Valerie Posted June 15, 2018 Share Posted June 15, 2018 I was taking Lamactil for about 2 weeks or so and it made my face, neck, chest and shoulders break out in bumps and acne. Doctor told me before she prescribed it that if I get hives to stop taking it. I felt this was as bad as hives and quit taking the low dose I was put on. I am still having itching a lot all over so I bought some benadryl. I'm not sure of how sedating it will be for me at 25 mg. Has anyone else taken it for itching? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinterRosie Posted June 15, 2018 Share Posted June 15, 2018 Look at it this way: I use benedryl as a sleeping pill. However, I'm also hit harder by it than some people are. I'd say try it, but don't try it right before you need to go on a long drive as the driver. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valerie Posted June 15, 2018 Author Share Posted June 15, 2018 Thanks, I think I'll take it at bedtime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blahblah Posted June 15, 2018 Share Posted June 15, 2018 I bought a Benadryl GEL at Target. It's great. Goes on like Aloe Vera. I have itchy sensitive skin too and I don't like taking more drugs for it that might make me drowsy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valerie Posted June 15, 2018 Author Share Posted June 15, 2018 1 hour ago, Blahblah said: I bought a Benadryl GEL at Target. It's great. Goes on like Aloe Vera. I have itchy sensitive skin too and I don't like taking more drugs for it that might make me drowsy. I'm glad that works for you. I can't reach all over my back, though, where it itches the most and that's why I got the pills. I have no one here to do it for me either. I'd ask my dog but don't think she'd understand.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit37 Posted June 15, 2018 Share Posted June 15, 2018 You might also try liquid Benadryl, they have both adult and children’s strength. That way you could take just a little, see how it affects you, and adjust the dose. I’ve been hit hard with allergies this season, and I have problems with my throat itching terribly. I pour a full dose into the measuring cap, but just take tiny sips as I need it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notloki Posted June 15, 2018 Share Posted June 15, 2018 For skin itchiness, rashes, and hives Zyrtec (non drowsy) is the drug of choice among medical doctors. It is available OTC. Benadryl will make you sleepy and is an anticholinergic. Anticholinergics now are known to increase the chance of dementia. Benadryl creams, lotions, and gels are the best way to avoid some of Benadryl risks. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
argh Posted June 15, 2018 Share Posted June 15, 2018 +1 to Zyrtec works for my AED related itching and associated rash 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BipolarSpinster Posted June 15, 2018 Share Posted June 15, 2018 Unless you have paradoxical reactions like I do! Zyrtec knocks me out for the night with a nasty hangover. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notloki Posted June 15, 2018 Share Posted June 15, 2018 In a few people a little Zyrtec crosses the blood brain barrier (BBB), thus can affect the CNS and make you sleepy. Benadryl is why worse. Otherwise in the majority population it is non-drowsy. As an alternative, Allegra doesn't cross the BBB. I don't find it a very strong antihistamine, unlike Zyrtec. That's why Zyrtec has indications for hives and itching, unlike some other antihistamines. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BipolarSpinster Posted June 15, 2018 Share Posted June 15, 2018 37 minutes ago, notloki said: In a few people a little Zyrtec crosses the blood brain barrier (BBB), thus can affect the CNS and make you sleepy. Benadryl is why worse. Otherwise in the majority population it is non-drowsy. As an alternative, Allegra doesn't cross the BBB. I don't find it a very strong antihistamine, unlike Zyrtec. That's why Zyrtec has indications for hives and itching, unlike some other antihistamines. Oddly enough, Allegra also makes me tired. Xyxal otoh, does not. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notloki Posted June 15, 2018 Share Posted June 15, 2018 (edited) 9 hours ago, BipolarSpinster said: Oddly enough, Allegra also makes me tired. Xyxal otoh, does not. Xyxal is the active isomer of Zyrtec. Essentially they are the same thing. Same number of atoms. Edited June 16, 2018 by notloki 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BipolarSpinster Posted June 15, 2018 Share Posted June 15, 2018 5 minutes ago, notloki said: Xyxal is the active isomer of Zyrtec. Essentially they are the same thing. Well, very strange, because those are my responses. One makes me extremely drowsy, the other not at all. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt07 Posted June 15, 2018 Share Posted June 15, 2018 Zyrtec makes me extremely drowsy as well. I never understood why it was called "non-drowsy." 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gearhead Posted June 16, 2018 Share Posted June 16, 2018 Part of your problem my be dry skin. Try an unscented lotion like CeraVe or Eucerin. Colloidal oatmeal baths in water that isn’t too hot are great for itching as well. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valerie Posted June 17, 2018 Author Share Posted June 17, 2018 (edited) Thank you for all the replies and I apologize for not answering them all directly at this time. I tried the benadryl and it helped my itching but I was so groggy I slept almost the whole next day. I am busy using my back scratcher. I am going to use my back scratcher for where I can't reach and try using the coconut oil cream for the itching I have on my back. Thats where most of my itching is. Edited June 17, 2018 by Valerie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
argh Posted June 17, 2018 Share Posted June 17, 2018 (edited) Edited June 17, 2018 by argh Can’t read. You already stopped lamictal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valerie Posted June 17, 2018 Author Share Posted June 17, 2018 34 minutes ago, argh said: I edited my post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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