Allergy meds for your child w/seasonal allergies?

[Karri]

Last year we took Aidan to a pediatric allergist and he had testing done and he was Dx with an allergy to trees and ragweed. The allergist gave us some samples of Clarinex and a script for later.

The samples lasted us through tree season and when it got to ragweed season, I had to fill the script. I took it in and was informed that naturally, my insurance doesn't cover Clarinex, because Claritin is an acceptable alternative (yeah, right :complain: f*&ckers) So we picked up some Children's Claritin and went on our merry way.

He was ok in the fall. I wasn't terribly impressed, but he wasn't miserable. Now tree season is in full swing. We started him on the Claritin well before the season started so the antihistimines could get in his system and start working. But this stuff is working worth crap. And I am giving him the maximum doseage for his age. He's miserable. He is sneezing and his eyes are red and puffy.

I am going to call his pediatrician, since his allergist is out on maternity leave right now. But first I wanted to see if there is anything anyone else is using that insurance covers that works for you for seasonal allergies? I was also wondering if anyone has had any success in getting Clarinex covered?

[Jayne]

I don't know about childrens. I know that for me my Dr. perscribed Allegra and Singulair. Those really work for me and I don't get so sick. This is really a bad season this time around also so I feel for you. Poor little Aidan. I really think your ped. should be able to give him something. I get mine through my Family Doctor instead of my allergist.

[Kara]

Austin doesn't have to take anything regularly but I agree that Kids Claritin sucks..LOL.

I'm pretty sure Singulair can be given to kids as well...
but have no experience with it..SORRY!

[Brandi Jo]

Riley is on Zyrtec syrup. Our insurance covers it...but only up to a certain amount. It's not on their preferred formulary, so it costs us $35/month...as opposed to $20 for formulary. It's worth it to pay the extra $$ for us, because the stuff has done wonders for him. We tried Children's Claritin, and honestly, benedryl worked better.

I have never tried Clarinex, as the Zyrtec worked so well for us...it even keeps his cat allergy at bay. Good luck...it's miserable to have a sneezy, snotty kid!

[Karri]

Hmn...our insurance does cover Zyrtec, as I was on it once upon a time for my cat allergies, but it made me too tired, so I stopped it. Do you notice any sleepy side effects?
We did try benedryl at first, but my kid gets hyper from benedryl and will not nap or sleep :crazy: So we stay faaaaar away from that crap :lol:

Thanks for the ideas. I will ask her about the Allergra and Zyrtec, but I thought Singular was for asthma, though? :scratch:

[Kara]

Hmn...our insurance does cover Zyrtec, as I was on it once upon a time for my cat allergies, but it made me too tired, so I stopped it. Do you notice any sleepy side effects?
We did try benedryl at first, but my kid gets hyper from benedryl and will not nap or sleep :crazy: So we stay faaaaar away from that crap :lol:

Thanks for the ideas. I will ask her about the Allergra and Zyrtec, but I thought Singular was for asthma, though? :scratch:

Zyrtec! THats the one I couldn't remember! LOL!

I thought it was for asthma also..but this is on the website.
SINGULAIR® (montelukast sodium) is a prescription medicine approved to help control asthma in adults and children as young as 12 months and to help relieve the symptoms of indoor and outdoor allergies (outdoor allergies in adults and children as young as 2 years, and indoor allergies in adults and children as young as 6 months).

[Jayne]

Singulair is for both my asthma and my allergies. It works for both. I take it Every single night before bed and will porbably for the rest of my life.

[Brandi Jo]

Hmm...I really don't know about sleepy side effects, because we give it to Riley right before bed. It doesn't hype him up at all, and it seems to work equally well the next day, so we just do it at night when he gets his vitamin. I didn't think you could give Allegra to kids Aidan's age...but I may be wrong about that.

[JustJen]

Zyrtec has always worked for us. Austin's asthma flares up as the seasons change and he starts playing more outdoor sports.

[Eleanor]

For a lot of insurance- even if something's not covered- if you've used the stuff that is, without success, you can get a prior authorization to get it covered. But zyrtec is covered a lot, and most of the kids I put on it don't have trouble with sedation.

[Mandi]

Melayna was on Zyrtec syrup. :nod: It worked great and never had any sleepy side effects for her. Our insurance covered it in Tier 1 (so name brand prices... I think it was like $25/bottle)

[bunybomb]

Alex is on Singulair. He takes it before bed for environmental allergies. Since spring has sprung he's been worse so I have added children's Claritin for daytime use. I agree with you Karri, it doesn't do much. I'm just waiting for the ped to say it's ok to bring him to an allergist. I keep being told that he is too young. I may have to get him some Zyrtec.

[Karri]

Becky - I took Aidan last year when he was 3 (right after he turned 3). There is a pediatric allergist in his pediatrician's group and my pediatrician actually brought it up --that she wanted us to go see her to get the testing done, rather than toy around with meds and take them all year round when he may not need them all year round. It made sense to me and I am glad I did it. :nod: And he handled the testing sooooo well....didnt cry at all!

[sabrina]

Eoin is on Zyrtec and it seems to work pretty well.

[Silke]

I am not a kid :lol:, but to answer your Clarinex question. My insurance wouldn't cover it either, but since this medication does help me (and we have tried many others), my allergist managed to get it approved. It could take a phone call or a letter from your allergist.

Singulair is safe for kids (I take it as well) and as others have mentioned helps asthma and allergies. This medication can be taken with an antihistamine combo since Singulair works on the leukotrienes (two prong attack).

Since he is puffy, it sounds like he might have a lot of fluid.....sound like he needs a decongestant. I would try adding Sudafed (as needed) to the Claritin. There is a new chewable version for kids.

I tried the Zyrtec once as well...made me so tired I almost drove myself into the ditch on my way to work.

[Karri]

Thanks, Silke

[Mandi]

:secret: You spelled seasonal wrong. ;)

[Nichole]

Not any more. :awink:

[Cortney]

Josh has horrible allergies (and I mean to EVERYTHING). I give him weekly shots (which are NOT covered by insurance and are incredibly expensive). Both girls have seasonal allergies and they don't take meds- I have them chew on local honeycomb 2x a week. It makes such a difference! Josh does it too- but he's also allergic to dust, etc. and the honeycomb doesn't help with those.

[Karri]

thanks, nichole :awink:

cortney - tell me more about this alternative treatment w/ honeycomb. do you have a link to it on the net? not sure aidan would do it, but i have allergies and hate taking my meds (so i dont :lol: )

[Suzi]

I know some people cannot tolerate Zyrtec at all - DH and my best friend are two examples. If either take it, they both end up in bed for TWO DAYS - literally unable to get up. Now I can take it and it has no affect like that on me at all.

Julia takes Palgic (syrup) and we have had great success with it. What I like most about it is that I can dose her when she has symptoms (or at least I could before we discovered her asthma) and it would work immediately rather than having to build up in her system to get a good response. It is covered by our insurance - at the lower rate, too. :aok:

[Amy]

We use Zyrtec syrup here for the girls as well. I usually give it at bedtime, and it helps with the drowsiness.