Re: RE: Antihistamine Warning

[Guest guest]

Recently, had a toxic reaction to Antihistamines. She had been

prescribed to take a well known antihistamine every night in order to help

her go to sleep. This has gone on for several years. She began to

demonstrate Tourette symptoms and, after two months, her ability to function

was almost nonexistent. After taking her to many doctors, I discovered the

cause of her distress by accident and the grace of God.

According to Delmar's Nurses Drug Reference, antihistamines can cause,

among many other things, tonic-clonic seizures, tinnitus, hallucinations and

catatonic like states (which was what was happening to ). There is

a half a page of side effects. I had no idea that there were such serious

reactions to this over the counter drug. Not one of the doctors picked up

on this. She suffered for months. I just realized what was happening a few

days ago. Each day off the antihistamines, is getting better but I

think it will be weeks before she is back to herself.

I know that some of you also give your children antihistamines at night to

help them sleep and I just want to alert you. I had no idea that there was a

half a page of side effects associated with the over-the-counter drug.

Eleanor

[Guest guest]

Eleanor,

You are a smart lady. I' m glad you picked up on this . AND I am happy to know

is getting better day by day. This must have been really scary!

Were the Tourette symptoms similar to 'tic'ing? Vocal or motoric? The

inability to function must have really frightened you and her!

Thank you for sending the note to alert others. I think you are right that a

lot of

people use these medications but may not know the full impact of some side

effects.

I'm just glad to know is improving! Keep us posted.

LadyJane50@... wrote:

> From: LadyJane50@...

>

> Recently, had a toxic reaction to Antihistamines. She had been

> prescribed to take a well known antihistamine every night in order to help

> her go to sleep. This has gone on for several years. She began to

> demonstrate Tourette symptoms and, after two months, her ability to function

> was almost nonexistent. After taking her to many doctors, I discovered the

> cause of her distress by accident and the grace of God.

>

> According to Delmar's Nurses Drug Reference, antihistamines can cause,

> among many other things, tonic-clonic seizures, tinnitus, hallucinations and

> catatonic like states (which was what was happening to ). There is

> a half a page of side effects. I had no idea that there were such serious

> reactions to this over the counter drug. Not one of the doctors picked up

> on this. She suffered for months. I just realized what was happening a few

> days ago. Each day off the antihistamines, is getting better but I

> think it will be weeks before she is back to herself.

>

> I know that some of you also give your children antihistamines at night to

> help them sleep and I just want to alert you. I had no idea that there was a

> half a page of side effects associated with the over-the-counter drug.

>

> Eleanor

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/2/00 4:25:42 PM Eastern Standard Time,

keedy@... writes:

<< Were the Tourette symptoms similar to 'tic'ing? Vocal or motoric? The

inability to function must have really frightened you and her!

>>

Hi ,

The tics were both vocal and motoric. They started off mild and got

horribly worse in the last two weeks. At the end, she was yelling out

constantly, in pain in the left side of her face, tearing at her hands and

head because if felt as if her skin were crawling and periodically jumping as

if startled. She would also wake up in the middle of the night with

nightmares.

Since I took her off the Benedryl, she sleeps through the night, the

yelling has stopped, she stopped tearing at her skin and she stopped jumping.

She still has some pain in the left side of her face and is exhausted after

two months of horribleness but each day she is getting better. Up until

yesterday, she could not even stand the sound of music and she always loved

music. In fact, her sign name is an s combined with music she loved it so

much.

Now, she can enjoy some quiet music for a little while. She still has a hard

time concentrating and I think it will be a while before she is back to

herself again, but, thank God it is all over.

Eleanor