antihistamine warning

mbeezie · Post by **mbeezie** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 4:57 am

Hi All,

Just wanted to inform the group of some info I am learning about antihistamines. I know many here are trying/using antihistamines if they suspect mast cell or histamine issues.

Recently I came across some information about hives/itching from antihistamine usage. I have been using antihistamines regularly for a few years, but in the last 2 years I have developed hives and itching. As I think back, the hives/itching started after I switched from claritin to allegra. I used to be able to take claritin prn, but after switching to allegra I seemed to need more and more to control these symptoms. I always thought it was odd that I developed these symptoms AFTER most of my other symptoms abated.

I believe now that I get withdrawal symptoms as the allegra wears off. I have come across information about antihistamine withdrawal symptoms, which are mainly itching and hives. Read this zyrtec forum to see what people are saying http://www.consumeraffairs.com/rx/zyrtec.html Do a google search and you will find many people reporting the exact same symptoms. Of course doctors don't believe this is true and say antihistamines are completely safe. And the drug companies and FDA are not alerting the public about this.

I have started weaning from antihistamines and am currently taking 1/2 tablet daily, but I wait until the itching starts. I am also using homemade anti-itch cream (cetaphil mixed with anti-itch eye drops that contains either ketotifen or sodium cromalyn, both of which are mast cell stabilizers). My plan is to gradually wean over the next several weeks . . . wish me luck.

Mary Beth

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 10:21 am

Yikes Mary Beth! My daughter suffered from Zyrtec withdrawl after just 2 months of taking it for tree pollen allergies. I knew Zyrtec was the most widely implicated for withdrawl itching, so we've never touched it again. She would complain of itching all over, but she had no hives. It was bizarre. I now wait until birch trees come out (April), give Allegra during the day and Benadryl at night, and wean her off as soon as symptoms (and Birch pollen levels) start to subside.

It's an important warning for those with MC. I believe antihistamines should be used to address symptoms, not as maintenance therapy.

Post by **tex** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 10:50 am

Hi Mary Beth,

Thank you so much for posting about this. I had intended to post about this myself, but I wanted to wait long enough for my symptoms to resolve, to make sure that what I believed to be the case, actually is. The problem is, after my symptoms disappeared, I forgot to write the post.

My experience definitely supports your observation. Last spring, chiggers were bad around here, and one day (before I realized how bad they actually were) I spent an hour or so walking around in tall grass in a pasture, and that night my legs were covered with zillions of chigger sites. I treated them with a sealant, to smother them of course, but the itching was so bad that I thought it might be a good idea to take an Allegra, to make sure that the bites didn't keep me awake all night.

Note that I had already been taking Allegra on many days for several weeks or so, because of spring pollen, but I hadn't been using it every day (though I did earlier, when the pollen was worse). Well, the Allegra helped, and I slept OK. But the next night the itching was still pretty rough (and a few mosquitoes were kind enough to add to the problem) so I used Allegra again, and long story short, every time I thought that I was done with the problem, the itching would resume, so I would take another Allegra.

The interesting thing is that the chigger bites never seemed to go away. Eventually it dawned on me that chigger bites shouldn't last that long, so I bit the bullet and stopped using Allegra. I had a few rough nights, but after a few days or so, sure enough, the itching slowly faded away, and the chigger bites disappeared.

Yep, fexofenadine Hcl (Allegra) is apparently in the same category as PPIs. Discontinuing its use causes the very same symptoms that it is used to treat.

I have a hunch that this also apples to many/most of the other antihistamines, but I haven't tried any other brands lately. Many years ago (before they became a prescription-only drug), I used to use Chlor-trimiton (Chlorpheniramine Maleate, 12 mg) 12-hour capsules, and they worked for me for 24 hours. I used them for decades, until the FDA decided that they were too good to be sold OTC. I never noticed any rebound symptoms from using them. For a while they could be bought as Chlor-tripolon in Canada, but it seems that as soon as everyone begins to order them from Canada, they disappear from the market. I reckon I'll see if I can locate a supply again.

I reckon we can add Allegra to the list along with Zyrtec. Anyone else have any experiences with rebound effects caused by withdrawing from antihistamine use?

Thanks again, Mary beth. I hope that you can withdraw from Allegra without any major problems. My worst problem was waking up in the middle of the night, scratching and itching like mad at one or 2 locations. And if I would scratch somewhere else, it would itch there, also. But similar to Zizzle's experience (or her daughter's experience) I noticed hives only occasionally, and usually just 1 or 2, if they appeared at all.

Tex

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:00 pm

FWIW, my husband and his entire family take Allegra like candy, often for months at a time, then go cold turkey, with no apparent withdrawal symptoms. My MIL has ME and apparent MCAD, and takes Zyrtec in double doses for weeks then goes cold turkey without incident too. Maybe some people are predisposed to the withdrawal itching??

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 1:41 pm

Marybeth,
Thanks for posting.

If you are interested, I have calmed histamine/mast cell via high doses of Vit C, magnesium, Zinc. Haven't needed any h1 or h2 blockers since may (prior to this I was taking them 5 days out of 7)
Min 1000mg Vit C,
600-800mg of mag (more would be better use spray to get it higher)
Min 50mg zinc.

I have Vit c powder, mixed with a mag powder, I sip this through the day across 4 doses, so there is no risk of D from having too much at one time.

Further, the pharmacist at the compounding centre was very interested in my MC journey, we had 15 min discussion about various aspects of the MC group experiences. He mentioned sodium chromglycate. In Aus it is sold via script in normal pharm as intal inhaler for asthma, and eye drops for allergies.
The compounding centre have it as 100mg capsules and a cream.
People with mast cell issues can take 2 capsules at a time, 1 hour before meals (recommended if someone is socialising and not able to follow their normal eating plan)
It can be used up to 4 times per day.
They also make a cream for hives etc, not sure of the dosage.

It's not something I plan to use frequently, with a family members wedding coming up I am looking forward to socialising without having to make a fuss about a specific meal.
My doctor did the script order to the compounder for the capsules.

mbeezie · Post by **mbeezie** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 3:20 pm

Zizzle, now that you mention I do remember your daughter's zyrtec reaction, although at the time I didn't see a connection. And yes, I know not everyone reacts to it the same way - some people can use it an quit without the withdrawal. My takes it frequently, not duly, but has never developed itching.

Tex, yep, it does feel like chigger bites . . . relentless. The itching was bad this morning and I had to give my clients a warning that I was gunna be scratching. You are so right about the comparison with Nexium:( I took a half tablet yesterday and I was pretty itchy and jittery/anxious but I bit did not give in until I about 26 hours after my last dose. I have already noticed less hives and this afternoon there is less burning and itching. I took a 1/4 of a tablet and will continue weaning.

Gabes, I have read about using vitamin c and other supplement and glad that is working for you. I have known for years about sodium cromalyn/mast cell blockers but opted not to go that route. Right now I am wanting to see what happens when I am off of everything. I believe in the power of healing from within and am focusing more and more on that, and I am hopeful because it is abundantly clear that my body does not like any form of medication.

Mary Beth

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 3:34 pm

I am with you, my 2 year plan is to get off all meds, majority of my issues are inflammation/ mineral and nutrient deficiency related.

mbeezie · Post by **mbeezie** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 3:46 pm

Good luck with that journey Gabes . . . sounds like you are well on the path.

Hugs,

Mary Beth

Post by **tex** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 4:37 pm

Zizzle wrote:Maybe some people are predisposed to the withdrawal itching??

I'm wondering if genetics associated with gluten sensitivity have anything to do with it. Comparing gene results for gluten sensitivity, I see that both Mary Beth and I have the 0501 allele. Hmmmmm.

Tex

HLA-DQB1 Molecular analysis, Allele 1 0201
HLA-DQB1 Molecular analysis, Allele 2 0501
Serologic equivalent: HLA-DQ 2,1 (Subtype 2,5)

Mary Beth

HLA-DQB1 Molecular analysis, Allele 1 0501
HLA-DQB1 Molecular analysis, Allele 2 0604
Serologic equivalent: HLA-DQ 1,1 (Subtype 5,6)

Tex

mbeezie · Post by **mbeezie** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 4:39 pm

I wondered that as well Tex . . . . I also thought about dysbiosis.

Mary Beth

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 4:43 pm

Tex
very very interesting pondering.....
and a very viable explaination to the variances in reactions where histamine and mast cell are involved....

(Gabe is considering reviewing the results to see how viable that explaination is.)
(nb I dont have the 5:01)

darlagroat · Post by **darlagroat** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 6:24 pm

I am very interested in this thread. I have had itching for several months. This itching has mostly been on my trunk and head, not my arms or legs, really, but I want to scratch my skin off. Lesions develop from the scratching, but I don't get hives. It is not itching that one can ignore. (Or at least, not THIS one.) I believe it started when I switched from zyrtec to claritin, so I switched back, but this itching has continued to greater or lesser degree. I went to my Family Dr. and she gave me cortisone cream, of course. More steroids....
It helped, but because of info from all of you, I began to understand that steroids are not my long term friend, and simply drive issues under cover.
I went a month ago to a naturopathic Dr. to try to get more information about foods that I may be sensitive to. She told me to wean off the zyrtec and told me to use a homeopathic allergy pellet. So I have been taking natrum muriaticum, got off the zyrtec, and while it isn't perfect yet, I believe it is better. I will see her again this Saturday, and get the results of the testing, and go from there.
(There is a tiny bit of lactose in the homeopathic natrum muriaticum, so if anyone is considering this, please check the label carefully.) She also had me double the Vitamin D3 from 5000 units to 10000 units per day. I am also using magnesium glycinate and magnesium oil and lotion.
There is something to all of this I believe.

Does benedryl fall into the same category?

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 6:35 pm

Darlagroat
how much elemental magnesium are you taking/absorbing per day?

darlagroat · Post by **darlagroat** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 8:27 pm

Gabes,

I don't exactly know - as lame as that sounds. I am taking magnesium glycinate '100mg as magnesium bisglycinate chelate', one per day. I use the Ancient minerals oil on my trunk - about 8 sprays total, front and back, and lotion on my arms and legs. I have done random epsom salt baths. I think the plan from the naturopath is perhaps to increase the magnesium glycinate somewhat gradually, but I have tolerated this oral magnesium without difficulty or increasing D.
I have also started taking zinc, 50 mg. I should also take vitamin C, right? How much should I start with?

I also want to thank you for all your helpful and encouraging posts to all of us who visit here. I have learned a lot from the things you have written and I am grateful. I feel like my path is also to avoid Rx drugs as a general rule. I'm sure there will be times when they are more helpful than harmful, but I am pretty disillusioned with traditional medicine. And I am a nurse....

Thanks,
Darla

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 8:41 pm

Darla

thank you for all your helpful and encouraging posts to all of us who visit here.

I want everyone here to be well, have energy and enjoy life!!
Things like the magnesium and Vit C are very affordable accessible solutions to many of the niggly symptoms so many of us have. (and take meds for)

it is great you have a practitioner helping. how many ml is the 8 sprays? 5ml of the Ancient mineral spray has 560mg of magnesium. (the product I use here in Aus is slightly different) to help with histamine/mast cell inflammation, correct magnesium deficiency a min of 800mg per day is good, if you can get it higher, it would be fantastic. 50mg of zinc is good start if you can get the Vit C up to 1000mg it should keep the inflammation majorily reduced.

Remember it takes 8-12 weeks to correct deficiencies. Are you taking Vit D3? that is the other item that will help keep inflammation down, and optimise healthy cells in your body. All four (Vit D3, Mag, Vit C and Zinc) help cells, organs, joints, muscles, systems (nervous, thyroid, adrenal etc.)