On HYDROXYZINE and am getting all dried out!!! - Interstitial Cystitis Network Support Forum

fireflicker285 · 03-18-2004, 10:09 AM

Hi, I am on the Atarax. It has only been about 5 days now....and I am finding that it is drying me so much!!! I am only on the tiny dose of 5 mgs. at bedtime.
My eyes are very dry and my mouth and even my skin and hair drier. I am very bothered by it, that is the only side effect I have so far.....
does this seem to go away after a bit?
Anyone else get very dry on it?

I have tried all the other antihistamines since I have had allergies all my life....but this is the only one that is supposed to relax the bladder which is what I need.

Thanks!

Kristi2 · 03-18-2004, 12:16 PM

fireflik,

Sorry if I got your name wrong. Haven't been on in a while, and I am trying to navigate this new system. Had to register or log in and didn't have my password. Well anyway, I was wondering if you are also taking any other meds. I was also on Ditropan XL to begin with, along with the Elmiron. I am sure it was the Ditropan that was "drying me out". I eventually got used to it, and have been on it for about 8 months. I haven't heard of the drying out affect with Elmiron. All I know is that I believe it has helped me along with the other combo of meds I am taking.

Kristi

fireflicker285 · 03-18-2004, 12:47 PM

Well, I am thinking it is more the Atarax drying me out as I know that the "other" antihistamines can do that. I am just surprized at how dry it is making me. (especially my eyes and even my sinuses).
I was on the Elmiron for a year and then off to be pregnant and have my daughter and now started again. It didn't seem to give me any side effects except maybe a bit of an upset stomach.

I know I read that the theraputic dose of Atarax is usually around 20 mgs. at bedtime and I just can't imagine unless this goes away...........

Kristi2 · 03-18-2004, 12:57 PM

Fireflicker285,

I take 50 mgs of Vistaril (generic is Hydroxyzine Pam) at bedtime. I believe it helps. My Uro first prescribed it for 25 mg 3 times a day, but I was a zombie. I still don't think it dried me out, but every med affects everyone differently. It is so hard finding that right combo to help, and then is may help for a while and then need to be tweeked. That has been my experience. I consider myself a success because I was DX'd in August, and have gotten to a place where I do have IC, but IT DOESN'T HAVE ME!!!! Sometimes I am aware I have a bladder, sometimes not. I hope I can remain in this place, and I pray for you and all the other IC Victims on these boards. I also hope you can get to the bottom of this.

Kristi

momw/ic · 03-19-2004, 05:25 PM

I take 75 mgs of atarax at bedtime. I, too had the drying out thing at first (I started with 25 mgs and worked up) but that has gone away with use. I have been on it a year. Also, I was using pyridium which dries you out as does detrol. I don't take detrol anymore cause it messed with my IBS but when I use my pyridium I definately notice a difference. I hope you figure out what the problem is!

Pam

ad8123 · 03-26-2004, 12:28 PM

My Uro gave me Atarax to take but I only take 25 mg, it keeps the tingly sensation away for about 4 hours. Does anyone know if it can be taked more then once a day? Can I ask for the dosage to be upped? I good thing I noticed is that it seems to work on my allergies (during the day at night I still need a benedryl), nothing ever worked on my allergies before , i been on shots 0no luch there and on perscription allergy meds since I was 12 (27 bow) and this is the first one to work! Hey does that mean I found one good thing about IC???? I know I am reaching at straws but I still want the IC to serve some purpose in my life. I really love this message group it is great to be understood and supported. hugs to everyone, have a great weekend.

Angela

Kristi2 · 03-26-2004, 04:05 PM

Angela,

When I was first dx'd my uro rx'd 25 mg of atarax 3 x a day. This made me very tired. The uro then suggested I take 50 mgs at night. I have been taking this along with Elmiron since September and I am feeling pretty good. I know others on this board take it throughout the day as it was first rx'd to me. Talk to your uro. If I have questions or even want to try something new I just give the uro a call, and don't always wait for my appoint. He has been awsome. Check with your doc. I'm glad to hear that this may have "killed two birds with one stone" . Hope this helps!!!

Kristi

HOPE4ME · 04-12-2004, 03:48 PM

Tracey, I just read your post and was wondering if the drying out has gotten easier for you to tolerate. I, like others, am on Hydroxyz Pam (Vistaril) 25 mg. and tonight I begin increasing my dosage to 50mg. For the first 5 days my eyes were so dry they hurt in the morning when I woke but that has gone away. I'm wondering if it might be worth asking your Uro for a change in med. and try the Vistaril instead.
Good Luck to you! I must say I think it is helping the burning, sharp sting of the urethra and bladder.

HOPE4ME

HillaryD · 04-14-2004, 05:34 AM

Tracey:
The Hydroxyzine dries me out a lot as well. My eyes have been much drier than they used to be and I have a dry spot under each of my eye-brows that is flaky and itchy. It has been helping me though, so I can deal with the dryness, I just hope it doesn't get any worse. Good luck to you!

Hillary

creatingkarma · 04-14-2004, 06:01 AM

My eyes hurt very badly. I bought one of those eye gel pack thingies that you keep in the fridge. I put it on my eyes at bedtime & it feels sooooo good! Very soothing & helps with the puffiness also. I bought mine at walmart for a couple bucks. It's definitely worth a try!

Karma

RainSun · 04-14-2004, 11:42 AM

I actually had to get a liter of IV fluids last night due to all of the dryness these wonderful meds

MakinIT · 04-15-2004, 06:40 AM

Hmmm..maybe that's why my skin has been drier lately than usual. I used to take 25 mgs at bed, now I take 50mgs at bed. I was a c omplete zombie to begin with (but I also take valium and Morphine) I dropped the dose back to 25 mgs...now upped it to 50mgs....I'm ok now...I get very tired sometimes but that's about it...I have noticed that my eczema has gone up on a couple fingers (but an anti histimine should help with that.)

Gotta go.