Does Anyone Else Use Benadryl To Treat Reactions?

[BRob66]

Recently i was using up to a bottle of benadryl every other day,until I went completely gluten free,,soy free,milk and dairy free and a host of other things. Is this normal and do we have to carry it with us at all times?

[larry mac]

Recently i was using up to a bottle of benadryl every other day,until I went completely gluten free,,soy free,milk and dairy free and a host of other things. Is this normal and do we have to carry it with us at all times?

Sorry, I don't quite get what one would take Benadryl for, in relation to Celiac. Benadryl is usually for cold like symptons, or nasal type allergies. Celiac symptoms are more commonly gastrointestinal in nature.

best regards, lm

[sneezydiva]

I think a lot of people with celiac/gluten intolerance have trouble with allergies. My theory is that the gluten stimulates the immune response, and then this already over stimulated immune system over-reacts to common allergens. I have no doubt Benedryl helps you to feel better overall. I know my Rx Zyrtec helps me survive. I hope someday to wean myself off of it, but for now I continue to take it.

And IMO celiac/gluten intolerance is far more than digestive troubles. And the benedryl might actually be helping your digestive systems. Everytime I go off my allergy meds for testing, I get gas and indigestion. Most people aren't aware, but acid/indigestion meds like Tagament and Zantacare a different type of antihistamine called an H-2 blocker. Doctors used to think the two types of histamines had different functions, H-1 for immune response, H-2 to regulate stomach acid production, but now they are learning they overlap. A common Rx for hives is a combo of Zyrtec and Zantac.

[tiffjake]

Recently i was using up to a bottle of benadryl every other day,until I went completely gluten free,,soy free,milk and dairy free and a host of other things. Is this normal and do we have to carry it with us at all times?

While in CA last month I was glutened so badly at a restaurant in a fancy hotel that I thought I was going to have to go to the hospital. I asked the front dest if they had any benadryl and they practically threw it at me (perhaps trying to prevent a lawsuit). I usually keep a couple of 25 mg benadryls in my purse at all time. When I get glutened I take them and drink a 20 ounce coke. I have found that for ME, the benadryl, along with a chewable pepto if I have one, helps settle my stomach. And I get really lightheaded and have passed out before from the drastic drop in blood sugar and loss of fluids from major diarrhea, so drinking the coke gives me a boost until I can get home and rest. It is not a cure, but it works for me. My thought process is that benadryl works as an antihistamine. While Celiac Disease is not an "allergy", there is still a sestemic response, much like an allergy. Diphendydramine has been shown to relieve migranes, settle stomaches, reduce swelling, reduce redness, and stop many other allergy symptoms. I believe this is why it helps when I am glutened too.

[casnco]

Recently i was using up to a bottle of benadryl every other day,until I went completely gluten free,,soy free,milk and dairy free and a host of other things. Is this normal and do we have to carry it with us at all times?

I assume you have a rash you are taking the benadryl for, and most probably have dermititis herpaformosa? And yes, I have used benadryl. in cream form and pills. I also use tea tree oil and a steroid cream. I will use anything anyone suggests to alleviate the itching. Just be careful with large doses of Benadry. Doesn't that make you sleepy? It would me. See a doctor and get a perscription steroid cream. I also now see an herbalist/nutritionist. She has made a huge difference in my symptoms! Good Luck.

[Sweetfudge]

While in CA last month I was glutened so badly at a restaurant in a fancy hotel that I thought I was going to have to go to the hospital. I asked the front dest if they had any benadryl and they practically threw it at me (perhaps trying to prevent a lawsuit). I usually keep a couple of 25 mg benadryls in my purse at all time. When I get glutened I take them and drink a 20 ounce coke. I have found that for ME, the benadryl, along with a chewable pepto if I have one, helps settle my stomach. And I get really lightheaded and have passed out before from the drastic drop in blood sugar and loss of fluids from major diarrhea, so drinking the coke gives me a boost until I can get home and rest. It is not a cure, but it works for me. My thought process is that benadryl works as an antihistamine. While Celiac Disease is not an "allergy", there is still a sestemic response, much like an allergy. Diphendydramine has been shown to relieve migranes, settle stomaches, reduce swelling, reduce redness, and stop many other allergy symptoms. I believe this is why it helps when I am glutened too.

i work for a TMJ specialist, and he recommends to any patient suffering from food allergies to take benadryl because we do have a lot of histamine in us when we have an allergic reaction. i have yet to go out and get some, but would like to see how it helps next time i get glutened.

[JennyC]

Celiac reactions do not activate the IgE and mast cell pathway that is common in allergies. It is an autoimmune reaction involving T-cells and cytokine release. No histamine is involved and Benadryl is an antihistamine. It would be helpful if you have a true allergy though.

This article explains the immunology of celiac disease:

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlere...i?artid=1716218

[cruelshoes]

First, I will say that Benadryl is not a treatment for celiac disease. Taking Benadryl does not make it safe for you to eat gluten. Benadryl is an antihistamine, and celiac is not a hystamine response.

Having said that.....

Benadryl is often prescribed to cancer patients as an anti-nausea drug, because it does help with that. (See WebMD). When I was on chemo, that was the main form of nausea treatment. However, this was the IV form, and it was such a mega-dose that it had me so stoned I couldn't even stand up . I definitely wouldn't recommend that kind of dosage for general nausea, but who knows what a regular dose might help with.

In theory, benadryl may help with nausea if that is on ones list of celiac symptoms. But don't try to eat gluten and then take Benadryl. That would be a very bad idea, because it does not stop the autoimmune process from occurring.

[marciab]

I've been wondering about this too.

I have nocturnal myoclonus (jerking when going into REM sleep) and insomnia if I eat any gluten whatsoever. I got glutenned Sunday and was feeling the effects Sunday nite when trying to fall asleep. So, I took 1 Benadryl capsule and within an hour I was sound asleep and slept 8 hours. Normally, I would've been doomed to a whole nite of wide eyes and jerking everytime I tried to fall asleep.

Could it be the sedative affect is enough to counteract nuerological problems ? If it can counteract nuerological problems caused by gluten, why wouldn't it work on other parts of the body too ?

I've only tried this once ...

I've been wondering too what do we really know about the small intestine and villi ? We talk about how the villi absorb nutrients, but what else do they do ?

http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathp...ut/anatomy.html

I remember in an anatomy video I saw that the villi are made up of various cells and one of those has to do with our immune system itself. I'm not a doctor so I haven't been able to find and understand this info on the web.

[tiffjake]

Celiac reactions do not activate the IgE and mast cell pathway that is common in allergies. It is an autoimmune reaction involving T-cells and cytokine release. No histamine is involved and Benadryl is an antihistamine. It would be helpful if you have a true allergy though.

This article explains the immunology of celiac disease:

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlere...i?artid=1716218

IV Benadryl is use to treat migraines in hospital settings. Migraines are not a histamine response, but a muscle spasm. The idea is that the Benadryl calms the patient and allows the muscle spasms to stop. I do not know if this is what happens in my gut when I take Benadryl after an accidental gluten-ing, but I know that it helps, and that is all that matters to me.

By the way, I DO NOT suggest using Benadryl as a way to eat gluten on purpose. I only use it as an aid to feeling better after I get sick.

[supermaltese]

I have prostate problems from going through bottle after bottle of Benadryl since the mid-1990's.  It wasn't until December 2014 that I found out I have Celiac's Disease.  Now, I'm wondering if there's anything stronger I can take so I can go get the proper testing to verify whether it is Celiac's or non-Celiac's gluten sesitivity...but I do know for sure that I'm highly allergic to gluten.  My skin from the top of my head to the tops/backs of my hands, and down to just under my pecks are like leather.  I've been off gluten completely since December and even the smallest trace amount of gluten causes an extreme reaction.  I've talked to others with Celiac's and it seems that a skin-itch reaction is actually less common than symptoms like bloating, weight gain, etc.  If I accidentally ingest gluten, I can expect about 3 days of level 10 itching where I can barely function, then about 2 weeks of like level 8-9 itching...now, a few weeks since my last 'accident' I'd say my level of itchiness is about 7 still, on average, and it peaks up to 8-9 about every 3 nights.  When it peaks I don't get any sleep, I just scratch till I bleed - refusing to take Benedryl more than once or twice a day.

 

...So, if anyone has advise on how to go about preparing for that testing, I'm all ears...

 

The thought of eating gluten, on purpose, for 6 weeks is kinda like volunteering to spend 6 weeks in Hell...the religious one

[GF Lover]

Hi Supermaltese and Welcome to the Forum.  

 

First, Celiac Disease is an Auto Immune Disease.  This is completely different from an Allergy.  

 

Second, Celiac Disease can present in two ways.  Classic Celiac symptoms vary from person to person, there are over 300 symptoms, and a blood test and endoscopic biopsy is needed to diagnose it.  Dermatitis Herpetiformis is the skin manifestation of Celiac.  A biopsy of the skin adjacent to an active lesion is used to diagnose it.  Sometimes a blood test will have a negative result with DH.

 

Third, you cannot be allergic to gluten.  Gluten is a family of specific grains.  You can only be allergic to specific items and testing through an Allergist is used to diagnose.

 

In your situation, I would recommend reading through posts in the DH (Dermatitis Herpetiformis) section of the Forum.

 

Again, Welcome and hopefully we can help with any questions you may have.  

 

Colleen

[kareng]

There is no medication for Celiac disease at this time.  Benadryl is for allergic reactions and Celiac is not an allergy.  You say your were diagnosed with Celiac in December - why would you need to eat gluten for more testing?

 

Dermatitis Herpetiformis is the skin reaction from Celiac disease that some people have.

 

Here is some info from a reliable source on testing and DH.  Please read them.

 

http://www.cureceliacdisease.org/archives/faq/what-is-dermatitis-herpetiformis-dh

 

http://www.cureceliacdisease.org/archives/faq/what-is-a-gluten-challenge

[jujubee22]

A few years ago, I was being treated for breast cancer. Before they would start my IV drip of chemo, they would give me a bag of Benadryl. It was meant to reduce the side effects of the chemo drugs. What I noticed though, is that the swelling in my belly that had always been there since childhood disappeared. I tightness was gone. I could button my pants without overhang. I could breathe freely and deeply. I was gaining weight, because I ate all of time. My stomach was flat. I might be the only person who felt great while on chemo.

[Ssteg79]

On 12/11/2007 at 7:27 AM, JennyC said:

Celiac reactions do not activate the IgE and mast cell pathway that is common in allergies. It is an autoimmune reaction involving T-cells and cytokine release. No histamine is involved and Benadryl is an antihistamine. It would be helpful if you have a true allergy though.

 

This article explains the immunology of celiac disease:

 

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlere...i?artid=1716218

Agreed, but if we look at it from a symptom management perspective, taking Benedryl is not a far cry from the old nausea med Phenergan. When you look at its drug classification, its actually an antihistamine. I suspect that decreasing the nausea, perhaps making one a little drowsy, thus decreasing anxiety, so you can rest while the gut begins to heal from the whole ordeal isnt a bad idea for an otc med. But thats just this RN's opinion. 

[Rick Sanchez]

On 12/11/2007 at 8:27 AM, JennyC said:

Celiac reactions do not activate the IgE and mast cell pathway that is common in allergies. It is an autoimmune reaction involving T-cells and cytokine release. No histamine is involved and Benadryl is an antihistamine. It would be helpful if you have a true allergy though.

 

This article explains the immunology of celiac disease:

 

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlere...i?artid=1716218

I've been gluten free for 7 years now.  I grew up with sinus allergies so bad my nose would just randomly bleed, right up to a few months after going gluten-free, now I don't.  Ear infections, sitting in the chair while a doctor sticks a funnel in my ear and scrapes, many times, because they were too infected to put tunes in.  Whatever the mechanism, there is a correlation. If I do get "glutened" now, the first sign is my sinuses lock up about 15 minutes after. It goes away before the real fun begins, but it is the first symptom. Benadryl, certainly helps, beyond the sinuses. I don't know the mechanism, but I can tell you between, say cheerios and "highly refined" alcohol that tested good, but ask any Celicac that tried them, that they don't have it all figured out.