Using elavil instead of anthistamine

[Hamburglar]

My gp said that it was unnecessary to be put on another antihistamine like hydroxyzine if i was already taking elavil, anyone else heard about this? I thought the two were unrelated.

Mindy

[JAMIEL]

Elavil is not an antiihistimine...it is an antidepressent that at a low does is used to treat IC. It blocks the pain signals to the brain froom the bladder (I hope I explained it correctly). I know it is the only thing that helps me sleep at night. I am also taking atarax because of the mast cells in my bladder lining. I take that at night as well....I hope I was helpful. There is information about both drugs on this website.

Jamie

[kadi]

Page 85 of the IC Survival Guide by Dr. Robert Moldwin...
Elavil has an "antihistamine effect. This is an effect that's similar to hydroxyzine. Amitriptyine, in this instance, can decrease inflammation."

I don't know if that effect would be significant enough to rule out taking another antihistamine... Worth conversation with your doctor....

[JAMIEL]

Well my Dr is Dr Moldwin and he has me on both...Everyone's situation is different and you should discuss it with your doctor some more. I would print out some information from this website or if you have Dr Moldwin's book bring it to your next appointment to discuss it further. I know I am on the Atarax because of the mast cells in my bladder but everyone's situation is different.

Jamie

[JAMIEL]

PS:

It seems that a popualr "threesome" for treating IC is Atarax, Elavil & Elmiron. It just seems to be used by a lot of doctors as a form of treatment. I know that others may be on additional meds as well but a lot are on at least the three I mentioned.

Jamie

[Hamburglar]

He said if your getting a dry mouth from elavil than your histamine blockers are reaching their fullest potential or something like that.

[JAMIEL]

He may be correct but since I am not a doctor (lol) I don't know the answer to that. I do know that I had dry mouth at the beginning when I first started taking the meds but it was only a temporary side effect. I guess the next question should be is the elavil helping you? Are you taking any other meds? Did your biopsy show that you had an abundant amount of mast cells? Maybe he feels that atarax would not help you. Is he the doctor that diagnosed you or was it a urologist?

Jamie

[Hamburglar]

He's not the doctor that diagnosed me, my endo specialist was. I don't even know if he did a biopsy. I really need to look into that because I need to get the records from him and bring them with me to the appt I have with a new urologist that my primary referred me to. I dont know yet if the elavil is working or not, I really have never taken it long enough for it to start being effective because I have low blood pressure and it causes me to pass out a lot which isn't fun, but I would much rather pass out than have pain so I'm going to give it another go. My dr. said that it would probably stop doing that to me after some time. The reason why I ask all this is because I was wondering if I should ask my new urologist about going on an antihistamine as well because I do get allergies. Thanks for all the responses.

Mindy

[vm]

You could always ask the new urologist just to get his or her opinion on it. I am on Elavil and Vistaril.

[theclownster]

Hello! I am on Elavil and Atarax at the same time. My uro believes that they work best when taken together. He also started me on Elmiron at the same time - which the 3 drugs combined he referred to as "The IC Cocktail". Unfortunately Elmiron is not a viable option for me as it increased my symptoms.

I would agree with the other members on the board. A nice talk with your doctor would be helpful.

Take Care~
Jennifer

[ad8123]

My urologist started me on both < i can not take the antidepresants though so now i use a bigger dose of atarax, really helps me with the buring and tingling (the more antihistimines I take the better I feel). So if the elavil does not work then insist on the atarx or visteral

[mayray518]

I have heard of combining elavil and atarax. I took atarax for awhile and it helped a little but not as much as the elavil. As for taking the two together I would have been a walking zombie all day. I guess some people tolerate the side effects better.