New To Atarax

[Sand]

My doctor has started me on 10mg of Atarax. I am now taking 1 in the morning and 1 at night. How soon should I see an improvement? I am not getting side effects, should I increase my dose?

Thanks for any advice.

[Tuckersmom]

What did your doctor tell you about increasing your dose? I started out on 50 mgs. at bedtime, and I've continued on that dose. I've been taking it so long that I don't remember how long it took to work. Sorry!

[phoenixgirl]

I just started the generic form, hydroxyzine, on Tuesday. It's really making me groggy in the morning. I mean, like I almost can't think straight for a few hours after I get up. My doctor said it might take a week or so for my body to adjust but I don't know if this is part of what she meant or if my dosage is too strong for me. I'm on 25 mg per night.

Also, I seem to be much more hungry than normal. Like I can't get full even after eating. I know some people have that with elavil (I didn't) but I sure didn't think antihistamines caused cravings or weight gain but someone told me yesterday that they can. I never had a problem with Zyrtec, Claratin, etc. Benedryl makes me really tired but no food issues. Anybody else eat a lot/gain weight on atarax/hydroxyzine?

[skybluesoul]

Sand, it didn't take me long to experience some relief with hydroxyzine. A week at most. Talk to your doctor if you're having doubts.

Phoenixgirl, I have gained weight and had increased appetite for awhile now. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what prescription might cause that. I talked to my doctor, and while she assured me that nothing I'm on can cause this, I've read since then that gabapentin can cause weight gain. I wouldn't be surprised if hydroxyzine also does in some people. I'm trying really hard this summer to lose weight, but I might be facing a losing battle.

[Jinny Jean]

I hope I see improvement! What improvement have you seen?? I start tonight on 25 mg at bed time. Im nervous about the groggyness.. but I hear that it will fade. I know it i an antuhistamine, but what exactly does it do that is good for IC patients???

Jenn

[Mothergoose]

skybluesoul: hydroxyzine is an antihistamine, it does make peolpe hungery, he told me it is sometime used in under weight children to make them hungery to gain weight.

I took hydroxyzine and my bladder liked it, but after a week or so it made my retention worse.

Jinny Jean: I am not sure if I have this completely right but I believe that IC bladder's product mast cells, which is a reaction to histamines, so if we take antihistamines it reduces the number of mast cells in our bladders, which helps decrease symptoms.

MG

[skybluesoul]

I see Mothergoose beat me to responding. :) Yes, she has it right about the mast cells. It can help generally with inflammation as well.

For me, improvements have been generally making it easier to sleep (I still get up at night, but not as much), and less frequency in the morning. For me, being groggy in the morning is an ok trade-off.

[Jinny Jean]

I am just scared of it causing retention... I am also suposed to start flomax, tonight as well. I think maby to start I will cut the atarax in half and slowly increase my dosage.

[Sand]

Thanks everyone. I still need to talk to my doctor about increasing my dose but I haven't seen anyone respond saying they only take 10 mg and have seen an improvement. The problem is I don't see him for 4 months. He tends to be very conservative. I may look for a new doctor but their aren't many in this small town. I definately think I need to increase my dose, more to relieve bladder pain and reactions to food. So far no improvement after two weeks on 10-20mg. I would like to try 30 for a while. No side effects either though so that is good news. Does anyone take Atarax at night and the morning? Most of my pain occurs during the day.

Thanks everyone.

[Tuckersmom]

I read a post recently where someone said that they take 25 mgs a.m. and p.m. Another member posted that they take it three times per day. I'm not sure but I think they said each dose was 25mgs.

If you are not going to see your doctor for 4 months, why not just call and inquire about increasing your dose of Atarax?

If you were taking Atarax for allergy relief, the regular dose would be 50 mgs. three times per day. I had my Uro write my 'script that way, so I always have an abundance of Atarax on hand.

[Jinny Jean]

I take 25 mg at bed time, I think it is supposed to work in to your body and work during the day after awhile too? I took it last night and WEIRED DREAMS HOLY hahaha, It was a good dream but JUST INSANLEY weired. :P

[Mothergoose]

Jinny Jean

Just a suggestion if you are worried about retention.

I am not sure how long you have been on Atarax, from your post it looks like just yesterday, I would hold off starting the flowmax.

I used to take Atarax, after a week or so it started to make my retention worse, so I had to stop it. I waited a few months and tried again, because even on 10mgs I could feel a difference in my bladder. The same thing happened but faster, my Dr. even suggested I try a higher doesage, and of course it made the retention even worse than it was.

Then I was put on Flowmax after for days my retention was worse, I asked if it could make it worse and was told no I may need to take it for a couple of weeks to get it's full effect, a few days later I was in full retention and had to make a trip to the ER.

I am not suggesting you don't try either of the meds, I think they are both good meds, they just agree with me.

What I am suggesting is taking the Atrarax for a week or 2 before starting the flowmax. If you start them both cose together you won't know which one is causing you retention problems, and would have to stop taking both of them and wait for them to clear out of your system and then try them one at a time.

Just a suggestion, you may also just want to do what your Dr. ordered.

MG

[Jinny Jean]

Hey thanks Mothergoose, I actually decided that as well to hold of on the flomax and so I have only taken the atarax last night. It helped and I was sleeping really well! As of right now I am only on the elmiron and the atarax. I may only use the atarax sometimes, as I dont think I will need it permanently... I try really hard to just stick with natural stuff, but it gets hard when you are feeling desperate ya know? Even then I dont find western meds to be all that helpful or a"quick fix" by any means... My eventual goal is to only be on elmiron, quercitan and colostrum, while eating a mostly raw foods diet...
Everyone is different for sure, but more than ANYTHING I have found that drinking veggies makes the most difference in my symptoms... I did make sure to have all the other avenues ruled out though, hence I was taking antibiotics last week... (as I had never tryed that before as a method) anyways DIDNT work, and made it soo much worse :( Since I have been drinking my veggies again I am feeling better and the swelling is going down.. the antibiotics gave me massive retention and like you I have had to go to the ER several times since this began to be catheterized... HORRIBLE!

I just hope to recover from that scary flare and carry on :)

[meResque]

Sand, I did very well on 10 mg once a day for quite a few months. When allergy season hit here really hard, I went into a flare, and it took me the better part of a week to pinpoint my allergies being the cause. Hydroxyzine (Atarax) at 10 mg totally relieved my facial allergy symptoms- runny nose, itchy eyes and throat, etc, but was not enough for my bladder. Once I doubled my dose, my flare ended. I'm maintaining fine on 10 mg, two times a day now.

I have always taken it in the morning, strangely enough, and added my second dose in the afternoon. It doesn't make me sleepy in the least! I guess I'm a freak of nature. :lmao:

[Mothergoose]

A couple of things you may do fine on 10mgs.

You could take just when you are having problems, it helps pretty quick, but works better when a steady level is maintained.

Because it cause retention I only use it when things are really bad.

You should discuss with your Dr. about using as needed, instead of full time, and what doseage is the max he wants you to take at a time and per day.

This will allow you to expirement to see what works for you best.

Have a good day MG

[phoenixgirl]

Does the hydroxyzine make you guys drowsy very soon after taking it? That's what the pharmacist told me would happen. He said to take it 30-60 before bedtime because it would knock me right out. Instead, it seems to take hours to kick in for me. I have had to experiment a little this week with timing but it seems like if I want to be in bed by midnight, I have to take it around 7 or 8 pm. Anybody else have this delayed effect?

[Sand]

Wow. Some really good information. I don't think I will need more than 30 to 50 mg a day but it is good to know what is a typical dose for an IC patient as my doctor really doesn't seem to have a clue. I will call him Monday but he will probably make me come in to see him. I have been taking it two at night and 1 in the morning anyway and I think I might be seeing an improvement. It is too early to tell. I usually flare 3 times a week lasting a day or so, so I may know at the end of this week, or at least have a better idea. It's been 4 days w/o flare which coincidentally (or not so) is when I increased my dose. I have always had some allergies and am very diet sensitive so I am really hoping this works. Anyways, I really appreciate the input. I haven't been overly tired on it and I also haven't noticed retention yet. Usually I am very prone to side effects which is why I was okay starting at 10mg. I also take ranitidine tablets 300 mg once a day. Does anyone know the recommended dosage for IC? Maybe I need to take more of this as well.

Strict IC diet
Marvelon (Birth Control)
Atarax 30 mg
Ranitidine 300 mg
Prelief as needed

[skybluesoul]

It usually takes a little while for it to kick in for me also. Even at 10 mg though, I usually take it about 2 hours before bed so that I'm not still drowsy in the morning.

[phoenixgirl]

Good to know I'm not the only one, skybluesoul. Thank you. :)

[Sand]

I'm not exactly sure what it means to be experiencing retention. Could someone explain it to me...I'm a little embarrassed that I don't know this...still, I like to be aware of possible side effects because I tend to get side effects to most medicines. Thank the Lord I haven't had a severe reaction to atarax yet, even at 30mg per day. I do sleep more sound and have had some funny dreams...one about Darth Vader chasing me, ha ha, anyways, I don't find it too bad and I don't get too sleepy in the day either. Also, it seems it may be helping so hopefully I don't get too much trouble with retention, whatever that is.

[Jinny Jean]

For me retention is when I CANT PEE or I have a very hard time peeing. HORRIBLE feeling. I have had to go to the ER before to be catheterized. I usually only have retention when I am flaring.. or if I take a med that has the side effect of retention.

Jenn

[Tuckersmom]

Retention is not being able to fully empty your bladder. Not fully emptying your bladder can cause UTIs.

[Sand]

Well Thanks. I was thinking along the lines of water retention and didn't thing that was a significant side effect, but definitely not being able to pee would be a problem. So far so good, although, I've always had to make a few trips to the bathroom before bedtime because I don't always empty completely. Also, when my muscles have been tight, it sometimes takes a moment or too to start peeing. I'm not too worried about this but if it worsens I will know to cut back on the Atarax and see if it helps. It would really be nice to meet some of you guys. I don't have a local support group.
Anyways, thanks for chatting.

[Tuckersmom]

I've only known 2 other women personally that have IC. One of them is in complete remission, no meds or supplements and no special diet. Onr can always hope! :)