allergy sufferers

[P.Chef]

I find that some antihistamines really help, and others make things worse.

How many of you IC people have lots of allergies, too?

Andrea blink

[dminton]

I have had allergies and asthma since I was a young child. My allergies are to pollens, grasses, dust, and animals. I also had food allergies as a child that caused skin rashes and asthma. I now take Zyrtec, an antihistamine, and Singulair, for asthma, and have an inhaler if I need it for the asthma. I also use Nasacort spray.

Under no circumstances do I take anything with a decongestant, as it worsens bladder pain. By the way, the Zyrtec and Singulair do nothing to help my bladder, but they do help the allergies and asthma.

Sometimes I wonder what my hidden food allergies are. I wonder if they worsen my bladder symptoms.

[rachelm]

I take attarax at night. My urologist has refered me to an allergist for testing because he thinks that since my I.C. flares are so seasonal that I might benefit from allergy shots specific to my needs. I was scheduled mon. for the first round of tests but I need to wait until my trial interstim is finished and I'm through my bad flare. Have any of you done allergy shots. If so have they helped your I.C. symptoms.

[dyno]

I also have seasonal allergies, that affect me. I do take Vistaril, but have also started using uncooked, unfiltered, raw local honey. It was suggested to me try about a month ago. The person who told me about it said that it wouldn't cure me but would help my body build antibodies so the allergies wouldn't bother me so bad. I have to tell you in my case it is helping, there is no doubt about it. I just did not want to start allergy shots and thought if this would help I would give it a try. Not saying it will work for you but it is helping me.

[ICNDonna]

As the mother of two asthmatic sons, now adults, I do know about the theory re honey. The thought is that since the bees pick up pollen from the flowers around us, the honey will contain tiny amounts of the pollen and thus help build antibodies. The disadvantage to this is that many of the allergens would not be present in the honey --- for example, one of my boys is allergic to pine tree pollen --- and bees don't get nectar from those.

I made the decision to go for allergy shots for both boys. They were skin tested and were given gradually increasing doses of the specific things to which they tested allergic. The shots went on for a long time, but both are now active adults. The younger one still has problems in pollen season, but no longer turns blue in an attack; his older brother spends a lot of time outdoors with no problems.

Sending an encouraging hug,
Donna

[Sarojini]

Hi all... I have severe asthma and allergies, and have since I was a young child. When I moved to Memphis, I got a new allergy and asthma specialist who is the best I've ever seen (and it turns out he is nationally recognized!!) Anyway, he did another "scratch" test to see what I was allergic to and the only thing I did not react to on the test panel of 35 substances was "feathers". I was, at the time, most allergic to cats and dogs, followed by some pollens, molds, etc.

I have been having allergy shots for over a year now (since October 2002) and I must say that the shots have done wonders in combination with meds I take daily. I take Advair and Singulair for asthma, and Clarinex and Nasonex nasal spray for nasal allergies. I have a Combivent inhaler for acute attacks of asthma, but I am happy to report that I have used it just 3 times in the last 4 months. I also carry an emergency dose of the steroid prednisone, which I have taken on occasion when I've gotten a chest cold and couldn't breathe.

Anyway, my treatment is so successful that I am able to live in harmony with both a cat and a dog. Of course, my husband and I take steps to reduce allergens in the home (we own 4 air cleaners, vacuum 2x weekly, and do laundry on a frequent basis) but life is good asthma/allergy wise.

I do, however, get hives and rashes a lot... and often, it feels like there are hives in my bladder and urethra... itching feeling, and occasional burning... I really think it has to do with allergies

Like dminton says, I wonder what my hidden food allergies are, and am trying to work it out. In addition, like her, my Clarinex and Singulair help my asthma and nasal allergies, but do nothing for bladder stuff...

Just my 2 cents...

Jen

[Mimi-in-Chicagoland]

I am allergic to my cats. I developed this allergy over the past year. I am taking the allergy shots because I didn't want to get rid of my fur babies. Hopefully they will work. I've noticed a difference in the past month that I've been on them. My husband bathes our two cats every week and brushes them. We vacuum regularly, and the cats are kept out of our bedroom. I'm also taking an oral allergy medicine. I'm also allergic to several medicines--my hemotologist thinks it is because of the IC and recommended a medic alert bracelet. My reactions have become more severe to the meds, and I'm allergic to some weird things, like vallium...none of my specialists have ever seen anyone allergic to it and I'm deathly allergic to it at a very small dose.

[rachelm]

Have any of you that take allergy shots noticed an improvement in your I.C. symptoms? I know not everyone reacts seasonally to I.C. but based on what my uro says they seem to be seeing more I.C. patients during late winter early spring for flares.

[Sarojini]

Hmmm... I don't know if my allergy shots have anything to do with my bladder, because I seem to have developed IC WHILE GETTING the injections!

My theory on that is that it's possible I have latent food sensitivities that are not covered in the mixture that is injected into me. The antigen mix is just for dogs, cats, some common pollens, molds, etc and doesn't contain anything to do with food.

I notice certain foods (peanuts, certain spices, strawberries) can sometimes give me hives or the sniffles (no bad reactions, just annoying ones at this point), and the same things are not that great for my bladder either.

It would be interesting to see what would happen if they were to try desensitizing me to the food allergens too...

[ICNDonna]

Mimi, that medical alert bracelet could save your life at some point. I wear one because I am allergic to sulfa and penicillin. The MedicAlert Foundation is locaed in Turlock, California and they keep files on members so if you were ever in an accident, they can put care providers in touch with your regular physician, and with family.

Sending an encouraging hug,
Donna

[CELESTRA]

Hi Sarajini, Be careful with foods that give you mild or annoying symtoms...sometimes those same foods will give you much worse, and even life-threatening symptoms as time goes by. Just want you to be careful Celeste

[Sarojini]

Oh, I don't eat the things that bother me anymore The hives were not pleasant, plus I know that small reactions can turn to big ones in time, and I don't want to risk it. Thanks for your concern grouphug

[BLR]

I have a lot of food allergies. I could not live without my zyrtec. It does not seem to influence my IC. I have found that black pepper and chili powder will trigger IC pain within
10 minutes of consumption and I have aching joints and feel sick so I assume I am allergic to capsicum and family. The interesting thing is that the flare will start immediately, even though my body has not had time to process urine. Has anyone else had this problem with food allergies and flares?

[Jessica in Arkansas]

BLR,
It does not make sense that the body would go into a quick flair after eating something the IC dieter ususally avoids butit DOES!
I can eat a chocolate or a strawberry (really anything red) and feel my bladder going into spasms within 10 to 15 minutes! I am usually in so much pain witin those few minutes that I can barely get up from the table fast enough to get my pain med.
So my answer is YES and your not funny or crazy, your just trying to survive!
Much luck in the future,
JessicainArkansas

[sue041]

I just wanted to say that chocolate bothers me too almost immediately, also so does coconut flavored cookies, and mustard,cocoa,potato chips plain. It seems like there is so much things that effect the IC. Also it bothers the GERD Acid Reflux almost right away.
Now what is this abut raw honey good for allergies, and what do you call raw honey. Like eating the honey comb or what you buy in the store in jars. My grand daughter has allergys bad all year round, but more so in the summer months she takes Zertec, but there is one out that is over the counter, can't think what it is, but she would take the same dosage as the Zertec. But I am scared to switch right now.
Thanks for all the information.
Love you guys.
Sue grouphug