I think the diphenhydramine in Tylenol PM does have something to do with the increased neuropathy in my feet and legs yesterday. I only slept from 6:00 am to 7:30 am this morning so I’m super tired from basically four days of no sleep. I did go to work while skipping rehab but decided to come home early after a few meetings. I got home around 2:00 pm and slept until 6:00 pm, then again after dinner from 8:30 pm until now-ish. I still need to sleep more but at least I was able to get a few naps in.
The numbness feels like it’s subsided a bit. My feet are still numb but it’s no so unbearable like it was yesterday. I read that the half-life of diphenhydramine is about 6-12 hours so all of it should be gone within 1-2 days. Good thing it’s metabolized by the liver instead of the kidney. Otherwise I’ll never get rid of it. The breathing sounds and cough is better too so maybe that is a result of the extra medication. Problem is that I still need to find a sleep aid if I can’t use Tylenol PM.
Also, even though it feels like the numbness is better, I still don’t feel great. The vascular surgeon wants me to ask the dialysis team to start using the fistula tomorrow. I think you have to sit very still in case the needle comes out, whereas the tubing is locked to the catheter. I don’t know if I’m ready for it with the current neuropathy levels and the need to move around in my chair.
Life with chronic diseases 