A link between antihistamines & bladder infections?

My wife was nice enough to share her cold with me a few weeks ago. Luckily, it didn't go into my chest but my head was as miserable as could be. Sneezing, congestion, sinus pressure, runny nose... not good symptoms for a CPAPer.

I was taking antihistamines at night (diphenhydramine) and antihistamines with a decongestant during the day since the decongestants are stimulants.

I noticed on the pill box that it said check with your Dr. if you have trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate. Well, I don't have that problem and all the prostate exams I've had indicated my prostate is in good shape. But it did make me wonder if there was some type of urinary tract connection.

Well, no sooner did I recover from my cold (for one day), I came down with a horrendous bladder infection. So, I'm wondering if there is a connection to all the antihistamines I was taking for my cold at night and during the day.

Has anyone else ever had this problem or know of a possible connection? I guess I'm trying to figure how the heck I came down with a bladder infection.

SnoreNoMore2005

Antihistamines, benadryl in particular, can definitely cause urinary problems.
The urinary sphincter can be affected and result in prostititis and/or bladder infection.

I think, not sure, that it can also cause bladder infection in females due to the urinary retention.

Hmmm, this is interesting, when I get some time I think I will look into this more... I take Zyrtec and Lortuss DM (the lortuss only being when needed) both being an antihistimine. I have suffered with Bladder and Kidney problems for a few yrs now. I have frequent UTI's that we thought we had ruled to ummm a latex allergy but now this makes me wonder...

I just looked up online info about the antibiotic I am taking for the UTI which is nitrofurantoin.

Under precautions it says to let your doc know if you are taking diphenhydramine before prescribing. Hmmmm... Another connection.

MissAmethyst2U,

If you think your frequent UTI's might be from a latex allergy, try the non-latex versions such as Durex Avanti. They are made from lambskin and believe it or not, they do have a slight smell of lamb. Caution: do not lubricate with mint jelly.

Let me know how they work out.

SnoreNoMore2005