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Antihistamines for long time

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jacek22670
jacek22670

Hey. I have Cholinergic Urticaria for about 13 years. There has been no improvement by this time. I take Cetirizini dihydrochloridum every 2-3 days. For about 6 years I has been catching cold very easily. I did't care but now when I go work it is very uncomfortable and annoying to have permanently runny nose. I visited doc who diagnosed that he doesn't see anything worrying or disturbing in my health condition. He said that antihistamines can't lead to runny nose because it is used to treat cold.

I read all internet, twice, and found some information that antihistamines dry sinuses and nose mucosa - even with short-term usage. Can it be reason of my problem? I don't see chance to stop take meds bacuse attacks are very intense. How can I take antihistamines and take care of the respiratory system?

HELP

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • lorraine34338
    lorraine34338 jacek22670

    Posted

    I think your doctor is right antihistamines does ease say a pollen or dust allergy by reducing the mucus but they don't fry your nose or cause excess mucus. I don't know much about your type of urticaria I'll have to look it up.
  • tonello26977
    tonello26977 jacek22670

    Posted

    Actually I beg to differ, antihistamines do dry out mucus membranes ie nose, mouth, throat etc. This is because antihistamines are also adrenergic and cholinergic antagonists ie they block the activity of epinephrine and acetylcholine to an extent.

    As far as cholinergic urticaria, antihistamines are basically useless. You need to ask to be referred to an immunologist/allergist or rheumatologist. They will be able to determine what kind of cholinergic urticaria you have. They also feel more comfortable escalating treatment to more powerful and proven options such as immunomodulators like cyclosporine, methotrexate, tarcolimus etc or biologics such as Xolair (omalizumab)

    Hope this helps

    • lorraine34338
      lorraine34338 tonello26977

      Posted

      Gosh are you a doctor, sorry if I got it wrong. I am still on antihistamines and they don't do that to me.
    • tonello26977
      tonello26977 lorraine34338

      Posted

      Lol I didn't mean to be aggressive. Everyone's capacity to fight off side effects vary. Also at the doses prescribed for cholinergic urticaria and other forms of chronic urticaria and autoimmune urticaria, the side effects are inevitable
  • jacek22670
    jacek22670

    Posted

    The most strange thing for me is that I catch cold so easily now. Teoreticaly, taking antihistamines should help with this.

    During cold, mucus is excessive and watery with no color.

    • tonello26977
      tonello26977 jacek22670

      Posted

      Those are most likely not colds. The constant use of antihistamines---> dry nose. This causes your sinuses to become inflammed and that's probably why your nose feels stuffy. What antihistamine(s) are you taking, the doses and frequency?
    • jacek22670
      jacek22670 tonello26977

      Posted

      I used to take Amertil - 10 mg Cetirizini dihydrochloridumfor - 13 years, one pill every 2-3 days (don't need take everyday). Yeastarday I bought Allegra - 120g Fexofenadine.

      Additionally I bought spray for moisturizing nasal mucosa to use at work (openspace with air conditioning) and Guaifenesinum to stimulate treatment of sinuses (found this treatment way in the internet).

    • tonello26977
      tonello26977 jacek22670

      Posted

      Ceterizine is a 2nd generation antihistamine so it shouldn't have had such an effect on your sinuses. You might be particularly sensitive to antihistamines in general. Allegra a 3rd generation should have even fewer side effects so I hope it works for you. I haven't heard of the guaifenesin thing I'll have to look it up
  • jacek22670
    jacek22670

    Posted

    My last observations suggests that my nose rush can be connected with diary, not using antihistamines.

    Should antihistamines work against milk allergy?

    If not:

    Can laktose intolerance lactose intolerance lead to nose rush?

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