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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Shy_Girl on March 19, 2005, at 22:47:07
I find that it is difficult to get a restful nights sleep now. My muscles seem tense and I frequently wake up with a back ache. I wake up every 2-3 hours and am not sure if I'm getting rested because I don't wake up feeling relaxed and cozy in bed like I usually do. I think it may be anxiety related. I'm resorting to taking 50mg of diphenhydramine hydrochloride (also known as Benedryl or OTC sleep aid) before bed. I can sleep through the night for 10 hours or more after taking them and feel nice being in bed. Is it ok for me to take them on a regular basis? Will they be addictive or stop working if I take them too often?
Posted by Maxime on March 19, 2005, at 23:39:50
In reply to Is it ok to take an OTC for sleep?, posted by Shy_Girl on March 19, 2005, at 22:47:07
Benedryl is used on psych wards as a sleep aid. You will eventually develop a tolerance for it. However, most people develop a tolerance for prescribed meds as well.
10+ hours is a lot of sleep for an adult. Are you using it to escape life as well? Are you currently depressed or on any meds for depression? Do you think you are depressed? I am only asking because there is nothing wrong with using it is as sleep aid. However, I am concerned that you are suffering from depression. Difficulty sleeping can be a symptom plus you said it feels nice to be in bed which makes it sounds like you are trying to escape.Plus you said you think you have anxiety.
So to answer your question it is safe to use it. You will build up a tolerance.
To add my own my own 2 cents, I think you should talk to you doctor about it. It might be something you can treat with psychotherapy.
Take care of yourself.
Maxime
> I find that it is difficult to get a restful nights sleep now. My muscles seem tense and I frequently wake up with a back ache. I wake up every 2-3 hours and am not sure if I'm getting rested because I don't wake up feeling relaxed and cozy in bed like I usually do. I think it may be anxiety related. I'm resorting to taking 50mg of diphenhydramine hydrochloride (also known as Benedryl or OTC sleep aid) before bed. I can sleep through the night for 10 hours or more after taking them and feel nice being in bed. Is it ok for me to take them on a regular basis? Will they be addictive or stop working if I take them too often?
Posted by Shy_Girl on March 20, 2005, at 0:01:08
In reply to Re: Is it ok to take an OTC for sleep?, posted by Maxime on March 19, 2005, at 23:39:50
> 10+ hours is a lot of sleep for an adult. Are you using it to escape life as well? Are you currently depressed or on any meds for depression? Do you think you are depressed?
I am taking 20mg Celexa, but I'm sure I don't have a classical melancholic type depression...it is more atypical. Even so, I think it is mostly a mild case, despite the suicidal obsessions and urges.
The anxiety results from the fact that I had to drop out of university this semester because I couldn't study and because my overdose landed me in the psych ward and I missed classes and became extremely behind and lie to my parents and pretend to go to class everyday. (sorry about the run on sentence! :-P )
> So to answer your question it is safe to use it. You will build up a tolerance.
Thanks for the info...it is good to know. I won't use it everyday then. I think I am trying to escape by sleeping. My pdoc knows about my situation, and she gives me psychotherapy about once a month. She's not much into meds...but I wonder if I should be on more meds. It seems like there are so many people on multiple meds here. I don't have too many physical problems though, so maybe my problems are the result of psychosocial factors and not biology.
Thank-you!
Posted by Maxime on March 20, 2005, at 0:47:52
In reply to Re: Is it ok to take an OTC for sleep? » Maxime, posted by Shy_Girl on March 20, 2005, at 0:01:08
Oh dear! If you took and OD things had to be pretty bad. It's good if you realise that your problems are psycho-social though. Do you post on the psych board?
Once a month therapy isn't enough if your problems are more environmental than biological.
And believe me, you do not want to get on the med merry go round if you don't have to. You should really seek out a good therapist. I am glad you have a pdoc though.
Don't worry about school now. Your health is more important.
Ask your pdoc about a sleep med. She should know that you are having trouble sleeping.
I am sorry you have been through so much. Things will work out though if you work hard at them.
And don't worry about school. It will be there waiting for you when you feel better.
Hugs,
Maxime> > 10+ hours is a lot of sleep for an adult. Are you using it to escape life as well? Are you currently depressed or on any meds for depression? Do you think you are depressed?
>
> I am taking 20mg Celexa, but I'm sure I don't have a classical melancholic type depression...it is more atypical. Even so, I think it is mostly a mild case, despite the suicidal obsessions and urges.
>
> The anxiety results from the fact that I had to drop out of university this semester because I couldn't study and because my overdose landed me in the psych ward and I missed classes and became extremely behind and lie to my parents and pretend to go to class everyday. (sorry about the run on sentence! :-P )
>
> > So to answer your question it is safe to use it. You will build up a tolerance.
>
> Thanks for the info...it is good to know. I won't use it everyday then. I think I am trying to escape by sleeping. My pdoc knows about my situation, and she gives me psychotherapy about once a month. She's not much into meds...but I wonder if I should be on more meds. It seems like there are so many people on multiple meds here. I don't have too many physical problems though, so maybe my problems are the result of psychosocial factors and not biology.
>
> Thank-you!
Posted by sfy on March 21, 2005, at 11:35:40
In reply to Is it ok to take an OTC for sleep?, posted by Shy_Girl on March 19, 2005, at 22:47:07
> I find that it is difficult to get a restful nights sleep now. My muscles seem tense and I frequently wake up with a back ache. I wake up every 2-3 hours and am not sure if I'm getting rested because I don't wake up feeling relaxed and cozy in bed like I usually do. I think it may be anxiety related. I'm resorting to taking 50mg of diphenhydramine hydrochloride (also known as Benedryl or OTC sleep aid) before bed. I can sleep through the night for 10 hours or more after taking them and feel nice being in bed. Is it ok for me to take them on a regular basis? Will they be addictive or stop working if I take them too often?
It isn't addictive but constant use of any sleep aid without determining the underlying cause of your sleep problems may prove counterproductive.
Sleep disturbances are a symptom of depression and should be treated as such. You may need an adjustment (or addition) to your meds to address this issue.
Posted by nicky847 on March 23, 2005, at 12:19:24
In reply to Is it ok to take an OTC for sleep?, posted by Shy_Girl on March 19, 2005, at 22:47:07
When i was adjusting to Lexapro my doc recommended I take nighttime Tylenol to help me sleep. It worked good and was non-habit forming. Use it for a couple of weeks and if you still are having problems sleeping see your doc.
> I find that it is difficult to get a restful nights sleep now. My muscles seem tense and I frequently wake up with a back ache. I wake up every 2-3 hours and am not sure if I'm getting rested because I don't wake up feeling relaxed and cozy in bed like I usually do. I think it may be anxiety related. I'm resorting to taking 50mg of diphenhydramine hydrochloride (also known as Benedryl or OTC sleep aid) before bed. I can sleep through the night for 10 hours or more after taking them and feel nice being in bed. Is it ok for me to take them on a regular basis? Will they be addictive or stop working if I take them too often?
This is the end of the thread.
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