Superdrug one a night sleep aid

[Catlioness41]

Taking 50mg of diphenhydramine hydrochloride every night to help me sleep. This is an over the counter med. Have been taking it for nearly two months. Have tried sleeping without it and I am awake for hours because of the tinnitus. Mine is a high pitched squealing in both ears. Just wanted to know if anyone else out there has been taking it and for how long. Like all meds doesn't advise long term use. Not sure how to sleep without it. Had tinnitus for 9 weeks now.

[soi622]

Hi, I sometimes take Nytol which is the same drug. I try and not take it every night at present. Maybe 2-3 times a week max. It does work a treat though and helps me sleep x

[Maya_83]

Hi.. Have you tried taking magnesium? I cannot fall deep or sleep at all without taking these every night. If I forget for a day, I'm wide awake. Plus it's not drugs so safe to take regularly.

[Catlioness41 in reply to Maya_83]

I have been taking magnesium supplements for a long time, and they don't make a difference to my sleep pattern. But thanks anyway

[doglover1973]

Hi Cat. It's so tricky with tinnitus and sleep .. In the early days you need something to help you sleep - and stay sane - but in the long term you may not. It's very early days - at nine weeks. I took phenegan two or three times a week for three months and then reduced to once a week for a further three months. I was very tired during this time but gradually started to sleep again naturally - as I got used to the tinnitus. I wouldn't worry just yet. Over the counter meds aren't nearly as strong as prescription drugs. All the best.

[Catlioness41 in reply to doglover1973]

Thankyou

[Philip6]

I very rarely use Kirkland sleep aid, they work well, just half a tablet. I think it’s basically Benedryl, so an antihistamine. They do say tinnitus is a side effect, but not for me. There is also melatonin that you can buy, a sleep hormone. I don’t have any trouble sleeping these days.

[Catlioness41 in reply to Philip6]

Thanks for your reply, will try the melatonin. Its just that my tinnitus is so high pitched its almost unbearable hence the sleeping tablets.

[Philip6 in reply to Catlioness41]

I have severe tinnitus, a high pitch squealing and a low frequency humming, it can change from day to day. I hear it over everything. I have a white noise machine by the side of the bed. That helps a lot. I don’t have any problem sleeping now but have done in the past. You’ll be fine in time.

[soi622]

Have you tried Kalms Night?

[Catlioness41 in reply to soi622]

Thanks for your reply. Will grab some today whilst out and see if they help.

[Julia1jasper]

Hi there catlioness. I’ve had loud tinnitus all life as far as remember and as youngster thought normal but when realised not everyone had this noisy swarm bees going on constantly it really annoyed me. Also had other struggles but as young adult was diagnosed with significant hearing loss so explained a lot. It took time to get back to norm but realised this thing I’d always had was part me so got back to just accepting as my norm. I guess not so easy if not always been there. Was interested see bout the sleep aids as I take exactly the same as Boots and my local chemist sell the same 50mg tablets. I first tried for other reasons related to a stressful time and also have periods of restless legs which is even more annoying than the T. They absolutely work a treat and within half an hour I can’t keep eyes open but only take if I know am really not gonna get to sleep. Like all drugs it’s recommended not to take continually for more than a certain period time as may be other issues. I understand yours completely as must be horrid to acquire tinnitus having never had before in this way. For the interim if they help I can’t see there is any harm but like with anything our body gets used to and the affect not so great as time goes on. Of course tinnitus still annoys sometimes but I think once I got through accepting it as part of me and not focussing on it too much really helped. I find that enjoying hobbies like walking and doing craft things and even getting involved in a good novel really helps take my mind off it if particularly irritating. This was what helped me just accept and unless I think about it then I don’t really notice too much cos my head is concentrating on something else. It may not be a permanent feature but I hope you can begin to enjoy the nicer things in life as there is lots to enjoy. For sure the tablets you mention are really good as a back up but maybe over time you won’t need to use as regularly. If I’m getting cheesed off with it I sometimes put tv on and just trying follow subtitles soon becomes tedious so I just fall sleep. Don’t despair too much and keep faith as even if it is there to stay I see that over time many find their own way to cope and also the forum is a good way to sound off and glean useful advice from the members and experts. You are certainly not alone and I hope things get a little easier. I may sound flippant but the way I accepted was by diverting my mind so I wasn’t concentrating on it. Maybe hard but perhaps a start and ye I don’t see any harm in getting some sleep using a little help every now and again. Good luck julia 😻

[Catlioness41 in reply to Julia1jasper]

Thanks for your reply Julia. I am now not trying to take them every night but on the nights I don't only getting about 4 to 5 hours sleep as the tinnitus will wake me up, even though I fall asleep to white noise. Also on the bad days, my head will be pounding and I feel nauseous. Most days I'm OK as I do keep myself busy, and try to ignore the tinnitus, but lately its got louder and stayed that way. Funnily enough watching a good TV programme does calm it down. I also try to count my blessings. Some years ago I had bowel cancer and two major surgeries, and got through that , and keep telling myself that I will learn to deal with this, but everytime I think I am, it gets a bit louder. Oh well