diphenhydramine every night OK?

[Bev707]

I`ve had bad sleep issues for most of my life but it has gotten worse since I`ve aged (54 now but still not menopausal) and I think I have fibromyagia - I`m waiting for a diagnoses.
My doctor prescribed me Trazodone but I`m not getting on very well with them.  They completely stuff up my nose and since I have allergies anyway, that is not helping getting restful sleep - also they give me killer headaches.
So I`ve been using the over the counter stuff - sometimes I take Tylenol PM as I have arthritis pain but usually just the PM part.  I can get enough sleep with just 25mg so only usually take one each night.
It is harmful at all to take them every night?   Every now and then - at the weekends when I dont have to worry about getting up for work, I try to sleep without anything and I quite often wake up every hour after about 3a.m - I rarely get to sleep before midnight so I`m pretty sleep deprived on those nights and find it hard to function during the day.  Then you get into the cycle of napping in the day time and sleeping even less at night!
Thanks.
Bev

[Dr_Smita_S]

Hi

Tylenol PM contains two active ingredients acetaminophen (analgesic) and diphenhydramine (anti-histaminic). Long-term use of high dose acetaminophen can lead to liver damage. Similarly antihistamines can cause confusion, constipation, dry mouth and urinary problems on long term use.

Elderly persons may be at a higher risk experiencing side effects from acetaminophen and diphenhydramine.

You have other associated medical conditions besides sleeping trouble. These along with stress, depression, anxiety, medications, poor sleep hygiene and declining hormone levels (in menopausal women) are usually responsible for a disturbed sleep.

You should practice good sleep hygiene such as going to bed at a regular time, keeping your bedroom dark and cool, avoiding any naps in between or watching TV in bedroom and getting out of bed if not getting sleep and then again trying after sometime. You may also consider trying out some acupuncturist or a massage therapist.

I would advise you consult your physician for a complete evaluation. Further he may refer you to a sleep specialist if needed. It is important to detect the underlying cause of insomnia. He might consider a sleep study or getting your estrogen levels checked.

Take care!

[Bev707]

Thanks for you reply!  I almost never take Tylenol unless the arthitis in my neck is causing me more pain than usual.  Most nights it`s just a generic diphenhydramine.  I just took 25mg last night and got more or less 7 hours of sleep which for me is wonderful!
I do practise good sleep hygiene as I`ve been dealing with sleep problems all my life.  I sleep with a fan on in the room to help with the dreaded hot flashes - I think my usual poor sleep is just being exaserbated with the little "extras" of my impending menopause and the pain I have from arthitis - oh, and I got diagnosed with low thyriod a few months ago but seem to have that under control now with meds.
I appreciate your suggestions though and will check in with my doctor soon.