Question: Hi. I am 27 years old. Female. Semi-alcoholic, taking 3mg xanax/day and around 30mg dalmane/day. Those have not been addiction related. I'd say maybe two drinks every few nights long term, some xanax every few days (1-3mg) and same with the dalmane. I do not take anything daily, but realistically, every few days. I believe that developed because I was attempting to avoid becoming addicted to anything. Father is at the end of end stage liver failure (cirrhosis/alcohol). My issue is: around 1-2 months (more like two) of heavy Diphenhydramine abuse. First few weeks were 400ish mg and then the last few weeks were around 2.5mg (2500mg) daily. usually spread out into 2-3 doses as many hours apart.

So it was around 2500mg daily until six days ago. Today is the sixth day cold turkey 0mg diphenhydramine. The first two days were not that bad and thank God I wrote them down because seriously, I didn't even realize I was not still taking them. I went from complete constipation, urinary retention, hallucinations, delirium, tachycardia, poor circulation, itching, 'craziness', to basically now depression, not insomnia (?), some itching, heart is normal, using the bathroom normally, no hunger at all. So. Day 6. I would like to please know when I can expect to "feel myself" again. I understand that my current state looks so much better than my previous state and I do thank God for that. The Depression is kicking my butt though. Probably worst symptoms right now are the depression, brain-fog, and just the fact that I can't tell anyone in my life (and there are barely any stories online). I just want to know that I'll be alright and that I'm not alone. You know? I do need to see my doctor here. Would appreciate just a feel good answer. Seriously. Please? I'll be kind of back to normal in a few weeks (months), and the depression is a normal side effect. Is there anything I can do for this complete loss of appetite? Should I or rather, would it be alright for me to take a few every couple weeks or would that reverse the withdrawal? Sorry. I know that might be stupid. I just do not feel at all like myself. I feel really lonely because I can't share this with anyone. Will I start to feel better mentally? Thank you so much for your time. Again, day 6 no dph girl.

Thank you! So I know that it will go away soon, I just wanted to check again. Also I know to see a doctor. But while I have the follow up question - I should be alright in about a week or so, relatively speaking, right?

Just to hear it again and kind of ease my worry. The anxiety I think is what makes the withdrawal very bad. I get all kinds of anxiety and just panic and think I'll never get better. I might as well just relax and try to calm down and stay hydrated, right?

Thank you sir

Ooh this is my last question - on day Seven with 0mg I did take one pill of diphenhydramine 50mg at night to see if it would help at all - I ended up having extremely acidic diarrhea (I ate no spicy foods - it was yellow so I believe it may have been some bile or something although I do not know why). I would say I took the pill - 1 hour later upon eating a few bites of rice I had very very burning diarrhea. Ow! Like I said - 0 spicy foods and 0 physical defects on me (no issues with me physically). Would you think they may be tied together at all?

Just trying to figure out if I should completely avoid it, if the diphenhydramine (50mg after having 0mg for so long) could have caused that burning digestive upset.

Thanks so much and please tell me one more time that I should probably be feeling better mentally with the depression effect in a week - I swear that 90% of this psychological withdrawal is psychological. I have felt so much more positive just after speaking with you. Appreciate you!