Atarax double-dose stopped my flare cold

[ICLori]

I've been having a bad flare for a couple of months, some days were better, some were worse. The other day was really bad, and so was yesterday.

So I was desperate. I know that I always needed a doubledose of Benadryl to calm my hives etc. down, so I thought maybe I need a double dose (50 mg total) of the Atarax to calm me down.

It worked! I went from a horrible flare, peeing every ten minutes, to only getting up twice last night to pee. And this morning my bladder feels 99% better! No pain.

So I think maybe I need to up my dose of Atarax from the one 25 mg pill I was taking before...

Anyway I am amazed that it stopped the flare this quickly!

Blessings, Lori
P.S. I know everyone says this only works slowly, over time - I have no idea why it worked overnight to rescue me - not sure it will help others but wanted to post this in case it does...maybe it was just a coincidence that my flare subsided within a few hours of taking the double dose...but...I can't help but think it was from the Atarax...

[crystilclear]

I've been wanting to try atarax too. I had a bad reaction to Allegra D and Claritin D. Is it different or like the other ones. I have bad allergies too would atarax help a lot for that too? I asked my primary care doc and she didn't want to add anything to my pill list so she said to ask the ic specialist. I'm glad it helped you a lot. I bet it was a huge relief. I hope you stop flaring and feel better. Take care - CHris :butterfly

[ICLori]

Hi, Chris, I haven't ever taken any of those other allergy meds so I don't know.

If you can't tolerate any antihistamines, though, I would be very careful with this one...maybe a doctor could monitor you very carefully?

I think if the doctor says it's okay, maybe it's worth trying but I would worry about you getting a reaction.

I've had such bad problems with allergies, too, all my life long. Atarax works to help my bladder and also gets rid of my other allergies while I am taking it, hay fever, hives, etc. gets rid of all of them for me, like it's a strong antihistamine, works better for me than Benadryl actually.

I hope you feel better soon and if you do try Atarax, that it helps you and doesn't cause a bad reaction.

Blessings, Lori

[dyno]

Hydroxyzine, which is what Atarax and Vistaril are, help many ICer's. It is the mainstay of my treatment and I have been having some of the best days I have had since I got this disease 29 years ago, the past few months. If I am having a flarey day I will take another 25mg. during the day. My regular doseage is 25 mg. at bedtime but it is prescribed that I can take up to 75 mg. throughout a 24 hour period.

I rely on Hydroxyzine, Diet, Prelief and keeping my stress down for my treatment. I hope you will find that it helps you as much as it helps me. It has really improved the quality of my life, definately worth discussing with your Dr.:)

[lotsofgirls]

Hi Lori,
I just finished a challenge diet where I tested positive for reaction to histmines in food, as well as had a high level of histamine in my body all the time to due allergies etc. I am going to be trying a strong anti-histamine to see if it works to reduce the bladder pain this month. thought you might find that interesting.
Cath

[ICLori]

Hi, Cath, I hope you have great results with the antihistamines and that your bladder pain will go away with it!

Hi, Dyno, I'm sort of confused to be honest why I was helped by doubling my dose.

I mean, is there like an allergic reaction going on in the bladder, like hives of the bladder and that's why it helped?

I read that it takes months for Atarax to have an effect on the mast cells so therefore it should theoretically take months to make a difference, but I felt an immediate and strong difference just by doubling my dose...??? I wonder why? I guess I don't totally understand how it works even though I've read up on it...?

So you find too that sometimes an extra dose on flare times really helps? So it's not my imagination, probably, it IS really possible that I was helped by going to 50 instead of just 25? I will talk about this with my Dr. the next appointment.

It would be heaven if I could just pop extra Atarax (up to 75 I mean, I won't go crazy or anything) when I'm flaring, instead of having to reach for pain pills. I really don't want to do narcotics if I can help it. Not that I think there is anything wrong with them, it's just I hate being treated like a drug addict if I ask for them, you know? If these Atarax work for me, if they always stop flares then I will never have to ask for narcotics maybe and I will never be treated like a drug addict for asking for help. Drs. are happy to give out Atarax, not so for Percocet.

Oh I hope and pray I've found my answer with Atarax, that would be so wonderful.

Thank you so much everyone for replying and sharing experiences. I hope for painfree days for all of you.

Blessings, Lori
P.S. You know I was just reading an article on this message board, about how in a lot of us IC'ers with allergies, our pain gets worse (we flare bad) around allergy season! The doctor said his office gets swamped by calls starting in March. And I think it was in April that my flare began, which is usually when my allergies ramp up for the summer! So maybe there really is something to this Atarax stuff, maybe I need more than 25 right now because of allergy season?? But for sure I'm not just imagining this relief, because you experience relief from a flare when you increase your dosage too??

[crystilclear]

Thanks Lori. I have noticed I have the reaction to most cold and sinus stuff. I break out in hives a lot too. I break out in big blotches everywhere just from being in the sun for an hour or so. I hope that I can take atarax because I've heard such good things about it. Doeas anyone know if it has a decongestant in it? It's worth a try. I can take Benedryl but it makes me super sleepy. Anyways thanks for the advice. I think I can handle most anthistamines but not the over the counter Advil cold and sinus, Sudafed , and such. Take care everyone - Chris :hi:

[Dixiefireball]

I don't know about these drugs but i'm glad it helped you.:)

[ICLori]

Hi, Chris, I'm pretty sure it doesn't have any decongestant in it, just the antihistamine. But I gotta tell you, if Benadryl makes you sleepy this will make you twice as sleepy at least at first - they say you do get used to the sedating effects but boy when you first start or first increase, it'll put you to sleep for sure. Which is a good thing at night but not so good during the day!

If you are okay with other antihistamines I would think that it would be okay to give Atarax a try...?

Blessings, Lori

[ICLori]

Thank you so much, Dixiefireball! I am hoping that maybe it will help others, too. I always try to post about what I think might help me because I'm hoping it will help others.

Blessings, Lori

[dyno]

Hydroxyzine is just antihistamine and yes it will cause drowsiness. In my case, I don't have a problem with daytime drowsiness when I take it during the day. For most people your body adjusts to it after a few days. It still helps me get a good night sleep though.

[crystilclear]

Thanks I think I'll give it a try maybe if you take it only at night it won't make you as sleepy during the day? My other meds make me so tired already. How can some of you that have kids manage to stay awake? Sometimes I have to walk around and I'll put ice in my water bottle and use it off and on for my head. Especially around 10:00 - 11:00am I start to fall asleep sitting and have to walk around to wake up. My hubby also calls off and on because he's always worrying about me. I think maybe the extreme fatigue and tiredness comes from interupted sleep and maybe fibromyalgia? I don't know but I wish that the meds didn't have the sleepy side effects. I have to fight to stay awake during the day and I can't seem to sleep at night. How strange! Anyways thanks for your replies I appriciate it. Take care - Chris :flower:

[blue]

Lori, I just posted somewhere else about this. My doctor prescribed Atarax today. I've had only one dose, and I've been able to hold it for an hour. I'm only going to the bathroom once an hour. I didn't know if it was mental, or if it was really helping already! I think I'm taking 50mg, and it's the generic.

[ICLori]

Hi, Blue, I'm glad it's working for you!

Unfortunately, last night after I took my dose, I got that dreaded "dry bladder" reaction. It seems like any med that drys out my mouth, makes my bladder symptoms increase like crazy. I'm theorizing that it stops the mucuous production of my bladder so it makes the layer even worse. I don't know, but I got that same reaction I get from tricyclics.

I'm just going nuts. I am so disappointed. I don't know what to do.

There are other options - interstim, botox, etc. - but none that I can get through the Army from my doc. He's done all he can for me. Now it's to pain management to see if they will help.

Two months of this flare and still going strong. When will this flare ever end? It might not ever...this might just become baseline me...

Blessings, Lori

[Marlana]

Lori
Dont talk like that..you will bounce back, you just need the right combo of meds and drs. You are always so positive for me and others, that we all know something will work for you. Please call your Dr and get some more percocets to help.

[MakinIT]

I've been taking atarax at the 50mg level since october. It is very helpful to me although I just consider it one of my knock out drugs. I have a handful I take at night and in less than 30 minutes.......ZZZZZZZZ. The atarax has helps with many of my other allergy symptoms. No asthma, no hay fever, none of that stuff this spring. I may just be lucky. Maybe someone has decided I've had enough and it's time to give me a break in at least one area.

Good luck, eh?

Tracey00

[blue]

I still seem to be doing well.

Lori, I'm so sorry it didn't work for you!

[ICLori]

Thanks, sweetie, I am so glad you are doing well on it!

I will find the right treatment for me, I just have to be patient which I'm not good at especially when I'm hurting.

I am sure the pain management clinic will help me, if they don't, my husband is going to raise a big fuss for me! I don't know what I'd do without him, he's good to me. He doesn't always understand about IC (but what non IC'er can?) but he's so good.

Blessings, Lori

[kim mondro]

well atarax is an antihistimine. what you may have been experiencing were allergies and not a cold which explains why the atarax made you feel better. i take 2 25mg tabs and it makes me feel great but only at night time cuz it makes me drowsy. it will help you sleep better and not have to pee much, but it may make you strain just to go pee at nighttime. let me know what happens
love ya, kim

[cathyada]

Hi Lori--now listen sweety--yes what you are taking has a drying affect on the mucosa--what happens is it drys and calms the bladder, along with everything else--I have read that you MUST drink at least 8oz of water every hour using the med you are on. Now my uro did a bladder cocktail on me today instilled in the bladder--did nothing--doc said "lets try along with elmiron--Prosed DS--it had several meds in one pill together including the ones your on--it says drink plenty of fluids--I am a med nurse and I know that atarax drys--drink more fluids--i know its tough--you feel like you have to pee a gallon and you go couple tablespoons--I was also told that if I pee every hour--I have to hold it another 15 minutes--watch the clock and try 1 hour and 15 minutes--I am also taking allegra--somehow they say that is supposed to help with the bladder too--they need to do a ton of research on IC--im so sick of being sick and sick of some med working --like once and getting hope and then it doesnt work--I could barf--im so sick of being sick and tired--hang in there--we are a family here--you will find the right combination of meds that works for you--Hugs Cathy:angel: :pray:

[ICLori]

Thank you, Cathy - but if it dries the bladder mucosa out further, doesn't it mean the layer in there gets thinner with more holes as a result?

I need all the mucosa I can get in there. I honestly feel anything that dries out my bladder, makes my IC WAY worse.

I already drink quite a bit of fluids honestly - and drinking tons of fluids doesn't seem to compensate any for the dried out mucosa giving me worse IC.....

I had the same problem with the tricyclics, can't tolerate any of them because of that drying effect, which makes my bladder lining even thinner and more permeable than before....

I don't understand how you are saying that a medicine that damages the lining of your bladder further, is doing any good for IC...???

Blessings, Lori

[cathyada]

Just by what my doc told me--I totally agree with you that we need all the lining we can get--we certainly dont need to lose anymore--more pain of course---your right and I will check with the doc on this one--I know my cousin has IC and they put her on "entex LA" its like detrol...now that you mention it, how can antihystimines help with IC? there now saying allegra and claritiin too....you have brought up a good point and I will definitaly talk to the doc--sorry Lori--I didnt mean to confuse you--was trying to help--now I have made things worse--forgive me--let me ask further--this was the way I thought she explained it to me. will let you know in a few days as I go back to the docs thursday--hugs Cathy:kiss:

[ICLori]

Oh, Cathy, thank you so very much! You didn't make it worse at all, I'm so glad finally someone has talked about the drying out of a layer in the bladder, because I suspected it all along but doctors never knew when I talked to them about this!

You see, I was trying to tell my doctor this. I told him that I felt as if my bladder were drying out, and he said it was impossible.

He said the reason your mouth feels dry is it inhibits secretions in the mouth. And I said, but aren't there similar secretions in the bladder, which maintain the "juicy layer" of mucosa in the bladder, too?

It's a question I've been pondering for a long time now, ever since I had bad reactions "dry bladder" to everything that is supposed to help me, from tricyclics to antihistamines.

Antihistamines help by calming the mast cells that play a part in IC, but with me they seem to make my bladder lining even thinner with even more holes....and I wish I knew a way around that....

I would be so grateful if you could ask your doctor because I've been dying for an answer to this, and maybe a solution so that I can use the tricyclics and Atarax without my bladder symptoms worsening!

Blessings, Lori

[MakinIT]

I'm not trying to confuse the matter but I think they prescribe the med because typically folks with IC have high mast mast cell counts in their mucosa layer. High mast cells indicate allergic responses..hence, we get the antihistimistimes.

So yes, due to the potenial to dry ourselves out, we must drink, drink, drink...should just IV'd for pete's sake.

Tracey

[ICLori]

Tracey, I don't mind the rest of me getting dried out - my sinuses, my mouth, what have you - but when my bladdder "dries out" I get worsening IC symptoms and no amount of drinking water makes up for what those meds do to my bladder lining....

Blessings, Lori

[ICNDonna]

Antihistimines usually help an IC bladder feel better. I know there are some people who react negatively to them, but I have never read anything that even suggests drying the bladder if you are drinking enough.

It's never a good idea to double the recommended dosage of any medication without first discussing it with a physician. Some meds that can really help in the correct dosage can cause problems if too much is taken.

I doubt very much you have done any damage to your bladder by taking it.

Sending healing thoughts,
Donna

[MakinIT]

I would agree with you there Donna. and Lori, I wasn't saying that was specifically your case...I was saying...in general...that's why it is prescribed for us. As usual with this disease, patients like to throw curve balls.:kiss:

Thanks...

Tracey

[blue]

I don't really understand this feeling of the bladder drying out. I do have dry mouth, eyes, nose, and skin!

By the way, I'm still doing well on the Atarax!

[MakinIT]

I think antihistimines do dry you out cause that's what that they are supposed to do...( think of benadryl and how you get the sniffles dried up and eyes dried up) I think that's why my eczema has broken out a little in one hand.

Neat, eh? sigh:rolleyes:

Tracey

[ICLori]

Blue, for me what I call my bladder drying out means greatly increased symptoms. If I was peeing 40 times a day, it becomes 60-80 times a day with greater urgency and much more pain.

That's the effect I've had with both the tricyclics I have tried. My uro had me try various dosages, always higher dosages than what I started with, and every time I doubled the dose, I got double the pain, it was so horrible.

I don't know if it's from my bladder drying out - that's just my guess as to what is happening. I've tried so many things - taking the meds with anthistamines in case it's an allergic reaction, taking it with Prelief in case it's an acidic thing. No matter what I do, I can't tolerate tricyclics for more than the first couple of doses. I kept wondering, why is my body doing this? Why can't I tolerate any of the tricyclics? And the bladder mucosa drying out theory was the only one to come into my head although it could be wrong.

Part of the reason I don't want to continue those meds that cause that bad reaction to my bladder is, on top of the greatly increased symptoms, I worry that these symptoms are perhaps caused by increased inflammation in my bladder. My urologist told me that the more inflammed my bladder is, and the longer it's inflammed, the more scarring I will get. I'm already down to 400-450cc under anesthesia and I'm scared of losing even more capacity.

Blessings, Lori

[MakinIT]

I'm soo sorry Lori...at least I have meds to fall back on, despite the fact that I'm now addicted to opiates, and am taking all those tricyclics, antihistimistimines. (Can you say ZZZZZZZZZ) This is why the docs love IC patients...we are so easy to figger out.:)

Tracey

[ICLori]

Thank you so much, sweetie. I feel like such a "bad" patient for not responding the "right" way to the meds. I wonder if anyone even believes me, or if everyone thinks I am just crazy because I don't have any lab result to prove the increased symptoms I get with tricyclics.

Got more bad news today, my pre-op labs showed increase liver enzymes somewhat above normal and high calcium in my blood too.

Most likely the calcium thing is because I've been chewing WAY too many TUMS and taking tons of Prelief too, and I'm guessing that my Elmiron might be the cause of my elevated liver enzymes. So that would mean, I'll probably have to give up Elmiron I guess which takes one more option away from me.

The unlikely possibility is that the calcium and liver thing mean I have renal cell carcinoma. Not likely, but a possibility that will have to be looked at if my labs don't start looking better once I go off the calcium stuff and Elmiron. (It's mostly a disease without symptoms until the very end, so if I do have it, I wouldn't be expected to have symptoms just now.) I do have one signficant risk factor, and that's big-time exposure to organic solvents when I worked at a nail polish factory.

Anyway, I'm sure that's not what it is, but it's one of those things I am stashing away in a corner of my mind to investigate, in case the labs still aren't looking right after taking a few measures. You know, just in case.

I hope you are feeling okay today and that your meds are working good for you!

Blessings, Lori

[cathyada]

just stinks--plain stinks--Im so sick of being sick with flares I could just scream--when it starts--you just wanna die--I wonder how I get through them when I have my flares--I wish in Gods green earth ---there was an answer--I feel sorry for all of us--I really do--Love to all--Cathy :pray:

[ICLori]

Oh, honey, I feel your pain. Please, isn't there any pain medicines they gave you? I think you really need pain medicine to give you some relief.

Please, if you don't have a good pain med in the house, please call your doc and ask for some - you are in bad need of relief! There is only so much a human being can take, we reach our limits. Anyways it's not healthy just to suffer, we are better off having our pain treated.

Hope you feel better very soon,

Blessings, Lori

[donutgirl]

I've only been taking one atarax at night, but the script says 1-2. Since I've been flaring since May I think I'll try the 2 tonight. Hope you feel better REALLY quickly!!

:kiss:
DIANE

[RedLione]

ICLori, I learned long ago that ALL tricyclics and SSRIs irritate IC. I hadn't heard about antihistimines, though I take Tylenol PM every night just so I sleep. Maybe it's helping me. But I also take 15 mg. of Remeron, and it really irritates my bladder. I either have to put up with it, or stop taking it and never sleep again. I have Fibromyalgia, which the sleep lab tells me is actually a sleep disorder. If I don't take something, I don't sleep, and that's when all the symptoms of Fibro start. SO, I have to pick my battles and side effects, and I suspect that many ICers suffer from both conditions. I take a small dose of Remeron, some benedryl, and get a good 3-4 hours sleep a night, with only minor bladder irritation. I also take Elmiron for the IC. Hope that's helpful to you.