Many questions about Atarax - Interstitial Cystitis Network Support Forum

Bojana · 11-06-2009, 02:08 AM

Hi.
I hope you don´t mind but I have some questions about atarax. I can not get elmiron or elavil in my country, so atarax is all I have for now.
My questions are:
1. How long till it starts working (average time)? I mean those of you who use it, when did you notice that it actually does work?
2. How does it work for you, is it less pain or less frequency, urgency or all together?
3. Do you take it only in evening? I read on this forum that it makes you sleepy, so you should take it in evenings. I take 20 mg 30-45 minutes before bed, but it does not make me sleepy at all so I still need to take sleeping pills.
4. Those of you who take it longer (6 months, a year or longer), do you notice that you need higher dose with time or that it stopped working over time?

Thank you for your answers and help.

Glenda2 · 11-07-2009, 04:34 AM

I have taken Atarax for the Last 16 years.

Not for anything related to IC.

I have a Genetic Tumor disease , and it causes me to Itch like I fell naked in a sticker bush.
My tumors are basically called Mass Cell.

Atarax is an Anti Histamine which is a Mass Cell Blocker , and it allows the itching to subside. ( For Me )

I can take > 100 mg's , 3 Times day.

It does not make Me tired at all.
Just makes My heart Rate speed up.
So I really don't take it unless I am super itchy.

I have had IC for about 8 Months.
Officially diagnosed on October 12th.

Being that I have taken this medication for 16 years.
If it was Beneficial for "MY" IC , then I'd have Improvement for it.
This Medication has NO Benefits for "My" IC.

Snowden1 · 11-07-2009, 07:00 AM

But, don't give up hope because I know others on this board have had success with this. Anyone.........?
Teresa

123456 · 11-07-2009, 07:04 AM

Yes, there are others who have had success. I'm sure they'll answer. I was reading online about our various medications and it can take a few weeks for your med to kick in. Please hang in there! Just give it a chance to work. Your doc may increase your dose if this one doesn't work for you. It is one of the recommended therapies.

Glenda2 · 11-07-2009, 09:16 AM

Just because it does Nothing for MY IC , does NOT mean it won't help someone else for there's.

I don't use it for IC , I use it for itching.

It does help itching*

I wish it was beneficial for MY IC.

Bojana · 11-09-2009, 02:28 AM

Thank you for all the replies. I am on atarax for 2 weeks now and not sure if it does anything or not. I take only 20 mg for now, do not wish to take more since I have headaches from it, groggy feeling, dry throat and often shot dizziness periods over day. I will give it a go for few more weeks to see if it does anything for me. I so hope it does since I am running out of options here.

Glenda - too bad that it doesnt do anyting for IC for you

Teresa and Michelle - yeah I will give it a go, use it longer, maybe at least till I get uro appointment. I so hope and pray that it will help.

I guess not so many use it since in US you have many more of other options, specially elmiron and elavil.

Glenda2 · 11-09-2009, 04:21 AM

If it was Beneficial for IC ( For ME ) and since I have taken it for 16 years , I might never have gotten IC , if it was effective for it ( For ME ).

I am just Not so sure it helps IC. But it would be a Miracle sent from above if it did.
We'd All be on it.

I am going to try all these OTC products and hope they Help.

My Urologist was very adamant that Elmiron is the ONLY treatment for IC.