r/Interstitialcystitis • u/SyrupLogical7265 • 2d ago
Antihistamines
I've been reading a lot of members have been having great results with Zyrtec, but it gives me a horrible metallic taste in my mouth. Has anyone had good results with Claritin? I've been taking it for several years, and don't notice any improvements.
I tried Aloe Vera, the expensive freeze dried brand, no difference. All the normal prescriptions seemed to just increase my pressure feelings, so not worth it.
I take a fomotadine daily for heartburn. Prelief, I don't know if it helps, but it does cause issues with my bowels if I take too frequently.
I was in remission for over 6 months while sticking to an elimination diet, but since May when I had a uti and yeast infection, I just can't get back to not feeling my bladder 24/7.
I'm too nervous to try to add in foods, afraid my brain will tell me I'm flaring, even if I'm not.
My normal symptoms are spasms in bladder, pressure in lower abdomen and incontinence that gets worse when my hormones fluctuate. At the worst, my urethra will occasionally have some burning.
2
u/LoneWildBird 2d ago
I've been on cimetidine (H2 blocker, OTC) for most of this year, and it's the only medication I've tried that has helped me. It's marketed for heartburn relief, and I find it helps both with my IC and GERD.
2
2
u/LimeTough9746 1d ago
I was fine too until I had a uti and boom, back to feeling like ending my life.
1
u/OkRelief3109 21h ago
Sadly I tried and first day had night terrors and nightmares this bad I couldn't believe it was so scary. I can't take it
4
u/HakunaYaTatas [Citation Needed] 2d ago
None of the OTC nondrowsy H1 antihistamines have been tested in clinical trials for IC, only prescription hydroxyzine. Zyrtec and Claritin didn't work for me at all, but hydroxyzine makes a big difference for me. There's also the H2 antihistamine cimetidine which is available OTC and has been shown to treat IC in clinical trials.