I am well aware that I should never take anything containing pseudoephedrine. That means pretty much any decongestant on the market is off-limits to me. I learned this the hard way. I would take Sudafed or some other cold medicine and find myself a couple hours later still sitting on the couch staring into space with my mouth open. I stopped taking it except at night. Then came pregnancy and breast-feeding and all the attendant paranoias and I didn't take any type of cold medicine for over two years. Fast-forward to this past friday: I am losing my mind because of the congestion. I am about to rip my nose off my face if I don't get some help. I get cocky, I think, I can take it. I grab the package of Claritin-D that Matthew has been taking for some antihistimine relief from the ivy ("I gots the ivy Ma, the ivy!") and I scan the active ingredients. It does contain pseudoephedrine but what the hell, I think, and I down a pill.
So very stupid. The side effects came on quickly and I realized that perhaps I had made a mistake but ,sadly, it was too late. I was by turns dizzy, thirsty, dull-witted, headached, sore and fatigued yet with racing thoughts of a manic variety. It was similar to my previous brushes with pseudoephedrine but way, way more intense. The side effects would seem to wane a little and I would start to feel just a little bit normal and then all of a sudden I would have to lie down again. I called my sister because the tiny portion of my brain that was still functioning remembered something about her having a bad reaction to Claritin-D. She nearly hung up on me in disgust - "Claritin? You took Claritin? I told you what that sh*t did to me!" She was kind enough to stay on the line long enough to explain to me that it was the delayed release that was causing the ebb and flow of side effects. It gives another dose about every 60 minutes (aha!). Did I mention that I took the 24-hour kind? Last night in bed my brain would not shut down. It was like having a very animated, slightly annoying friend whispering in your ear about all your neuroses ("then, you'll write about this on your blog and it will be the worst entry ever, then..."). And, to my deep dismay, I was still congested. *Shakes puny fist at sky* There was very little actual sleep last night. But who needs sleep at a time like this? With a crazed rash-ridden husband and snot-filled toddler? Bah! Anyway, I have been chastened. It's mentholyptus and neti pots from now on. With the occasional vapo rub possibly. But no more OTC cold drugs. Ever.
see, even when moms are sick, moms can't be sick...you are the perfect example of this. hope you (and the men in the house) are feeling a little better today.
Posted by: lea | August 07, 2006 at 08:09 PM
Woah. That's insane. I hope you're feeling a million times better.
Posted by: mamatulip | August 07, 2006 at 10:53 PM
Definitely feeling a little better. I feel like this is the wickedest cold I have ever had, though. I don't remember ever being reduced to tears on a daily basis by a headcold. All I want is to be able to take a day to sleep it off. Sniff.
Posted by: LetterB | August 08, 2006 at 10:28 AM
Aw crap. I got one too, and my inability to catch up on sleep is draaaaaging it out. The kids got over their colds in 4 or 5 days, and I'm going on day 9. I just want to curl up somewhere dark and sip tea. Can you get a sitter for a couple hours to read a bad magazine in a coffee shop somewhere? I'm sure if I could, I'd be cured in an afternoon.
Posted by: Mignon | August 08, 2006 at 02:30 PM
ugh. that sounds crappy, or is it croupy. I hate cold medicines too. Don't forget zinc.
Posted by: jess | August 08, 2006 at 11:46 PM
Substitute the word "Benadryl" for "Claritin" and you have my version of this story. I almost missed a Stevie Ray Vaughan concert because I was so completely out of it from the near-coma it foisted upon me.
Posted by: wordgirl | August 09, 2006 at 10:40 AM
Man, WG. I am glad you said "almost." I'd sue the pants off warner-lambert if they had made me miss SRV (may he rest in peace).
zinc! *slaps hand on forehead* I always forget about zinc until it's too late. And Mignon, my auntie whisked lowell away for the afternoon yesterday and I slept. It made a world of difference. For instance, my sense of smell is somewhat back today. I know because I can smell the diaper pail again.
Posted by: LetterB | August 10, 2006 at 12:47 PM