can i just take any OTC antihistimine and how long to i trail it for? - Interstitial Cystitis Network Support Forum

bemmer · 08-18-2009, 07:52 PM

hi im in NZ so not sure what difference our antihistimines are over here compared to USA stuff.can i just take any antihitimine like zyrtec or claritine or benadryl cough/antihistmine?

also how long does it take to no if you are getting a benefit from it? how long should i trial antihitimines before moving on to something else?
as always very thankful to replys
ness

Landish · 08-19-2009, 09:30 AM

I have tried with Hydroxyzine hydrochloride (Atarax), ranitidine (Zantac). Cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), Benadryl and Claritin and the only one that hasn’t caused me pain or burn is Claritin.

Does anybody know how much time do you have to take an Antihistamine to notice a difference?

***Katrina*** · 08-20-2009, 11:00 AM

At the time when they were helpful (they aren't at all now) it was within 2 days I was sure...earlier if I skipped and than took again. I think you can try the over the counter ones but I am not sure it will be strong enough...but that is cheaper so if you are discussing the possibility with your doctor he may recommend a double dose or something (I don't know that has been the case with some of the other previously prescription meds but not sure which ones).

BIG THING WHEN LOOKING AT THE NON PRESCIPTION ONES IS TO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T CHOOSE ONE THAT IS COMBINED WITH AN ANTICONGESTANT SINCE THEY ARE ACIDIC!

bemmer · 08-20-2009, 11:25 AM

hay thanks heaps

i am also looking into trying glusomine and queceritin......not sure what to start with lol...........i so hate buying products that dont work and sit in the cupboard gathering dust..........not to worreid about buying antihistimes as i get hayfever and so does my hubby so they wont go to waste even if they dont work for bladder...

i may try the natural route first of glusomine and quercitin which is good for allgergies as well so added bonus..

OllieR · 08-20-2009, 04:42 PM

Benadryl helped me for probably about 6 months before the effectiveness wore off. Sometimes I still take it now if I need a boost, but I notice if I take it for a long time it stops working as well, but maybe that's just me. Definitely ask your doctor first though, especially if you are taking other things. And yes, mine said I could take much more than the recommended dose so that was another benefit of asking. Also, it made me sleepy which helped at night! Good luck.

lttlewun · 08-25-2009, 05:44 AM

Are antihistamines supposed to help w/frequency/urgency or with pain or w/all three of these?

some_guy · 08-25-2009, 06:04 AM

I am pretty sure I read somewhere that Hydroxyzine was best for IC. It is an older drug and I believe that some of the newer antihistamines are converted in the body to Hydroxyzine but for some reason direct Hydroxyzine was supposed to help better. I may have (pretty sure) read that here in one of the doctor interview pages.

Many newer over the counter antihistamines make me feel very weird - skittish freaky feeling but Hydroxyzine does not.

musiclover · 08-26-2009, 09:15 PM

On the webcast of the ICA conference, the doctor said hydroxyzine is best, but if you can't stand the sedating properties, to try Zyrtec, because its properties are similar.

musiclover · 08-26-2009, 09:16 PM

Oh, one more thing. When I started Benadryl, I noticed that it helped pretty much within hours. But I tried it once before, pre-IC diet, and it didn't do much. I think because the bladder was being continuously assaulted with no-no foods. Once I did the diet, the Benadryl made an immediate difference.

Goldfinch · 08-27-2009, 06:49 AM

Hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril) is one of the three most commonly prescribed meds for IC. It is a basic antihistamine w/out decongestant, and it works for many. In addition it is a generic, so a script is usually much cheaper than otc designer drugs. It does have drowsiness as a side effect, just as many antihistamines do. For some that's helpful if taken in the evening.

As with every other treatment for IC, it's trial and error. Introduce one new drug at a time, follow the manufacturer's recommendation or your doctor's instructions, and give each antihistamine a fair chance to see if it works for you.

There is plenty of info on antihistamines in the forum "Treatments for Mild IC." Check those threads out.

starflight · 08-30-2009, 04:31 PM

I will try Zyrtec then I think, as for me since I'm a guy this sucks majorly because I'm in the like 10% of guys alive that have this issue, dear god :P

Anyway I suggest Allegra, or Zoloft, I was on these and it seemed to help. Alright I'm going to read more now thanks!

musiclover · 08-30-2009, 04:54 PM

I think a lot more men have this problem than we know. Even though you feel alone in it, you're probably a lucky one who actually got diagnosed properly. My dad has it I'm sure, but they keep saying it's his prostate. But when he drinks orange juice, or eats strawberries, etc. he gets the frequent urination we all get. So I'm pretty sure he has it, just not diagnosed.

Anyway, I have been researching this a little, and although Zyrtec may help block the reaction to histamines, only Hydroxyzine actually blocks the mast cells from producing any histamines in the first place. Something like that. Now I could be wrong about this, but I've been googling this a whole bunch and that is what I have found out so far. And Hydroxyzine actually breaks down to Cetirizine (Zyrtec) in the body.

starflight · 08-30-2009, 06:27 PM

First let me say wherever the place in that picture is that you live it looks relaxing

I need vacation lul Second thanks for the insight Third your cat looks good enough to fry up an try to see if it'll trigger an IC flare (my sense of humour in overtime) lul!

Thanks!

musiclover · 08-30-2009, 07:20 PM

LOL. I think my cat would be IC-friendly, although I'm not sure with that Friskies canned food she eats.

Yuck! The pic is in the foothills between Sacramento and Tahoe. And if I learn anymore about the antihistamines I'll keep everyone updated.

musiclover · 09-01-2009, 08:58 AM

Hi all. I got some info today. I just ordered Cystoprotek and I had read a transcript by Dr.Theoharis Theoharides (inventor of Cystoprotek) and he said to take Hydroxyzine along with Cystoprotek. So I wrote and asked if Cetirizine was a viable alternative. Dr. Theoharides wrote this to me:

"Firstly, I would suggest that you start with 10 mg of hydroxyzine at night and slowly increase it to 50 mg only at night over one month-most of the sedation should disappear by then, while the benefits remain.

Cetirizine (which is a metabolite of hydroxyzine) does not have the same properties as hydroxyzine (does not inhibit mast cells, does not reduce anxiety), but it is a good anti-histamine."