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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by WorryGirl on March 31, 2003, at 19:43:16
Hi,
I haven't been to a new pdoc yet, but am in the process of making an appointment.
I started coming down with a cold a few days ago. I have always been anti-medicine, but it was getting so bad that I gave in and took continuous doses of Benadryl. I feel so much calmer. Things that usually drive me crazy don't bother me. I do feel a bit fuzzy-headed but isn't that how some people feel when they first get on certain anti-anxiety or anti-depressants?If I were to continue taking this, would my body adjust accordingly and I would lose that "head in a cloud" feeling? Aside from that and some sleepiness I feel pretty good. Is this medication dangerous to continue taking (i.e., habit forming or hard on the body?). Obviously, anti-anxieties like Xanax and Valium are.
Is it possible that certain meds for anxiety actually contain some antihistamine in them? Has anyone ever heard of them being prescribed to anyone for anything other than cold or allergies?
These may sound like stupid questions but I'd really like to know.
P.S. I haven't raised my voice, taken things the wrong way, or lost my temper once in the past 24 hours - amazing for me. I know that this won't solve my long-term issues, but maybe this could be a start?
Thanks for any responses.
Posted by worrier on March 31, 2003, at 20:26:03
In reply to Are antihistamines considered an anti-anxiety med?, posted by WorryGirl on March 31, 2003, at 19:43:16
> Hi,
> I haven't been to a new pdoc yet, but am in the process of making an appointment.
> I started coming down with a cold a few days ago. I have always been anti-medicine, but it was getting so bad that I gave in and took continuous doses of Benadryl. I feel so much calmer. Things that usually drive me crazy don't bother me. I do feel a bit fuzzy-headed but isn't that how some people feel when they first get on certain anti-anxiety or anti-depressants?
>
> If I were to continue taking this, would my body adjust accordingly and I would lose that "head in a cloud" feeling? Aside from that and some sleepiness I feel pretty good. Is this medication dangerous to continue taking (i.e., habit forming or hard on the body?). Obviously, anti-anxieties like Xanax and Valium are.
>
> Is it possible that certain meds for anxiety actually contain some antihistamine in them? Has anyone ever heard of them being prescribed to anyone for anything other than cold or allergies?
>
> These may sound like stupid questions but I'd really like to know.
>
> P.S. I haven't raised my voice, taken things the wrong way, or lost my temper once in the past 24 hours - amazing for me. I know that this won't solve my long-term issues, but maybe this could be a start?
>
> Thanks for any responses.>There are antihistamines that are prescribed for anxiety, benedryl has some anti-anxiety effect for some people,and the rx antihistamine hydroxyzine is/was often used as an antianxiety med. I have found the effects to be minimal (hydroxyzine better than benedryl) but they tend to be quite sedating for most people. Benzos at an appropriate dose work much better and are less mind fogging in my opinion. I have found that I can take 25mg of benedryl at night with .5mg of xanax and sleep better. Also if I find my anxiety level creeping up during the day a little benedryl or hydroxizine curbs it without having to increase the xanax dose. On the down side benedryl only lasts for about 4 hours (like xanax). Hydroxyzine lasts alot longer but makes me alot foggier. Don't know about dependency/addiction or whatever with antihitamines....doubt it. But there's no reason to fear benzos if you use them as directed and they work for you. Best to you. Worrier.
Posted by fachad on March 31, 2003, at 20:37:32
In reply to Are antihistamines considered an anti-anxiety med?, posted by WorryGirl on March 31, 2003, at 19:43:16
Yes, antihistamines are considered anxiety meds.
Vistaril (hydroxyzine) is specifically marketed as an anti-anxiety med. Phenergan (promethazine) is another antihistamine that is used to treat anxiety, although it is mainly used for nausea.
Some people may think that Vistaril is an obsolete treatment, but there is an article in the current issue, March 2003, of the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, titled "Hydroxyzine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder".
Finally, you have been misinformed about benzodiazepines (e.g. Valium, Xanax) being harmful to the body. It is true that some people do develop behavioral problems like tolerance, dependence or abuse with those medications, but physically, they are very safe and gentle on the body.
However, you may want to try Vistaril if Benadryl seems to help you. It’s available as a very inexpensive generic, and you will have fewer problems with doctors not wanting to write for it.
If you decide to give it a try, ask your pdoc to write for hydroxyzine pamoate; some people think hydroxyzine hcl is less effective for anxiety.
> Hi,
> I haven't been to a new pdoc yet, but am in the process of making an appointment.
> I started coming down with a cold a few days ago. I have always been anti-medicine, but it was getting so bad that I gave in and took continuous doses of Benadryl. I feel so much calmer. Things that usually drive me crazy don't bother me. I do feel a bit fuzzy-headed but isn't that how some people feel when they first get on certain anti-anxiety or anti-depressants?
>
> If I were to continue taking this, would my body adjust accordingly and I would lose that "head in a cloud" feeling? Aside from that and some sleepiness I feel pretty good. Is this medication dangerous to continue taking (i.e., habit forming or hard on the body?). Obviously, anti-anxieties like Xanax and Valium are.
>
> Is it possible that certain meds for anxiety actually contain some antihistamine in them? Has anyone ever heard of them being prescribed to anyone for anything other than cold or allergies?
>
> These may sound like stupid questions but I'd really like to know.
>
> P.S. I haven't raised my voice, taken things the wrong way, or lost my temper once in the past 24 hours - amazing for me. I know that this won't solve my long-term issues, but maybe this could be a start?
>
> Thanks for any responses.
Posted by WorryGirl on March 31, 2003, at 21:59:24
In reply to Re: Are antihistamines considered an anti-anxiety med?, posted by worrier on March 31, 2003, at 20:26:03
Posted by WorryGirl on March 31, 2003, at 22:10:07
In reply to Re: Are antihistamines considered an anti-anxiety med?, posted by fachad on March 31, 2003, at 20:37:32
> Vistaril (hydroxyzine) is specifically marketed as an anti-anxiety med. Phenergan (promethazine) is another antihistamine that is used to treat anxiety, although it is mainly used for nausea.
>
> Some people may think that Vistaril is an obsolete treatment, but there is an article in the current issue, March 2003, of the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, titled "Hydroxyzine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder".
Very interesting - this could be very helpful for me. I will talk to my doctor about it.>
> Finally, you have been misinformed about benzodiazepines (e.g. Valium, Xanax) being harmful to the body. It is true that some people do develop behavioral problems like tolerance, dependence or abuse with those medications, but physically, they are very safe and gentle on the body.
>I'm glad to know this. I suppose I was referring the many negative comments made about these drugs and the often false connotations that go along with it. I felt so good after taking a Xanax a long time ago (from a friend after I had a panic attack in college). So good that I was afraid I might get addicted to it. At this point in my life I think I could handle this drug in appropriate doses, especially knowing that they are not hard on the body.
>
> If you decide to give it a try, ask your pdoc to write for hydroxyzine pamoate; some people think hydroxyzine hcl is less effective for anxiety.Sounds like it's worth a try. Thanks for your reply.
Posted by Caleb462 on March 31, 2003, at 22:20:15
In reply to Are antihistamines considered an anti-anxiety med?, posted by WorryGirl on March 31, 2003, at 19:43:16
> Hi,
> I haven't been to a new pdoc yet, but am in the process of making an appointment.
> I started coming down with a cold a few days ago. I have always been anti-medicine, but it was getting so bad that I gave in and took continuous doses of Benadryl. I feel so much calmer. Things that usually drive me crazy don't bother me. I do feel a bit fuzzy-headed but isn't that how some people feel when they first get on certain anti-anxiety or anti-depressants?
>
> If I were to continue taking this, would my body adjust accordingly and I would lose that "head in a cloud" feeling? Aside from that and some sleepiness I feel pretty good. Is this medication dangerous to continue taking (i.e., habit forming or hard on the body?). Obviously, anti-anxieties like Xanax and Valium are.
>
> Is it possible that certain meds for anxiety actually contain some antihistamine in them? Has anyone ever heard of them being prescribed to anyone for anything other than cold or allergies?
>
> These may sound like stupid questions but I'd really like to know.
>
> P.S. I haven't raised my voice, taken things the wrong way, or lost my temper once in the past 24 hours - amazing for me. I know that this won't solve my long-term issues, but maybe this could be a start?
>
> Thanks for any responses.
For some folks, I guess they are. Not for me though. I have always found that anti-histamines INCREASE my anxiety level. They put me into this yucky, irritable sleepy state - the feeling you get when you wake up on a monday morning after only a few hours sleep. Blah.
Posted by SpreadDaALoha on April 1, 2003, at 7:33:59
In reply to Re: Are antihistamines considered an anti-anxiety med?, posted by Caleb462 on March 31, 2003, at 22:20:15
Not sure about all antihistamines. I took Hydroxyzine/Vistaril prn for a time--it did nothing for me as far as I know.
Posted by noa on April 1, 2003, at 19:23:04
In reply to Re: Are antihistamines considered an anti-anxiety med?, posted by SpreadDaALoha on April 1, 2003, at 7:33:59
Don't know, but I have heard of one antihistamine that is used to treat nightmares (I think it was orignially used to treat combat vets with PTSD) I have also heard this same med used to counteract the sexual side effects of SSRIs. I think it is called Periactin.
This is the end of the thread.
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