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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SLS on July 2, 2004, at 13:16:46
Hi.
I have developed intense itching while taking Zonegran (zonisamide). This is my second attempt at using it to treat my depression. The itching usually begins after taking a shower and lasts for up to an hour afterwards. I also sweat more. When I was younger, I experienced exactly these same things with the tricyclics. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I am leaning in favor of continuing with Zonegran and hope that these side effects will dissipate.
Any comments?
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by KaraS on July 2, 2004, at 13:47:58
In reply to Itching while taking Zonegran or tricyclics?, posted by SLS on July 2, 2004, at 13:16:46
Scott,
Sounds like cholinergic urticaria. Your body produces a histamine response to the heat. Do you also get this reaction when you exercise? That's when I usually get it though I have occassionly gotten it from a very hot shower. I didn't get it when I took a small amount of doxepin. (Though doxepin is a tricyclic it has antihistaminic effects.) Now, an hour before I exercise I take Zyrtec and I don't have the problem but it's definitely a nuisance and I hate the fact that I need to take it!
Posted by SLS on July 2, 2004, at 16:10:41
In reply to Re: Itching while taking Zonegran or tricyclics?, posted by KaraS on July 2, 2004, at 13:47:58
Hi Kara.
Thanks for responding.
> Sounds like cholinergic urticaria. Your body produces a histamine response to the heat.
Do you get a visible rash or hives? I have absolutely no discoloration on my skin at all.
> Do you also get this reaction when you exercise?
I haven't exercised in so long, I really don't know. I think there might be something going on with heat or sweating. You could be right.
> Now, an hour before I exercise I take Zyrtec and I don't have the problem but it's definitely a nuisance and I hate the fact that I need to take it!
I think I'll experiment with an antihistamine if it gets bad enough. Thanks for the advice.
Be well.
- Scott
Posted by KaraS on July 2, 2004, at 21:03:21
In reply to Re: Itching while taking Zonegran or tricyclics?, posted by SLS on July 2, 2004, at 16:10:41
> Hi Kara.
>
> Thanks for responding.
>
> > Sounds like cholinergic urticaria. Your body produces a histamine response to the heat.
>
Actually I did read that it is the sweating that your body is reacting to.> Do you get a visible rash or hives? I have absolutely no discoloration on my skin at all.
>
I don't notice any rash or hives on my skin - possibly a very small bump here and there. My skin does get red but I've always looked at it once I've scratched a lot. Because I didn't notice any large hives I didn't think at first that this was what I had. I did research on the web and it was the only thing that even came close to explaining my condition. Then I met someone who had the same symptoms. His doctor told him that he had urticaria. Some antidepressants effect histamine response don't they--- so it kind of makes sense(?)> > Do you also get this reaction when you exercise?
>
> I haven't exercised in so long, I really don't know. I think there might be something going on with heat or sweating. You could be right.
>
> > Now, an hour before I exercise I take Zyrtec and I don't have the problem but it's definitely a nuisance and I hate the fact that I need to take it!
>
> I think I'll experiment with an antihistamine if it gets bad enough. Thanks for the advice.
>
> Be well.
>
>
> - Scott
>
>
Posted by SLS on July 2, 2004, at 22:25:53
In reply to Re: Itching while taking Zonegran or tricyclics?, posted by KaraS on July 2, 2004, at 21:03:21
Hi again.
> > Sounds like cholinergic urticaria. Your body produces a histamine response to the heat.> Actually I did read that it is the sweating that your body is reacting to.
I think you might have figured it out. After all of these years, it's nice to have an explanation. I thought that it perhaps had something to do with a noradrenergic phenomenon, but your description matches something I found on the Net.
http://www.emedicine.com/DERM/topic442.htm
Thanks again.
:-)
- Scott
Posted by KaraS on July 3, 2004, at 0:25:14
In reply to Re: Itching while taking Zonegran or tricyclics? » KaraS, posted by SLS on July 2, 2004, at 22:25:53
> Hi again.
>
> > > Sounds like cholinergic urticaria. Your body produces a histamine response to the heat.
>
> > Actually I did read that it is the sweating that your body is reacting to.
>
> I think you might have figured it out. After all of these years, it's nice to have an explanation. I thought that it perhaps had something to do with a noradrenergic phenomenon, but your description matches something I found on the Net.
>
> http://www.emedicine.com/DERM/topic442.htm
>
> Thanks again.
>
> :-)
>
>
> - Scott
Scott,
That's a really good article and it looks familiar to me. I think it was also the one that made me decide this was the right diagnosis for me. Lucky us, eh? (though I guess there are a lot worse things to deal with and the article does say that the tendency can go away...)Oh well, have a wonderful weekend!
Kara
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