Quote:
Originally Posted by DechanDawa
I use Benedryl at night along with valerian. My pdoc refuses to prescribe anti-anxiety meds. I had an evaluation by a psychiatrist in which I answered a questionnaire stating I had extremely high levels of anxiety. Like on a scale of 1-10 I wrote a 10. The psychiatrist refused to prescribe any anti-anxiety med. This was in September. I emailed my pdoc and told her the situation was forcing me to take valerian at high dosages that cannot be properly monitored. Also, buying valerian is 3X more expensive than anti-anxiety meds. It's frustrating. I noticed I was drinking more recently (in response to anxiety) and I have cut that out. It is obvious my anxiety is increasing. I agree with you that valerian root is now giving me less benefit. Usually this means I need to discontinue it for a month or so. I don't experience heartburn at higher dosages.
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My pdoc actually said i could keep using the Benedryl if I wanted and if it was working, but I asked for something that would be stronger and she gave me Hydroxyzine which in my opinion is only marginally better than the Benedryl. The big things to watch out for with the Benedryl is the anti-cholinergic effect, which in high enough doses per day can make you constipated, and it can cause you to not breathe properly in your sleep with a high enough dose. There are some warnings I see written in various articles about the risk of dimentia being increased with prolonged use of Benedryl.
I have heard about pdocs moving away from prescribing powerful antianxiety meds like they used to (benzos). The hydroxyzine is more expensive than benedryl but has less side effects with continual use. You might be able to get a Hydroxyzine script from your pdoc.