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Stopping Dipenhydramine

ParappaTheRapper

ParappaTheRapper

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Jan 19, 2012
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So I've been eating dipenhydramine almost daily for almost 5 months now at night to go to sleep. Occasionally at other times to potentate alcohol or other drugs, or sometimes taking days off, but recently I decided to stop. I built up a tolerance and 150-200 mgs wasn't putting me to sleep. It turned into more of an Ssri than anything.

So anyway I decided to stop and was unable to sleep for more than an hour or two for several days. Its been a couple days and i am literally INSANELY itchy...all over my head, it almost burns in a way. There's nothing else it could be, so I googled a little and found only 2 extremes of, yes there is a withdrawal with itchyness and insomnia, and others that said there should be absolutely no problem.

I wasn't sure where to post this or if i'm just crazy, does anyone have any information?
 
Haha so you like the PSP?

I would lower it by 25mg or so every day. Find another way to fall asleep. Warm milk, some sort of benzodiazepine or maybe knock yourself out with alcohol.
 
i think diphenhydramine is more healthy to take for sleep than alcohol or benzos. If you are going to use it for sleep only use 50-75mg, more than that and you will get restless and have trouble sleeping. I've been using it for years to sleep and i use 75mg. Tolerance should not build if you aren't using it recreationally. I imagine the itchiness is rebound histamine release or something like that. If you want to quit i'd do as byblos mentions and taper down. I can bet that it's mostly a psychological thing that you take 150-200mg thinking that a higher dose will put you to sleep better but IME this just isn't the case with diphenhydramine.
 
Thanks for all the input. The itchyness has died down a little, but still seems to flow in and out in 40 minute or so waves. I've been able to get back to sleep though. :)
 
Byblos said:
Haha so you like the PSP?

I would lower it by 25mg or so every day. Find another way to fall asleep. Warm milk, some sort of benzodiazepine or maybe knock yourself out with alcohol.
Click to expand...

NO. Do not substitute booze or benzos, please. Try melatonin and a lower dosage of diphenhydramine
 
Byblos said:
Find another way to fall asleep. Warm milk, some sort of benzodiazepine or maybe knock yourself out with alcohol.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry but that is horrible advice. If the OP is addicted to benadryl, then replacing it with BENZOS or ALCOHOL will not be a good idea...

duanomatic said:
Try melatonin and a lower dosage of diphenhydramine
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I second the melatonin. Also I've found chamomile "sleepy time" tea to work wonders on me, as well as valerian root! All natural and very relaxing.

Also, try tapering down each day by about 25mg :)
 
I finally stopped using any OTC's for sleep. What i noticed was massive rebound histamine reactions. For example, clogged runny nose with no allergy source etc.
 
ParappaTheRapper said:
I finally stopped using any OTC's for sleep. What i noticed was massive rebound histamine reactions. For example, clogged runny nose with no allergy source etc.
Click to expand...

Excellent! How did you do it? How long did it take you?

I'm currently taking upwards of 300mg a night. 9/10 times it is 200-250mg. I've been using it for about two years nightly and my doctor approved of it over drugs such as Trazadone or benzo/z-drugs.
 
I have been also..trazadone is what they were perscribing me for sleep too, but i had.to stop taking them.bc i hated the feeling they gave me the next day..mayb also try melatonin..
 
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