Benedryl

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micamouse
New Member

Date Joined Jan 2007
Total Posts : 3

Posted 1/12/2007 2:36 AM (GMT -6)

Has anyone ever experienced worse anxiety after taking benedryl? I tried several times to use it for my allergies and whammo I get the worst anxiety ever for about two days. Well, I was just wondering if anyone has dealt with this.

jordaNZone
Veteran Member

Date Joined Sep 2006
Total Posts : 752

Posted 1/12/2007 3:26 AM (GMT -6)

Hmm..correct me if I am wrong but I seem to remember something on the packaging of benedryl and such like to consult a physician if you are taking antidepressants etc.
Maree

micamouse
New Member

Date Joined Jan 2007
Total Posts : 3

Posted 1/12/2007 3:55 AM (GMT -6)

I hadn't taken any ativan in about 3 months before taking the benedryl. So I know that it could not have been that.

kimomolo
New Member

Date Joined Jan 2007
Total Posts : 5

Posted 1/12/2007 4:15 AM (GMT -6)

Benadryl contains an antihistamine called Diphenhydramine which normally causes drowsiness, but in some cases (apparently yours and mine as well)
can also cause rapid or irregular heartbeat. Diphenhydramine was found to inhibit the uptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin, and eventually led to the invention of fluoxetine, better known as Prozac. I've had massive panic attacks when tring to take Prozac, so this could be a source of the problem as well.

Howlyncat
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Jan 2005
Total Posts : 24822

Posted 1/12/2007 4:42 AM (GMT -6)

Ditto to what kimomolo posted
I cannot take it gives me shakes and rapid heartbeat .......
Lyn

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Kchicka
Regular Member

Date Joined Jul 2006
Total Posts : 80

Posted 1/12/2007 10:02 AM (GMT -6)

I'm not on any anti-anxiety meds. And my doctor told me that when I felt anxious that I should take 2 benedryl to calm me down. It seems to work for me(probley because it just makes me drowsy and go to sleep!) Thats strange.

Green Lantern
Regular Member

Date Joined Apr 2006
Total Posts : 105

Posted 1/12/2007 1:00 PM (GMT -6)

It helps me get to sleep, but then when I wakeup, the anxiety symptoms are worse than before. Almost when I used to use alcohol to get rid of anxiety.

Bipolar Mixed

harry4
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Date Joined Mar 2005
Total Posts : 1449

Posted 1/12/2007 2:23 PM (GMT -6)

to micamouse

tell doc or pharmacist what happened and ask for some other type of antihistamine

benadryl is an older antihistamine that usually sedates and was promoted as a tranquilliser and sleeping pill also, still helps many with these problems, but is subject to abuse as a street drug, taken a packet at a time

feeling hung over next day is a risk if a high dose is taken, say for allergies

recovered former longtime anxiety and panic attack sufferer and helper of other sufferers but no training or qualifications in medicine or psychology, any remarks that may be taken as advice must be confirmed with doctor or other health professional

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anxiety veteran
Regular Member

Date Joined Jul 2006
Total Posts : 103

Posted 1/14/2007 1:19 PM (GMT -6)

My wife would give me benedryl for anxiety to help me sleep at night. It worked like a charm.

hunniebee
Regular Member

Date Joined Apr 2006
Total Posts : 116

Posted 1/15/2007 3:50 AM (GMT -6)

It gives me HORRIBLE panic attacks. But then again, almost any medicine does. Pain pills, over the counter cold pills, even things like excedrine migraine. So I just dont take anything but tylenol and my ativan. They put me on antibiotics this past week and i seemed to do okay with that at least. I know how you feel. It sucks

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Howlyncat
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Posted 1/15/2007 4:17 AM (GMT -6)

I am with ya there Hunniebee try the hot milk I made a believer outta Michelle ( lil One )

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Sharann
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Date Joined Sep 2005
Total Posts : 778

Posted 1/21/2007 8:29 PM (GMT -6)

Benadryl makes me worse, I am sure of it. I get paplitations and exitable when I take antihistamines. I strongly believe that is what brought on my recent panic attacks when I took lots of benadryl for severe itching(from scabies of all things). I itched nonstop for 7weeks, this may have contributed too. I plan to avoid antihistamines whenever I can now.

I am a Certified Doxie Lover(Weinerdogs)

Howlyncat
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Posted 1/22/2007 6:02 AM (GMT -6)

I stay away from OTC meds except tylenol and gravol ( dimenihydrate) it puts you to sleep as well w/o hangover feeling

As does the old stand by HOT MILK........
I drink a cup everynight with a dopple of cinnamon on top ........
'Made a believer outta normasnofun (lil one) when she was here at home visiting .
Wishing you all the best
Post and let us know okay
Luvs
Lyn

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Post Edited (Howlyncat) : 1/22/2007 4:11:11 AM (GMT-7)

normalsnofun
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Date Joined Oct 2005
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Posted 1/22/2007 7:08 AM (GMT -6)

mmm Hot milk...yes it does work wonders....

--Michelle
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Geebs
Regular Member

Date Joined Jan 2007
Total Posts : 184

Posted 1/22/2007 8:17 AM (GMT -6)

Benadryl has a strong effect on various neurotransmitters, which can be unpredictable when combined with AD's or if you have panic attacks/depression. I try to avoid OTC products whenever possible because I have found they can interfere with my meds.

Mooney123
Regular Member

Date Joined Jun 2006
Total Posts : 240

Posted 1/23/2007 3:39 AM (GMT -6)

I try not to take any meds if i don't have to, but when I was first diagnosed w/panic attacks 13 years ago, the doc told me to take benadryl and it relaxed me (sort of). My sister who does not suffer from anxiety or panic gets horrible anxiety when she takes benadryl. She's now afraid to take it and won't even keep it in her house.

harry4
Veteran Member

Date Joined Mar 2005
Total Posts : 1449

Posted 1/23/2007 3:52 PM (GMT -6)

benadryl and the other older antihistamines sedate most people and for them can still be useful for anxiety if nothing else is available

I knew an anxiety sufferer who was no longer housebound when using cough mixture containing an antihistamine, not approved of course, but life is short

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Geebs
Regular Member

Date Joined Jan 2007
Total Posts : 184

Posted 1/24/2007 8:39 AM (GMT -6)

If you need sedating qualities to calm down without the risk of benzos, I've used 25mg of Trazodone every 6 hours. It has less side effects than Benadryl and is safer.

harry4
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Date Joined Mar 2005
Total Posts : 1449

Posted 1/24/2007 2:29 PM (GMT -6)

I cant see any harm in this but not everyone is sedated by this med

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