funcrunch wrote:What I and some of the other posters were specifically arguing with is that you said it was ridiculous to say you could be addicted to Benadryl. Whether you're concerned about it or not, the usage you described would indicate dependency. That's all.
Completely untrue.
Before I started taking it, I had trouble sleeping. For YEARS. Once I started taking it, I was able to sleep. If I stop taking it, of course I go right back to where I was--that is not b/c I am "dependent" on it but b/c it affects me physiologically so that I can sleep. That is pretty obvious, no?
I wasn't "dependent" on it BEFORE I started to take it--when the results of not taking it were the same. Why would I be so AFTER I started taking it?
I don't see anyone accusing those of taking melatonin of being "dependent." Why not, I wonder? There isn't a ton of research on its use--how do you know it can't cause serious problems, including "dependency"?
And I really doubt that most folks here are qualified to diagnose "dependency." Correct me if I'm wrong--are you an MD? So far not a single doctor I have asked about this had any problem w/ my taking diphenhydramine--not one. I readily agree that doctors aren't the be all and end all, but if you're gonna make accusations, they need to be upheld by some sort of proof. So far it's all on MY side. No side effects; docs OK with it--seems fine to me!
I've gotten 2 PMs from people who have had terrible trouble sleeping who tried diphenhydramine b/c of my post and now sleep well. I feel pretty good about that, personally.