Taking too much piriton

[glitteringfishy]

This seems like a fucking ridiculous thing to post about but apparently my life is pretty fucking ridiculous these days. I’ve been taking piriton syrup (the stuff meant for kids) at night to help me sleep as it causes drowsiness but I keep taking more of it and I have no idea if it’s a problem. I have anorexia and I’ve started taking more of it to try and force myself to sleep without having to eat anymore. I can’t bear to admit
This to anyone IRL. I’m pretty sure it’s not working anyway but I don’t seem to care how much of it I take anymore, I just figure it’s harmless. Maybe I need a reality check? But please be kind, I’m not in a good place.

I took too much once and slept like a log !! Not sure of the implications of taking it long term though .

I think (but not 100% sure) that it is designed for fairly prolonged use considering the hay fever season generally last several weeks but certainly not month and months. As for using it to sleep my GP once told me it can be used as an unofficial form of sleeping tablets but I think there are bigger issues at play here than using it to help you sleep at night because you are using it to assist your eating disorder and I'm sure you don't need someone to tell you that you need to seek help for that x

Are you saying that you are trying to knock yourself out as you'd otherwise be sleepless with hunger? Are you in receipt of professional help for you eating disorder and have you told them this?

@glitteringfishy
Hello again. I had to reply - I am doing the same at the moment - only in the last week though. My GP has prescribed me sleeping tablets (Zolpidem) because I just wasn’t sleeping at all but I am definitely using it to avoid eating. I would normally cave in and eat something before bed to help me get to sleep but now I know I can take a tablet and sleep through the night regardless. I was going through a phase of bingeing in the night but my anorexia thinks it’s great I can eat so little right now.
Have you told anyone from your MH team? Sorry I’m not in a position to give any useful advice but selfishly I’m so glad you’ve posted, this has been on my mind a lot today x

Just picked up on your mention of anorexia OP. I would really encourage you to reach out to BEAT online - lots of non judgemental support and helpful advice. Thinking of you x

Could you ring your Dr to make an appointment. I think deep down you know this is having an adverse affect on you and maybe even not the affect you want. I totally understand you want to get rid of the hunger but this isn't sustainable long term. Please call your GP and speak to someone who can help x

Piriton overdose is not harmless. It can cause severe problems. Can you ring 111 and tell them how much you have taken. They will be able to look it up and check you are okay. Or go to a&e. You need to get medical advice ASAP.

Hi OP

We're so sorry to barge in, but we wanted to drop you a link to our mental health webguide.

It contains a link to Beat, an eating disorder charity that offers support, information and guidance. We would urge you to take a look.

Mumsnet is great for support and advice, but we would always advise seeking real-life help from professionals.

You would be better using an antihistamine which is for sleep, such as diphenhydramine or promethazine because the dose would be safe and accurate and then you wouldn't have to worry about that. But please get some help for your ED too

As others have said though, piriton is fine for long term use. I take antihistamines for most of the year due to seasonal allergies

Thanks all. I am currently under ED outpatient services, general MH services and have a private psychotherapist so I’m not at all short of support. I know long term piriton use in general is fine - my GP knows I’ve been taking it for sleep and actually said it was a good idea. However this was ages ago when I was struggling to sleep for other reasons and didn’t want prescribed meds. I’ve just realised I’m now taking it to stop feeling hunger and last night I took 4 times the recommended dose, which was why I posted as I was worried it’s getting out of hand. I’m ok today other than a headache that won’t shift. I will tell my therapist this afternoon and I expect she’ll want me to ring my GP. Urgh. I’m so sick of living like this.

@Star8181 I’m so sorry you’re dealing with similar, but thanks for sharing - makes me feel less alone with it. Please take care x

It’s not helpful to take too much, you’re dampening down your bodies ability to respond to perceived threats of infection.

I imagine the headache is from being hungry though.

You know you’re using this medicine for the wrong reason, but I completely understand why you’re doing it. Talk to your therapist. Good luck, feel better.

Just to update, I spoke to my GP this morning who has spoken to my husband and told him to have all medicines in the house locked away under his care only (he already had all the painkillers etc because of my urges to OD) Apparently piriton overdose can be lethal, and as I was taking more and more of it my tolerance was increasing and making risk of overdose likely (which wasn’t entirely my intention) Thanks to all who posted here, really helped me realise I needed help with it.

Thanks for the update, I’m glad to hear things have changed for you.

I'm glad you got help from your GP. I was worried about you. Sometimes very innocent medications can be very dangerous. I'm glad your husband is helping you. Good luck for the future. It's not easy living with mental illness. I hope you continue to access support