Question For Mack's Mom

[Notgivinup]

OK, I've been taking 10mg. zyrtec. Once in AM, the other before bed. It's been about 10 days or maybe a little more. (brain fog-bad memory).

Anyway, I've had good results until AF came to visit. But still felt better than last month. My problem now is it seems to be causing extreme tiredness, the last two days I've been exausted, like I've taken benadryl. I've also added one 150mg. zantac.

Could the zyrtec finally be catching up to me and causing this exhaustion? It says non-drowsy, and prior to these last couple of days I didn't notice any tiredness.

Doc gave me a script for singulair, but I haven't picked it up yet since the zyrtec was working fine.

Thanks for all your knowledge!

[juliegee]

OK, I've been taking 10mg. zyrtec. Once in AM, the other before bed. It's been about 10 days or maybe a little more. (brain fog-bad memory).

Anyway, I've had good results until AF came to visit. But still felt better than last month. My problem now is it seems to be causing extreme tiredness, the last two days I've been exausted, like I've taken benadryl. I've also added one 150mg. zantac.

Could the zyrtec finally be catching up to me and causing this exhaustion? It says non-drowsy, and prior to these last couple of days I didn't notice any tiredness.

Doc gave me a script for singulair, but I haven't picked it up yet since the zyrtec was working fine.

Thanks for all your knowledge!

Hey there-

Trust me, I'm no expert. There are quite a few folks DXed with MCAD and a few with mastocytosis here. All good sources of info. In searching for a DX, I did do a lot of research and "met" a great group via The Mastoytosis Society website that taught me alot. Check out that site when you get a chance.

I don't know why you're feeling extra tired. Did you just add the extra zyrtec AND the ranitidine? Maybe adding the extra zyrtec and ranitidine at the same time is too much change too quickly. Maybe you needed the extra zrtec during a rough period and no longer need it now- hence the fatigue. Zyrtec is supposed to be non-drowsy, but some report sleepiness. I think ranitidine is normally taken in the AM as it keeps one awake. Sorry to be dense, but what is "AF"?

I always added meds as I needed them. I added the ranitidine when the GERD (often a part of MCAD) was so severe I couldn't take it. I added the singulair when my chest got so tight that it hurt (also often a part of MCAD.) Just adding meds without a symptom/need doesn't make sense. If daily zyrtec made you feel better, keep doing that. If you are worse during your cycle, add a different H-1, like benadryl at bedtime. I wouldn't take the ranitidine or singulair unless the zyrtec alone stops working or other symptoms require additional meds. Just my two cents

Have you considered the fact that you may have a traditional allergy causing your POTS symptoms and the zyrtec is treating that? During an allergic reaction, blood vessels leak out, causing low BP and an elevated HR, especially with postural changes. Same thing happens with MCAD- hard to differentiate. Do you have a good allergist helping you sort things out?

Sorry I'm not more help. Hope you feel better-

Julie

[Notgivinup]

LOL AF is Aunt Flow (aka your period).

I've been taking the same amount of zyrtec all along. I added the zantac because I thought I needed an H2 as well.

I do have problems with eating. Feeling full too fast. Zantac seemed to help.

I tried going to that Masto site, kinda hard to navigate. I will try again.

Maybe I need less zyrtec. I don't know just trying to tweak meds. I do not, nor have I ever had any regular allergies. Only once when I was a kid I had a reaction to a bee sting,(hives, throat swelling).

The last time I had hives was about 3 years ago for about 5 nights, took benadryl & they went away. We don't know IF I really have MCAD, but since the zyrtec cleared up almost all my POTS symptoms, I am treating myself as though I do have it.

When I see Dr. Grubb's in Feb. I'm sure I'll get a more definitive DX.

Thanks

[futurehope]

Zyrtec made me really tired. I was not sleepy. Yes, they can make you feel that way. Atarax makes me feel that way too, but I have to take them or my bladder acts up.

[erik]

Just noticed this "novel insight" about mast cell activation:

http://content.karger.com/produktedb/produ...;file=000144042

* Symptoms from mast cell degranulation may be accompanied exclusively by excessive release of prostaglandin D2, but not histamine, in some patients with mast cell activation disorder.

* Aspirin therapy is successful at preventing symptoms in these patients, whereas treatment with only antihistamines is generally ineffective.

I guess this means there can be alternative explanation (and treatment) for some who have clear signs of MCAD/S but don't respond to H-blockers. Prior to reading this, I had only hear blame laid on histamines. Just another twist!

[Notgivinup]

Just noticed this "novel insight" about mast cell activation:

http://content.karger.com/produktedb/produ...;file=000144042

* Symptoms from mast cell degranulation may be accompanied exclusively by excessive release of prostaglandin D2, but not histamine, in some patients with mast cell activation disorder.

* Aspirin therapy is successful at preventing symptoms in these patients, whereas treatment with only antihistamines is generally ineffective.

I guess this means there can be alternative explanation (and treatment) for some who have clear signs of MCAD/S but don't respond to H-blockers. Prior to reading this, I had only hear blame laid on histamines. Just another twist!

Wow, very interesting Eric. Bev at Dr. Grubb's office also told me to take an aspirin a day. Thanks or the info.

[Notgivinup]

Zyrtec made me really tired. I was not sleepy. Yes, they can make you feel that way. Atarax makes me feel that way too, but I have to take them or my bladder acts up.

Thanks Futurehope, That's how I feel extremely tired, but not so much sleepy. I'm trying 5mg. today.

[juliegee]

LOL AF is Aunt Flow (aka your period).

I've been taking the same amount of zyrtec all along. I added the zantac because I thought I needed an H2 as well.

I do have problems with eating. Feeling full too fast. Zantac seemed to help.

I tried going to that Masto site, kinda hard to navigate. I will try again.

Maybe I need less zyrtec. I don't know just trying to tweak meds. I do not, nor have I ever had any regular allergies. Only once when I was a kid I had a reaction to a bee sting,(hives, throat swelling).

The last time I had hives was about 3 years ago for about 5 nights, took benadryl & they went away. We don't know IF I really have MCAD, but since the zyrtec cleared up almost all my POTS symptoms, I am treating myself as though I do have it.

When I see Dr. Grubb's in Feb. I'm sure I'll get a more definitive DX.

Thanks

Auntie Flow, of course or we could say MN for Mother Nature!

Just like you, I have NO allergies. My MCAD symptoms include chronic hives, GERD, life-long severe "D"- now "C" (go figure), autonomic symptoms, chest & throat tightness, traditional upper respiratory symptoms, etc. Throughout the years, I stumbled upon the MCAD regimen, adding meds as I needed them AND then I sought a DX from a masto specialist. Sounds like you may be somewhere on that journey

Just add things as you need them. If you don't feel markedly better with the H-2 (zantac), don't take it. It really shouldn't help with early satiety. Maybe you have GERD & don't realize it- true for lots of folks. And, THAT's why it makes you feel better. Cut back on that extra zyrtec when AF isn't visiting, and only add it as you need it. Unless you're having trouble with chest tightness, maybe consider NOT taking the singulair. IF those symptoms start popping up, you know what you need to do.

I'm so happy that you're seeing Dr. Grubb. It'll be very interesting to see what he has to say. I'm very impressed that Bev is treating you as though you had MCAD. Please feel free to PM me & ask any questions. I probably won't know the answer, but I will try to help. I found a good listserve through the site I referred you to- tons of great info there.

Feel Better-

Julie