[Mountaindewed]

Do you guys take zzzquil with benzos? Or is there an interaction? I’m just trying to figure out what other options I have besides the melatonin which doesn’t do a thing anymore. My doctor and therapist are so against sleep meds in general even though I legit need them so I have to do it behind their backs. When I do talk to them about it they tell me to go to a sleep doctor when that can take months to get an appointment.

[sarahsweets]

Originally Posted by Mountaindewed

Do you guys take zzzquil with benzos? Or is there an interaction? I’m just trying to figure out what other options I have besides the melatonin which doesn’t do a thing anymore. My doctor and therapist are so against sleep meds in general even though I legit need them so I have to do it behind their backs. When I do talk to them about it they tell me to go to a sleep doctor when that can take months to get an appointment.

Do NOT combine those two things. The interaction is you could have respiratory failure and die.

[Mountaindewed]

What if I go 12 hours without taking a Xanax?

[Mountaindewed]

God I feel like Heath Ledger. I just want ****ing sleep.

[Soupe du jour]

I haven't had to rely on any OTC sleep products, but I can say that past pharmacists have said NO OTC Cold/Flu/Allergy medications. The ones I speak of are more on the stimulating end than the opposite, but I can't imagine fiddling around with the opposite either. My pdoc would surely give that a firm "No", too.

I am assuming you have been trialed on sedating antipsychotics. If not, you might ask about all options. They've mostly been my sleep aids, and officially prescribed. Maybe your doc would consider Vistaril (Hydroxyzine), which is an antihistamine used for anxiety? That's sedating. Perhaps a sleep specialist might be in order?

I think you should be honest with your doctor. Self-medicating, secretly, is dysfunctional behavior.

[bpcyclist]

What happened to getting professional help?

[Mountaindewed]

I was. I am talking about it. I sent an email to my therapist after I posted this. My sleep has just been really off for awhile and I’d just like a few good nights of sleep and I’m wondering what I can use instead of melatonin. I used to mix BP NyQuil and Xanax and visteral with no issue when I had that really bad covid thing back in January. It really helped me sleep and helped with the physical stuff.

[Fuzzybear]

Zzquil, I have not heard of that. I had a benzo about an hour ago, hoping I might sleep, but nope.

(I did not even know that **** was around in January )

[Jmayfair]

My pdoc told my Zzquil would be fine. I used to fall asleep on 1.5mgs of lorazepam. It had stopped working but I still take it. I just added Zzquil to it with no problems as of yet.

[Gabyunbound]

The last time I was headed for trouble (not sleeping, which is a very bad sign for me), I took Zzyquil along with my 1mg of klonopin and had no ill effects.

I had no prn at the time, however if I had had one, I would have taken that (assuming it was a prn that was sedating) instead of the Zzyquil.

So my experience has been good, but I would be very careful with how much you take.

[*Beth*]

I take ZzzQuil almost every night. I have absolutely no problem with combining it with my meds, including Klonopin. I've never met any pdoc who cautions against taking diphenhydramine with psych meds. In fact, many of them have encouraged taking OTC sleep medication - just not for a long period of time.

My pdoc did tell me not to take ZzQuil every night because it can cause a drop in blood pressure (she's kind-of obsessed with her patients not falling when they stand up). But I've been taking it every night & now I can't sleep without it

[Moose72]

I think ZzzQuil is just Benadryl- both are diphenhydramine. Would you take Benadryl with other sedating meds? I did that once- took Benadryl with Seroquel and was noticeably sedated, so that's probably a bad idea to take ZzzQuil with your PRN.

[*Beth*]

Well, I asked my pdoc again today about taking ZzzQuil and she seems fine with it. Before she cautioned me about taking it every night because of the blood pressure drop thing. So, good. I'm getting the best sleep I've had in years with the low-dose Seroquel/ZzzQuil. I hope it doesn't cause an overdose . I don't think it will. I've taken diphenhydramine for allergies before (while on psych meds) and all that happened was my nose got dry and I felt sleepy.

[fern46]

Originally Posted by Moose72

I think ZzzQuil is just Benadryl- both are diphenhydramine. Would you take Benadryl with other sedating meds? I did that once- took Benadryl with Seroquel and was noticeably sedated, so that's probably a bad idea to take ZzzQuil with your PRN.

Benadryl works on some of the same neuroreceptors as other psych meds. I'd be concerned about throwing that out of balance more than anything. The working theory is that most psych meds are effective when the levels are constant. And obviously the dosing matters. Mixing these kinds of meds can be dangerous for various reasons.

[Mountaindewed]

I just ordered some fast acting extended release melatonin from Amazon. It’s a name I’ve used before. Hopefully this will be the answer.

[*Beth*]

It is absolutely fine to take ZzzQuil with your prescribed benzo dose. I've done so for years, with every pdoc's approval along the way. In fact, I've had pdocs prescribe Benadryl for me to help with sleep, along with my usual psych meds (which includes Klonopin, a benzo). I've just found that even though ZzzQuil is the same diphenhydramine as Benedryl, ZzzQuil works more effectively for me.

Obviously, take all meds (including ZzzQuil) exactly as directed.

And, it's always a good idea to run it past your pdoc.

I wouldn't take ZzzQuil for more than a few nights, though - only because it can cause depression.

[corevalues]

I am bipolar , and will not sleep until I take my seroquel. I take 50 mg, for sleep at bedtime.

A low dose of seroquel induces sleep, a high dose does not and with suck awful side
effects, I'm satisfied with a low dose for sleep, with 1500 mg depakote and 1 mg as needed
of klonopin.

I've been on that regime for 20 years.

[HALLIEBETH87]

How much melatonin were
You taking?

[Fstrader]

I went through a sleep study, pulmonary tests, heart tests, etc. My sleep study showed low oxygen saturation levels while sleeping. No sleep apnea. After all the results were in, my Pulmonologist said that the supposed culprit was the clonazepam I was taking at night. It was causing shallow breathing. Since I have been on clonazepam for 20 years, he said the withdrawal wouldn't be worth it. I now use supplemental oxygen at night and my levels at night are now normal. I still wake up 3 times a night though. The Doctor said they see a lot of Bipolar people with insomnia. Is it our meds? Hmmm...

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Fstrader

I went through a sleep study, pulmonary tests, heart tests, etc. My sleep study showed low oxygen saturation levels while sleeping. No sleep apnea. After all the results were in, my Pulmonologist said that the supposed culprit was the clonazepam I was taking at night. It was causing shallow breathing. Since I have been on clonazepam for 20 years, he said the withdrawal wouldn't be worth it. I now use supplemental oxygen at night and my levels at night are now normal. I still wake up 3 times a night though. The Doctor said they see a lot of Bipolar people with insomnia. Is it our meds? Hmmm...

I've been on Klonopin for over 20 years. I'm finally, finally doing a verrry slow taper down. Even if I could get to 1mg. daily instead of 2 per day I'd feel some success.

I don't know for sure, but I don't think my psych meds cause sleep issues. I do know that I have not slept well since my daughter, my first child, was born 35 years ago. She was a night bird! (Still is.)

Insomnia is common with BD. But then, it's common with unipolar depression and with generalized anxiety.

[Fstrader]

Do you get a hangover in the am from meds? I also have insomnia. Sleep meds, muscle relaxants, etc. make me feel bad for the first few hours in the am. I gave up on everything, and just suffer. Bummer.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Fstrader

Do you get a hangover in the am from meds? I also have insomnia. Sleep meds, muscle relaxants, etc. make me feel bad for the first few hours in the am. I gave up on everything, and just suffer. Bummer.

Yes! I do, anyway. And the problem is, the best sleep I get is between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. All the hours before then I'm sort-of sleeping, awake, somewhat sleeping.

[sarahsweets]

I think if your doctor tells you its ok, then you have to take their word. My concern would be depression of the respiratory system. Any medication that makes you sleepy is going to interact with meds like benzos. You will be made more sleepy. But if you are someone who handles benedryl well then thats the way it is. I think as a general rule I am compelled to mention the risk because being more sedated is a fact. But it depends on the person and what their doctor says. I have had to take bendryl with benzos and have done fine.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by sarahsweets

I think if your doctor tells you its ok, then you have to take their word. My concern would be depression of the respiratory system. Any medication that makes you sleepy is going to interact with meds like benzos. You will be made more sleepy. But if you are someone who handles benedryl well then thats the way it is. I think as a general rule I am compelled to mention the risk because being more sedated is a fact. But it depends on the person and what their doctor says. I have had to take bendryl with benzos and have done fine.

Good post, Sarah.

[Mountaindewed]

I took some NyQuil High blood pressure cough medicine. I used that stuff when I had my really bad cold in January and I had no issues. Worked really well for sleep too.