Anti Histamines

[Fredof]

Hi Has anyone with IBS found that Anti Histamines helped in any way . l have read in newspaper articles they have been found to help...but nothing substantial and i was wondering if anyone had found any help with them

[Maureen1958]

Hi, they can help especially if you have IBS(Diarrhoea) because antihistamines have a tendency to dehydrate you. I have a problem when I get bitten by insects and have to take antihistamines straight away and I do find that they dry your system out (sometimes too much). But if you are on the ISB(D) side of things, it's worth giving it a try. I usually buy Piriton.

[Fredof in reply to Maureen1958]

Thank you Maureen for taking trouble to reply.will take on board the dehydration point

[xjrs]

I looked into antihistamines since a drug called Ebastine was studied for it in terms of IBS pain. I decided against it due to the side effects that come with long term use of antihistamines. However, occasional use may not be so bad.

As you are aware histamine may be a by-product of IBS reactions to certain foods in some people, but like with many things to do with IBS, these by-products may also serve a function in the body, so tackling these by-products may have wider unintended implications.

It's a shame that no research so far has come up with a means of returning the body to its normal state i.e. as soon as the body comes into contact with foods it doesn't like, a reaction doesn't occur and these by-products don't get produced, so they don't need to be dealt with. That is, tackle the cause at its root rather than the symptoms that result from it.

The closest thing I've found so far is a studied probiotic called Alflorex which helps IBS caused by gut bacterial imbalances and the Nerva gut directed hypnotherapy app which helps to calm intestinal nerve endings which may have been sensitised by food poisoning or stomach bugs or stress. There is also Linaclotide (for IBS-C) only which calms intestinal nerves.

It may be these sensitised nerve endings that causes reactions to foods in the first place which in turn creates a histamine response. Perhaps tackling the over-sensitisation of these nerve endings is the way to go in some people. In my case, a combination of Alflorex, Linaclotide and the Nerva app have made me more tolerant to a wider range of foods.

[Mutleyforever]

Hi, in desperation I recently tried a class of antihistamines to relieve abdominal pain, which did work but I felt ‘spaced out’. It was Loratadine easily available over the counter. I was going to try half a tablet next time as other painkillers useless. Research seemed to connect a histamine reaction with visceral hypersensitivity ie over sensitive internal pain, so the antihistamine must help to block that. Btw it did not seem to affect my movements ( transit usually slow ).Worth a try , good luck

[Bits1961 in reply to Mutleyforever]

Thanks for that tip I will let you know if it works for me 👍

[Pajarorose]

I have used Meclizine (generic for Dramamine nondrowsy) for years. It relieves my pain, dizziness and nausea. I start out on 12.5 mg and go up for there as needed. The medication works quickly and has been a miracle worker for me. Please try this drug that has helped me so much.

[Pajarorose]

Oh, I forgot to tell you I get it from Amazon, Rugby products, $5.00 for 100 pills, 12.5 mg.

[Ukulelelady1]

That's a really interesting question. I have to admit that I have never heard of taking antihistamines for IBS, but judging by the responses, it seems quite well known. I may have to try them myself, although I would need to ask my doctor what dosage to take, as I'm already on amitriptyline and wouldn't want to be too doped up. It just goes to show that you learn something new every day!