help!!! does IC cause increased allergies???? - Interstitial Cystitis (ICN) Support Forum

abbyw · 11-11-2009, 04:59 PM

I thought some IC was caused by allergies. Has anyones allergies got worse because of ic. I have really never had too many reactions to things but i have been getting wierd skin reactions that respond to benedryl . I was itching with urelle, I ate something new over the wkd and was itchy, now I took valium today and Im super itchy and had to take benedryl again...what the heck....

***kadi*** · 11-11-2009, 05:14 PM

Yes, the first year I had IC I had rashes on my arms & neck. At one point, I had to take a three day dose of prednisone because the neck rash was so pronounced. If I have a bad flare in the spring, even now, I sometimes get the neck rash. All of my doctors have called it, "weird". (Which makes me want to ask for my copay back! I can call it weird all by myself.) I also developed a bunch of new food allergies the first year with IC. I had allergy testing & came up allergic to things I'd never been allergic to before.

Many doctors prescribe Atarax (an antihistamine) to their IC patients because it helps the bladder and the allergies. I had a bad reaction to it, became very hyper & anxious, with pounding heartbeat, but a lot of IC patients have good results with it, so it's worth asking your doctor about if you've not tried it already.

abbyw · 11-11-2009, 05:30 PM

thanks Kadi for the reply, but it looks like now I have something else to worry about, the list keeps growing

. I think I must be allergic to almonds now. I've ate a ton of almonds since IC since there are so little choices nowadays. Crap, probably shouldn't have done that, now I may be allergic to the one nut by son can eat . Going to have allergy testing done as soon as I can. There goes another big chunk of my diet. gonna avoid all nuts til I know

plaedes · 11-11-2009, 11:28 PM

Allergies are more commonly associated with age and genetics. I have had IC for 8 or so years and a few allergies since I was a kid. I have found that both quitting smoking and moving to a new house made my allergies worse. I quit smoking at the same time as buying the house, then moved from a fully carpeted home to a all hardwood and vinyl tile house. These are usually things they suggest to make your allergies better. Mine got worse AFTER I did these things and that doesn't make sense either. I sneezed occasionally and had sinus problems since childhood, and have been allergic to eggs since early childhood. I started having broncho-spasms and having to take allergy shots last year. Molds, pollens, dust, cats, dogs, eggs and milk. I still have yet to notice any real difference dairy has for me so I continue to have milk and cheese. I've cut enough out of my life, I am going to enjoy all the foods I can while I can!

Diamic65 · 11-13-2009, 03:50 PM

Yes I have

I had been using the same laundry soap and drier sheets for years. Then this year a started to have really bad hives. I tried for weeks to figure out what could be causing it. Then My husband ask me about the laundry soap.. sure enough thats what it was. Also I used the same soap for my face I started.. you guessed it I broke out like a 14 year old. I never had this kind of problem before until I was diagnosed with IC. I wonder sometimes what is next

DIAMIC65

nicumom · 11-14-2009, 11:59 AM

A friend of mine sees a PT for pelvic floor pain - this past August I started having itchy, watering eyes and tons of sneezing - She said that her PT was seeing all of her IC patients in August - because of ragweed season.
I have no idea how the 2 are related.
I've never had allergies in my life - but I guess it can and does come with age. We also moved to Ohio 3 years ago and I was told that this is the worst place to be for allergies - yet why would it take 3 years to hit me? Then someone said that it takes your body awhile to realize it is allergic? What the heck?

Sooo - this week I'm sneezing a lot - and I heard that with the leaves falling - that allergies are bad this week. And I have a flare.
I don't know why I've put it off but I am going to make an appt with a PT for the first time -- I will call on Monday and pray that they can see me soon.

Hannah13 · 11-14-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abbyw

I thought some IC was caused by allergies. Has anyones allergies got worse because of ic. I have really never had too many reactions to things but i have been getting wierd skin reactions that respond to benedryl . I was itching with urelle, I ate something new over the wkd and was itchy, now I took valium today and Im super itchy and had to take benedryl again...what the heck....

I've had the weird rashes and weird skin histamine reactions too. You are not alone.