Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Has anyone noticed a difference between prescription and over-the-counter drugs for allergy and GERDs?

As some of you may remember, I got kicked off my mom's health insurance last March and had to go on my school's not-so-great health insurance. Leading up to my last day of coverage, I tried to get as many refills as I could - whether I needed them immediately or not - so that it could last me a little bit longer.

My birth control (Zovia) ran out a couple months ago and my doctor and I decided to put me on a new one (Orthotri-cyclen Lo) because it's really cheap right now. Since starting it, I've been getting really nauseous everyday about 6-12 hours after I take it. I've tried switching times (morning vs. evening), but I still get nauseaous the 6-12 hours from whatever time I take it.

I was also on an allergy decongestant (chlorphenier/p-ephed) that was working wonders for my awful hayfever allergies. I ran out of this prescription the day I left for my trip to Seattle two weeks ago. I found a generic version with the same ingredient (chlorphenier), but it just doesn't seem to be working the same. Last night was my final straw when I was up at 3am because my nose would not stop running and my sinuses felt clogged.

And then my last prescription was for my excessive stomach acid (famotidine), which I also found a generic version of over-the-counter, but it also doesn't seem to be working the same.

If the over-the-counter meds have the same ingredients as my prescriptions, why wouldn't they work the same?

On my old insurance, it was cheaper to get the prescription than the over-the-counter, which is why I chose that route. Now it's cheaper to get the over-the-counter.

Thanks in advance! I'm just puzzled and I think a lot of these problems that used to be under control might be causing stress for my recent IBS attacks.

--------------------
- Jennifer

Print Remind Me Notify Moderator