Posted by yxibow on January 27, 2006, at 1:02:57
In reply to long term benadryl use, posted by vishnu10003 on January 26, 2006, at 17:26:20
> Hello,
>
> Brand new to these boards. I have been taking 75 mg of benadryl nightly now for about 2 years along with lexapro 30 mg. During this period I have very rarely woken up feeling fully rested. I have heard that benadryl could mess up sleeping patterns over the long term. I have also heard that medications like effexor can cause problems sleep wise over the long term. I would really like to stay on both of these medications as they are working very well for their intended uses. Before getting off of either one I want to do everything in my power to try and correct this sleep situation. Any feedback/help/comments on this would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Is there anyone else having this problem besides me?
Effexor, if you are more subject to anxiety than depression, can give one heck of a caffiene like rush, which will continue until it is discontinued. At least in my experience. But Lexapro is not a SNRI like Effexor -- its an SSRI and not related.Taking benadryl long term for sleep isn't the best idea -- not that it is terribly toxic, but you are taking it for its side effects, not its intended effects. It also causes post-sleep depression, which would seem to counteract the purpose of Lexapro. Long term Ambien or Lunesta use would be far better and contribute to REM sleep than benadryl.
Trazodone, I dont know if you're male -- has a fairly substantial risk of priapism (sustained erection).. something to think about. Its also only used for side effects and tolerance can build to a point where one is taking a clinically significant dose.
Remeron -- be careful of weight gain... another side-effect use drug.
Your psychiatrist may differ in opinion but I believe that for a sleep agent, whether one has drug-induced or genetic insomnia, should be one that is intended solely for long term sleep use, such as Ambien/Ambien CR and Lunesta, as well as the new Rozerem if the melatonin agonism doesn't interfere with depression.
poster:yxibow
thread:603107
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060122/msgs/603311.html