Claritin Ballet Leotard, Pediatric Allergist, Imaginary Monster, Monster Friends, Asthma Allergy

My daughter is 8 and was prescribed Singular AND Zyrtec for asthma/allergy maintenance. She's been on both meds for 7 months. I have seen a steady decline in her ability to learn. Prior to these meds, she knew her addition math facts. Now, she forgets simple equations (3 + 4). Her mind wanders, she is unable to focus, and homework that should take minutes takes hours.

In addition, her emotions are all over the place. My little girl who once loved nature and held wiggly earth worms in her hand now runs in terror from any bug. She is frightened of everything.A tiny scratch makes her emotionally distraught for hours. She obsesses over slights from friends and withdraws to her plush toys.

She's also created imaginary monster friends: werewolves, vampires, and other ghoulish creates. She tells me of the living dead who cut off part of your skull and eat your brain and so you become part of the living dead. This is from a child who has never seen, watched or been allowed to view a horror film of any kind, who still watches Noggin and PBS on TV, and who, 10 months ago, wanted to be a marine biologist when she grew up.

Like others, the first symptoms were nightmares and night terrors. She also experienced itching, which I thought was due to her ballet leotard and tights (why do we look at everything but the meds?--because we trust the doctors!!!). Then, toward the end of school, came the stomach and headaches, so frequent, in fact, her teacher emailed me that my daughter was going to the school nurse too much and wanted to know if something was wrong. Her teacher also said my daughter seemed very spacey in class. No behavior problems. Just drifting. Very inattentive.

Like others, my daughter had her tonsils removed prior to going on these meds. Like others, my daughter was seeing a specialist--a pediatric allergist--for treatment. I discussed adverse effects for all medications with the allergist.

Like others, Dr. Allergist said there were none for either Singulair OR Zyrtec. My daughter had been prescribed childrens' Claratin (Rx for liquid form) by a pediatrician when she was 5 and exhibited the same behavioral and learning problems she now has for Singulair and Zyrtec. Again, Dr. Allergist said there were no side effects, that Claratin had a different active ingredient (I don't recall the name, something like lurderine) and to keep away from online Web sites, as they will only scare me. Ha! She also said ignoring my daughter's asthma posed greater harm than treating it. This is for a child whose asthma was non-existant until she began Claratin.

From my research, I'm wondering if the meds used to treat allergies and asthma actually contribute to lung ailments. Since starting these "meds," my daughter has had pneumonia and bronchitis. She did not have any lung ailments prior to Claratin. In fact, she was perfectly healthy.

Has your child experienced the same? Have you?

As another alternative for action, I am contacting my PTA and am pushing from that direction. These meds affect our children's abilities to learn. Teachers care. I urge all parents to discuss your situation with your child's teacher and push an agenda with your PTA. Collectively, the PTA can be an influence (it already has a nationally recognized presence with solid reputation). Forget the medical community (for now--drug reps "buy" doctors). I am telling friends whose kids have asthma about Web sites. I am writing to my Senators and the FDA as well.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to post. We can collectively push forward to get action soon for our children. Please, do not just sit and read. Take action. Your kids need you to.