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Can antihistamines cause eye pain?

thaliajen
thaliajen
I've been having an RSD flare for days, likely due to all the snow and cold weather. Yesterday my sinuses were bugging me and I was having trouble sleeping. I took Benadryl with my pain pills before bed. I slept a few hours but kept waking with my left eye burning. Now, I sleep mostly on my left side and my sinuses drain out into my eye- have for years. But I woke at 11pm and could not stop the eye pain.

This happens every once in awhile and I wonder if the Benadryl has anything to do with it? I take it to dry UP my sinuses but I wake with runny nose, runny, red eyes and that awful pain in my left eye. But tonight it was so bad that despite the fact that my RSD pain was low and I was very tired, I could NOT get back to sleep.

I've got a long week ahead and need my sleep. Has anyone else had this side effect from antihistamines? Something's GOT to give here!
Aronia
Aronia
Benadryl is contraindicated when someone has glaucoma.. Not sure if benadryl may or may not cause eye pain, but i do know that when one of my sinuses was infected my eye blew out and i had some serious eye pain.
Hopefully you can get checked out by an eye doc soon!!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
That's awful for you. I would stop the Benadryl and as the pharmacist what he thinks, I hope it gets resolved soon, hugs Susie x
deleted_user
deleted_user
I know if I take anti-histamines of any type they dry my eyes out and cause pain. And sometimes sinus pain can reflect as eye pain, so you may have a few things going on.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Okay I'm experiencing this right now. Just started the zpack and Flonase for a sinus infection and my eye is burning. I'm certain it is the infection draining.

I remember several years ago my daughter had a sudden massive sinus and ear infection. She has pus coming out of her eye. It's all connected so I guess it makes sense.
deleted_user
deleted_user
a sinus infection alone can cause eye pain since the sinuses are directly under the occular cavity. the pressure of sinus fluid can cause pressure in the eyes and temples causing a headache that "bands" around that area.

benedryl can dry the mucus and make it more difficult to expel. sudaphed, the original stuff behind the counter now, will actually reduce the swelling in the sinuses and is a much better choice, if you can take it without issue, since it is a decongestant and not an anti-hystamine like benedryl.

benedryl in the same way as it dries mucous in your sinuses may also do the same for your intestines causing complications for people with constipation, btw.

happy holidays and get well soon!
-jen
stranded
stranded
Don't know about eye pain. I am having sinus issues and I also started to have eye pain. I believe it was from the pressure so I took generic sudafed not Benadryl. I know that Benadryl makes my mother wired and agitated. She hyper which the opposite of what is usual which is sleepiness. Might want to talk to your doctor to she if if you should use Benadryl or something else. A Neti pot can really work too.
deleted_user
deleted_user
i've always been too chicken to pour things in my nose, but i hear they are lifesavers, stranded!
RJRelaxing
RJRelaxing
Stranded- in college they clinic gave me prescription strength Benedryl to help me sleep. It was like speed. I was wired for over 24 hours. No sleep but a lots of energy.

Thalajen- I get eye pain or eye pressure with sinus inflammation. I do use nasal sprays. Ocean spray is safe with any medication. NasalChrom is one that I was told you could not get addicted to if you have allergies involved. 3 Days of Afrin is my last defense if needed. Be careful with that one because it can be addictive and you have to go on cortisone to get off.

Hope since the 19th that you are doing better. Wishing you a peaceful holiday.
Hugs-RJ