[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?

 

[danakscully64]

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

 

[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.

 

[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

 

[danakscully64]

So. Much. Delicious.

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

 

[danakscully64]

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

 

[danakscully64]

Quote:

Originally Posted by delicioso

I wouldn't take medication that made me gain weight, unless it was absolutely necessary.

Sadly, this medicine is necessary. I'm going to try to get an appointment soon with my doctor so I can try another medication. I haven't slept well a single night since stopping the medication, I kept walking up with sinus pressure and neck pain.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunnerVeggie

You really should see a doctor before you take any more Zyrtec, since weight gain is a rare side effect. Who knows, there might be something more serious going on.

I can't function without it and it takes weeks to get in to see the doctor, so I'm going to have to keep taking it until I can get an appointment. I'm not worried about the weight gain for health purposes, it happens. When I stopped the birth control pill, I gained 10 pounds and no matter what I did, I couldn't get rid of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RabbitLuvr

I took just Singulair for quite awhile before I added the Zyrtec. (My doctor prescribed it to help prevent/reduce swelling in my sinus tissues.) I never noticed side effects with it, personally. It is certainly worth a try, if the side effects bother you, you could always stop taking it. Your doctor might even be able to give you samples to try before you buy any.

Quote:

If I hadn't been taking Zyrtec during allergy season, I wouldn't be able to leave the house. (My eyes get red, swollen and itchy; my throat gets raw and itchy; snot drips out of my nose in a near-steady stream; I can barely breathe; and I have a headache that feels like being smacked in the forehead with a brick.) Weight gain is annoying, and something I want to change, but really the least of my problems.

Post nasal drip sucks, I've had it SO bad the last few days that I've literally choked a few times. Ewww. It's the itching and sinus pressure that gets me, those are the worst symptoms.

Quote:

My ENT told me weight gain was normal with Zyrtec.

Other sites say the same thing, and it's not something to worry about.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunnerVeggie

Perhaps it is. A quick google search said it was rare. I just think that since danakscully64 said she wasn't seeing a doctor about this, it's probably a good opportunity to explore other options and be on the safe side as far as this potential side effect.

I'm hoping the other medication will help my allergy and weight gain problem

 

[danakscully64]

Not at all. It makes me a highly functioning allergy sufferer

Without it, I'm foggy.

 

[danakscully64]

I take mine in the morning so I can function all day. If I take it at night, it's most effective when I'm sleeping and starts to wear off in the early afternoon.

 

[danakscully64]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ocrob37

I get really bad sinus headaches and they are terrible. I would suggest seeing if you can find healthier food to fill you up. That one meal you described is about 1000 more calories than I eat in an entire day. see is you can fill yourself up on veggies and other lower calorie food.

I don't normally eat like that, but it was an example on how I should have been full, but wasn't. Normally 3 Chipotle tacos is more than enough. I eat tons of healthy foods: Brown rice, greens, Gardein, salads with fruit, hummus, mushroom lettuce wraps, pastas with veggies, avocado, etc. My latest favorite meal at work is only about 500 calories

Do you really only consume about 400 calories a day?

 

[danakscully64]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ocrob37

My bad. For some reason I was thinking those tacos were higher in calories. I went to a place yesterday and assumed the two tacos I had were about 700 calories and for some reason I multiplied that number by three. Maybe my lack of calories is making my brain dead. Lol

I've heard of some people eating really, really low calories, so that scared me when you said that. The tacos are only 600-700 calories, the Frapp is 300, and the fries are 400. Calories aren't evil

It was a lot of fat though, I usually don't have that much. I just noticed that my appetite shot up through the roof, when it usually lowers in the summer. I easily burn 1,000 calories just walking around at work, so I tend to need more calories than others.

 

[danakscully64]

Update: Ever since going off Zyrtec for 4 days, my allergy medicine hasn't been working well at all. I've been getting sinus headaches and really bad post nasal drip. Also, my appetite is minimal. I used to be ravenously hungry, now I'm fine eating a small meal. I wonder if the medicine will kick back in, I really need it. My sinus headache was so bad on Monday that it was almost a migraine.

Look at the article I just found, apparently itching is a common withdrawal side effect of Zyrtec:

http://zyrtecwithdrawal.blogspot.com/

Quote:

After some research into this phenomenon, with help from some pharmacology books, my chemist friend believes that we are suffering from allergic dermatitis; basically a skin allergy to a drug. Stopping the Zyrtec triggers your immune system, you begin to be allergic to the Zyrtec (which remains in your system for at least 7 days), and your skin begins to create the opposite effect the medication was going for. Your skin then begins to produce more histamine. How and why this happens is not known, but it only occurs in people who are particularly sensitive. It depends on the person, and how the medication has "tweaked" certain reactions in your body. Anti-histamines are particularly idiosyncratic, and react differently in different people. ***Therefore, Zyrtec has "tweaked" the receptor it binds to in the skin of hypersensitive people, and upon stopping the Zyrtec, the skin over-produces histamine, which causes severe itching until the immune system readjusts.***

Another site: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/rx/zyrtec.html

And (Day 3, same as me): http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2011/...triggers-itch/

 

[danakscully64]

I thought my itchiness was the allergies, I never would have guessed it was the medicine itself. Everyone online is describing it as so bad that it affected their everyday life. Head to toe itching, no matter how much scratching I did.

I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

 

[danakscully64]

Medication does weird things. It seems like many people were unhappy that Zyrtec became over the counter because of the itchiness, they didn't want others to suffer. Honestly? Zyrtec is one of the best things that ever happened to me. This is the first year since I was about 10-11 that I didn't miss work/school because of allergies. When I decide to wean off next month after allergy season calms down, I'll cut the pills in half.

 

[danakscully64]

The problem is, I can't drive with sinus headaches and I get about 40-60 of them on average during allergy season. My allergies are so bad, it's like having a severe cold for 6 months. I lose sleep from not being able to breath and my nose needs to be wiped so often that the skin around my nose burns and peels. Zyrtec is a godsend.

I had a sinus headache every single day the month before I started taking Zyrtec.

 

[danakscully64]

I'm not a big fan of meds, but this is the only pill I take. I know this sounds bad, but if I had such bad headaches during pregnancy, I would take something. My sister had a migraine about a month ago and a doctor said she could take something stronger than Tylenol, I just can't remember what it was. I would take Zyrtec during pregnancy too (websites say it's safe). I plan on trying to conceive so where I won't be pregnant during spring or the summer. The thought of being pregnant during the summer in California... no way.

 

[danakscully64]

Quote:

Originally Posted by delicioso

Being itchy, headaches and gaining weight all sound horrible. But, I don't think you have to see your doctor before you can have your medication changed, just call and let him/her know you are having problems and ask him/her to call in a perscription for a different drug, today. Hope you feel better!

I have to set up an appointment unfortunately, the doctors rarely prescribe medications without being seen. For now, I have a 2 month supply of Zyrtec that I'm going to use. I'll keep taking it for another month, then try to wean off

My weight hasn't gone up in the last week or 2 (whenever I started taking it again), so that's good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by *AHIMSA*

Heather, have you tried Allegra?

Is it seasonal allergies alone or are you allergic to something specific, maybe in your day to day life and environment?

It sounds like you're dealing with a lot.

I have, it doesn't work at all. Claritin doesn't help either (was taking that earlier in the year before splurging and buying Zyrtec - The price was the reason I didn't buy Zyrtec earlier). What's weird is even Benedryll doesn't even take the edge off, it just makes me loopy. I once took it in high school and by the end of the day, I didn't remember what I did.

That same day, I got into a small accident because I was zoned out. With the other allergy medicine, it was like taking sugar pills. Zyrtec has been my miracle worker.

I'm pretty sure it's just year round seasonal allergies. If I'm remembering right, Christmas is the time of year I don't suffer. The problem is, I end up with bronchitis almost every year around Christmas through about March-ish because of the (Santa Ana) wind mixed with my asthma. My body doesn't really get a break or relief. I remember that in college, I would miss school at the beginning of every semester because my allergies would start up with the weather change, mostly in March and late August (Spring and Fall semesters).