurance. Not cool. But I am not going to even get into the cost of prescriptions. :/

At least he has it and will get started on it.

Oh, and I got the Allegra D but it says not to separate it (the 24 hour type) and is a white shell type pill. Now I don't know if he should take it or not..... Or just take a full pill for now...

edited to answer : He takes Zyrtec year round.

 

[princess barbara]

I think I would check with your insurance coverage and take him to an allergist for allergy testing. It's done right in the office and is virtually painless. If his lifestyle i.e. football is impacted to the point that he's in pain with his eyes etc. I think he needs to be evaluated especially if it's a severe enough allergy that he might require shots. Those take many months if not years to be effective and it's best if he needs them to start before he's away at college.

I have allergies to trees, grasses and animals that required shots as well as steroid sprays in nose and drops in eyes. After many years of shots, I've never been better and can attend my kid's soccer games and even mow the lawn during certain times of the year.

 

[kinntj]

I'm sorry your son is in such pain. It's been a bear of a year for allergies. My DD10 has them bad this year. With her allergies she's developed asthma; which she didn't have years prior. She's seeing a respiratory therapist today to do breathing tests.

At first her Flonase and inhaler was working and her cough was 100% gone, but now it's back. She plays softball and pitches, so it's really hard on her. She may have to skip tonight's game since we have a vacation coming up in 2 days.

She does have Patanol for her eyes and that seems to work for now, thank goodness.

My husband has bad allergies too with really loud coughing when it gets bad. His Dr. just gave him a prescription for Azelastine HCl 137 mcg Nasal solution. We're hoping that works. He did have a steroid shot and that lasts about 4 weeks (maybe just shy of that). It was wonderful to be clear of any symptoms for that long. His dr. only recommended one shot an allergy season though.

Keep trying though. It's tough to be miserable due to allergies. I've never had allergies so I never understood it until my DH and DD developed them. Not fun!

 

[rszdtrvl]

I gave him one drop in each eye after school before football practice and he said they felt good.

The bottle is 2.5ml which equals a half teaspoon. For $110 oop. Yikes!

But if one drop in each eye a day works, then it is well worth it.


We missed a drop in his eye because he moved his head and I was not a happy camper. Each drop equals something like $2.

I am going to pick up some Alaway today, and he can practice putting that in his eyes in the evening, using the Pataday in the morning.