Posted by jealibeanz on March 27, 2007, at 5:30:21
In reply to Re: just say what you need » jealibeanz, posted by Honore on March 26, 2007, at 21:33:30
This is just a random thought/analogy that ran through my head this morning, not entirely related to the topic...
Flonase:
I'm dependent on Flonase. I've taken it for allergies every day (almost) for the last 8 years. It's the only thing that truly relieves my symptoms. I went through years of allergy shots and have been on all the prescription antihistamines, neither helped.
I go on and off Allegra, Claritin, Zyrtec, and Clarinex every few years. Sometimes I don't take them because I don't feel I need them because my allergies aren't bad. Or, my allergies are bad, but I know they make no difference with me. Right now I'm taking Clarinex, since I've had more symptoms over the last year and decided to try taking an oral med again. It doesn't help!
My Flonase is the only thing that keeps me breathing, keeps my throat from being itchy and inflammed, and prevents complications. If I don't take it as soon as I wake up, it set me up for a bad day, because I start to have allergic reactions. If I go a day or so without it, I'll get a sinus infection. I've tried to "quit" my Flonase before, because I thought I was addicted, haha, and lasted only 3 days.
I asked my PA about what he thought about me taking it for such a long time and told him I wanted to stop, even though it's the only med that works, because I thought I'd been on it too long. He looked at me like I was crazy. There's no reason to stop it, but many to keep taking it. (He was probably thinking... Flonase?! You're concerned about Flonase?! That is not your biggest problem!)
I asked one of my professors, a D.O., about this a few months ago when she was lecturing about allergic rhinitis. She was saying that she likes to avoid the steroids, and was very clear about it. So, I told her my story and asked what she thought. She told me to stick with what is working! It goes completely against what she holds as her "rule of thumb" for practice and treatment, yet she said that without hesistation. And she said that if I try stopping, I'd have some "rebound" reactions, because my body is used to having the steroids to fight allergens, so it's a bit weakened so to speak.
Anyway...
My point is, Flonase is not considered first line treatment for allergies. Maybe second line in conjunction with oral medication, and its extended use is discouraged, since it is a steroid. I don't think many people with allergies are prescribed this medication by itself for so long, but I am. However, my allergist/pulmonologist, GP and PA all see no problem with me taking it long-term. It helps me!
This is soo similar to my Xanax situation, in my opinion. It's not first line. It's extended use is discuraged. It's not normally taken without a 1st line drug. If you stop taking it, you may experience rebound anxiety. Hmm...
poster:jealibeanz
thread:744157
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070327/msgs/744550.html