Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

8,884 Members
129,554 Posts
2 Online
Mental Health
/ Bipolar Disorder Support Group

benadryl for sleep

JennS
JennS
When I'm having a depression spell, I can't get to sleep most of the time. I was told to take benadryl for sleep by my psychiatric nurse practioner. I've been using it on and off for a long time.
Now, I'm reading around the internet that this isn't a good long term solution. I'm now that it might have somehow messed up my ability to sleep. I don't want it to cause more problems for my brain.
Has anyone had any experience with benadryl or what they did for sleep.
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
I don't think it's something you should keep taking for a long time.

Apart from a kind of psychological addiction there are side effects if you keep taking it. It makes me feel low for example.

One thing that I do is that I take different things at different times.

I find valerian based sleep meds don't give me so many side effects and so I'll take that for a while, then benydryl, then something else.
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
just checked - it's linked to

- increased dementia
-low blood pressure
-cognitive effects
-urinary problems
- mood problems incl. depression
- vision issues

and quite alot more.
JennS
JennS
thanks. I'll do something different to get to sleep.
SensitiveHoboLady
SensitiveHoboLady
Sleep has been an issue for me for periods of time. I tried soooo many psych drugs over the years for it and I just haven't responded to anything. My pdoc finally gave me an rx for Ambien and it does the trick. I took it every other night for a short period of time and haven't had to use it for the past month now. I hope you can find something soon to help. Lots of people swear by trazadone for sleep...
spacekat
spacekat
This might sound weird but: I have the worst insomnia - falling asleep, staying asleep, not waking super early.

The other day, my hubby bought this app for $2.99 called "Relax & Sleep Well". I put it on, listened to the instructions for breathing, relaxed, and I was out within 10 minutes. That was last Thursday. Every night I use it, I'm asleep within minutes and I STAY asleep for at least 6 hours. If you're having serious sleep problems and don't want to take medication, here's an option! Good luck, sweet dreams!
JennS
JennS
thank you. these are some good ideas.
jimgreg
jimgreg
go to store get 3 mgs of melontin like 5,00 for 100 count. Take 1 only 45 min before bed..my pdoc told me this 3 yrs ago..im still on em.even others I know are. Its all natural, its for your wake sleep cycle. or go google it..
jimgreg
jimgreg
taking bendil will fry you out. Don't use this!!
Posts You May Be Interested In
  • Sunshinegirl0228

    Friday check in

    Posted by: Sunshinegirl0228
    Last Reply: SensitiveHoboLady
    2
    Mom and I have errands to run this morning. She said we can get sushi for lunch though.  I go back to work today. What are you looking forward to this weekend?
  • GTTMbutstillme

    Sunday Check In

    Posted by: GTTMbutstillme
    Last Reply: Sunshinegirl0228
    3
    Quick, before the evil MONday gets here!  Let's climb those mountains, dance in the meadows, dip our feet in the ocean....Okay, so most of us won't be doing any of That.  Sadly.  But today can still be a great day!The area behind our back fence is on an incline, with less than two feet on even ground at the top.  I don't balance well enough for the incline, but our mower guy mows that...