antihistamines and anxiety?

percycat

Veteran Member

Joined : Jul 2005

Posts : 1952

Posted 11/9/2010 4:22 PM (GMT -7)

I've not been taking my usual double-dose of Claritin for the past 4 days, and oddly, it seems like my anxiety about my food allergies has decreased dramatically. That seems like a weird combination, except that several of the same biochemicals that affect the brain (serotonin, for instance) also function in the immune system. I found one web site that mentions that histamine is also a neurotransmitter.

Has anybody else experienced a change in level of anxiety when you're taking antihistamines regularly as opposed to when you aren't?

percycat

couchtater

Elite Member

Joined : Jul 2009

Posts : 14475

Posted 11/9/2010 4:27 PM (GMT -7)

When I'm on strong antihistamines my nerves get bad.

Joy

Joan M

Veteran Member

Joined : Jan 2006

Posts : 2069

Posted 11/11/2010 7:42 AM (GMT -7)

hi...the new ones have been created to make you feel "wide awake" so you can "function". The old ones like benedryl make you feel very tired and it was difficult to "function". I find that allegra (also in generic) works really well for me. Had to take double dose recently because my eczema came back. Did not notice any bad side effects. When I took claritin I felt like my chest was filled with glue...did not work for me.

Red_34

Forum Moderator

Joined : Apr 2004

Posts : 23569

Posted 11/11/2010 10:19 AM (GMT -7)

Any of the antihistamines that contain decongestants do a number on me. They make my heart race and ramps up my anxiety. I don't think regular antihistamines do that to me though. In fact, I tried going without my Zyrtec for a few days and it actually made me feel worse because my allergies came back with a vengeance which caused my nose to feel clogged (and sneezy), it made me feel as if I couldn't breathe and that upped my anxiety.

SHERRY
Moderator-Allergies/Asthma and Alzheimer's, Co-moderator-UC
~Left sided Uc-'92**Unable to tolerate ALL mesalamines**
Colazal(9 daily)/6mp(25mgs), Allopurinol (100mgs)/Bentyl-Prilosec~allergies-Singulair/Zyrtec~Reynauds Syndrome~OA-Tylonel Arthritis~Scoliosis~Sacroilitis~Dry eye-Restasis/GAD - Klonopin (.25mgs)

percycat

Veteran Member

Joined : Jul 2005

Posts : 1952

Posted 11/11/2010 8:47 PM (GMT -7)

It's been nearly a week without my usual H1-antihistamines (I still take my Zantac H2-blocker for reflux), and the coincidence is just uncanny. My anxiety was outrageous for well over month, closer to two, *maybe* a little less debilitating last week, and then suddenly this week I feel almost "normal." Meaning I'm feeling realistic and reasonable about my food allergy fears. It's just too weird that such a long period of feeling freaked out would suddenly end right when I stopped the Claritin.

I see the allergist on Monday, and wonder what he will say...

percycat

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