Getting better sleep by watching an episode of Hogan’s Heroes
Posted By RichC on December 26, 2024
Sleep has never been a problem for me until this past year or so. I don’t know if it is age or that my mind is filled with too much stuff — my running out of hard drive 
space theory (a worthless thought for another time). Anyway, I mentioned this to my primary care physician durning my last wellness check and it was also one of the questions on the “65 and older” sheet his offices hands out 
before spending 15 minutes in “the small cell” exam room with me.😊
Anyway we discussed my routine (how much TV, blue light screen time, thought provoking reading, caffeine, etc) and all the things to try prior to heading down the meds route. He also agreed with my wife (a pharmacist) that Diphenhydramine is an inexpensive and safe OTC drug to try.
Previously my “doctor daughter” had discouraged me from taking melatonin, which is often suggested as a natural sleep aid — but not by my PCP either. Some are concerned that taking additional melatonin long term may discourage your body from naturally producing what your body needs, but Healthline disagrees. I had previously tried a 10 pill sample 10 MG bottle from Puritan’s Pride, but didn’t see an improvement so decided not to continue down that path (before talking to physicians).
The Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic also have a couple worth reading webpages on common medicines and so I’ll link them for those finding getting a good sleep a continual problem.
All things aside, my sleep has finally improved, … likely because I’ve changed a couple of habits and included a couple new things to my evening routine. 
I’m not sure which deserves the credit, but I’m crediting #3, although pharmacist Brenda would say it is #4 (once a “legal” drug pusher, always a drug pusher).
- Cut out the Diet Mountain Dew — last is generally late afternoon, but I still could cut back (in the past, I always had a can with pretzels while watching TV)
- Drink a cup of milk in place of the pop/soda … but I do put a little Nestlé Quik in the
milk. - Turned off sports or the news and AGAIN re-watch an episode of Hogan’s Heroes (cast) before going to sleep (but as Sgt Schutz would say, “I know nothing”).
- Take a Diphenhydramine an hour before going to bed.
Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine used to relieve symptoms of allergy, hay fever, and the common cold. These symptoms include rash, itching, watery eyes, itchy eyes/nose/throat, cough, runny nose, and sneezing. It is also used to prevent and treat nausea, vomiting and dizziness caused by motion sickness. Diphenhydramine can also be used to help you relax and fall asleep.This medication works by blocking a certain natural substance (histamine) that your body makes during an allergic reaction. Its drying effects on such symptoms as watery eyes and runny nose are caused by blocking another natural substance made by your body (acetylcholine).Cough-and-cold products have not been shown to be safe or effective in children younger than 6 years. Do not use this product to treat cold symptoms in children younger than 6 years unless specifically directed by the doctor.
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