Do antihistamines help with frequency?

[cprice25]

I noticed Benadryl now has a tongue strip. They dissolve on the tongue. Powdered pills bother me so I never gave any pills a try. I was thinking I could try taking one dose each night. But if antihistamines don't help with frequency then I won't bother. That's my only symptom.

Thanks.

[jiriji]

I noticed Benadryl now has a tongue strip. They dissolve on the tongue. Powdered pills bother me so I never gave any pills a try. I was thinking I could try taking one dose each night. But if antihistamines don't help with frequency then I won't bother. That's my only symptom.

Thanks.

Hi cprice, I was going to ask my own questions about antihistamines and then I saw your message. I take Tylenol PM sometimes for pain relief and to help me sleep if I feel like I need a nap in the daytime. As well as acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) it also contains diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Well, I took one last night and had the longest sleep I've had in months. I actually slept for 7 hours without needing to get up to pee! When I woke up this morning my bladder was VERY full but not at all uncomfortable. I was not dehydrated from the antihistamine because I made sure I drank a glass of water before going to bed, and my urine was not very concentrated. Everything felt normal - the first time I've felt that in a long time.

So yes, I would say that frequency is diminished by antihistamines, at least diphenhydramine anyway.

And now my question is how does it work? Is it the mast cells in the bladder being calmed down or what? And if it is, does that mean that what we are dealing with is allergic reactions, not only acid intolerance?

~jiriji~

[cprice25]

Thanks for the info. If antihistamines work it's either the mast cell thing or because they are a type of anti inflammatory.

[em1]

It has been my experience that antihistamines make my IC worse. At least
Allegra & Antivert do. I haven't tried the Benadryl because of seizures. Good luck!

[cprice25]

Thanks for the info! I think I've ruled out trying antihistamines. Now I'm contemplating MSM.

[jiriji]

But if antihistamines don't help with frequency then I won't bother. That's my only symptom.


As far as i'm aware, MSM helps with pain but doesn't have any effect on frequency. (Of course, i could be wrong... i frequently am!)

Good luck anyway, and let us know if the MSM helps.

[cprice25]

Darn, darn darn :cussing:


As far as i'm aware, MSM helps with pain but doesn't have any effect on frequency. (Of course, i could be wrong... i frequently am!)

Good luck anyway, and let us know if the MSM helps.

[sacausa]

Antihistamines like prescription Atarax which is a mast cell inhibitor is frequently used to treat interstitial cystitis.

Atarax is a tiny tablet that should be very easy to swallow.

I was personally helped by Atarax. It brought my frequency down, and when I took it at night, I was able to wake up without pain.

The most prominent side effect of Atarax is drowsiness....

Benadryl has urinary side effects including urinary frequency, urinary retention, and difficult urination........... Loratidine containing antihistamines like Claritin, have similar urinary side effects

[lorenab]

Does Atarax have a generic name??

[Berkshire Road]

The generic name for atarax is hydroxyzine.

[cprice25]

Thanks for the info on Atarax!