Sleeping Pill Concern

[Explorer]

Hey LS'ers,

 

This may seem minor relative to other concerns in this forum, but I've become increasingly concerned about my addiction to sleeping pills. I use to take 2-3 tylenol pm's every night, however I recently decided to rid my body of the tylenol and went to benadryl only, and with same quantity.

 

I researched long-term side-effects with benadryl usage, but came up emtpy. Seems there's little reserach done regarding this.

 

Anyone have knowledge with this matter. Pros/Cons?... long-term effects?

 

I'm not too interested in quiting this addiciton since I love the feeling prior to sleeping as well as the revived feeling in the morning.

 

You'll are great.

[D-Lish]

Benydryl is something I take daily for allergies- so I can't see it being an issue long term. It doesn't really make me sleepy though.

 

Do you suffer from insomnia?

 

I suffer on and off from insomnia and my doc prescribed seroquel and then immovane. Being unable to sleep has a lot to do with having anxiety, so I only use them when I need them. I have never felt addicted to them- and they aren't supposed to be. But when I need them- they really help.

[Explorer]

Benydryl is something I take daily for allergies- so I can't see it being an issue long term. It doesn't really make me sleepy though.

 

Do you suffer from insomnia?

 

I suffer on and off from insomnia and my doc prescribed seroquel and then immovane. Being unable to sleep has a lot to do with having anxiety, so I only use them when I need them. I have never felt addicted to them- and they aren't supposed to be. But when I need them- they really help.

 

Hi D-Lish.

 

I may suffer from insomnia - never been diagnosed and Benadryl def makes me sleepy.

 

I do have a high level of anxiety and thanks for the drug suggestion. I think I'm going to continue with benadryl though because of the lack of side-effects.

 

Hope your Monday was great.

[ShoeGirl]

I haven't heard of any dangers associated with taking benadryl long term but I would talk to your doctor to be sure.

 

Another thing to look into is melatonin, it's a natural supplement that helps you sleep and doesn't leave you feeling groggy in the morning, I know that there is no long term danger or side effects.

[D-Lish]

I haven't heard of any dangers associated with taking benadryl long term but I would talk to your doctor to be sure.

 

Another thing to look into is melatonin, it's a natural supplement that helps you sleep and doesn't leave you feeling groggy in the morning, I know that there is no long term danger or side effects.

 

Benedryl is safe- I have been taking it for years- if I didn't, I'd need my epi-pen with me everywhere I go. It's preventative more than anything else for me and something my doc recommends.

 

When I have anxiety- I can't sleep period. I have done the melatonin and it isn't enough.... so I will take a prescribed sleeping pill.

 

OTC sleeping pills ARE addictive. I even get the opposite affect and end up being more awake. If you actually can't sleep at night- seroquel knocks you right out.

 

I don't use it as a crutch though- only situationally.

It's good to talk to your doc.

[mark982]

i also did the tylenol thing,for a couple of years in fact. long term use of tylenol pm, will screw up mens testerone levels. as the other poster said seroquel. dr. put me on that. i love it. even though i'm on low doses,it enables me to get a good sleep.

[FadedSign]

Don't most OTC sleep medicines have the same basic active ingredient? (I forget the name...)

 

I've been taking a an OTC sleeping pill every night and you're right it is addictive. I want to stop but there's too much crap going on in my life at the moment to mess with it. Perhaps you can gradually cut down on the dosage to ween yourself off of it....

 

I have some Ambien CR's that I take when I am stressed or travel to different time zones. They work great! But if I take them for extended periods of time I feel "weird" so be careful with those...