Posted by dean on November 24, 1998 at 06:03:09:
Has anyone had any success in reducing their CH's by taking antihistamines? Prior to this last cluster, I had been taking zyrtec for hay fever. I was taking it right up until the time when I normally start the CH's, and this time they didn't come until I stopped taking the zyrtec. I've read in many places that histamine release may be a causative factor in CH's. So I've started taking otc antihistamines regularly. I believe that there may be a slight reduction in the frequency and intensity as a result. I have been taking prednisone also, which hadn't been helping this time at all (60 mgxday), and only recently increased it to 80 mgxday. That too now seems to be working and I can finally feel the effect of it-- screwed up sleep, but no 2 am HA last night. Has anyone else tried antihistamines? I'm seriously thinking of starting the zyrtec again, as this is long-lasting and doesn't cause the drowsiness that I get from the OTC ones like benadryl. If I do, I'll let you know how it works.