Re: HELP! + Part my antihistamine file

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I posted about two weeks ago asking if anyone minded posts with their names

deleted and other identifying data, to Jodi's Web Site. Below is part of my

antihistamine file to give you an idea.

I have the files ready to send Jodi for posting and feel they would benefit

so many. I am hesitant to do so as the " RLS Librarian " you might say, without

some reassurance this is okay with the majority!! Maybe everyone was asleep,

what a God send that would be, when I posted last week.

Don't leave me in a lurch; give me your honest opinion!

I have files similar to this one antihistamines on antidepressants, ferritin,

exploding knees, thumper/chumper, sinemet, magnesium, kava kava, children and

RLS, biofeedback, ritalin (the latter 2 being not promising), botox, heel

lifts, mirapex/requirp/permax and all the other drugs taken to help alleviate

RLS symptoms.

Help!

Barbara

Hi, Many RLS patients have found that antihistamines, especially Benadryl

(diphenhydramine), aggravate their RLS. There are other RLS patients that

find that Benadryl either has no effect on their RLS or helps them to sleep.

Dr. Levin

B, I think the main ingredient that seems to aggravate the RLS is

diphenhydramine. You might want to check that one out. It's in alot of OTC

cold and allergy medications and also OTC sleeping medications. I had a shot

of benadryl when I was stung by a bee which I am allergic to at the ER

despite my protests; I nearly went mad for 36 with severe RLS symptoms. J

B, My experience is this: Tylenol itself makes my RLS worse, so the P.M. was

no better. I would NEVER take DRISTAN, CONTAC cold, etc, as they wire me and

make my RLS worse. All these include BENEDRYL. Y

Hi, I never used to pay attention to antihistamines as regards my RLS,

because the RLS was always bad. Some days were worse than others, and I never

connected that the bad days were when I was taking some sort of

antihistamine. Then one day, when for some blessed reason, my legs were

fairly quiet, but I had a very bad cold, I called my doctor's answering

service and explained my situation. The " doctor on call " for that night, who

didn't know me from Adam, called and said to take Benadryl and call him in

the morning (a new version of taking the aspirin and calling).

My husband went to Walgreens and got a bottle, and wow, within 20 minutes

after taking, my legs were at their worst!!! It was then I connected the

antihistamine and RLS symptoms. That doctor, though he probably meant well,

but really didn't care, cost me not just a night's sleep, but a night of

sheer misery. I did some research on RLS and found that antihistamine truly

did aggravate symptoms for most people. I've never taken it since.

I'm one of the lucky ones who has found the right combination of medication,

and the RLS symptoms stay at bay so I sleep and feel great. But I'd rather

die of a cold than take Benadryl again!!! L

In the few weeks since I have joined this group, I have tried a few different

options and my RLS has improved dramatically. I have cut back on caffeine, I

try not to have any after noon.

I also stopped taking antihistamines. To recap, I have had RLS symptoms all

of my life, but only recently has it bothered me enough at night that I

couldn't get to sleep or stay asleep. After reading the mail on this list, I

made the connection between starting an antihistamine (Zyrtec) and the RLS

becoming worse at night.

I quit Zrytec, took Benadryl for a little while, knock on wood, my

allergies/sinuses are subsiding, so i am not taking anything. The RLS at

bedtime has subsided considerably. I am not sure what I will do if/when my

allergies kick in again. I dread the thought of going on medication for this

until I absolutely have to....K

Hi, I've discovered that a combination of 1 Benedryl and one Lorazapam about

one hour before bedtime seems to do the trick for me. At least it has for the

past 2 weeks. Has anyone had experience with this combo and are there any

potential long term side effects or any downside anyone is aware of? Thanks B

Hi , Yes, when I took Restoril; it really made my RLS kick in. And it did

not help me sleep at all except for the first night. That seems to be the

way I react to medications however. The restoril almost acted the same way

that a cold medication does such as sudafed. I asked my doctor and of

course.. they were stumped. But.. then again.. if I want to stay up for 48

hours.. all I need is a teaspoon of Nyquil. Evidently, I was the same as a

child when my parents gave me actifed. I think we just all react differently.

If it works for you then God speed!..C

L,...The Tylenol PM thing just goes to show how different we all are. I took

one - one night - and it was one of the worst nights I've ever spent. My head

was dropping as I was frantically trying to walk off one of the worst attacks

I've ever had.

Benadryl does the same thing, I'm so sleepy I can't hold my head up and

almost fall down trying to keep walking. More power to you if it works for

you though. I apologize to all of you for this being so long, but this

message from Lynn really sparked some strong feelings, and as I told ne

today, (I think it was S) I think I'm wired from all these meds I'm taking

for bronchitis. Forgive me and thanks for listening. X