PLEASE someone tell me the long term effects from Diphenhydramine HCL

I down between 12 and 15 25mg Diphenhyrdramine HCL capsules a day. That is 300mg-375mg ingested almost every day. I have a drawer full of empty pill bottles. Can someone please tell me the possible or most probable long term effects from this type of usage?

ok, are you taking them as the dr prescribed? if not, you need to contact yoru dr for instructions on how to proporly take the dose down. check rxlist.com or medline for information on long term effects, or , the best idea, just ask your dr or pharmacist.

btw, i know what its liek to look into a drawer full of empty pill bottle,s it can be depressing, i actually keep mine, i'm going to create and art project out o them eventually, and since i'm up to about 30 pills a day, i dont' think i'll have ot wait long

"don't kick the puppy" ~ j.e.p.

Your usage of this (also known as Benadryl) is alarming. I'm sure you realize you are overdoing it. Diphenhydramine builds up a tolerance and thus you end up using more and more to get the same effect. Whatever you are taking them for, anxiety, sleep, whatever, there are better meds out there, stronger ones, so that you don't need to take such a continual overdose. Let you doc know what trouble you are having so you can getter safer relief. (You'll prabably save money too.) I imagine you could wind up with liver damage otherwise. Ask a pharmacist or doctor about long term damage.
Also, I would recommend considering a 12 step group because this kind of self medicating smacks of addiction or abuse (Yes, even over the counter meds can be abused). Just my opinion. I've been there too (also sleep meds) and lots of people over do it in different ways, but groups are good places for support and hearing how others have struggled and succeeded. You don't have to be addicted or using alcohol or narcotics to attend, any addiction or drug abuse for the purpose of self-medicating qualifies. Good luck and go look for that help.

although benadryl isn't addictive, traditionally, and yes, you are only taking it about two more doses a day than directed..... i'm guessing you don't get the usualy reaction of sedation but are one of the more rare cases in which you get a little hyper, which you might feel as high.

YOU CAN OVERDOSE ON OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS

matter of fact, if you drink enough water it will land you in the hotpial for a good few days.

this is a medication that works in the brain, histamine (as in anti histamine) is a neuro transmitter just like seratonin and dopamine.

however......... i almost want to say that that isn't benadryl, because in almost every case they come in blister backs because of hoe it breaks down.

despite that, the effects can be such as central nervus system depression, which can lead to serious damage. if you are addicted, then it's not something you can stop on your own. you need to get the help of a medical dr. addiction is an illness just like any other, it's not your fault, it's not you being stupid, your body has taken over and your mind isn't enough to stop it any more.

please call your family dr, or one of the numbers below to get help

800 448 3000

911


"don't kick the puppy" ~ j.e.p.

I was never prescribed diphenhydramine hcl, I am doing it on my own.

I am also on Paxil and have been for over two years now.

Right at this very moment I feel absolutely horrible and have to go to work in one hour at 10pm.

Since I started taking the allergy pills my weight has gone from 216, to now i am probably 170. The allergy pills made me so sleepy that I would not want to eat and now I am paying a price for it. I have to stop the allergy pills...and whenever I have tried to stop, i go back to them.

I think I am at the breaking point stage right now

I don't feel like doing anything at all right now

i am 23

i let my mother know that something is wrong with me today, she does not know i have been taking the pills everyday, she only knows that i am on paxil

I believe it is best to talk to a doc or pdoc about this, I am sure this med is for allergies, but some may find the use for sedation or semi-sedation.
Long term effects I would say one can build up tolerance to it, so it is best to take this up with a doc. If you are using it for allergies and haven't gotten any relief, I'd see an ENT for an allergy evaluation (I did) to pin point the exact thing you are allergic to, then take meds as prescribed.
Just my take on this.

DE

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON

SO that it is clear.

I have been taking these diphenhyramine hcl pills for the SEDATION effect. I am not treating allergies.

but it has gone too far now and i have to stop or i fear something bad may happen

If you are in need of a sedative effect it is best to see your doc, perhaps you are mis0using this med for just that, but may have an underlying problem that should be addressed before self-medicating, you may get to the point, but still may need a temporary relief to sleep, so see a professional before going on to being your own doc., it just may be of help and a better alternative.

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON

my underlying problem is being treated with paxil, for two years now.

i know i need to talk to someone about this.

I agree you really need to do so, and I hope you get to the point of this, it can be a real hassle and I feel for you.
Hang in there, and come and talk with us here

Sincerely,
DE

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON

the most alarming part of this to me is the dramatic weight loss and now sudden loss of appetite.

i am pushing myself to eat though.

All I can suggest is that you get in touch with your doc or pdoc about this, do not allow it to go too far, may be something too big for you to do on your own.

Sincere wishes for luck,

DE

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON

i am leaving to go to work in about 15 minutes.

if i come home tommorrow morning at 6:15 am into my room and then take another 12 of the allergy pills as i have been doing almost every day for a number of months now, well then i know that i will need to get myself to the doctor. so i will let you know

that is so awesome! i know belive me i know how hard it is to ask for help, or tell someone you know something you think they might dissaprove of......

you're on the right track ,and if you fall off, it's ok, just get back on.

"don't kick the puppy" ~ j.e.p.

well,

it is 6:30pm friday, and i am eating cereal. got home at 6 am from work and did not take the normal allergy overdosage, first time in days and took my prescribed paxil dose as i have been. do not feel very well, as i am sure the news of another american being beheaded in the middle east does not help.

is it normal for me to have like no appetite right now and to feel like i am a detox patient?

well, you might have trouble sleeping, and you might have heavy histimine effects.call your doc, they'll tell you what to do to help, you're doing great!

"don't kick the puppy" ~ j.e.p.

4 days now since stopping cold turkey the Diphenhydramine HCL abuse.

Sleeping has improved. I have actually had some pleasant dreams and not violent ones.

Appetite and eating seem to still be an issue. I am eating, but only after a slow convincing before each time I try to eat.

I am going to make an appointment with the doctors to hopefully have a blood test done and to mention the allergy med abuse and my continued paxil use and how I feel since stopping the allergy meds.

Its 7am. I Am going to have some fruit for breakfeast and maybe some cereal, which are the only things that seem to be somewhat appealing to try and eat right now.

I do not have work tonight so I am free today for whatever I need to do. I'd like to go the beach again this morning, I have a few packages to send out from the post office and I should make that appointment I spoke of above. The beach desire comes after yesterdays experience. Got out of work at 6am yesterday and decided to make a visit to the beach. I was feeling extreme anxiety and at some points, for seconds panic and very irrational thoughts such as a complete non-understanding of life and my life. I was aware that they were irrational thoughts so that is why I went to where I thought I could gain some solace.

The humidity was gone, and there was not a cloud in the sky. It was now about 7:15 and the sun had already come up but it was still very early in the day and very quiet. The presence of very few people, whether they were fishing, laying on towels or with their spouse, was actually comforting to see. This opposed to how some people in my condition at the time, I would think would only want to be alone, but I could be wrong.

So, for about a half hour at the most I stayed there and did some stretching and yoga type relaxation which I have learned and experience to be helpful. I have done this at work during breaks, albeit the work surroundings are definitely not the setting that the beach is.

Do not know why I am going on. Just felt ok to do?

AWESOME!!

the appetite could be from other causes, could be depression or anxiety, i'm guessing thisis causing quite a bit of anxiety

"don't kick the puppy" ~ j.e.p.

are you still doing okay? sometimes these things come back and bite us.

<font color=blue> meditation is a true way to connect to the Source </font color=blue>

I am doing much better.

I am eating and sleeping normally once again. I am so greatful for this.

I have had no urges to return to the old habit.

Thank you all for caring.