Hay fever - anything I can take?

[Small Pilot]

I seem to be suffering from Hay Fever quite a bit more than usual this year. Are any of the 'over the counter' products that are OK to take (Benadryl, Aller-eze etc ?) and still fly? I'm a PPL (class 2 medical) trying to fly most weekends, weather and hay-fever permitting. Appreciate any advice please.

[Draco]

I take Zirtek, a single daily tablet. told the medical examiner at the last medical and he was happy.

If in doubt, give the CAA Medical branch a call - that is what they are there for (apparently). It may be helpful to post the answer on this forum when you get it. 01293 573 700

[Hand Solo]

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=49673

[Wedge]

Be careful with Zirtek as it can cause drowsiness. Last time I heard it was NOT approved for Class 1 but may be OK for Class 2. However I have taken it and did not find it caused any drowsiness.

[skygazer]

I looked on a medical website aimed at GP's (I wrote the link down, now I can't find it) about Cetirizine (which is Zirtec) and it's supposed to be 'non-sedating', but the site did say that it may cause drowsiness in some people, hence the need to warn that 'driving may be impaired' - my (prescription) box of tablets says this, but it doesn't affect me (unlike Loratadine, which used to knock me out)

[Small Pilot]

Thanks for the replies. Spoke to a very helpul lady at the CAA and have been given the name of a product I can take.

[skygazer]

What product was it??

[Small Pilot]

I was advised that NEOCLARITYN (sometimes known as LORATADINE) was the product to take.

[umbakumba]

:eek:
Garlic and horseradish tablets work a treat, a lot cheaper than otgher stuff, and, for me, more effective than anything currently on the market :cool:

[flaps to 60]

Try Beconase... It's non Drowsey and comes as a nasel spray so effective quite quickly.

I also think that it is OK for a JAR class one according to the AME I spoke to.:cool: :eek:

PS It's also available over the counter.

[moosp]

Some 15 years ago in the UK I was suffering from hayfever to the extent that the doc was considering pulling my ATPL. Most of the drugs in those days were not compatible with a Class 1 so I was getting worried.

A friend suggested accupuncture, and after I had got up off the floor from laughing I thought well, maybe this is the last chance.

An understanding GP prescribed the specialist so it came under BUPA in those days. The next week found me in Mayfair, W1.

A sixty year old Chinese lady with serious attitude suggested that it was my fault that I had hayfever, and asked me how I had contracted it. My confusion at this only made her more terse and she finished the discussion with, "Well you'll remember what caused it later no doubt. Remember it is psychosomatic." Some months later I discovered she was right.

Six weekly sessions later I had lost the signs and symptoms. She advised a booster course every year around February/March, (but I was one of the early sufferers, your month may vary). Since then I have only had rhinitis recurrences in the years that I have not had the booster or when surrounded by cats. But that is another problem.

It works for many people. It may work for you. Yes it hurts a bit but less than the average dentist. And it is drug free.

FWIW

[MAXIMOL]

Try a herbal remedy called Yamoa. It is taken fronm the bark on a tree in north west Africa. It is worth a try it may cure your hayfever.

http://www.naturalhealthweb.com/articles/Wedin.html

Try this website

[Squawk7000]

Try clarityn (loratadine is the generic name) tablets.
I also have a Beconase inhaler and Opticrom eyedrops - this is ok too with gas permeable contact lenses....don't know about the other types.

AME was happy with these for my Class 2.