vistarel question?? - Interstitial Cystitis Network Support Forum

hart · 03-13-2005, 04:40 AM

my doctor wants me to start taking vistaral... If this helps with the horrible bladder pain that I am having--what would be the difference between taking this or a narcotic each day?? thank u

ICLori · 03-13-2005, 05:26 AM

Isn't vistaral an antihistamine?

Well it would be, I suppose, like the difference between taking a Benadryl every day and taking a Percocet every day.

Antihistamines are not a controlled substance. They do not cause physical or psychological addiction. There are no withdrawal symptoms when you go off them. You don't have to escalate doseages after being on them for awhile. You can't get "high" from an antihistamine. Most importantly, the DEA is not breathing down the necks of doctors prescribing antihistamines - but they ARE jailing doctors or threatening to jail doctors who are prescribing narcotics.

I hope this helps answer your question...??

Blessings, Lori

Debgail · 03-13-2005, 06:16 PM

HI hart, As I posted earlier in the other thread about hydroxyzine...Vistaril/hydroxyxine/atarax ...same thing...they all work on keeping mast cell growth down in the bladder.mast cells are know to cause inflamation. I know for me,honestly..Ihave gone off of it a couple times and had sooo much more bladder pain and vaginal swelling which came from my bladder. I know it works...cuz when i went back on it my pain was so much better!!!! Plus it helps me sleep so Im not up 10 times a night!

Take care! Debbie