Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Benedryl

jswog

By jswog
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

jswog Contributor
jswog
Posted

Hi! Not sure if this is the best forum for posting this question, but here goes...

I'm normally a VERY sound sleeper and can sleep through ANYTHING. Ever since I went gluten free, I've been not sleeping well, very light, waking up often, and just having a difficult time getting to sleep. Would benedryl be safe to take to kind of help me over the hump to sleeping again? Or do you have any other suggestions that might help me?

TYIA!

Jen

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


eatmeat4good Enthusiast
eatmeat4good
Posted

Benedryl could either make you drowsy...or make you jittery. It isn't really meant as a sleep aid, though I do know some people use it as such. Melatonin is a supplement that is said to help those with trouble sleeping and those with jet lag. It is harmless by all research I have read. You could try that. Or test out how you do with Benedryl. Or ask your Dr. for a short term solution to sleeplessness. Hopefully things will balance out soon.

Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

As long as you follow all the directions on the package, Benedryl is fine to try for sleep. It's been marketed as Sominex for decades. I find it leaves me drowsy in the morning though.

I like to take a little passion flower herb if I have trouble sleeping. It's milder and I'm not aware of any dangers or side effects from it. It only works for a few nights and then I get used to it, though. Also, I don't sleep well if I forget my fish oil for a few days.

Bubba's Mom Enthusiast
Bubba's Mom
Posted

I use Benedryl(at bedtime) along with Melatonin(an hour before bedtime) if I'm having a bad night. For me, insomnia means I got some cc somewhere, so be sure you're not getting a small dose somehow?

Also, be sure to take a calcium and multi vitamin suppliment. Low calcium can cause insomnia and a B6 deficiency can as well. I'm sure there must be other nutrients in the puzzle as too?

Good luck to you in sorting this out. I'm very well aware of how it feels to go without sleep. Not good at all!

jswog Contributor
jswog
Posted
  • Author

I use Benedryl(at bedtime) along with Melatonin(an hour before bedtime) if I'm having a bad night. For me, insomnia means I got some cc somewhere, so be sure you're not getting a small dose somehow?

This has only started after I went gluten-free. I was sleeping very well (very sound) before going gluten-free.

Also, be sure to take a calcium and multi vitamin suppliment. Low calcium can cause insomnia and a B6 deficiency can as well. I'm sure there must be other nutrients in the puzzle as too?

I do take both already (Calcium/Magnesium Combo), in addition to a Iron/VitC/Folic Acid/B12. My multi has 20mg (1000% RDV) of B6, 400IU (100% RDV) VitD, 50mg (5%RDV) of Calcium. The Calcium/Magnesium has 1000mg (100% RDV) Calcium, 50IU (13% RDV) VitD, and 500mg (125% RDV) Magnesium. Now all of this has no bearing on if I'm actually absorbing it all or not. I do have a follow-up appointment on Thursday when I should have the results of my biopsies and I plan to ask her to run a vitamin/mineral profile to weed out any deficiencies I may/may not have.

  • 1 year later...
amahones Rookie
amahones
Posted

Hi! Not sure if this is the best forum for posting this question, but here goes...

I'm normally a VERY sound sleeper and can sleep through ANYTHING. Ever since I went gluten free, I've been not sleeping well, very light, waking up often, and just having a difficult time getting to sleep. Would benedryl be safe to take to kind of help me over the hump to sleeping again? Or do you have any other suggestions that might help me?

TYIA!

Jen

One of Benadryl's side effects is sleepiness and because of that, it's the active ingredient in most OTC sleep-aids, and in the "night-time" version of many OTC drugs (I think Zzzquil, Advil PM and others). I find with Benadryl that I am very groggy in the morning but that probably isn't a big concern if you're not sleeping at all. I've had reasonable luck with Melatonin and I have a prescription for clonazepam that I take occasionally. Good luck, I hope you find something that helps you!

shadowicewolf Proficient
shadowicewolf
Posted

you could take it, but should you need it for something else (aka allergic reaction), it probably won't work the best as your body would be used to it.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


  • 4 months later...
Smylinacha Apprentice
Smylinacha
Posted

Before I went gluten free, I couldn't sleep and attributed it to stress. Dr. gave me Valium and that barely worked. Then I tried Ambien but I couldn't wake up for work. Now I just take some calcium and a benadryl the dye free ones and I only wake up once at night. I do sleep a little better going gluten free and not as stressed and depressed.

love2travel Mentor
love2travel
Posted

Still have raging insomnia. Wake up at least 25x per night. Mostly due to pain. Benadryl does not make me the least bit sleepy. Ambien is the only thing that allows me about six hours of sleep. Waiting for it to improve so I can be alert!

whitepine Apprentice
whitepine
Posted

My partner finds a certain magnesium tablet helps him sleep better. Sometimes it can be a magnesium or other vitamin deficiency that causes insomnia. I get panic attacks more often when my iron is really low and I have a hard time sleeping.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. JudyLou
      - JudyLou replied to JudyLou's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      11

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      Thanks so much!
    2. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to JudyLou's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      11

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      I have osteopenia and have cracked three vertebrae. Niacin is connected to osteoporosis! Do talk to your nutritionist and doctor about supplementing with B vitamins. Blood tests don't reveal the amount of vitamins stored inside cells. The blood is a transportation system and can reflect vitamins absorbed from food eaten in the previous twenty-four...
    3. JudyLou
      - JudyLou replied to JudyLou's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      11

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      Thank you so much for the clarification! Yes to these questions: Have you consulted dietician? Have you been checked for nutritional deficiencies? Osteoporosis? Thyroid? Anemia? Do you take any supplements, or vitamins? I’m within healthy range for nutritional tests, thyroid and am not anemic. I do have osteopenia. I don’t take any medications, and the...
    4. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to JudyLou's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      11

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      @JudyLou, I have dermatitis herpetiformis, too! And...big drum roll... Niacin improves dermatitis herpetiformis! Niacin is very important to skin health and intestinal health. You're correct. dermatitis herpetiformis usually occurs on extensor muscles, but dermatitis herpetiformis is also pressure sensitive, so blisters can form...
    5. trents
      - trents replied to Mark Conway's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      5

      Have I got coeliac disease

      And I agree with Wheatwacked. When a physician tells you that you can't have celiac disease because you're not losing weight, you can be certain that doctor is operating on a dated understanding of celiac disease. I assume you are in the UK by the way you spelled "coeliac". So, I'm not sure what your options are when it comes to healthcare, but I might suggest...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,154
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Kathy N
    Newest Member
    Kathy N
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • JudyLou
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By JudyLou · Posted

      Thanks so much! 
    • knitty kitty
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      I have osteopenia and have cracked three vertebrae.  Niacin is connected to osteoporosis! Do talk to your nutritionist and doctor about supplementing with B vitamins.  Blood tests don't reveal the amount of vitamins stored inside cells.  The blood is a transportation system and can reflect vitamins absorbed from food eaten in the previous twenty-four to forty-eight hours.  Those "normal limits" are based on minimum amounts required to prevent disease, not levels for optimal health.   Keep us posted on your progress.   B Vitamins: Functions and Uses in Medicine https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9662251/ Association of dietary niacin intake with osteoporosis in the postmenopausal women in the US: NHANES 2007–2018 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11835798/ Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/   Nutritional Imbalances in Adult Celiac Patients Following a Gluten-Free Diet https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8398893/ Nutritional Consequences of Celiac Disease and Gluten-Free Diet https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7422/15/4/61 Simplifying the B Complex: How Vitamins B6 and B9 Modulate One Carbon Metabolism in Cancer and Beyond https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9609401/
    • JudyLou
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By JudyLou · Posted

      Thank you so much for the clarification! Yes to these questions: Have you consulted dietician?  Have you been checked for nutritional deficiencies?  Osteoporosis? Thyroid? Anemia?  Do you take any supplements, or vitamins? I’m within healthy range for nutritional tests, thyroid and am not anemic. I do have osteopenia. I don’t take any medications, and the dietician was actually a nutritionist (not sure if that is the same thing) recommended by my physician at the time to better understand gluten free eating.    I almost wish the gluten exposure had triggered something, so at least I’d know what’s going on. So confusing!    Many thanks! 
    • knitty kitty
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @JudyLou,  I have dermatitis herpetiformis, too!  And...big drum roll... Niacin improves dermatitis herpetiformis!   Niacin is very important to skin health and intestinal health.   You're correct.  dermatitis herpetiformis usually occurs on extensor muscles, but dermatitis herpetiformis is also pressure sensitive, so blisters can form where clothing puts pressure on the skin. Elastic waist bands, bulky seams on clothing, watch bands, hats.  Rolled up sleeves or my purse hanging on my arm would make me break out on the insides of my elbows.  I have had a blister on my finger where my pen rested as I write.  Foods high in Iodine can cause an outbreak and exacerbate dermatitis herpetiformis. You've been on the gluten free diet for a long time.  Our gluten free diet can be low in vitamins and minerals, especially if processed gluten free foods are consumed.  Those aren't fortified with vitamins like gluten containing products are.  Have you consulted dietician?  Have you been checked for nutritional deficiencies?  Osteoporosis? Thyroid? Anemia?  Do you take any supplements, medicine, or vitamins? Niacin deficiency is connected to anemia.  Anemia can cause false negatives on tTg IgA tests.  A person can be on that borderline where symptoms wax and wane for years, surviving, but not thriving.  We have a higher metabolic need for more nutrients when we're sick or emotionally stressed which can deplete the small amount of vitamins we can store in our bodies and symptoms reappear.   Exposure to gluten (and casein in those sensitive to it) can cause an increased immune response and inflammation for months afterwards. The immune cells that make tTg IgA antibodies which are triggered today are going to live for about two years. During that time, inflammation is heightened.  Those immune cells only replicate when triggered.  If those immune cells don't get triggered again for about two years, they die without leaving any descendents programmed to trigger on gluten and casein.  The immune system forgets gluten and casein need to be attacked.  The Celiac genes turn off.  This is remission.    Some people in remission report being able to consume gluten again without consequence.   However, another triggering event can turn the Celiac genes on again.   Celiac genes are turned on by a triggering event (physical or emotional stress).  There's some evidence that thiamine insufficiency contributes to the turning on of autoimmune genes.  There is an increased biological need for thiamine when we are physically or emotionally stressed.  Thiamine cannot be stored for more than twenty-one days and may be depleted in as little as three during physical and emotional stresses. Mitochondria without sufficient thiamine become damaged and don't function properly.  This gets relayed to the genes and autoimmune disease genes turn on.  Thiamine and other B vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are needed to replace the dysfunctional mitochondria and repair the damage to the body.   I recommend getting checked for vitamin and mineral deficiencies.  More than just Vitamin D and B12.  A gluten challenge would definitely be a stressor capable of precipitating further vitamin deficiencies and health consequences.   Best wishes!    
    • trents
      Have I got coeliac disease

      By trents · Posted

      And I agree with Wheatwacked. When a physician tells you that you can't have celiac disease because you're not losing weight, you can be certain that doctor is operating on a dated understanding of celiac disease. I assume you are in the UK by the way you spelled "coeliac". So, I'm not sure what your options are when it comes to healthcare, but I might suggest you look for another physician who is more up to date in this area and is willing to work with you to get an accurate diagnosis. If, in fact, you do not have celiac disease but you know that gluten causes you problems, you might have NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity). There is no test available yet for NCGS. Celiac must first be ruled out. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that damages the lining of the small bowel. NCGS we is not autoimmune and we know less about it's true nature. But we do know it is considerably more common than celiac disease.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.