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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not AIBU, but need traffic - any doctors?

28 replies

cardamomginger · 30/12/2013 02:24

DH has woken up with a intensely itchy hot and bumpy rash over much of his torso. We have just got off the phone with the dr at the OOH who was pretty unhelpful. She thinks it is an allergic reaction and has told DH to take antihistamines. We have cetirizine. She would not say what an appropriate single dose is for such reactions - she said to 'look at the box'.

Not helpful. And doctors out there? How much can he take?

She said if it gets worse to go to A&E. Otherwise GP. Which is fine. But he needs something to help now!

OP posts:
MissBurrows · 30/12/2013 02:26

A cool bath and throw in a handful of porridge oats if you have them.
Cetirizine should help.. I the dose is 5mg, but can be upped to 10mg.

Not a doctor, but a huge sufferer of itchiness!

Original poster
cardamomginger · 30/12/2013 02:28

Thanks. I've been on 20mg twice a day, so I know it can go higher. It would just have been helpful for the doctor we were talking to to tell us the dose.

OP posts:
ClayDavis · 30/12/2013 02:28

I don't think I'm going to be much help to you. But in my experience whatever the dose on the box of cetirizine is is the correct dose. Has he taken that dose yet?

Original poster
cardamomginger · 30/12/2013 02:33

I've given him 20mg on the basis that I was prescribed that twice a day, so it must be safe. But he's still really suffering, so it is safe and clinically appropriate for him to have more, I'd like him to. But the sodding doctor wouldn't say.

OP posts:
ThunderbumsMum · 30/12/2013 02:34

I wouldn't give him more. Taking only the recommended dose of cetirizine over an extended period as an adult gave me liver damage.

Original poster
cardamomginger · 30/12/2013 02:37

That's awful thunder. I'm on cetirizine long term, which is why we have it in the house. Will ask my immunologist about this next appointment.

I'm just looking for a single safe and clinically appropriate dose for him. Often with OTC medications, the maximum dose stated on the box you buy can be very different from the dose you get prescribed in a more extreme clinical situation. I'd call my doctor friends and ask, but it's 2.40am.

OP posts:
MrsLouisTheroux · 30/12/2013 02:43

But the sodding doctor wouldn't say.
They are not going to say are they! They have not seen your DH or the rash. They don't know anything about him or his medical history. I would be more worried if they were telling you to give him random pills without seeing him.
On a more H note... Have you googled it?
Take him to A&E if you're really worried.

Original poster
cardamomginger · 30/12/2013 02:49

I know! But they were prepared to diagnose an allergic rash over the phone. They told him to take this drug. I understand the limitations they are working in in terms of not wanting to say take a larger dose than is stated on the pack. But DH is really suffering, and, given that I know that a dose larger than 10mg per day is safe (because I take it) it is really frustrating. Hence the 'sodding doctor' comment.

He's breathing OK and has no facial swelling, so I'm not worried to the point of A&E. Will keep an eye on him though. But in the meantime it's awful for him.

OP posts:
horsetowater · 30/12/2013 02:49

Cetirizine peaks in the bloodstream one hour after administration.

Original poster
cardamomginger · 30/12/2013 02:49

I have googled. Nowt.

OP posts:
Original poster
cardamomginger · 30/12/2013 02:50

I've slapped some instillagel on it to try and take the edge off.

OP posts:
Original poster
cardamomginger · 30/12/2013 02:52

One of the ironies is that one of our close friends is a consultant allergist! I think he would demote himself to vague acquaintance pretty sharpish if we phoned at 3 in the morning about a rash.

OP posts:
DoYouLikeMyBaubles · 30/12/2013 02:52

Don't give him more, it takes time to work, if it doesn't then it needs a more intense anti-allergy that you're not going to be able to give right now. Or it's not allergy related.

Are those his only symptoms? No sickness or headachyness?

Original poster
cardamomginger · 30/12/2013 02:55

No. No sickness, no headache, no pains. Other than the heat of the rash, he didn't feel hot. I've just checked and he's still breathing OK. Would any facial swelling have come out by now, if it was going to happen? I'm a bit scared to go to bed in case he does get worse and I don't see it.

OP posts:
Original poster
cardamomginger · 30/12/2013 02:55

And the rash blanches. First thing I checked.

OP posts:
ThunderbumsMum · 30/12/2013 02:56

Have you put hot flannels on the rash to help the itching? The hotter the better. Please pm me if you want more details re the cetirizine. I hope your ds feels better very soon.

Original poster
cardamomginger · 30/12/2013 02:57

Thanks. I suggested hot. He didn't want to do it. Will PM you!

OP posts:
toobreathless · 30/12/2013 03:04

I wouldn't give any more, usual adult dose is 10 mg once a day.

I personally haven't seen doses as high as 20 mg twice a day. Which doesn't mean it isn't safe but sounds like something done with patients who have built up tolerance to lower doses. I def wouldn't give any more.

As you say any facial swelling or breathing problems or you are concerned for any reason straight to A&E via 999 if needed.

In meantime take some photos so you can show them if needed .

(doctor)

AmGrowingAnAwesomeTree · 30/12/2013 03:06

1: Drug info: www.nhs.uk/medicine-guides/pages/MedicineOverview.aspx?medicine=Cetirizine%20tablets

2: Too soon for what you've administered to have reached peak plasma yet so be nuts to give more.

3: Hope it helps DH, but so aware, if yours was prescribed/has pharmacy doubled checked sticker on etc, it is an offence to provide others with your prescribed meds (even if a generic equiv. is available OTC)

HTH.

Original poster
cardamomginger · 30/12/2013 03:06

thanks toobreathless.

OP posts:
Original poster
cardamomginger · 30/12/2013 03:10

Thanks amgrowing.

TBH I'm not going to worry about committing an offence by giving DH my prescribed cetirizine. It what we have in the house and was what he needed in an urgent situation. Ditto, if heaven forbid, he did go into clear anaphylactic shock and stop breathing. I'll just stick him with one of my epipens and dial 999.

OP posts:
BooBudolphMeowson · 30/12/2013 07:14

There's a difference between a safe dose and a necessary dose. 40Mg might be doing other damage, but that is preferable than.you living in misery.

MrsWedgeAntilles · 30/12/2013 08:37

OP, if he's taken more than it said to on the box you need to call some one ASAP to find out what the effects of this overdose might be, especially if he has any other medical conditions, is taking any other medication or has recently been drinking alcohol.
Do this as soon as you can. Maybe I'm being a bit over cautious and all that'll happen will be that he'll be a bit sleepy and can't drive or be left in charge for a bit but if something worse is in the pipeline the faster you seek help the less harmful the effects will be.

MrsWedgeAntilles · 30/12/2013 08:43

Boo, there's not really true is it? I think I'd much rather ride out the itchy skin or sore teeth or whatever than be waiting to die from liver failure which is one of the (admittedly worst) outcomes of drug over doses.

sashh · 30/12/2013 08:49

Just to add there are different types of antihistomine.

I had a reaction to the contrast used in CT scanning and needed to take 2 different types, one was not enough.

I cant remember the details of what's in them but a pharmacy should be able to help.