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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by L.Marie on August 27, 2001, at 21:49:06
I recently started taking an increased dose of zoloft, and I've had a terrible time sleeping. I'm able to fall asleep, but it's not a restful sleep. Every morning my bed looks like a wild animal slept on it (sheets, pillows, blankets everywhere). My p-doc recommended trying Benadryl (before trying anything stronger) but I'm currently taking 24 hour Zyrtec(for allergies) and it's seems redundant to take two antihistamines. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Posted by SalArmy4me on August 27, 2001, at 23:00:48
In reply to benadryl for sleep?, posted by L.Marie on August 27, 2001, at 21:49:06
http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Effects-of-diphenhydramine.html
http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Refractory-insomnia-associ.html :
"All of the literature I have seen with diphenhydramine, the antihistamine best studied for insomnia, indicate that when one increases it above 50 mg nightly no superiority in hypnotic effect is achieved, but there is an increase in anticholinergic side effects. It is also important to note that studies have indicated that diphenhydramine only has a significant effect on sleep latency and does not significantly improve other sleep parameters."
Posted by PaintItBlack on August 28, 2001, at 5:56:14
In reply to benadryl for sleep?, posted by L.Marie on August 27, 2001, at 21:49:06
> I recently started taking an increased dose of zoloft, and I've had a terrible time sleeping. I'm able to fall asleep, but it's not a restful sleep. Every morning my bed looks like a wild animal slept on it (sheets, pillows, blankets everywhere). My p-doc recommended trying Benadryl (before trying anything stronger) but I'm currently taking 24 hour Zyrtec(for allergies) and it's seems redundant to take two antihistamines. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Benadryl puts me to sleep even when I take it during the day for allergies. I have on occasion, when not on meds, used it to help fall asleep.
I'm not positive about this, but I think the active ingredient in Benedryl is what gets added to Tylenol PM to help you sleep. It almost certainly adds less chemical crap to our bodies than prescription meds I've used.
I think it make senses to at least try one or two Benedryl to see if it helps you sleep. A night or two ought to give you the answer.
Paint It Black
Posted by Cam W. on August 28, 2001, at 9:22:29
In reply to benadryl for sleep?, posted by L.Marie on August 27, 2001, at 21:49:06
L.Marie - Benadryl™ (diphenhydramine) is an alteernative to prescription hypnotics (ie. sleeping pills) but unlike some prescription products (eg. Sonata™/Starnoc™ [zaleplon] or Imovane™ [zopiclone]), Benadryl can interfere with the REM sleep phase. Therefore, it is not recommended that you take Benadryl long-term, as you will not get a restful sleep and this will catch up with you (ie. it may interfere with the laying down of long-term memories in the brain).
That being said, the insomnia with Zoloft™ (sertraline) is a start-up side effect and usually goes away on it's own in a couple of weeks.
Good luck - Cam
Posted by sl on August 31, 2001, at 21:45:43
In reply to benadryl for sleep?, posted by L.Marie on August 27, 2001, at 21:49:06
It isn't redundant to take Benadryl if you're taking it for sleep.
I do it often lately. And plus it gets rid of the REST of my allergies that might otherwise keep me awake. :)sl
> I recently started taking an increased dose of zoloft, and I've had a terrible time sleeping. I'm able to fall asleep, but it's not a restful sleep. Every morning my bed looks like a wild animal slept on it (sheets, pillows, blankets everywhere). My p-doc recommended trying Benadryl (before trying anything stronger) but I'm currently taking 24 hour Zyrtec(for allergies) and it's seems redundant to take two antihistamines. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Posted by sl on August 31, 2001, at 21:46:43
In reply to benadryl for sleep?, posted by L.Marie on August 27, 2001, at 21:49:06
Posted by SalArmy4me on August 31, 2001, at 21:49:17
In reply to Re: benadryl for sleep?, posted by sl on August 31, 2001, at 21:45:43
Reminder: At doses over 50 mg, diphenhydramine does not produce any more therapeutic effects--just more anticholinergic side-effects.
SalArmy always has your best interest in mind.
Posted by sl on September 1, 2001, at 21:40:18
In reply to Re: benadryl for sleep? » sl, posted by SalArmy4me on August 31, 2001, at 21:49:17
*giggle* Interesting way of putting it, Sal.
I know you've got my(our) best interests at heart.But the anticholinergic side-effect is drowsiness, right? Which is the goal.
And I take Zyrtec and then Benadryl on top of it to kill the remainder of symptoms Benadryl doesn't relieve. (right now I'm waiting for the decongestant to wear off so I can take more, plus Benadryl for sleeping, but I can't breath thru my nose much at all!)By the way, I think I'd like to hear about any successes you've had with mail-ordering from over-seas/mexican pharmacies. I'm getting a bit sick of the over-caution of my doctors. Why am I taking Benadryl anyway, when there's perfectly good hypnotics MADE for sleep??? But my doctors won't give them to me. They hate me. God forbid I should know diddly-squat, and speaking my mind...wow, what a violation. *grumblesnarl*
Anyway, I know you can't/won't post about that borderline-legal stuff here, so please email if you have any thoughts.sl
> Reminder: At doses over 50 mg, diphenhydramine does not produce any more therapeutic effects--just more anticholinergic side-effects.
>
> SalArmy always has your best interest in mind.
Posted by Mitch on September 2, 2001, at 0:30:57
In reply to Re: benadryl for sleep?, posted by sl on August 31, 2001, at 21:45:43
> It isn't redundant to take Benadryl if you're taking it for sleep.
> I do it often lately. And plus it gets rid of the REST of my allergies that might otherwise keep me awake. :)
>
> sl
>
> > I recently started taking an increased dose of zoloft, and I've had a terrible time sleeping. I'm able to fall asleep, but it's not a restful sleep. Every morning my bed looks like a wild animal slept on it (sheets, pillows, blankets everywhere). My p-doc recommended trying Benadryl (before trying anything stronger) but I'm currently taking 24 hour Zyrtec(for allergies) and it's seems redundant to take two antihistamines. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Well, that is interesting that a lot of others also have trouble with Zoloft disturbed sleep. Your sleep pattern is just like mine when I am taking Z. I was usually awake a couple of hours before I had to get up and drifting in and out a lot and squirming around not being able to rest and then being tired all day from not getting any sleep. BTW, that is the only Sri that was quite that bad. I've used Benadryl in the past to help, but the trouble is that the anti-cholinergic drying of your sinuses can make you more prone to infection. I got a severe case of bronchitiis a long time ago when I was on doxepin and had allergies (+taking drying antihistamines)-made the big mistake of not taking a decongestant with it to keep my airways open. If you can't get air up your nose-NOT good!
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