Is it common for Hydroxyzine to Cause Intense Hunger, therefor weight gain? - Interstitial Cystitis Network Support Forum

asIshallbe · 08-05-2009, 04:34 AM

Hi everyone,

I am giving hydroxyzine a shot and have noticed I can't quit eating!!! I have a hard core temptation for sweets, or really for all food. This is unlike me. Is this a common side effect? Will it go away? My main reason for taking it is for sleep at night, but I am considering ditching it as I have gained 8 lbs in the last 2 weeks.

Are there any other meds I can use that ya'll have used successfully for sleep? Please help. I am IC'er that does work :*( Most days it is so hard, but if I could just sleep I would be okay.

77amy · 08-05-2009, 05:50 AM

hydroxyzine did make me crave sugar... but as I would take it 30 min before bed, I'd just drink some herbal tea (blueberry is my fav), then brush my teeth and go to bed.

I've heard 5 HTP helps w/ food cravings, but you want to talk to a dr or nutritionalist before taking it -I'm not a dr or anything.

Pucca · 08-06-2009, 11:38 AM

I take 50 mg at bedtime, and this is my only dosage of hydroxyzine. I've suddenly gone up a size in the last couple of months. I can't fit into most of my pants and it's really discouraging. I can't afford new clothes! I'm thinking about weaning myself off the stuff, but darn it, it does help me fall back asleep after waking up due to hot flashes, needing to pee, etc.

tigger_gal · 08-06-2009, 03:26 PM

I have been take 75 mg at night for years. I do crave sweets, but thats normal for me. I have gained alot over the years maybe that is what caused my weight gain. Thanks, I never gave it much thought.

asIshallbe · 08-06-2009, 03:34 PM

my extreme, intense, hunger has disappeared. Thank goodness...I knew something just was not right. I gained 8 lbs over the last 2 weeks. Ugh, horrid! I know weight is not everything, healing, feeling good is what counts...but I don't want to have lower self esteem than I already do from this. It is like you are damned if you do and you are damned if you don't sometimes. Dang hydroxyzine!

musiclover · 09-14-2009, 09:12 PM

I'm wondering the same thing. I suddenly have been gaining a pound every couple of days and that is very unusual for me. I don't feel like I'm eating much though. So I don't know what it is. All of a sudden I'm up 5 pounds in the last few days, more if you count the last couple of weeks! I hate this! But it helps my symptoms so much. What should I do? I go to the gym 3-4 times a week already.

I'm up to 50 mg hydroxyzine the last couple of days and still on 10 mg of Elavil. I don't know if anything in the cystoprotek would cause weight gain, but I don't think so. Is it the hydroxyzine doing this? I need advice, I can't continue to spiral up like this.

Goodnightmoon · 09-15-2009, 04:02 AM

Stupid question but WHAT is hydroxyzine? And what do you take it for???

Maxeeeeene · 10-04-2009, 03:15 AM

Hydroxyzine was a godsend to me for two or three years. Then it stopped working. Now I use occasionally as a sleeping pill. The curious thing is when I was taking 50 mg during the day it wasn't making me tired. Now if I take 50 mg at night, it knocks me out for the next day. I'm thinking of taking it regularly again because none of the drugs are working for me anymore.

Maxine

Snowden1 · 10-04-2009, 06:22 AM

Goodnightmoon,
Hydroxyzine is also known as Atarax. It is an antihistamine. It may help IC by blocking the mast cells that cause inflamation. It does make some people sleepy and it sounds like here it may also contribute to some weight gain in some people. Hope this helps.
Teresa

SrMaggie · 10-04-2009, 08:11 AM

I did crave sweets while on that med. I didn't realize it until too late. I gained a ton of weight (obvious exaggeration). I'm working now to get the incentive to get the weigth off. Just be very careful with your eating habits. Recognize the craving and make some other behavioral adjustments.

Diamic65 · 10-04-2009, 11:46 AM

I have noticed the weight gain.

I did not put two and two together. The other day I put on a pair of jeans on... OH MY GOD. I told my husband that I was not going to eat again. I know I don't eat that much food. Skim milk and whole bran cereal for my morning meal. Then i drink lots of water. Then I have a nice dinner... One helping at a time. I'm going to stop taking it.

DIAMIC65

Diamic65 · 10-06-2009, 10:34 AM

Ok I stopped taking the Vistaril two days ago. Now I'm in a IC FLARE BIG TIME

I don't know if its worth the pain to stop it. Or is the weight gain is the worse. Oh I just hate it my husband wants me to start taking it again

I guess I could stop eating to once a day.

DIAMIC65

musiclover · 10-06-2009, 10:56 AM

I decided to stick with the hydroxyzine regardless of side effects because it helps me enough not to quit. The combo of that along with cystoprotek seem to keep the inflammation feeling at bay.

I'll stick with it until I feel better then start to decrease some of these meds. I'm hoping that will be sooner than later.

purpletomorrow · 10-07-2009, 01:45 PM

I have the same cravings, a double whammy from the hydroxyzine and the Remeron I take.

They both help me immensely, so ceasing them is not an option.

I follow an Atkins South Beach kind of diet and it stopped my weight gain. Mostly vegetables and some protein; no sugar, no flour, no non fibrous carbs.

The diet, beside stopping my weight gain, had another benefit; it stabilized my blood sugar so the cravings got less intense. And habit is strong, so after a week or so of mostly veggies and protein, it sort of seemed like second nature to me.

Limit your high glycemic index carbs and you should be okay.

Snowden1 · 10-08-2009, 06:00 AM

I used to be overweight before the IC started - now I wish I could gain some weight. I would trade being overwieght again if I could get rid of this pain and frequency. If something is working for well for you I wouldn't worry about the weight gain too much - I'm sure you are beautiful no matter what

!
Teresa