antihistamines & decongestants - Epilepsy Message Board

sammi2 · 11-13-2007, 07:56 AM

I finally found an antihistamine I could take w/o causing a problem but have not been able to tolerate a decongestant. I do have allergies & side effect to a lot of meds. Decongestants always trigger a migraine or seizure with me. I'm wondering if it's just me or does everyone with seizures have a problem with decongestants? Thanks for your help.

life_is_good · 11-13-2007, 05:43 PM

I cannot tolerate ANY antihistamines at all as they cause grand mal seizures in me. I was told to avoid any and all medicines with phenypropanalmine or diphenhydramine in it. I believe they banned one of these medicines recently anyway. I can however, tolerate decongestants.

SentenceDoing · 11-14-2007, 11:56 AM

I wasn't aware that antihistamines could cause seizures. I remember my doctor advising me not to take any "sinus medicines", so I've stayed away from Tylenol Sinus, and those kinds of things. Now I wonder if he was referring to antihistamines or decongestants or both... hmm..
Though I have taken Benadryl (antihystamine) a few times in the past couple of years, and haven't had a problem.

sammi2 · 11-14-2007, 03:31 PM

Well, I thought I had found an antihistamine I could take but after taking it 2 days I had a seizure last night. Now I'm afraid to try it again. Thanks for your replies.

life_is_good · 11-15-2007, 04:46 AM

Wow Sammi, Sorry to hear that. My neurologist told me that it's best not to take any antihistamines if you have a seizure disorder, as the brain activity is erratic enough in people with epilepsy. The antihistamines just jazz it up even more. Unfortunately, I had found this out the hard way, just like you did.

Hope you feel better soon!