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  • #1

    Alternatives to Atarax

    I'm currently taking 50 mg/hydroxyzine HCL at night. I'm getting annoyed with how it is exacerbating my restless leg syndrome and I'm not entirely sure what it's doing for my bladder but am afraid to stop.

    Are there any other antihistamines that work the same as atarax for the bladder, like zyrtec or clarinex perhaps. I have them at home

    I do not like benedryl.

    Thanks.
    Diagnoses: Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (2012),Interstitial Cystitis (2003), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia (2003), GERD (since ?), IBS (since ?), Low Blood Volume (2006), Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (2007)

    Medicines:
    Claritin 10 mg/AM for MCAS and allergies
    Synthroid
    Aciphex 20 mg in PM for GERD
    Zantac 75 mg, one at night for MCAS and GERD
    Singulair 10 mg in AM, for MCAS & allergies
    Zyrtec 5 mg/PM for MCAS and allergies

    Non-Medicinal Helps:
    glucosamine 500mg/MSM 500mg 2 X/day
    I avoid foods that I react to in my esophagus, bowel and bladder, and I react to many things. It is an imperfect method, but it is all that I do at the moment.

    I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Phillipians 4:13)
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Medications

    My sleep doctor just took me off Atarax because it makes Rl and sleep disorders worse. The following drugs are not good for RL: tryclcics such as Elavil, antihistamines benedryl, atarax and otc varieties.Sinus medications that contain diphenhydramine such as Tylenol PM. All these meds make RL worse.
    Meds that are used are dopamine enhancers such as Klonopin, Restoril, Halcion, Valium.
    I have tried Klonopin and found I just had to go back on Elavil for pelvic floor spasms, I just take the elavil early in the day and not 5 hours before bedtime.
    I take Elmiron also which has helped me a lot and I have no side effects from it.
    Sammi

    Sammi

    Meds: Melatonin 3mg @ bedtime if needed. Estrogen 1.5 mg troche and 0.1 mg Estrace cream.
    Diagnosis: IC, PFD (both in remission)

    Comment

    • #3
      Thanks

      I appreciate the list of meds that make restless leg worse. Thanks.

      I thought we needed an antihistamine for the bladder as it reduces mast cell inflammation?

      You mentioned benzodiazapines (klonopin,restoril, halcion, and valium) which I happen to think are addictive and tend to lose their potency over time (unless you're one of the lucky few.) Why are you taking tranquilizers, if you don't mind my asking?

      I was interested in which antihistamines I could take for my IC?
      Diagnoses: Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (2012),Interstitial Cystitis (2003), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia (2003), GERD (since ?), IBS (since ?), Low Blood Volume (2006), Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (2007)

      Medicines:
      Claritin 10 mg/AM for MCAS and allergies
      Synthroid
      Aciphex 20 mg in PM for GERD
      Zantac 75 mg, one at night for MCAS and GERD
      Singulair 10 mg in AM, for MCAS & allergies
      Zyrtec 5 mg/PM for MCAS and allergies

      Non-Medicinal Helps:
      glucosamine 500mg/MSM 500mg 2 X/day
      I avoid foods that I react to in my esophagus, bowel and bladder, and I react to many things. It is an imperfect method, but it is all that I do at the moment.

      I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Phillipians 4:13)

      Comment

      • #4
        Meds

        Taking any medications is really a trade off in what you want to put up with. A lot of ICers complain their meds dry them out, make them sleepy and so on. Its a tradeoff between side effects and pain.
        There are no antihistamines that do not aggravate RL. You can try a lower dose, you can try different ones, but if you want to take an anthistamine you may have to put up with more RL.
        The Benzodiazepines taken at low doses usually do not result in addictions. Valium is considered a muscle relaxant at this low dose. My script was 0.5 Klonopin which is pretty low and given for RL which my sleep study showed woke me up a couple of times at night. They also RX anticonvulsant meds for some such as Neurontin at a low dose for RL.
        The tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil are one of the main stay treatments for nerve pain and work, very, very well. I saw a recent study on Elavil and IC and it said its possible the Elavil also has some mast cell reduction capability.
        The mast cell theory is only one as to what causes IC. I am surprised you are on only atarax? Do you not have many symptoms? I thought the Elavil for me was a Godsend to reduce urethral spasms and OB symptoms.
        All medications need to be used in a responsible manner and a lot of them are effective for things other than what they were developed for, such as Elavil which was an antidepressant but found to relieve nerve pain from Shingles, diabetic nerve damage and so on.
        Sammi

        Sammi

        Meds: Melatonin 3mg @ bedtime if needed. Estrogen 1.5 mg troche and 0.1 mg Estrace cream.
        Diagnosis: IC, PFD (both in remission)

        Comment

        • #5
          I have something interesting to share with you. I had a partial hysterectomy in the fall of 2005. My IC was in remission for about eight weeks and then it came back So I started on hydroxyzine and started having symptoms of RLS. I had to stop the hydroxyzine because of the severity of the RLS which never was a problem before for me. Let me also say that I had taken hydroxyzine in the past before the partial hysto to control my ic.
          Anyhow, I had to have my remaining parts removed in Feb of 2006 because of a huge cyst on my remaining ovary. I started back on the hydroxyzine about three months ago to help control my IC. Much to my surprize I have no RLS symptoms from it. Seems bizarre. Of course this whole thing is bizarre. I sure would like to figure it out! -Vicki


          Originally posted by sami4
          Taking any medications is really a trade off in what you want to put up with. A lot of ICers complain their meds dry them out, make them sleepy and so on. Its a tradeoff between side effects and pain.
          There are no antihistamines that do not aggravate RL. You can try a lower dose, you can try different ones, but if you want to take an anthistamine you may have to put up with more RL.
          The Benzodiazepines taken at low doses usually do not result in addictions. Valium is considered a muscle relaxant at this low dose. My script was 0.5 Klonopin which is pretty low and given for RL which my sleep study showed woke me up a couple of times at night. They also RX anticonvulsant meds for some such as Neurontin at a low dose for RL.
          The tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil are one of the main stay treatments for nerve pain and work, very, very well. I saw a recent study on Elavil and IC and it said its possible the Elavil also has some mast cell reduction capability.
          The mast cell theory is only one as to what causes IC. I am surprised you are on only atarax? Do you not have many symptoms? I thought the Elavil for me was a Godsend to reduce urethral spasms and OB symptoms.
          All medications need to be used in a responsible manner and a lot of them are effective for things other than what they were developed for, such as Elavil which was an antidepressant but found to relieve nerve pain from Shingles, diabetic nerve damage and so on.
          Sammi
          Blessings and Hope

          Current Meds.
          OFF MY MEDS
          Vivelle Dot: .10 changed every 72 hours
          Compoounded Progesterone 25mg/night

          Current Supplements
          Hydroeye: 2 pills AM

          Diagnosed
          1995: Endometriosis
          1998: Interstitial Cystitis
          2006: Bladder Endometriosis, Total Hysterectomy and Bowel Re-Section
          2008: Removal of Ovarian Remnant and Endometrial Cyst That was Obstructing Ureter
          2012: Laparoscopic Removal of Adhesions and Staples

          Comment

          • #6
            Vicki

            Check out my answer to Kathryn on the "Share Your Story" area under her question," Do ovarian cysts have a relationship to IC?"
            This may give you some further food for thought, as the formation of another cyst if it was a follicular cyst indicates a systemic hormone imbalance.
            This stuff can drive you crazy. You should have seen how crazy I got when I was trying to figure out why I woke up six times a night to pee an ounce and didnt even feel I had to go. The Uro of course thought it due to IC, turned out I finally got to the bottom of it--sleep apnea. It is just like peeling an onion, one layer at a time. Like my husband says," If you have a terrible toothache, get the tooth pulled, you then notice you also have had pain from a broken toe all the time." What hurts the most is what gets your attention.
            Hugs,
            Sammi

            Sammi

            Meds: Melatonin 3mg @ bedtime if needed. Estrogen 1.5 mg troche and 0.1 mg Estrace cream.
            Diagnosis: IC, PFD (both in remission)

            Comment

            • #7
              My doctor put me on Allegra instead of even trying hydroxyzine. He knew one of my biggest complaints beside pain and frequency is terrible fatigue and drowsiness. I have been on it 3 weeks and can't honestly say my IC pain and symptoms are any better, but I am having HUGE relief from my allergies, which I didn't even realize were so bad until I started taking the antihistamines. I can finally breath though my nose again and that is no small feat!
              Hope you find relief soon!
              -Rachel
              Rachel
              DX's:
              IC; PFD; possible Fibromyalgia; IBS;

              Symptoms: Frequency, Urgency, pelvic and bladder pain, bladder and pelvic spasms, difficulty starting urination, weak stream, incontinence, vaginal and urethral pain

              I've Tried:
              three Hydrodistentions, various Rescue Installments; 6 DSMO treatments; Pyridium Plus; Proced; Detrol (patch); Elavil; Uricet K; Elmiron; Nortiptyline; Ultram; Allegra; Ditropan; Ditropan ER; Vesicare; regular Lidocain; Neurontin; Lyrica; and few more I can't remember!
              Currently using:
              Valium; Vicadin; Proced DS; Claritin; Buffered Lidocain; Cymbalta; Baclofen; Prazosin @ night (also on Prednisone and Adderall for my joint pain and severe fatigue)
              Heating pads; frozen water bottles; A&D ointment; Poise pads; IC dieter since 8/06; yoga; imagery & relaxation CD, Mindfullness, self healing CD's; hot baths; seat cushion; prayer
              I am 28 yrs old, dx'ed in '06, still trying to get my health undercontrol!!

              Comment

              • #8
                I need a non-drowsy antihistamine and wanted to try Claritin (OTC)...has anybody had any experience with this?

                Comment

                • #9
                  I Tale Clarinex 5 mg

                  I take the prescription strength Clarinex 5 mg. I love it for my allergies. I do not know what, if anything, it is doing for the IC.

                  Zyrtec made me tired, believe it or not.
                  Diagnoses: Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (2012),Interstitial Cystitis (2003), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia (2003), GERD (since ?), IBS (since ?), Low Blood Volume (2006), Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (2007)

                  Medicines:
                  Claritin 10 mg/AM for MCAS and allergies
                  Synthroid
                  Aciphex 20 mg in PM for GERD
                  Zantac 75 mg, one at night for MCAS and GERD
                  Singulair 10 mg in AM, for MCAS & allergies
                  Zyrtec 5 mg/PM for MCAS and allergies

                  Non-Medicinal Helps:
                  glucosamine 500mg/MSM 500mg 2 X/day
                  I avoid foods that I react to in my esophagus, bowel and bladder, and I react to many things. It is an imperfect method, but it is all that I do at the moment.

                  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Phillipians 4:13)

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    I take Claritin OTC every day when i first wake up. I think it helps my IC symptoms some and it definitely helps my allergy symptoms without making me drowsy at all.
                    hugs,
                    Janie

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      I went off Atarax and tried Allegra, but did not notice much change in my IC symptoms. Funny, I went back on Atarax because the Allegra wasn't helping with my allergies.

                      Comment

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