[danakscully64]

I've been taking Zyrtec since about April and in that time, I've gained nearly 15 pounds. I was gaining weight even when I wasn't eating more, then about a month or two ago, my appetite increased to a point where I was still hungry after having almost an entire Grande Starbucks Frapp, 3 overflowing tacos from Chipotle, and a big order of fries from In-n-out. I had considered the fact that it was my medication a little over a month ago, but my suspicions were confirmed when I found an article in my Women's Health Mag that named Zyrtec by name as a cause of weight gain.

So now I need to decide: Should I stop taking Zyrtec and suffer or stop to help me lose the weight? I'm not comfortable with my body right now and my clothes are fitting so tight, all of my pants are too small. If winter hits before the weight is gone, I need to shell out $100+ for new pants.

What sucks is this it the ONLY allergy medicine that works for me, I've tried everything else

I stopped taking it 3 days ago and I've been miserable. I'm not sleeping well and I have lots of pressure in my head. I bought a new bottle of Zyrtec at Target, but I don't know if I should open it or take it.

HELP! Allergy season should be over by the end of August, but I'm afraid of being 20 pounds heavier by then. What should I do?

 

[Beetlejuice]

Deleted

 

[luvourmother]

If you continue to take the medication then you need to counteract the weight gain by moving more, do more exercise and add in more strenuous activities like running up stairs. The meds are most likely messing with your metabolism so you need to work harder to keep burning and keep your metabolism up. Also if you keep taking the meds a diet modification might be necessary to keep the weight off, you described a pretty unhealthy lunch just now (starbucks and in-n out fries are not good options for losing weight, ive never been to chipotle but do know their portions are massive, 3 tacos could also be a bit much...)

Personally i'd quit the medication and use alternative methods for allergies. I live not far from you and this year the histamines and pollen have been really bad, the recent humidity wave we've been doesn't help with congestion either. The best thing that helps my allergies (and my bf's, brothers, mom's, sisters, friends) is nasal irrigation. Seriously, during allergy season I use the neti pot about once a day sometimes more, it clears up the snot AND clears out the histamines, pollen and other allergy triggers.

I know I know I know that you have an 'issue' with irrigation, but you really don't know unless you TRY IT! which is worse being fat or putting some salt water in your nose?

 

[danakscully64]

I'm going to work now, I'll reply when I get back

 

[runnerveggie]

Have you seen a doctor about your allergies? For example, maybe a prescription nasal spray would work for you.

If Zyrtec were the only option, I would probably take it and look for ways to deal with the weight gain -- get more exercise, eat more filling lower calorie foods, try eating smaller meals more frequently. I would minimize liquid calories as they don't tend to make you feel full, and also minimizing eating at restaurants if possible since you can usually make a more filling meal at home with fewer calories. I would recommend talking to a dietician to get the best advice, though.

 

[fadeaway1289]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RabbitLuvr

I think the barrage of antibiotics I have taken in the last four to five years has had more of a negative impact on my overall health than the Zyrtec has.

This sounds similar to what my brother has dealt with. He's had chronic sinus infections for years, has had sinus surgeries, and constantly been given anti biotics over the past several years to the point where his body seems to have become immune to them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunnerVeggie

Have you seen a doctor about your allergies? For example, maybe a prescription nasal spray would work for you.

^This. Personally I would go to a doctor and ask him/her about alternatives to the Zyrtec. I'd also try the Neti Pot no matter how gross it sounds. Sticking a little teapot in your nostrils sounds more tolerable than living in allergy misery.

 

[Pirate Ferret]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunnerVeggie

Have you seen a doctor about your allergies? For example, maybe a prescription nasal spray would work for you.

agree. over the counter allergy medications barely work for me (i take them if i run out of my prescription stuff but suffer). or you might find that taking another drug, along with eye drops and nasal spray works the same as zyrtec does.

 

[Beetlejuice]

Deleted

 

[danakscully64]

I suffered HORRIBLY at work today and on my drive home. I'm about to jump in the shower because my body itches SO BAD. I haven't itched this bad since I had the chicken pox. Be back in a few.

 

[danakscully64]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RabbitLuvr

This makes sense. My weight gain started roughly when I got my first rabbits, and I had to start taking Zyrtec because of their hay. No other allergy meds work for me.

Zyrtec has been a freakin' miracle. I was having sinus headaches every single day until I found this.

Quote:

With my serious sinus problems, though, I have to stick with whatever works. If that means continuing Zyrtec, and not losing the extra weight, that is what I will have to do. I can barely function during full-on allergy season, bucause without meds my nose literally does not stop running (think snot-nosed toddler) and it's just one sinus infection after another. I think the barrage of antibiotics I have taken in the last four to five years has had more of a negative impact on my overall health than the Zyrtec has.

Even while taking Zyrtec, if I tip my head to the side, my nose literally pours out. It's not snot-y either, more like water. It's not too bad, SO much better than suffering. I had a lot of sinus infections before taking Zyrtec too, but not a single headache or infection since.

Quote:

My weight has pretty much plateaued at this point, but it's still frustrating because I can't wear more than half of the clothes in my closet, and I don't want to buy a whole new wardrobe.

That's where I'm at right now.

Quote:

I think you'll probably just have to decide which is more important to you. If your allergy symptoms make you miserable for a short time but don't impact your long-term health, or totally keep you from functioning, maybe it's worth suffering through?

After today's itching, I'm thinking I need to try a newer allergy medicine like Cingular (my Dad uses it). I tried making an appointment with my doctor on the way home, but the office was closed.

 

[sequoia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by danakscully64

I suffered HORRIBLY at work today and on my drive home. I'm about to jump in the shower because my body itches SO BAD. I haven't itched this bad since I had the chicken pox. Be back in a few.

I guess you have to choose between the lesser of two evils. I say stick with the medication, but be EXTREMELY diligent about only eating what you know you need. Count calories if need be, and exercise every day. I was taking a medication that made me gain a lot of weight, and that's what I had to do. I know it's really hard, but it's worth it if your allergies are that horrible.

 

[Beetlejuice]

Deleted

 

[sequoia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RabbitLuvr

I have had some success lately with making sure to eat more high-fiber stuff. I especially make sure to eat an apple with my lunch, that has helped me keep from feeling hungry through the afternoon. I'm also trying really hard to drink more plain water, which is helpful.

I seriously need to stop drinking soda and slurpees. Although I do take them into account and eat less when I have one. But it's still not good for me. The high-fiber thing helps me too

 

[danakscully64]

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvourmother

If you continue to take the medication then you need to counteract the weight gain by moving more, do more exercise and add in more strenuous activities like running up stairs. The meds are most likely messing with your metabolism so you need to work harder to keep burning and keep your metabolism up. Also if you keep taking the meds a diet modification might be necessary to keep the weight off, you described a pretty unhealthy lunch just now (starbucks and in-n out fries are not good options for losing weight, ive never been to chipotle but do know their portions are massive, 3 tacos could also be a bit much...)

That's the thing, I was moving more at the beginning because I had just been promoted and eating better (grilled Gardein, brown rice, and greens). I should have been losing weight, but my weight went up. I didn't start eating like a pig until about a month and a half ago, when my hunger issue started (I was already up 11 pounds then). Even after eating, I would have nausea because I was so hungry within 30 minutes, no matter what I ate. The hunger was to the extreme. I stopped Zyrtec 3 days ago and my appetite is completely normal now. I've read that some medications can actually do more than just affect your metabolism and can make the body less able to absorb blood glucose, which causes weight gain. I truly think it's more than my lifestyle that caused the gain. I could understand not losing weight while taking this medication, but I know I shouldn't have been gaining weight when my food intake was lower in calories/healthier.

Quote:

Personally i'd quit the medication and use alternative methods for allergies. I live not far from you and this year the histamines and pollen have been really bad, the recent humidity wave we've been doesn't help with congestion either. The best thing that helps my allergies (and my bf's, brothers, mom's, sisters, friends) is nasal irrigation. Seriously, during allergy season I use the neti pot about once a day sometimes more, it clears up the snot AND clears out the histamines, pollen and other allergy triggers.

Do you think a neti pot would make my body stop itching? I know it flushes the allergens out of your nose, but does it prevent histamines from being released on your skin all over your body? Trust me, at this point, I'm willing to try it. I'm going to Target soon, going to check them out.

 

[danakscully64]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunnerVeggie

Have you seen a doctor about your allergies? For example, maybe a prescription nasal spray would work for you.

If Zyrtec were the only option, I would probably take it and look for ways to deal with the weight gain -- get more exercise, eat more filling lower calorie foods, try eating smaller meals more frequently. I would minimize liquid calories as they don't tend to make you feel full, and also minimizing eating at restaurants if possible since you can usually make a more filling meal at home with fewer calories. I would recommend talking to a dietician to get the best advice, though.

Yeah, but not within the last few years. It was a joke going to the doctor for allergies when I was growing up, nothing I was given would work and often he would tell me to just try over the counter stuff. I was sick so much that I got letters from the school every year telling my Mom I would need doctor notes to miss anymore days. I couldn't sleep because I was so congested and sneezing. My face and body would itch so bad that I would have scratches all over. When Zyrtec came out, my insurance didn't cover it, but the few pills I paid for worked wonders. It wasn't until it was OTC that I started getting it.

The problem is, when I gained the bulk of the weight, I wasn't eating more than I should

I'm dead serious when I say the only way I would lose weight while on Zyrtec would be to stop eating completely. I was eating very low calorie meals and gaining at an alarming rate. The only restaurant food I eat at is my own restaurant where I work and I stick with the healthier options 9 times out of 10 (today I had a grilled artichoke and rice). The only calories I drink are my morning coffee, which actually suppresses my hunger. I eat tons of fiber, fruits, and veggies. (I

my 8g of fiber english muffins with PB) 45,000 extra calories, that's how much I would have had to consume to gain the 15 pounds and I seriously doubt that happened. I have P90X now, so once I can get my allergies under control, I'm going to start it.

I give the middle finger to allergies.

 

[danakscully64]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RabbitLuvr

I take Singulair along with my Zyrtec. At one point I tried to stop taking it (it's expensive on my insurance plan), but I really noticed a difference. (Now I get in on mail-order, so it's cheaper for me.) I will continue taking that for awhile after I stop the Zyrtec, since it works a bit differently than other allergy meds. I do also have mild asthma, which is what Singulair was developed to treat, so I should probably stay on it, anyway.

I have mild asthma too, so I think this medicine would work. I'm terrified of the side effects though.

Quote:

I have had some success lately with making sure to eat more high-fiber stuff. I especially make sure to eat an apple with my lunch, that has helped me keep from feeling hungry through the afternoon. I'm also trying really hard to drink more plain water, which is helpful.

But I eat tons of fiber already

I don't think I'd leave the bathroom if I ate more

Quote:

Originally Posted by sequoia

I seriously need to stop drinking soda and slurpees. Although I do take them into account and eat less when I have one. But it's still not good for me. The high-fiber thing helps me too

Oooo, Slurpees

I rarely get them, but the Cherry mixed with Coke is the best. Damnit, now I want one

 

[sequoia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by danakscully64

Oooo, Slurpees

I rarely get them, but the Cherry mixed with Coke is the best. Damnit, now I want one

My boyfriend just brought me one

I only drink them in the summer, but still. So. Much. Sugar.

 

[danakscully64]

So. Much. Delicious.

I gave in and took the medicine. I pray it kicks in soon.

 

[sequoia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by danakscully64

So. Much. Delicious.

I gave in and took the medicine. I pray it kicks in soon.

Are you supposed to take it every day, or only when you are experiencing allergy symptoms?

 

[danakscully64]

Everyday. Every time I would skip a day, I would have an itchy face the next day.