Benadryl for Mast cell problems?
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Benadryl for Mast cell problems?
I was just reading about mast cell issues and have noticed that some of you recommend trying an anti-histamine for this. What about benadryl? I know when my daughter had severe allergies her allergist said that was one of the strongest over the counter anti-histamines?
Yes, benadryl is effective. As Leah pointed out, the biggest downside for most people is the drowsiness. Some people take it at night as a sleep aid.
Tex
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
The first antihistamine I took was Benadryl. It's one of the cheapest, I believe. I cut a 50 mg. pill in half and took it at night. It was very effective until I reduced my Entocort dosage after a couple of weeks. From then on, it no longer made any difference.
I subsequently tried Zyrtec, Allegra, and Claritin. None seemed to make a difference. Once I got a persistent itchy rash, I began taking Claritin Reditab, thanks to a suggestion by Joe and Gabes. Claritin Reditab doesn't have any dyes and it dissolves in the mouth. Eventually, in order to get rid of the rash, I had to take one Claritin Reditab in the morning and 1 Zyrtec in the evening in addition to the cortisone cream.
Now that the rash is gone, I only take one Claritin Reditab in the morning.
Claritin Reditab doesn't make me drowsy, but Zyrtec did, which is why I took it in the evening at bedtime.
Gloria
I subsequently tried Zyrtec, Allegra, and Claritin. None seemed to make a difference. Once I got a persistent itchy rash, I began taking Claritin Reditab, thanks to a suggestion by Joe and Gabes. Claritin Reditab doesn't have any dyes and it dissolves in the mouth. Eventually, in order to get rid of the rash, I had to take one Claritin Reditab in the morning and 1 Zyrtec in the evening in addition to the cortisone cream.
Now that the rash is gone, I only take one Claritin Reditab in the morning.
Claritin Reditab doesn't make me drowsy, but Zyrtec did, which is why I took it in the evening at bedtime.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Thank you all. You all respond so quickly it is wonderful. How long did it take on the anti-histamine to notice a difference? I have been avoiding histamine inducing foods for about a week now and want to add the medication in to see if it helps. I have modified my diet (continue to be on an elimination diet), and am taking 8 tabs of pepto. I saw a post that described the urgency to go about 1/2 hour after eating but hadn't considered the mast cell issue yet. My Dr. who diagnosed the MC (LC) never mentioned mast cells. She wouldn't let me take the budesonide more than 2 months and from what I have read hear may not have been long enough to make much of a difference. She then prescribed Asacol which I have taken for 5 weeks. It seemed to help for about a week then stopped helping. Should I continue taking it? My symptoms have slightly improved....less pain, less urgency....diarrhea continues. I am currently trying to get approval from my insurance to get a second opinion, but I am not even sure who to go to....all Gastro's claim to know all about MC but it is apparent they don't. Is there some online list or way to check on who specializes in MC? Thanks again for your help.
Asacol contains lactose, and it also contains mesalamine, so anyone whose MC is triggered by NSAIDs will also react to Asacol (or any mesalamine-based medication).
Doctors qualified to treat classic MC are not necessarily the same ones who are qualified to treat mast call issues associated with MC, unfortunately. Very, very few doctors are familiar with mast cell issues associated with digestive system diseases.
List Of Doctors Very Helpful For Treating Mast Cell Issues
List Of Doctors Who Are Very Helpful For Treating MC, CC, LC
Tex
Doctors qualified to treat classic MC are not necessarily the same ones who are qualified to treat mast call issues associated with MC, unfortunately. Very, very few doctors are familiar with mast cell issues associated with digestive system diseases.
List Of Doctors Very Helpful For Treating Mast Cell Issues
List Of Doctors Who Are Very Helpful For Treating MC, CC, LC
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.