Antihistamines

[milks808]

Hi


I've recently been diagnosed with Proctitis after 10 months of bleeding and mucus. Fortunately my only symptoms have been whats coming out, no real pain or discomfort however I was going to the loo 8 times a day at times and lost a stone in weight (a lot for someone like me). I've been on pred enima's for the past four weeks and they've helped a lot though never completely stopped the bleeding. Right now I have come off them and am regressing in just a few days. As an experiment I'm going to use alternatives to steroids with the longterm in mind, I have manuka honey 20+ on its way and I'll be sticking to a bland diet. It also seems that antihistamines may do some good (according to the very limited info I could find), I was just wondering if anyone here has used them with any success? Are they better more for maintenance than relief? Which specific brand?

I'm asthmatic and have been prescribed antihistamines (zirtek) all my life though haven't taken them for around eight years as I found my allergies were settling down. Given that IBD behaviour bears some relation to the seasons it seems logical that there may be some environmental trigger to a flare up, an allogen being an obvious candidate.


TIA

[milks808]

ello again, just thought I would update and share my experiences so far.

So I had previously ditched the steroids in favour for a number of more gentle treatments. Specifically I have been taking manuka 10+ three times a day, smoking (I know), antihistamines (claritin), excersising more and cutting out sandwiches at lunchtime in favour for salads/jacket potatos also eating more easy fruit; apples, melons.

Well I am pleased to report that I am currently normal. Not mild or nearly normal but normal, for the first time since Jan, I even have less wind now than I've had in the past 4+ years.

Given the unpredictable nature of my symptoms it is hard to say which of the above has had a positive effect but I feel from what I've seen that both the manuka and the antihistamines helped. The claritin seemed to take a few days before doing much but gradually chipped away at my symptons after then. Please take that with a pinch of salt as I am a long way from being able to draw any kind of conclusion.

Worth mentioning that zirtek, pyratine, claritin etc. are all different compounds so try them all for a week if you're interested, I had no problems with drowsyness with any I tried, I've certainly got more energy now I'm in remission.

I'm now going to come off nicotine using patches, I'll be stepping down/quitting altogether when my symptoms if any, are stable to better observe any effects.

I'll post again if anyone is interested or if I think I have anything worth adding! Been difficult at times adapting to my new condition but the thought of the variety of potential aids has really spurred me on

[Johnny W]

Thanks for posting this, good to see some progress. I've had a look at what you're doing, and am trying gather together a plan for myself, so your input is appreciated.

keep us informed on your progress

[milks808]

glad its been useful to someone

just a quick update. My condition has been very stable and I've started to put weight back on . Since last posting I have had only very mild symptoms on and off, not enough to make me need the loo any more than what you'd consider normal.

I have recently found out that some people seem to develop a tolerance to antihistamines when using them over a long period. I myself used Zirtek for many years without problem. In the last week I have sneezed a couple of times, most likely nothing but I shouldn't rule out the possibility that I'm building a tolerance. That said the last four days or so I have been completely normal.

Just a note then to say anyone wanting to try this as a treatment should consider maybe breaking the pattern up a bit once they are in remission. Maybe try taking them only five days a week or taking a week off every couple of months or so. Seemingly each brand is a different drug so switching between two effective brands would also probably be a good idea.

I've just found out that propolis (some by product of honey/pollen) is another possible treatment.

There are so many different things we can try and it is really on our shoulders to assess them and find what works, next time I have a flare up I am considering formulating my own super-turbo retention enema made up of manuka honey, propolis, aloe vera juice and possibly sativex once I've passed the idea past my consultant of course, and I will be negating them of any responsibility. Keep the faith people