Any LO's taking allergy meds that are helping with behavior?

smiling76

I know--- this title must have you thinking "WTH???"

But my mom swears that my brother when we were younger was on allergy medication for environmental and food allergies and that if he didn't take the allergy meds, his behavior was unreal (much like what she's seeing with DS1 and what I've described here--- very defiant, aggressive, etc)

Well, craziest thing is during a conversation this morning with DS1's teacher--she brought up something pertaining to the same thing!  (yeah, I was thinking that's crazy but ok....I'm open to anything at this point).  She went on to say that I should talk with my allergist or pedi but that over the years what she's seen with kids who have had really severe environmental allergies especially is that once they went on allergy meds, it seemed to calm their behaviors.  I've been thinking he might be having seasonal allergies lately because of things he's doing with his nose and she (without suggesting) said the same thing.

I was curious if your LO is taking allergy meds and if so, which one and what dosage (and how old are they/how much do they weigh)?  What doc suggested (allergist vs pedi)?  Right now DS2 is actually on zyrtec daily and he's doing quite well.  DS1 was actually on zyrtec as a little guy but we took him off and I can't even remember why!

ETA:  I wanted to add that DS1 does have pretty severe food allergies already--but we don't have him on any medications because well.....they don't help food allergies.  BUT there are studies showing that food allergies certainly can alter behavior if induced--which although tests show he's not as allergic to wheat and they say to give it to him, I truly think that could be doing something....

houndbaby

My ds started taking claratin around 1.5 yr. and then we switched to nasonex when he turned 2. My ds has environmental allergies and those affect his ears, and when his ears aren't good, he is very "off". So, yes, taking allergy meds does affect his behavior in that way

smiling76

-auntie-:

DS has taken Zyrtec for years. He's less edgy while taking it, but it doesn't really change his behavior in a meaningful way.

He is one of those kids on spectrum whose behavior improves a bit with a fever.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090401145312.htm

 

 

very interesting article!!!!!  Thank you for sharing.  Man, it sure makes me wish I would have stuck with pre-med.  There are so many things I would love to have researched. 

cheeseheadmomma

I have to start by saying that I am not a doctor and I don't work in the medical field, however, I am a therapist for children with mental health needs.  This is only in my experience (not scientifically proven as far as I know), but I have seen some of my kiddos with ADHD and ASD "calm down" and focus better when their allergies act up in summer...and the only thing that changes is giving them allergy medications (like Benedryl).  I have also seen allergy medications help children sleep.  But, as I said, I am not a doctor, this is just my observations. 

BlushingMama

My son takes anti-allergy med's but that is because he is allergic to household dust mites and has severe eczema (I have the dermo on speed dial). In the day time he takes Piriton (chlorphenamine maleate) if his hayfever is playng up, but usually he has 5ml's of Cetirizine during the day and Ucerax (hydroxyzine) at night to help him sleep. It does change his behaviour, but only because he is less itchy so therefore less frustrated. 

lindzed

No we haven't ever taken allergy meds, but my son did take prednisone for croup and his language doubled, sadly it went away when we stopped the medication.  It makes sense to me that allergy meds could do similar things.