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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by alesta on May 1, 2006, at 14:08:52
i take 50 mg of benadryl at a time for allergies. it makes me feel stoned and not care about anything. i can't even reply to posts that i want to reply to. my brain is like jello. this can't be good for my brain, or my life. i am just wondering if anyone thinks there will be any brain damage from this stuff, as i was off of it for a day or 2 and still could not think the way i normally do *at all*! how do you explain that? please someone tell me my brain is ok (btw, i am starting claritin again soon). i am seriously worried about this..
(and the other day accidentally took 50 mg of benadryl *with* claritin...haven't felt the same since)
hope this post doesn't sound stupid....but i almost don't even care..thanks to lovely benadryl's mind-killing properties...
amy
p.s. i posted here cause i know this board has lots of traffic...maybe someone here will understand my fears..hey...and i'd like to give a shout-out to SLS and anyone else on this board who remembers me, if you are reading.
Posted by bassman on May 1, 2006, at 15:30:54
In reply to benadryl....is giving me a daily BUZZ...b. damage?, posted by alesta on May 1, 2006, at 14:08:52
Were you taking anything else at the time-also, any alcohol? If I have benadryl and then a couple beers, I'm sedated...looks like the second-generation antihistamines are best for you. I really don't think you damaged anything any more than someone gets drunk and feels very odd.
Posted by circusboy on May 1, 2006, at 16:01:27
In reply to benadryl....is giving me a daily BUZZ...b. damage?, posted by alesta on May 1, 2006, at 14:08:52
> i take 50 mg of benadryl at a time for allergies. it makes me feel stoned and not care about anything. i can't even reply to posts that i want to reply to. my brain is like jello. this can't be good for my brain, or my life. i am just wondering if anyone thinks there will be any brain damage from this stuff, as i was off of it for a day or 2 and still could not think the way i normally do *at all*! how do you explain that? please someone tell me my brain is ok (btw, i am starting claritin again soon). i am seriously worried about this..
>Benadryl is a pretty potent anticholinergic, which could explain the spongy-brained thing. Whenever I take it (in desperation!) for sleep, I feel foggy and stupid the whole next day.
I seriously doubt you've done any long-term damage... Expect to feel better tomorrow. :)
Posted by ed_uk on May 1, 2006, at 16:19:50
In reply to benadryl....is giving me a daily BUZZ...b. damage?, posted by alesta on May 1, 2006, at 14:08:52
Hi Amy
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is a sedating antihistamine with anticholinergic properties. It is sedating because it crosses the blood-brain barrier ie. it enters the brian. Newer antihistamines such as loratadine (Claritin) do not enter the brain in significant quantities, which is why they are not sedating. If loratadine could enter the brain it would be sedating too!
Due to diphenhydramine's anticholinergic properties, it tends to make people feel errrr, stupid, for want of a better word. This does not mean that it is causing brain damage: it is a temporary side effect of the drug which will go away when you stop taking it.
>and the other day accidentally took 50 mg of benadryl *with* claritin...
I wouldn't worry about that. They don't interact.
After regular daily use, diphenhydramine is sometimes associated with (usually mild) withdrawal symptoms when it is stopped. These may include nausea, diarrhea and confusion. These symptoms are not dangerous and should disappear fairly rapidly. Some people don't have any withdrawal symptoms at all.
It does not sound like diphenhydramine is a good treatment for your allergies, at least not for daytime use. I think it would be best if you stopped taking it. Does loratadine work well for you? If not, I might be able to suggest an alternative. What are your symptoms?
Regards
Ed
Posted by Phillipa on May 1, 2006, at 20:37:47
In reply to Re: benadryl....is giving me a daily BUZZ...b. damage? » alesta, posted by ed_uk on May 1, 2006, at 16:19:50
I have a serious sleep problem as I got stung by bees once took benadyl and all it did was make me tired. Not even the sleepy part. Love Phillipa
Posted by alesta on May 3, 2006, at 13:41:37
In reply to benadryl....is giving me a daily BUZZ...b. damage?, posted by alesta on May 1, 2006, at 14:08:52
wow...you guys are awesome! i love this board! thank you so very much!!!! :)let's see...no i didn't take alcohol with it or anything...
circusboy...if you felt like that after just taking one dose for sleep...then i guess it makes sense for me to feel stupid the day or two after, after taking it all day *and* night as well...thank you so much for sharing that. makes me feel much better..and i am still taking this sh*t. money is tight for me right now..or i'd have switched to claritin asap. actually, i'm going to take the generic form of claritin...i think it's probably just as good...i'm rambling...thanks again all of you! and the info on how the drugs work is great to know. bless you guys and take care! (sorry if this post is a mess..at least it is congruent to my life.:-))
love,:)
amy
This is the end of the thread.
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