Overnight flight

[Tara]

I am really unclear why everyone is taking a medication that can do a host of things, but yet its primary use is not to be a sleep-aid. If you need assistance to sleep take a sleep-aid. Neither Dramamine nor Benadryl are indicated for the use of sleep assistance. Why would you take a drug in hopes of getting a side effect (sleeping) and ingesting chemicals that you have no need for and could also have other unintended effects.

On another note, if you are traveling with kids taking any medication for sleep is never a good idea. You need to be able to be alert in case of emergency.

You are unclear in part because you didn't ask or have made assumptions, at least about some of the responses. I take Dramamine for motion sickness. Because it makes me sleepy, I only take it at times that falling asleep is okay with me. It doesn't knock me out- I can still be roused from sleep normally. The non-drowsy version doesn't help my motion sickness, or believe me, that is what I'd take.

 

[TaraPA]

Tara did you ever try Bonine vs. the Dramamine? (when you don't want to be sleepy ) DS12 takes Bonine, it doesn't knock him out like the Dramamine did. I think it's Meclazine, not sure of the inactive ingredients as compared to Dramamine, I don't have a box right here.

 

[prncess674]

You are unclear in part because you didn't ask or have made assumptions, at least about some of the responses. I take Dramamine for motion sickness. Because it makes me sleepy, I only take it at times that falling asleep is okay with me. It doesn't knock me out- I can still be roused from sleep normally. The non-drowsy version doesn't help my motion sickness, or believe me, that is what I'd take.

The title of this thread is "Overnight flight" and the OP was asking what to use to assist in sleeping on an overnight. No where did the OP indicate that she suffers from motion sickness. The title isn't "what to take for motion sickness." If overnight flying causes you to have motion sickness then by all means use the drug for its intended purpose, but frankly I don't know what purpose it serves to discuss Dramamine on a thread about sleeping on an overnight flight.

 

[Tara]

The title of this thread is "Overnight flight" and the OP was asking what to use to assist in sleeping on an overnight. No where did the OP indicate that she suffers from motion sickness. The title isn't "what to take for motion sickness." If overnight flying causes you to have motion sickness then by all means use the drug for its intended purpose, but frankly I don't know what purpose it serves to discuss Dramamine on a thread about sleeping on an overnight flight.

I gave my experience related to the medication being discussed as the thread progressed. I am well aware the OP didn't mention motion sickness. I fail to see the point of getting pedantic about the thread title on a message board where discussion commonly shifts and flows with most threads.

 

[Tara]

I am really unclear why everyone is taking a medication that can do a host of things, but yet its primary use is not to be a sleep-aid. If you need assistance to sleep take a sleep-aid. Neither Dramamine nor Benadryl are indicated for the use of sleep assistance. Why would you take a drug in hopes of getting a side effect (sleeping) and ingesting chemicals that you have no need for and could also have other unintended effects.

Benedryl is a name-brand for a drug that is indicated for two uses*- for its antihistamine effect and its ability to induce drowsiness. Hence its marketing in products such as Tylenol PM. In the US, diphenhydramine is approved by the FDA to be marketed as a sleep aid. Just like the medication blend in Excedrin is now also marketed under the name "Execdrin Migraine" - it's the same thing, but the FDA determined that it also is effective against migraines in addition to garden-variety headaches and other pain. How is it that you don't consider its use as a sleep aid to be appropriate?

There is no difference in taking Benedryl or any diphenhydramine OTC medication and taking Tylenol PM - EXCEPT that if you are just interested in the "PM" part, you aren't also ingesting acetaminophen. If anything, taking diphenhydramine in its allergy preparation (without other added meds like pain relievers or decongestants) is BETTER. Not only that, it's often cheaper to buy the generic version of benedryl than it is to buy the generic version of the PM version of pain relievers. And they come in smaller pills that are easier to swallow.

*The third use is to relieve motion sickness, but since the preparation is slightly different, I didn't include it. Any information related to diphenhydramine indications will also include motion sickness, though.


To the OP - I don't know what your seating arrangements are for your overnight flight. However, what I will tell you is that I often find lying down (either reclining my seat or lying flat, as I'm often doing on overnight flights since those are almost always business or first class) increases my motion sickness. So if you are at all prone to motion sickness, you may want to bring a med along to relieve it.

In general, I find that non-binding clothing and warm socks help me feel more comfortable. I don't drink much alcohol anyway, but I avoid it on flights because it makes me feel very dehydrated, which drains my energy.

 

[locolala]

I am really unclear why everyone is taking a medication that can do a host of things, but yet its primary use is not to be a sleep-aid. If you need assistance to sleep take a sleep-aid. Neither Dramamine nor Benadryl are indicated for the use of sleep assistance. Why would you take a drug in hopes of getting a side effect (sleeping) and ingesting chemicals that you have no need for and could also have other unintended effects.

On another note, if you are traveling with kids taking any medication for sleep is never a good idea. You need to be able to be alert in case of emergency.

It's what my OB recommends that I take for insomnia, and for when I go on my overnight flight next week. I specifically asked fo what to take to help me sleep and thats what he said to take.

 

[rgf207]

Only on the DIS could a thread take a turn like this.

OP. Take Benedryl or Tylenol PM. However if you do, you run the risk of not being able to land the plane in the event the both the pilot and copilot parachute out at 39,000 feet.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Only on the DIS could a thread take a turn like this.

OP. Take Benedryl or Tylenol PM. However if you do, you run the risk of not being able to land the plane in the event the both the pilot and copilot parachute out at 39,000 feet.

 

[Robindianne]

You guys are great! I don't have benedryl but I have hydrocodone from a surgery. I can't land the plane on hydrocodone either - dang it all.

I'm in a cheapo seat (smallest I'm sure) and plan to wear sweat pants and layers, my blanket, neck pillow, ear plugs, eye mask, socks. I even have a relaxation tape, but even so, in my experience, it's just hard for me to sleep on a plane. I slept better on a 2-hr layover in a crowded airport on a bench in London than on the flight before or after.

I plan to mow the lawn, vacuum and dust, clean toilets, tubs, sinks, and prune hedges that day, in the hopes that it will tire me out

Anyway, thank you all for your advice. Have a magical evening.
R

 

[Tara]

I'm in a cheapo seat (smallest I'm sure) and plan to wear sweat pants and layers, my blanket, neck pillow, ear plugs, eye mask, socks. I even have a relaxation tape, but even so, in my experience, it's just hard for me to sleep on a plane. I slept better on a 2-hr layover in a crowded airport on a bench in London than on the flight before or after.

You know, this is me - I have SUCH a hard time actually sleeping on a plane! My biggest issue is my legs go to sleep because the seat is a little too high. I distinctly remember getting off a red-eye at Dulles last year after getting virtually no sleep. I went to my connecting gate, finding my flight was delayed 2 hours, found a somewhat out-of-the-way spot on the floor, laid down and fell right to sleep until it was time to board my flight home. Sad when the floor is more comfortable, isn't it?

Good luck on your flight!