Ears, secretory otitis-media, and hydroxyzine

[SweetFeather]

Dear Dr. Diana and friends,
Here’s a study the mast cell expert, Dr. Theoharides, was involved in which will especially interest those of us with a lot of tinnitus, ear infections, and/or a lot of “ear wax”. I know you’ve mentioned, Dr. Diana that some of us may leak CSF fluid from our ears…

http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?Aktion=ShowPDF&ArtikelNr=236611&Ausgabe=245844&ProduktNr=224161&filename=236611.pdf
“Treatment of Secretory Otitis media with Local Instillation of Hydroxyzine
Theoharis C. Theoharidesa, Spiros S. Manolidisa, Harissis Vliagoftisa, Leonidas S. Manolidis”

“The results indicate that in those children treated with hydroxyzine, the rate of relapse was significantly reduced and so was the amount of histamine present in middle ear effusions. The effectiveness of hydroxyzine is discussed in the context of the pathophysiology of SOM, especially with respect to mast cells and their activation by allergic and nonallergic means.”

Hydroxyzine is the antihistamine Dr. Theo recommends for MS because it crosses the BBB and has more of an affect on mast cells in the brain than Zyrtec which is similar to Hydroxyzine but was formulated so it would be less sedating. Hydroxyzine also has “anxiolitic” effects which Zyrtec does not. Does it make sense to do a trial of an antihistamine with anti-anxiety properties in someone with hyper-adrenergic symptoms? Hmmm? Ask your doctor. You have to, because it is by PRESCRIPTION only. Isn’t that always the best thing to do anyway? Yes of course. Wish my doc would let me put her on speed dial. lol
My best, SweetFeather

[ourfullhouse]

Dear Dr. Diana and friends,

Hydroxyzine is the antihistamine Dr. Theo recommends for MS because it crosses the BBB unlike Zyrtec which is similar but formulated so it would NOT cross the BBB.

SweetFeather,
So Dr. Theo recommends this for MS (Multiple Sclerosis), not for Mast Cell stabilizing? I’m getting confused.

My doctor said Zyrtec does cross the BBB, and I for one cannot take it… it makes me a zombie, and that is why he said it crosses the BBB. I take Loratadine (Claritin)instead with no side effects, but am unsure of the Loratadine does anything/enough for mast cell stabilizing.

Thanks!

[SweetFeather]

Oh, Ourfullhouse, I’m sorry I wasn’t clear. Dr. Theo recommends hydroxyzine (Ararax, Vistaral) for a variety of inflammatory conditions. If you read all his research he’s looked into a lot of inflammatory conditions. One thing they have in common is INFLAMMATION and mast cells play a huge roll in all of them.

from mastcellmasterdotcom
“Mast cells are known for their involvement in allergic reactions, but we were the first to show that they are also necessary to inititate inflammation, thus participating in inflammatory diseases that worsen by stress, such as autism, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, interstitial cystitis, migraine headaches, psoriasis and multiple sclerosis. We have developed in vivo and in vitro models for these diseases and we are studying neurohormonal activation of mast cells. The only plausible way to explain how mast cells can participate in so many diverse processes is their ability to secrete distinct chemicals relative for different pathophysiological settings.”

Here is Dr. Theo discussing hydroxyzine for Interstitial cystitis patients:
http://www.ic-network.com/guestlectures/theoharides1205.html

“Hydroxyzine is unique because it has four actions. (1) It is an antihistamine, of course. (2) It is also able to reduce anxiety. The word ATARAX is Greek and means to calm down. (3) It also blocks the release of histamine from mast cells (about 30% ). (4) When used in combination with opioid pain killers it creates better pain relief. So, my initial recommendation for younger, newly diagnosed patients or those that haven’t had symptoms more than a year or two, is to start with hydroxyzine at 25 mgs at night and build it up over a few months to 75 mgs at night together with Cystoprotek. If you only take hydroxyzine every now and then, it’s sedating. But if you take it every day, it’s far less sedating. Hydroxyzine is available in pill, capsule or as a liquid elixir. Atarax starts at 10 mgs, Vistaril at 25 mgs and the elixir starts at 5 mgs per teaspoon. As with Cystoprotek, you have to take it for 3 to 4 months. I do not recommend that it be used with anyone who has tremor in their hands because if you take more than 75 mgs per day, sometimes the tremor can get worse.”

I found this article about antihistamines and the BBB.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2892448
“Receptor effects of cetirizine.” (Zyrtec)

Thanks so much, Dr. Diana, for all your time and efforts bringing us hope and support.
Big hugs! SweetFeather

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