Antihistamines

[sheacarney]

Hi all,

So, anyone take antihistamines? I've read that using antihistamines in conjunction with SSRI, tricyclics, etc. could contribute to serotonin syndrome, although (theoretically, of course) antihistamines have no or a limited ability to cross the blood/brain barrier. Early in withdrawal, I took Phenergan, which I was told was an antihistamine (for sleep and nausea), hence innocuous, when in fact, it is that, plus a potent dopamine blocker and derivative of thorazine. It was will I was taking that crap that I was diagnosed with psuedoparkinson's.

Anyway, I'm experiencing hayfever, loads of drainage, and bad headaches. I was prescribed antihistamines, at age 18, and have taken them quite regularly up until just seven or eight months ago because I'm so freaked out about taking anything, with any regularity. particularly something that could, in any way, mess with my brain chemistry. I was fine for quite some time, but this time of year is BAD for me, with regard to allergies. I had a severe sinus infection last year and it appears I could be headed in that direction now. An infection would make my less that stellar existence FAR more unpleasant, so I thought, perhaps I could take an antihistamine just for the winter season. I took one of my prescription Zyrtec today to see if it would help with the itching throat and drainage. So far, I haven't seen much improvement, but I think you have to take it for a while for it to be effective. Of course, I feel anxious that I have ANY medication in my system, so I don't know if I'm helping of hurting myself. Any opinions on this? Obviously, my pill PTSD is showing.

-Shea

[babs]

Hi Shea,

I take Claritin on an as-needed basis for seasonal allergies. I usually only suffer in the spring and early summer. I don't think I experience any adverse effects from it .. I was taking it during early withdrawal last spring and felt so crappy anyway, who knows, but I don't think it make it any worse. Hope you can find something that works for you.

[Buxy`s Back]

shea iv known for years i cant tolerate a lot of antihistamines and iv said here before my gp gave me one along with an anti depressant and a pill to stop my cycle and boy i was climbing walls this was the start of the vicious circle of interactions with drugs

[ihatezaps]

Originally Posted by sheacarney

I've read that using antihistamines in conjunction with SSRI, tricyclics, etc. could contribute to serotonin syndrome, although (theoretically, of course) antihistamines have no or a limited ability to cross the blood/brain barrier.

Really Shea? Darn, Dramamine works so well on my dizziness and nausea! That's bad news for me.

[safarigal]

Shea, I have a hard time taking any kind of anti-histamine or cold medicine. Even the non-drowsy kind makes me feel weird.I don't know why, if its a result of being on Paxil in the past or not. Prior to Paxil I had no problems. Maybe I've just developed a sensitivity as I've gotten older.

[Charlie]

When I have problems with allergies or I always take Mullein. I would take the capsules over the liquid because of the taste but it works very well. You can get it at a health food store and sometimes at discount stores.

[Bern]

I've read the directions on the bottle for antihistamines, and it says to not take if you are on psychiatric medications. So, I just made myself suffer when I got sick, and I never took antihistamines. But since when do I follow directions that comes with my meds?!?

[jenS]

I am an asthmatic and have *severe* allergies. I take some nasal stuff that is a narcotic, among other heavy duty stuff. What can I say, all my doctors have said they are safe with paxil. I take antihistamines all the time, OTC and Rx. I really don't have a choice or I would be hospitalized with an oxygen tube <seriously>.

[Katesmom]

Shea-

Have you tried a decongestant? I know some on here say they can't tolerate them, and I'm wary of them as they raise blood pressure. But for allergies nothing else works for me. Since my BP issues, I suffer as long as I can. Then, when I get too much pressure in my sinuses or a terrible headache, I take one advil cold and sinus. I stay away from the 12 hour ones like Claritin-D.

[feelin'_wiggy]

Originally Posted by sheacarney

An infection would make my less that stellar existence FAR more unpleasant, so I thought, perhaps I could take an antidepressent just for the winter season.

Shea, this is a typo, right? LOL

I use Benadryl to help me sleep. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't. But it doesn't bother me.

[sheacarney]

I've read the directions on the bottle for antihistamines, and it says to not take if you are on psychiatric medications

Bern, I actually read, right here at paxilprogress about serotonin syndrome being "observed" in those who took antidepressants and antihistamines simultaneously, so I can only assume that's why there's a warning on the bottle to avoid combining the two. I don't know the mechanism behind it, quite honestly (hey, what's new?), but I know there is some sort of interaction.

Katesmom, I cannot tolerate a decongestant right now. Anything with psuedoephedrine is bad news. I used to take Allegra-D, which was both an antihistamine and decongestant, but I can't consider trying it, at present. I don't want to get squirmy.

Well, even though I felt a bit freaky, emotionally, about having popped a pill (zyrtec), I can honestly tell you I didn't really notice any setback as a result of taking it. I don't feel markedly different. Of course, zyrtec is mild and approved for use in infants, so it may not be strong enough to cause any brain mess, which is great, but it also didn't do much for my allergies. Oh well. That's as far as I'm going to go with it.

Thanks to everyone for your replies.

-Shea

[sheacarney]

Feelin' Wiggy, GOOD LORD.....that's the mother of all typos!! What would Freud say?!#@ Of course, I meant to type antihistamine........I've just got antidepressants on the brain.....literally.

[scotty]

Shea, I can fix that if you want.

[sheacarney]

No worries, I'll catch it. I wouldn't want anyone reading the post thinking I was going BACK on an antidepressant! Thanks though, Laurie.

[sheacarney]

Okay, so I can't fix it............could you please, Laurie?

[sherijo]

Shea,
i found that taking a benadryl really has been helping my dizziness considerably. I take 1/2 of a caplet and it doesn't make want to fall asleep right away.. so i am able to work.. the last 2 days i have been able to go to work with very little problem since using it.. I had been getting so dizzy that i could hardly walk.. i told my doc the benadryl helped.. she found it interesting and wasn't sure why it would work, but it has.
sheri

[mach3939]

Allergies - thats me big time. Decongestants cant take at all never could make me jumpie/nervous. I am on Zyrtec, astelin (nasel spray), plus getting allergy shots weekly. You could see a allergist to find out what you are allergic to? Over the years that has been the biggest help for me.

Ok the one thing I know of that is not a drug is the nasel wash. Saline solution. I mix my own and use everyday in shower. Allergists now sell it in there offices. If you mix yourself you have to use pickling salt or kosher salt, NOT table salt cause of iodine. 2 tablespoons of pickling salt, 1 tablespoon bakeing soda to 1 quart of water. Going to sound grosse but you use a ear syringe to spray it into the nose. Yep grosse! Will choke you the first couple of times then you learn to close throat and it wont choke. Summer I keep it mixed for after cutting grass cleans everything out really good.

ENT gave me the recipe years ago for boys to avoid nasel surgery. They were supose to do it 3 times a day, which they did to retrain sinisus to work right. Worked for them. Salt dries and bakeing soda sooths sinisus. You can look it up on the internet a lot of ENT & Allergists are suggesting it for use now.

Isn't spring wonderful, so is fall, well for me it is all year. Good Luck
Debbie

[scotty]

It's fixed Shea!!

[angels]

talk to Althea (MizzB) about natural cures for allergies. She and her husband (lifelong sufferer) no longer have any. Period.

Maybe search for it or PM her?

[Lilly]

I have bad allergies. In w/d and what I still use is an over the counter
Product called NasalCrom, which you squirt up your nose. No side effects for me ever but really effective.

Lilly

[jenS]

Originally Posted by mach3939

Ok the one thing I know of that is not a drug is the nasel wash.

I have heard of this. I cannot bring myself to do it. I have heard of people using some sort of little pot they mix it in and then put it in their nose. Can't do it.

[mach3939]

The first couple of times I have to admit that it choked me, but you learn to shut off the back of throat and just do it. There are Breathe Right Saline Nasal Spray it is drug free I am sure there are others. I like this one cause it is a mist not a stream. Streams can be messy.

JenS you could always buy a premixed one like this Breathe Right? No where near as much solution gets to sinus as the ear syringe thing!

Debbie

[sheacarney]

NasalCrom........I may give this a try. I'm already using saline.

Benadryll works on dizzyness because of it's anticholinergic properties. Paxil has strong anticholinergic properties. It is because the cholinergic nerves are rebounding that we experience the ever-present flu like symptoms of withdrawal. Paxil supresses them and once you remove the Paxil they rebound...all this according to Dr. Peter Breggin in "Toxic Psychiatry." All antihistamines have anticholinergic properties. It's one of the reasons I'm not quite comfortable with taking them.

[paxilgirl]

Shea, do you ingest a lot of dairy? Just asking as dairy products produce a lot of mucous....maybe limiting yourself to it will alleviate some of your symptoms?

A shot in the dark...

[Lilly]

I just put on my reading glasses and read the label. Lol! It has one ingredient, Cromolyn Sodium. I have been using it for years, as needed at pretty much the same dose, but I have always vowed I will not get a stronger allergy medication anyways. If it gets worse I will just blow my nose!

I am also very leery of drugs Shea and plan to stay that way.
Lilly