Hi Batch and anyone else with insight

I wrote this via email - thought I would put it here also to get some help faster.

My friend had taken Loratadine (2nd generation) as I told you before, and had a couple of pain free nights.

After emailing with you we decided to move to Chlorpheniramine (1st generation), because that is available in our village in Mexico.  Hoping that breaking more of the blood-brain barrier would be helpful.  She took 16 mgs before bed (which is the adult dose we found when taking 1 time per day) and had a horrible reaction through the night.

Although it should be drowsy it woke her up totally.  She has had some kinds of strange reactions before this medication that enter the central nervous system - such as valium which acts like a strong caffeine for her.  This medication did the same - she spent the night shaking and trembling, totally awake.

Last night she went back to Loratadine (4 mgs) again before bed and had one pain in the night.

She has benadryl as well now but we are afraid for her to take it because of the effect in her central nervous system.  We are wondering if it would be worth it at a lower dose... or really what to do at this point.  So basically - do you think taking Benadryl at a lower dose would be worth a shot?

She is having pains in the night again now for he last 2 nights.

Any thoughts?

Thank you again,
Amanda

Amanda,

The Benadryl (Diphenhydramine HCL) should work just fine.  If all the hits are at night, I would take 25 mg of the Benadyrl (Diphenhydraming) an hour before bed time.  Peak plasma concentrations are reached in 2-3 hours so this should cover her first REM sleep cycle that occurs 1 to 2 hours after falling asleep where CH generally hit.

Chlorphenamine is in a different class of first-generation antihistamines than Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) so that could explain the reaction.

Take care and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

Good morning,

As far as reactions to meds, I take morphine for my back and it will not let me sleep. I have to take meds for that also. My physiatrist told me that 10% of people have this reverse reaction.

Ilndguy

Thank you batch and ilndguy - we will try to switch to benadryl then soon.