Hi, I recently tried using Zyrtec to help with some of my symptoms, but it seems to be highly sedating (although sadly doesn't help me sleep at night)! Any recommendations for another antihistamine to try? My situation has gotten a bit complicated- I was recently diagnosed with proctitis (currently treating with canasa) and using to bentyl for some of the pain, but still continue to experience lower abdominal cramping on/off throughout the day and night. I am also in the process of tapering my entocort, after taking 9mg for nine months. I have been working on my diet as well...
Thanks for the help!
Antihistamine help
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Hi Miriam,
Many members here use either Claritin Redi-Tabs (because the regular Claritin contains lactose) or Allegra. And if that's not enough to bring relief, some members also take Benedryl at bedtime (because Benedryl definitely causes drowsiness and helps them to sleep).
Tex
Many members here use either Claritin Redi-Tabs (because the regular Claritin contains lactose) or Allegra. And if that's not enough to bring relief, some members also take Benedryl at bedtime (because Benedryl definitely causes drowsiness and helps them to sleep).
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.
Lisa is right on target. Usually, if an antihistamine is going to help, there will be noticeable improvement within a day or 2. If there's no significant improvement after 5 or 6 days, it's probably not going to help.
Hopefully the Bentyl (Dicyclomine) will do what it was prescribed to do without any side effects, but really about all it is designed to do is to slow down motility (which is it's primary mechanism of action), but unfortunately it also slows down other functions of the digestive tract, such as mucus secretion, and this can cause serious issues. IOW it can cause gastroparesis (delayed or incomplete stomach emptying), reduced stomach acid, constipation, GERD, and dry mucus membranes (not only in the stomach, but in the mouth and intestines as well). Gastroparesis typically leads to nausea, if the slow down is significant. Apparently some people are able to take it without experiencing any serious side effects, however.
It's not easy to find posts from members here who felt that Bentyl was helping them, but here's one (and there are probably others that I missed):
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... ght=bentyl
On the other side of the fence, here are a couple of posts from members who had only bad side effects, but no benefits from using bentyl:
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... ght=bentyl
Scroll down to post number 11 in this next thread:
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... ght=bentyl
Tex
Hopefully the Bentyl (Dicyclomine) will do what it was prescribed to do without any side effects, but really about all it is designed to do is to slow down motility (which is it's primary mechanism of action), but unfortunately it also slows down other functions of the digestive tract, such as mucus secretion, and this can cause serious issues. IOW it can cause gastroparesis (delayed or incomplete stomach emptying), reduced stomach acid, constipation, GERD, and dry mucus membranes (not only in the stomach, but in the mouth and intestines as well). Gastroparesis typically leads to nausea, if the slow down is significant. Apparently some people are able to take it without experiencing any serious side effects, however.
It's not easy to find posts from members here who felt that Bentyl was helping them, but here's one (and there are probably others that I missed):
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... ght=bentyl
On the other side of the fence, here are a couple of posts from members who had only bad side effects, but no benefits from using bentyl:
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... ght=bentyl
Scroll down to post number 11 in this next thread:
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... ght=bentyl
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.
Thanks for the helpful advice- I now understand why the bentyl seems to be causing an increase in acid reflux. But, it is the first medication that seems to really help with my cramping and pain, without too many side effects. I react to most medications, but have been pleasantly surprised by this one! Sadly, the antihistamines don't seem to help me.
By the way, do antihistamines usually help with GI symptoms or just typical allergy ones? I don't have any typical allergy symptoms or itchiness, was just hoping they would help with some of the pain. Benadryl seemed to make my diarrhea worse, but Zyrtec is at least helping me sleep (and causing some constipation as a side effect, which seems to help my diarrhea indirectly)!
with Brandy.For someone who is having mast cell problems, and who is doing everything else right, but still having D, antihistamines can often/usually restore normal bowel function.
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.