I'm afraid to take sudafed - Asthma Message Board

happy4health · 02-27-2004, 10:12 AM

Let me give you a little history.

When I was first diagnosed with asthma, I was in the trauma unit in a small hospital in a small town where I used to live. They literally saved my life

Before I went to the er I was taking suafed for my sinus congestion. I developed a cough, and the pharmaurist(SP) I had just moved there and didn't have a doctor.) They told me that I could take sudafed with cough syrup if I spaced the dosage. At any rate I ended up in the er with my lungs so full of Mucus thatI was moments away from dying

Now my doctor would really like to give me Sudafed(for my yr round hayfever) and the sinus infections I get. I'm so afraid of having another episode like that again. I don't know if I have an allergy to some ingredient in Sudafed .(I now take entex) Is there a way to tell? Has anyone had a reaction to Sudfed? If so what did your dr. reccomend to use, that I might pass along to my own doctor? She told me to do my research and come back with some ideas and we can figure out the best course of treatment together.

PinkBananaz · 02-27-2004, 10:48 AM

I had a reaction once, but I have random weird allergies that come and go like that. It made the congestion so severe, I was crying=(.
But I take Clarinex daily year round 4 allergies, why don't you take an antihistamine? Or even one with a decongestant, such as Allegra-D?
I only take Sudafed in severe situations, b/c I am already on Flonase and Clarinex, that really takes care of the problem. You could also ask about a nasal steroid spray such as Flonase!

jerrie97 · 02-27-2004, 12:34 PM

I don't take Sudafed for anything anymore. I used to take it as a 'quick fix' for my eczema instead of using the cream. But I found that each time I took Sudafed I got a pretty bad asthma attack within minutes. The same thing happens with guaifenesin.

monacks · 02-27-2004, 12:39 PM

My dr told me not to take Sudafed, unless I was desperate. He gave me Allegra. He said a straight antihisthamine was much better. I also have Rhinocort nasal spray. Have you tried nasal irrigation? I do this twice a day and it helps.

happy4health · 02-27-2004, 02:59 PM

I'm going to tell my doctor I should be on an antihistime like allegra or clairnex. Again thank you all for your responses I'll let you know how it goes during my next visit(In april.) In the meantimeI continue with my Flonase.