So I mentioned my allergies. They've been bad.
So I've been taking my Claritin every morning...then I've been taking whatever OTC allergy medication is handy when I'm feeling miserable later in the day. I freely admit I've got a little bit of this and a little bit of that lying around. I got the Benadryl upstairs, I got the Tylenol Allergy in my purse. Whatever...I've been taking it.
Two nights ago I was so miserable I barely slept, so last night despite utter exhaustion which should have, on its own, guaranteed a good night's sleep, I decided that I ought to take an Ambien just to be sure I got some sleep.
So, how did I feel today? ...
Now first, I must clarify that I have a prescription for the Ambien. I got a prescription from my old OB-GYN who basically would give me anything I asked for. This is the woman who gave me a full prescription for Zoloft because I said I was a little depressed a few years back!
Anyway, over a year and a half ago she gave me a prescription for 10 (woo hoo!) 10 Ambien...which cost like $30.
And I still had 2 left as of last night.
So, don't worry about me going all Valley of the Dolls on you.
But I do think I combo'ed up in not the best way over the last few days. Today I did not feel so excellent. A little groggy and weird.
Allergies are finally subsiding.
But my head feels a little like, oh I don't know...I mixed antihistamines and decongestants and sleeping pills in a somewhat willy nilly fashion.
Just out of curiosity - have you ever tried prescription nasal sprays like Flonase? (There are several others including generics which I guinea pig tested at the University of Chicago - nothing like having a cute doc wash your nose out with giant tubes of saline!)
I've suffered from allergy hell since from before I can remember (apparently my parents had to stop taking me to my father's cricket games at Griffith park when I was a wee one, what with the grass, horses, hay, etc... all around.) Discovering nasal steroid sprays has been one of the greatest things ever in my life. My allergies are under control (although they've worsened since I've been back in California) and I don't have the groggy, disconnected feeling that every (including the ones that swear up and down they don't make you drowsy) antihistamine pill has given me.
Good luck - allergies are no joke and certainly no fun!
Posted by: Wag | May 26, 2005 at 11:52 PM
Sounds very romantic Wag :)
I think I did get a sample of Flonase at one point. I found them a little hard to get used to...especially being terminally congested.
I wonder if insurance covers Flonase (or even generics) when they don't voer the various daily pills? Does yours?
Posted by: Elisa Camahort | May 27, 2005 at 07:01 AM
Yep - I've been on several different health care plans over the last ten years and, though I've had problems with coverage of various prescriptions, Flonase has never been one of them - it has always been covered.
It definitely takes some getting used to on the sprays. And, no they don't seem to inherently help with the congestion. Plus there are some not so pleasant side effects from irritating and drying out your nasal passages. But, if you stick with it for 2-3 weeks, the benefits do appear and, I find the congestion lessens during the day once you're well hopped up on the spray. Still a problem for me at night but, letting my 2 dogs sleep in the bed is a big no-no that I willingly suffer for.
Posted by: Wag | May 27, 2005 at 09:21 AM
Yes, well, this girl whose cat sleeps on her pillow is in no position to judge!
Posted by: Elisa Camahort | May 27, 2005 at 09:27 AM