Marym

[Fredof]

Has anyone tried anti histamines for I B S. ? i understand a trial was done and they were found to help some people

[Luisa22]

It's possible anti histamines could help people whose "IBS" is actually undiagnosed histamine intolerance. Histamine intolerance isn't automatically something doctors might think about, but there can be unexplained gut symptoms with it.

There's a diet to follow for it, but it is a very awkward, complicated, strict and restrictive diet, and the only way to really tell, is to give the diet a trial and see if there is a marked improvement in symptoms. So far I have not been able to manage that, as it's too strict for my available resources (i.e. supermarket grocery deliveries!)

I have heard there is a urine test for it? But how reliable or available that test is, I don't know.

There are usually signs if it could be histamine intolerance though; flare ups after histamine-rich foods (I don't get those as a general thing.)

[Fredof in reply to Luisa22]

Thank you very much for your prompt reply l will look more into histamine intolerance

Thank you again

[BabsyWabsy]

I have antihistamine on prescription, morning and evening for rhinitis and asthma. It pre-dates my gut issues, but as far as I can tell , it doesn't make any difference.

[Fredof in reply to BabsyWabsy]

Thank you for your reply and information .. it makes one feel you are not alone and someone does care about you ,,Thank you

[xjrs]

Here is my research into histamine and IBS:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

– IBS patients have significantly increased histamine-1 receptors in intestinal and colonic mucosa

– Mucosal release of histamine and tryptase, initiate mast cells which play a key role in inflammation and contribute to activation of visceral pain pathways

However, anti-histamines can have side effects such as headache, nausea, tiredness, and dry mouth:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

There was a study of Ebastine at 20mg / day which is what you've probably read which had given pain relief at week 12:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

This particular drug may have a lower incidence of side effects, but the information I found was conflicting:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebastine

Apart from potential side effects, that it has only been used in scientific studies (and not clinically evaluated) so unlikely to be prescribed for IBS, I also found this regarding long term use of anti-histamines:

news-medical.net/health/Lon...

- A study found 3.5 times the risk of gliomas, a common type of brain tumor in patients with long-term antihistamine use for allergic conditions

[Fredof in reply to xjrs]

Thank you so much for your detailed reply l very much appreciate the trouble you have taken and will look into jhis further

[Mutleyforever]

hi I have tried an antihistamine to help with visceral hypersensitivity…..which worked but I felt almost ‘ knocked out’, so not workable on a day to day basis . Alcohol helps similarly, tho not as dramatically! I even tried just a half a tablet ( Loratadine 10mg ) but still too much , so gave up ….

[Fredof]

Thank you very much for your reply and taking the trouble respond