Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: honeybun on June 18, 2013, 01:34:50 PM
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I was reading the NHS page on anxiety last night as I have finally made an appointment with my GP to discuss medication that could help.
I found a list of common treatments and amongst them was antihistamines. It was recommended for shorter term use.
I feel as if I have got myself into a bit of a spiral. I am anxious and now I just expect it to be there. If I could just give my brain (such as it is) a rest and break the cycle.
Has anyone been prescribed antihistamines for anxiety.
They seemed to say that Benadryl was the best.
Honeyb
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Anti-histamines - ??? never been prescribed those for anxiety. They do suppress hystemine in the body i.e. related to allergies. Are you able to post the article?
I have used Rescue Remedy and the Beta-blocka saved my Life. Some people find that BBs make them hyper, the opp to what we need ::)
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I need to go onto the computer to do it as I have never got to grips with it on my Kindle. I will do later....
I searched antihistamines and anxiety and up pooped the NHS website with details.
Honeyb
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I have used antihistamine tablets in the past to help get off to sleep.
They were the drowsy making type
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Yes they can slow you down I think. The surprising thing was it is an accepted treatment for anxiety. I was very surprised.
Honeyb
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Suppose it makes sense, if you get a good night sleep?
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I think they are to be taken during the day when the anxiety is there.
Honeyb
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If you get drowsy, best be careful when you drive....... ;)
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I am going to ask my GP about them on Thursday when I go. I will report back on what she says.
Honeyb
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Here's the link http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Anxiety/Pages/Treatment.aspx
It seems as if it is the older type of antihistamine which works in this way. The downside is that you are not advised to drive while taking them Honeybun which might prevent you looking after your mum
Taz x
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Just have to see what the GP says Taz. I used to have really bad hay fever and took antihistamines every day and drove....so who knows.
Honeyb
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It does seem to be quite a strong drug Honeybun but if it works for a few weeks to break the anxiety cycle and if you can get someone else to help out with mum if it does make you feel drowsy and sedated then it may very well be worth a go. Perhaps it was this link and not the other I posted? http://www.nhs.uk/medicine-guides/pages/MedicineOverview.aspx?condition=Anxiety&medicine=hydroxyzine%20hydrochloride&preparation=Hydroxyzine%2025mg%20tablets
Taz x
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It was the first link that I had seen and not the second. It does seem very strong so now I am not sure.
Guess I will have to wait and see what the GP says.
Thanks for the links.
Honeyb
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Honeybun - it might be a way to do less for your Mum so that she begins to appreciate you more and you will have your GPs advice behind taking it. Interesting subject! I too have used the older type of Anti-Hs to aid sleep or travel sickness medication.
Make a list to take with you on Thursday :yes:
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I have used antihistamines as I was snoring and it was waking me and everyone else up :) Then found that it really helped me to sleep which was a real bonus! Trouble is that you can become dependant on them.
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Hmmm, interesting.
I take the antihistamine diphenhydramine, (active ingredient in One-a-night Nytol) to help me sleep.
If I use it more than 2 nights in a row it doesn't work though! So I use it now and then.
I take it to help me sleep but now you mention it, it really really does make me chill out, so can see how it would be very useful for anxiety.
I tend to buy my diphenhydramine in America though as its loads cheaper ;) plus the ones I get in America come in half doses (suppose you could break a Nytol tablet in half?) - a half dose during the day would obviously be better for anxiety and wouldn't put you to sleep.
My point was, before I distracted myself , you can buy one-a-night Nytol over the counter which would avoid a trip to the doctor if you just wanted to try it?
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I developed excema (sp) so GP gave me cetrizine for through the day and phenegran at night it was all anxiety stress related developed GAD so phychiartist gave it me at night to help me sleep works really well, only take 1 at night but sleep right the way through and don't itch. Sorry about the awful spelling.
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I used to use phenergan for travel sickness in my kids. I remember being quite shocked when my GP told me that he and his wife used to use it on their kids just to get them to sleep on occasions. I never did but oh heck was it tempting. ;D
Honeyb
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I'd be surprised if it WAS benadryl as they are not one of the anti histamines that cause drowsiness. They are quite a new drug and there is no generic version so they are expensive. All the other anti histamines have cheap generic versions.
My GP, sadly retired, told me that when she needed a good night's sleep she took Piriton. That is basically what is in Nytol and all the supermarket own versions of Nytol.
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Nytol, Sleep Aid etc ARE antihistamines. Or did you mean something like Temazepam, Zopiclone etc?
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The active ingredient in Piriton - chlorphenamine maleate - has serotonergic effects ie effects similar to the SNRI class of anti-depressants: serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorphenamine#Serotonergic_and_norepinephrinergic_effects
However, extensive clinical trials of its efficacy as an SNRI anti depressant on humans have not yet been conducted.
Just thought this might be pertinent to this thread.
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Kes - Sounds quite pertinent to me
If it helps you sleep, do you feel better in yourself for having had a good nights sleep?
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Oh - forgot to say - I am conducting my own informal, one person trial - so far so good. I feel less depressed. I came across these anti histamines because my husband has dire hay fever and needs to keep swapping tablets every year as they become less effective.
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Do they have a generic/brand name Kes?
Honeyb
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The generic name is just chlorphenamine - but the brand name they are usually sold under is Piriton. I gather you can buy them generically at some chemists.
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Are you using them for anxiety or depression Kes.
Anxiety is my major problem and i can't tolerate anti depressants. I was very sick with the one I took and just don't want to attempt that again.
Your feedback would be great.
Honeyb
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Anxiety mainly. When I had major depression, the worst symptom was the anxiety rather than the depression.
BTW, I had the same problem as you, most SSRIs made me throw up. However, then I found one that didn't - Seroxat - paroxetine. For many people, it is better tolerated than some of the others - not all, however. I know at least one person on here who found it awful, but it worked for me, (it took exactly 6 weeks and I woke up one morning feeling on top of the world) and got rid of the anxiety as well. I didn't stay on it because of other side effects, namely rendering one sexually inert, and when I tried going back on it a couple of years later, it didn't have the same magical effect. Apparently this is another common experience.