Chlor-Trimeton antihistamine

[Daf]

I had never taken one of these before but was having a scratchy throat and allergy discomfort today so my daughter gave me one of hers before I went to bed for a nap.

I woke up in the middle of the nap with terrible pain in the arch of my foot. It would last a few seconds, then subside for 4 to 5 minutes. Then the intense pain again and it would go away for 4-5 minutes.

This had gone on all day until around 11:00 tonight it just quit altogether.

I was wondering if this drug could have caused the spasm in my foot. I had never had the drug before--or the pain in my foot like that. I was going to go to the doctor tomorrow, but then the pain just quit as fast as it had started.

Has anyone else had anything like that happen after taking this allergy medication?

Thanks, Daf

[waves]

Hi there Daf,

I have taken Chlortrimeton for about 20 years as needed and the only side effects i have had are sleepiness (usually only the first day i take it), or, occasionally, a paradoxical reaction - over-excitability. Both these side effects are listed on the package as possible side effects.

What you describe could be something simple, like, you slept with your foot in an odd position, or magnesium deficit (can cause muscle cramping esp. legs/feet - and btw a strong cramp may be felt for a couple of days, no matter what the cause.

However, since Chlortrimeton affects the entire central nervous system, including cardiorespiratory function, the foot spasm may have been a tiny sign of a systemic and more important event. I don't know your age but this is also a factor: med sensitivity increases with the body's slowing ability to metabolize and eliminate substances, and increasing the chances of adverse events.

For safety's sake, i strongly encourage you to consult your doctor about this, even if you are now sx-free. Tell him of the Chlortrimeton and any other meds you took or take regularly (even OTC). Also think back and see if you noticed any other "little things" that you may have thought nothing of at the time.

Let your doc decide if the events could be related, and whether to run some tests. Or he will give you a clean bill of health. :) But, please, please call your doc.

best wishes - hopefully its just a coincidence.

~ waves ~ from across the ocean
~

[Daf]

Hi waves, Thanks for your reply.

As for my age, I am 59 years old. I don't take any medication except for a multi-vitamin daily and occasionally Ibuprofen for arthritis.

I am very sensitive to medicine and don't generally like to take anything. ( I was in bed sick for 3 days once after taking 1 Vicodin for tooth pain.)

I had surgery several years ago and the injection they give you beforehand to relax you made me feel like I was about to jump out of my skin. I felt like I wanted to get up and run!

I mention all this to show how medicine affects me weirdly--didn't really think anyone else had the spasm thing, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

I did see a doctor yesterday. I have a sinus infection that is now going down to my lungs. I will have full-blown bronchitis also before this is over. She just shrugged it off when I told her about the spasm--said it was a sign of low potassium.

When I get the sinus and bronchitis thing, the only thing that helps is Septra (sulpher antibiotics). My old doctor knew this and gave me a prescription whenever I went in for that. (Every couple years.) Within a few days I would be better. (He has moved away.)

Well, the new doctor said it was just allergies and my lungs sounded fine. (So how come I'm coughing up phlegm today?) All she did was tell me to use nasal spray, take Claritin and Advil and I will be fine. I'm suppose to be working this weekend but have had to call in sick.

I'm sorry, just needed to vent--I paid her $94 and am feeling worse every day. I want my old doctor back!

Daf