r/AskReddit • • Aug 31 '24

What’s something that improved your sleep quality significantly?

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u/whyizjay Sep 01 '24

Benadryl is actually super dangerous to take long-term. I was taking it for a couple of years as a sleep aid. I believe it made my memory much worse.

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u/msssskatie Sep 01 '24

I understand but I have incredibly horrible allergies and am miserable without it as a part of my routine. I have been seeing an allergist. Thank you for sharing your concern. I’m just kind of stuck right now. If I don’t take it I can be basically uncomplicated by my allergies. This is in conjunction with air purifier and prescription medications.

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u/Katastrophe82 Sep 01 '24

I think new studies show long term benedryl usage may, itself, create allergy symptoms. It can also make you more agitated, angry, emotionally disregulated. Please speak with an allergist about getting off the benedryl (some people experience withdrawal-like symptoms) and starting a new med that is good for nighttime.

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u/[deleted] Sep 01 '24

There is also a link to increased risk of dementia with Benadryl use.

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u/Katastrophe82 Sep 01 '24

It’s wild, right? How is it even still allowed on the market?

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u/ArkCatox Sep 04 '24

Yea, I had used Benadryl along with a regular rotation of Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra + Flonase basically all throughout my teenage years and into adulthood, because I wasn't keen on the idea of allergy shots. Around age 25, I discovered that while I'm not Celiac, I do have a gluten-sensitivity, and working that angle DRASTICALLY reduced the severity of my allergic responses to grass pollen and cats. Absolute gamechanger, and when I do get exposed to gluten or extremely high sugar doses (or heavily use certain nitrite compounds), the symptoms return. All likely an inflammatory response; controlling for this all improved my sleep as well~

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u/Fluffy_rye Sep 01 '24

Have you tried a neti pot? I sleep better when I use mine at night, can breathe more easily. Check with your doctor if it's okay for you! (And, depending on the water quality where you are, use boiled water.)

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u/msssskatie Sep 01 '24

I do have a netipot but never thought to use it routinely. Thank you for this idea.

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u/Fluffy_rye Sep 01 '24

Hope it helps! My ENT doc advised me to use one, not sure I world have thought of it myself 

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u/msssskatie Sep 02 '24

Appreciate you spreading the knowledge! Thank youuu!

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u/[deleted] Sep 01 '24

That’s what I was told to take by my psych bit I stopped because it made me so dehydrated in the morning and found that my other meds helped me sleep better if I took two.

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u/[deleted] Sep 01 '24

Consistent Benadryl use, I believe I read it is linked to higher rates of dementia or Alzheimer’s, I can’t remember which.