Taking more than one sedating drug at a time

[musiclover]

I just got an Rx for Hydroxyzine because I found that Benadryl helps me. Anyway, I am wondering, how do you deal with the sedative effects of Hydroxyzine along with other sedating meds like Neurontin or Elavil? So for example, Neurontin makes me tired, so how can I take it with Hydroxyzine? Is it really safe to take both at night around the same time?

[ICNDonna]

You really need to talk to your doctor about this one. We are not qualified to make that judgement for you.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[musiclover]

I'll give the pharmacy a call. They weren't very informative with my questions about Elmiron, but this one they should know I would think. It should be a pretty common question. Thank you.

[Charisse]

Make sure to check with your dr. as well. It can be very dangerous to mix two sedating meds although the pharmacist once told me that I absolutely could not mix a couple of meds but the dr. gave me a schedule to space them out and it worked fine for me. In this case the pharmacist was being overly cautious which is probably the best thing to do but I am thankful my dr. had experience with the two meds I was taking and how I could space them out. I have a high tolerance to sedating meds though.

[karenann52]

A pharmacist told me that if antihistamines make you tired, they won't after three days. Atarax 25mg (Hydroxyzine) wiped me out for the first two days. Benedryl did so for the first day or so. It was recommended that I take either at bedtime. Because of your other drugs, check w doc or pharmacist.

After a few days on Atarax, I cut the 25mg pill in half and it worked as well.

I stopped using Atarax about 5 mos later, as I was suspicious that it was causing a circulation problem from my pelvic area into my legs. My muscles fatigued easily. At the time I stopped I was dx with Vitamin D deficiency. Started Vitamin D supplements and the muscle stuff/tremors down legs almost stopped in a week and gradually even better over 3-4 months. Haven't taken Atarax since. Instead, I'm now using Clarinex (1/2) during day and Benedryl (25mg) at nite.

Have read alot of posts mentioning leg cramps, muscle aches in pelvic area, spasms down legs - Vitamin D fixed this for me. The largest muscles in the body are butt and upper thighs. The bladder and other pelvic muscles...all in the same area are muscles too. When I complained about muscle pain to doctor, he did the Vit D test. It's only since 2007 that importance of Vit D is better understood. I have to take Vit D daily as it didn't cure anything.

[musiclover]

Yes, that's true. I finally got over that fatigue and got up to 50mg of Hydroxyzine, which I'm still on. However, I have noticed since upping it that I gained 5 pounds in one week! This is very unusual for me and I am really suspicious of the Hyrdoxyzine. I go to the gym 4 -5 times a week and haven't eaten much due to the IC diet, so I can't imagine how I could pack on 5 pounds so quickly. I just googled it and read that it can slow the metabolism. Great! This is so frustrating.

[karenann52]

5lbs in a week with that much exercise is alot! Can you cut the amount of hydroxzine or change? The pharmacist did mention one can be more hungry with some antihistamines.

I've learned from all of this that 1000+ iu Vitamin D can cut your appetite, but yogurt or pills with acidophilus can also make one hungry after an hour of eating. I now eat yogurts (w acidophilus) prior to a meal, not as dessert.

It's all a bit too much at times, but since I've learned these things, I feel more in charge of what's happening to me.

[musiclover]

I know, I don't think I've gained that much that quickly ever. I'll try the vitamin D, although I really don't think I'm eating any more than usual. I'm going to start doing a food diary and see if I can figure it out. Then if it is food intake, maybe the vitamin D would help with the appetite thing.

The first thing I did when I got up this morning was head to the gym and I'm going to do the same tomorrow.