Sleep...help !

katenorwood
katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hello all !
I have not been getting alot of sleep as of late. My mind has been working over time. Any suggestions ? Counting sheep, NOT ! I'm already on so many meds, don't want to add another if I can avoid it. Not a fan of warm milk, or herbal teas. I know sleep is a good thing when our bodies are trying to heal, and trying to get our immune system back to pare. I wish I could get in sooner to have that CT done to see if my ACC has invaded my neck and head again...also lungs. Thanks, Katie

Comments

  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #2
    Melatonin
    It's a natural supplement that comes in different doseages, and the body already produces some of it. Might wanna consider it, though should ask your Dr about it. I take Ambien. In treatment and shortly after I did not wanna sleep for any prolonged time, though, because of the mucous buildup and complications it presented. Still only get around 5/sleep session, but that's enough.

    kcass
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #3
    Kent Cass said:

    Melatonin
    It's a natural supplement that comes in different doseages, and the body already produces some of it. Might wanna consider it, though should ask your Dr about it. I take Ambien. In treatment and shortly after I did not wanna sleep for any prolonged time, though, because of the mucous buildup and complications it presented. Still only get around 5/sleep session, but that's enough.

    kcass

    OTC varieties
    are effective for mild sleep disturbances and I think we all go through this for a brief period. Generally they make you drowsy for 15-20 minutes in which time you hopefully fall back asleep. There are so many things going on with the medication side effects, the peg, radiation burn pain etc., all of which could cause insomnia but you are right that the main culprit is our endless thought patterns. Try a few OTC brands and see what happens, you can always get prescription stuff later.
  • meaganb
    meaganb Member Posts: 244 Member
    #4
    Kent Cass said:

    Melatonin
    It's a natural supplement that comes in different doseages, and the body already produces some of it. Might wanna consider it, though should ask your Dr about it. I take Ambien. In treatment and shortly after I did not wanna sleep for any prolonged time, though, because of the mucous buildup and complications it presented. Still only get around 5/sleep session, but that's enough.

    kcass

    I second the melatonin. It's
    I second the melatonin. It's natural and it's usually pretty inexpensive. You could also just try Benadryl. That is the ingredient in most of the OTC sleep meds. My pharmacist always said, 1 Benadryl for allergies, 2 for night night;) hope you get some shut eye!
  • Grandmax4
    Grandmax4 Member Posts: 723
    #5
    I know this sounds CrAZyy~~~
    read in a magazine once and have used it since, works for me...start at 100 and count backwards subtracting 3...also, I've never been a TV person, but started sleeping in recliner and am now addicted to all kinds of "trash" shows..Housewives of Orange County, Los Angeles, New Jersey, "Bum F**k Egypt Lol```
  • buzz99
    buzz99 Member Posts: 404
    #6
    Ahhh sleep
    Benadryl might help. It is the main ingredient in otc sleep aids. It is hard to turn off the mind in trying to go to sleep. Karen
  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #7
    buzz99 said:

    Ahhh sleep
    Benadryl might help. It is the main ingredient in otc sleep aids. It is hard to turn off the mind in trying to go to sleep. Karen

    Sleep...
    Thank you all,
    Probably will try the benadrl first, the others are all good ideas too ! Will let you know which works ! Katie And I agree with the TV thing man...nothing like info mercials in the twilight hours !
  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #8
    My Home Health nurse told me....
    to use the Ativan if I'm having one of those nights. "you've got them, so use them"...1/2 of a lorazapam, and within 30 minutes I was drifting off. You NEED your rest, and I know most of us don't automatically reach for a pill....but it's part of the new normal.

    p
  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #9
    phrannie51 said:

    My Home Health nurse told me....
    to use the Ativan if I'm having one of those nights. "you've got them, so use them"...1/2 of a lorazapam, and within 30 minutes I was drifting off. You NEED your rest, and I know most of us don't automatically reach for a pill....but it's part of the new normal.

    p

    thank you...
    Phrannie,
    I use valium right now...trying to go back to lorazapam soon ! Thanks for your advice ! Katie
  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #10
    phrannie51 said:

    My Home Health nurse told me....
    to use the Ativan if I'm having one of those nights. "you've got them, so use them"...1/2 of a lorazapam, and within 30 minutes I was drifting off. You NEED your rest, and I know most of us don't automatically reach for a pill....but it's part of the new normal.

    p

    Darn hand tremors....
    Repeat...again so had to blame it on my hands...LOL !
  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #11
    works in Oregon
    Hi Katie,

    If your mind is racing (like mine did) I took a Lorazapam or a couple of Advil PM a few minutes before diving into bed. Just before that I would swish and spit with the salt and baking soda rinse (try to gargle and get up the phlegm and mucous form back of throat, Then it was Lidocaine gel on any open sores, followed by (not more) than 10mls of magic mouth wash. Then have the night table covered with water, sprays and Kleenex. This was my exact procedure and it was good for 2, 4 and 6 hours sleep depending how bad I would have to pee during the night. I did use Hydrocodone once and also went fast to sleep,

    Hey, if you nap during the day, that is also good for you but makes sleep at night difficult. I was napping sp often during the day that I was waking up to watch TV at 11:00pm.

    I rarely use anything other then an Ibprophen to sleep these days (knees hurt, fingers hurt)

    Good luck
  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #12
    CivilMatt said:

    works in Oregon
    Hi Katie,

    If your mind is racing (like mine did) I took a Lorazapam or a couple of Advil PM a few minutes before diving into bed. Just before that I would swish and spit with the salt and baking soda rinse (try to gargle and get up the phlegm and mucous form back of throat, Then it was Lidocaine gel on any open sores, followed by (not more) than 10mls of magic mouth wash. Then have the night table covered with water, sprays and Kleenex. This was my exact procedure and it was good for 2, 4 and 6 hours sleep depending how bad I would have to pee during the night. I did use Hydrocodone once and also went fast to sleep,

    Hey, if you nap during the day, that is also good for you but makes sleep at night difficult. I was napping sp often during the day that I was waking up to watch TV at 11:00pm.

    I rarely use anything other then an Ibprophen to sleep these days (knees hurt, fingers hurt)

    Good luck

    It's not your hand tremors, Katie....
    It's how this site works. Every now and then, it'll repeat your post 2, 3, even 4 times and you have no idea HOW that happened!!...LOL

    p
  • nwasen
    nwasen Member Posts: 235 Member
    #13
    phrannie51 said:

    It's not your hand tremors, Katie....
    It's how this site works. Every now and then, it'll repeat your post 2, 3, even 4 times and you have no idea HOW that happened!!...LOL

    p

    sleep aid
    I am 19 months out from treatment and I still take one teeny tiny Lorazpan....I have tried a few times going without and then I fight the bed.
    I have worried that I am addicted but for one pill a day at a cost of 10 bucks for the script and getting a good night's sleep and not feeling groggy; it's worth it to me.

    good luck finding what works for you.
    Nancy aka toughcookie
  • Tim6003
    Tim6003 Member Posts: 1,514 Member
    #14
    nwasen said:

    sleep aid
    I am 19 months out from treatment and I still take one teeny tiny Lorazpan....I have tried a few times going without and then I fight the bed.
    I have worried that I am addicted but for one pill a day at a cost of 10 bucks for the script and getting a good night's sleep and not feeling groggy; it's worth it to me.

    good luck finding what works for you.
    Nancy aka toughcookie

    What helped me ....
    I had an MRI of the brain June 14th bc I have had the worst headache for two weeks (which is rare for me) and I had not slept for two nights before that due to the headach (not to mention sometimes our mind runs away with the worst thoughts)..what was weird is I have been really feeling better the last few weeks, 'cept for the headaches that came on...

    Anyway...I used to take TYL PM for years just bc I am a very light sleeper, naturally fight sleep and they always helped...but the doc I saw prescrieb ambian(sp) ...MAN!! That stuff kicks bootie!!! I take one of those and just one TYL PM and I don't wake up till dayling...crazy I know.

    My wife and I still have my 2 year old son in the room (on my side of the bed in his crib) and I can't tell you how many times I get up and give him a bottle on some nights) ...my wife now says I don't move hardly and I don't even get up to urine...wow...the last week I have slept better in my life and I am not groggy in the am ...I feel kind of guilty about taking the med to sleep...but like they say..sleep is good for the body.

    Well, that's my story. :)

    Best,

    Tim
  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #15
    Tim6003 said:

    What helped me ....
    I had an MRI of the brain June 14th bc I have had the worst headache for two weeks (which is rare for me) and I had not slept for two nights before that due to the headach (not to mention sometimes our mind runs away with the worst thoughts)..what was weird is I have been really feeling better the last few weeks, 'cept for the headaches that came on...

    Anyway...I used to take TYL PM for years just bc I am a very light sleeper, naturally fight sleep and they always helped...but the doc I saw prescrieb ambian(sp) ...MAN!! That stuff kicks bootie!!! I take one of those and just one TYL PM and I don't wake up till dayling...crazy I know.

    My wife and I still have my 2 year old son in the room (on my side of the bed in his crib) and I can't tell you how many times I get up and give him a bottle on some nights) ...my wife now says I don't move hardly and I don't even get up to urine...wow...the last week I have slept better in my life and I am not groggy in the am ...I feel kind of guilty about taking the med to sleep...but like they say..sleep is good for the body.

    Well, that's my story. :)

    Best,

    Tim

    sleep wonderful sleep...
    Tim,
    Thanks, I too get headaches. (mine are migraines) Right after resection they were gone for about 3 months. Back again...not as frequent. I am more active physically now....well not doing mile laps or anything like that, lungs would kick my butt. And I sleep well every other nite. (4-5 hrs.) Willing to try script if the benadryl doesn't start working. Thanks so much for the imput. Warmest regards, Katie
  • dsantor
    dsantor Member Posts: 19
    #16
    I have tried the benedryl
    I have tried the benedryl which helps, also I use Rescue Remedy for sleep

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