Around 2000, I developed some pretty significant sleep issues. Up most of the night, wandering the house. Always exhausted. It was the usual suspects: money, career, life. Went to a doctor and was told Ambien. I was against that as I knew once you were on it, you had to stay on it (and i think at the time, it was pretty darn expensive).
I tried Tylenol PM and it worked. Later, figured out that is was the diphenhydramine that made you sleepy, so I switched to generic benedryl. And that continued for the next two+ decades. Two diphens every night about 6:30 PM. Obviously became psychologically hooked and it created significant anxiety if I did not take them on time or we were out and I forgot to bring them.
Fast forward to retirement in 2016. Now is the time to quit, right? Nope. Completely lacked the courage to try. Last September, I decided it was time. If I don't sleep initially, it was going to be ok. I didn't have to wake up for anything and if I am tired all day, so be it. I quit cold-turkey. Yes, I laid in bed for an hour or three each night, but very little anxiety. Over Sept and October, it slowly improved; falling asleep more quickly (unfortunately, I get up 3-5 times due to BPH but that's a different thread!)
Now five months benedryl-free, I feel I have beaten my nearly 25-year habit.
I tried Tylenol PM and it worked. Later, figured out that is was the diphenhydramine that made you sleepy, so I switched to generic benedryl. And that continued for the next two+ decades. Two diphens every night about 6:30 PM. Obviously became psychologically hooked and it created significant anxiety if I did not take them on time or we were out and I forgot to bring them.
Fast forward to retirement in 2016. Now is the time to quit, right? Nope. Completely lacked the courage to try. Last September, I decided it was time. If I don't sleep initially, it was going to be ok. I didn't have to wake up for anything and if I am tired all day, so be it. I quit cold-turkey. Yes, I laid in bed for an hour or three each night, but very little anxiety. Over Sept and October, it slowly improved; falling asleep more quickly (unfortunately, I get up 3-5 times due to BPH but that's a different thread!)
Now five months benedryl-free, I feel I have beaten my nearly 25-year habit.