Long term use of Antihistamines..is it safe?

[Mandarra]

I just read the thread on chronic hives and I'm more depressed than ever. It's been eight months of hives for me and I've been taking Reactine every day. I am terrified of choking on a hive so I cannot go to bed without taking a pill, my lips swell up if I don't. My question is does anyone know if it is safe to take antihistamines every day for a long period of time, is there any long term effects? I take a small dose which clears them up and stops the itching, the Reactine helps me function normally. I don't want to take pills for the rest of my life, is this ever going to clear up? I'm 48 and definately having hormone issues. Can anyone enlighten me?
Thanx
Mary

[Merimac]

Other people sometimes have to live on large doses of antihistamine and although it is no picnic, it is not the worst possible thing. The biggest problem with antihistamines is that they sometimes reduce your natural allergic response to important intruders(viruses, bacteria) into your body. The other problem is that the body will eventually become tolerant to low doses and require a large dose to do the same job with side effects including dry eyes, nose, throat and dry skin. The best thing to do is consult an allergist who promotes as much natural immunity as is possible and still considers themselves well informed in prescription medicine solutions. It is asking for the best of both worlds to live in comfort and have the important function of the body to notify you when something is considered to be poison by your body. That of course is what the body does when it has an allergic reaction.... it is just over reacting sometimes and we have to over ride the protection.

[Mandarra]

Thank you very much for your response. I did ask my allergist if it was safe because I have been taking them every day for eight months, he said it is okay and sometimes people stay on them indefinately, however he didn't say if there where any long term effects. I take an over the counter and I cut them in quarters, it is a low dose but seems to help me alot. If I don't take one all hell erupts, my hives and itching just get unbearable. He also said that this drug does not need to be upped as the body does not get tolerant to it and need more. I just don't believe what doctors say sometimes. I wanted to hear it from someone who has been on them for a long time.
Thank you again, you have helped.
Mary

[2catfans]

It would be great if you can find the source of the hives. That way you can avoid it. Have you changed anything? Bath soap, hand soap, laundry detergent, softener, lotion perfume, make up? What about your diet? Have you had a lot of one spice in a few days? How about nuts? That's how I found out I was allergic to rosemary and sage. Food allergies are hard to determine and can be very dangerous.

[Mandarra]

It would be so great if I knew why all of a sudden I'm having hives. I've tried and tried to think of anything different and I can't. I eliminated foods and vitamins and supplements to no avail. I've done nothing different, I've changed all my soaps to mild ones. The only change is my change of life, hormones, they are crazy now because I am 48. In Sept. when this started I was anxious about my busy season coming around at work and money, things are tight, and I was stressed about a personal relationship. I also got a few black fly bites that swelled up pretty good last summer, so maybe the bug bites and stress and hormones combined made these hives appear. The awful thing is that they will not go away, I have been on antihistamines every day since, if I miss one they come back. They are so annoying and I am worried about taking Reactine for so long, what if they never go away?? I wish someone would post to me who has been on them for a long time and tell me how they are. Doctors don't answer any of my questions, they are clueless about hives.
Mary