Steven45
06-22-2008, 03:06 PM
Hi everyone
As a Tourette Syndrome/Anxiety sufferer and ex-drinker, I have always been plagued by insomnia to one degree or another. Almost always, it's early awakening where I'll wake up at 5:00AM and can't get back to sleep no matter how hard I try and then I'll feel completely run down and exhausted all day.
Anyway, because of some recent stresses in my life, I have been taking Atarax (a powerful antihistamine) for sleep and also Benadryl (but not at the same time of course!). The drugs (particularly the Atarax) help me easily sleep through the night but the huge problem for me is that the next morning I wake up feeling like I've just been lobotomized.
The entire next day I feel very hungover, zoned-out, washed-out, fatigued, unmotivated and lose total interest in everything. In fact most mornings, I'll just sit there like a zombie and do nothing or maybe watch TV rather than getting much done. Another side effect I have if I take antihistamines for too long is that my legs get this very deep "creepy-crawly" feeling and I just want to stretch them all the time.
I guess my question is this: is this pretty much the "norm" with antihistamines and is there anything at all I can take that will help me sleep through the night without the terrible hangovers the following day?. I've brought this up to my doctor several time and he just keeps insisting that I take a full tablet of Lorazapam before bed each night but that is not helping.
I've already either read about or tried melatonin, valarian root, CBT, etc and I guess I'm just looking for others here to reassure me and tell me that "yes, antihistamines will do that to you" so I don't feel like it's just me or something.
Thanks, Steve
As a Tourette Syndrome/Anxiety sufferer and ex-drinker, I have always been plagued by insomnia to one degree or another. Almost always, it's early awakening where I'll wake up at 5:00AM and can't get back to sleep no matter how hard I try and then I'll feel completely run down and exhausted all day.
Anyway, because of some recent stresses in my life, I have been taking Atarax (a powerful antihistamine) for sleep and also Benadryl (but not at the same time of course!). The drugs (particularly the Atarax) help me easily sleep through the night but the huge problem for me is that the next morning I wake up feeling like I've just been lobotomized.
The entire next day I feel very hungover, zoned-out, washed-out, fatigued, unmotivated and lose total interest in everything. In fact most mornings, I'll just sit there like a zombie and do nothing or maybe watch TV rather than getting much done. Another side effect I have if I take antihistamines for too long is that my legs get this very deep "creepy-crawly" feeling and I just want to stretch them all the time.
I guess my question is this: is this pretty much the "norm" with antihistamines and is there anything at all I can take that will help me sleep through the night without the terrible hangovers the following day?. I've brought this up to my doctor several time and he just keeps insisting that I take a full tablet of Lorazapam before bed each night but that is not helping.
I've already either read about or tried melatonin, valarian root, CBT, etc and I guess I'm just looking for others here to reassure me and tell me that "yes, antihistamines will do that to you" so I don't feel like it's just me or something.
Thanks, Steve
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TexMom85
06-25-2008, 01:40 AM
Antihistamines are known to contribute to Restless Legs Syndrome, the creepy-crawly, tingly, urge to move sensation in your legs and feet. It will certainly interfere with your sleep....see my thread about my experience last night...it was a bummer!
Insomnia is a tricky thing to treat. What works for you one or two nights may not on the third. The mind plays a big role, even if it is at the subconscious level. Sleep hygiene works for some, and not for others. Hormones play a role, and if we could only figure out how to balance them, we could probably eliminate many illnesses.
I don't think you're in any danger by taking this stuff, but you may need to get treatment for the RLS....it seems to be almost inevitable for people who regularly taking antihistamines for sleep. Your side effects are pretty normal.
Good luck, and let us know how you're doing.
Blessings,
TexMom
Insomnia is a tricky thing to treat. What works for you one or two nights may not on the third. The mind plays a big role, even if it is at the subconscious level. Sleep hygiene works for some, and not for others. Hormones play a role, and if we could only figure out how to balance them, we could probably eliminate many illnesses.
I don't think you're in any danger by taking this stuff, but you may need to get treatment for the RLS....it seems to be almost inevitable for people who regularly taking antihistamines for sleep. Your side effects are pretty normal.
Good luck, and let us know how you're doing.
Blessings,
TexMom