Benadryl, antihistamines?

Yes I'm adding to my previous post.

Here's a little something I found that seems to give some credence to my theory.

Note on Antihistamines. Many combination remedies contain antihistamines. Antihistamines are used for allergies and not generally recommended to relieve the symptoms of the common cold. Some evidence suggests, however, that they may have some value:

One study has indicated that older so-called first-generation antihistamines may reduce cold symptoms, experts postulate that their benefits for the cold are likely to be due to the drowsiness they cause. Such antihistamines include Benadryl, Tavist, and Chlor-Trimeton. The newer, second-generation antihistamines (Claritin, Allegra, Zyrtec) do not have these effects and also appear to have no benefits against colds.

Another interesting study reported high levels of histamine in the urine of patients infected with type A influenza, suggesting that anti-histamines may actually have some real value for viral infections, include flus and colds. More research is needed, however, before the significance of these findings is known. [For more information, see the Well-Connected Report, Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever and Rose Fever) and Other Chronic Rhinitis Disorders. ]

http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/how_symptoms_of_colds_ mild_flu_treated_000094_6.htm

Not,

                                         Theoretically, antihistamines should work. I believe the problem with them would be their strength. In other words, I doubt they are strong enough, over the counter, to be of much help.  The cytokines would, in a BF attack, more than likely overwhelm the antihistamines. Now, if you could get your hands on an epi pen or such, you might be talking.  Doc prescribed antihistamines might be of help.....though I doubt benadryl could counteract a cytokine storm.

My personal first line of cytokine defense is the inhaled steroids. They go directly to the lung, rather than a whole body effect. The inhaled steroids are, of course, lower dose than the oral ones........but the fact that they go DIRECTLY to the lungs may override their low dose.

HOWEVER, if that fails, I plan to have several courses of prednisone on hand. It is a pill, not inhaled, and is MUCH MORE POWERFUL. I and my children have used it, and TAKEN AS THE DOCTOR PRESCRIBES IT EXACTLY, we had no ill effects from it, and it saved us a week of severe pain, burning and blisters from poison ivy.

I'm sure it's not. The reason for this being that it MUST MUST MUST be taken EXACTLY as prescribed by your doc. And I say this having taken it before and did NOT follow the prescription instructions, got VERY sick....luckily I continued taking it as instructed immediately, or I could likely have died.

TAKEN AS INSTRUCTED, i find it no more or less dangerous than many other drugs.

A good way to get some is to "accidentally" get a bad case of poison ivy....then, of course, you have to suffer through the poison ivy attack......and save the prednisone for when it may save you more than pain and itching, namely your life. 

That's my plan! My whole family is going to get poison ivy VERY shortly!!