I'm sitting here at a loss. How is this even possible? It's the most frustrating and irritating thing ever. I'm a bit allergic to my dog. I didn't know this till after I got the little dude and by the time we narrowed down what in the world was making me so freaking itchy -- it was too late. I was attached and I'll never give him up. Technically I was attached from the first moment he sat in my lap. Anyway, as a result of my itchiness/allergy to him, I started taking 25mgs of benadryl about four times a day. Upon asking my doctor about the implications of this they told me there is no harm done. I don't drive, so that isn't really a concern either. I've tried every anti-itch cream, OTC pill and prescription allergy medication to no avail. Benadryl works the best. O.K. Well, now fast forward a year. I can take 100mgs of benadryl (twice the recommended limit at once) in one go, and can easily consume 300-500mgs of benadryl in a day. All without being a zombie or sleeping for days on end. For reference the recommended daily maximum is 150mgs. I'm way over that limit. I actually function quite well. I know for fact there has been no liver damage or ill effects from this that would be expected/apparent. I just can't help but feel this somehow has to be damaging me. I mean, how could it not? I've discussed it with my doctors and every single test is normal. Also, my doctors have never seen this issue in their patients. I know it's a long shot, but I was interested to see if anyone here had any insights into this?
Oh My God! I thought I was alone!! I too am addicted to diphenhydramine! I take so much I had to switch from the 25mg to the 100mg tablets I buy on Amazon. I can take up 5 or 6 of those in a day, I don't get sleepy or zombied out anymore. I do if I don't take any for a couple days. It sounds rediclous to some people because I know so many people who can't stand the feeling but I need it to feel normal. It's like I'm constantly on edge or nervous if I don't take them. I guess I may have some kind of anxiety disorder.
Well if you have been taking it for quite a long time already and you don't notice any side effects then it must not be that bad, isn't it? You have already discussed it with your doctor and every single test is normal, so I think you shouldn't worry about taking more than the recommended dosage.
Most drugs are addictive if you use them to much. There are people that are even addicted to pain killers. I think you should look into natural alternatives for allergies. It seems like the more you take something the more addictive it gets.
I tend to use dipendhramine at night to help me sleep. I prefer to have it, but I would not say I am addicted to it. I was just in the store looking for some meds that contain it, and I couldn't find the kind I usually get so I just got plain old aspirin substitute. I don't think it is getting to make a real difference with my sleep.
Doesn't sound as much like an addiction as it does your body just becoming dependent on it. Your body has gotten use to it, just like can happen with any other medication basically, and you will continue to have to take more and more to get the same effect.
Well, to be safe, once you notice any adverse effects on your body then you should stop taking them immediately and consult your doctor.
If all your tests came out normal, then I guess there's nothing to worry about. But like all other things, if you consume too much of it, it may be dangerous in the long run. Perhaps the ill effects hasn't manifested yet. Just be careful, okay.
@serenity & @Mara I hear you. The only notable thing is imagining of my liver shows it lighter/paler in color than your typical screening. However, the liver specialist was just like, "Well then, that could be due to a lot of different things, but given everything I do not think you need to be worried at all." Ah well, hopefully this doesn't turn into something but for now it has been pretty decent/ok.
My case was quite different and far from yours since after 2 months of taking sleeping pills I developed a phobia and also hypersensitivity to sound, so I researched and I found out that those were the side effects of the pills, so I stopped. You're lucky that you don't experience any side effects while taking it.
Ya. I'm actually convinced I have malabsorption issues. Due to the fact that there is absolutely no way I could be consuming this much benadryl and still be standing. It's really puzzling though.
Although it does not have side effects on you at this time, better to stop taking too much or find for natural safer alternatives. The side effects could arise after too much and too long consumption and better not to wait for that moment to happen.
Yeah that's what I'm starting to think, since if you consume that much then there are bound to be side effects caused by it. You're very lucky not to feel them!
Ya. I do not disagree. seems like I'm starting to need it to feel normal. So who knows what it might be doing long term. This has got to be the weirdest thing I've ever encountered. As @serenity pointed out, I can't imagine I'm getting the full amount of what I'm taking. There's most definitely something going on there in terms of it being absorbed and I have some personal theories but it's all unknown. This is especially true because according to the dosages I took within a 24hr period I should've been dead yesterday. I'm monitoring it closely at home but thus far there has been no indication of overdose symptoms. I did wake up this morning with some tooth grinding/aching jaw from having a clenched jaw but I'm not sold on that being related to the benadryl.
The only thing that would concern me is sleep deprivation. That would be the cause for health disorders down the road. Please get help because this is a serious issue.
I found that a person that truly has the disease of addiction can gradually consume more and more without the effects that someone without the disease would have. Doesn't matter the substance. An alcoholic can be three times the legal limit, yet it would have killed someone without the disease. I don't think it is a malabsorption issue. I can grow a tolerance to anything because I have the disease.
I would say that you have developed a "tolerance" for the medication. Since you have been taking Benadryl for a while now, your body might have developed a tolerance for it. Repeated use and dosage that is higher than normal might be the culprits for this tolerance. So in order to actually feel the effects of Benadryl, you do need to take it in higher doses. For a lot of experts, physical dependence on medication is different from addiction. I have read a lot of cases online where individuals claim to have an addiction to Benadryl. Now, the line between physical dependence and addiction is too close. Most health professionals aren't too concerned with people building a tolerance for Benadryl. I would beg to disagree though. I urge you to find natural treatments for your allergy to your dog. Mostly, it's the fur that causes allergy, try shaving his fur. Maybe this can remedy your dilemma with him. I'd also try to find a health professional that is emphatic about my condition and would find alternatives instead of just prescribing medications after medications after medications. Good luck and take care of yourself!