Insomnia - Rads or Tamoxifen?
I finished rads last Friday 07/08 and have been on Tamoxifen since May 21 of this year. I have been having trouble sleeping a full night for the last 4 weeks or so. I get anywhere from 4 to 6 hours and I am done, I am usually a 7 to 7 1/2 hour gal. I have no trouble falling asleep just don't sleep very long so am always sleepy. If it is the Tamoxifen I will try taking it in the a.m. since I am taking it in the p.m. due to nausea I was experiencing.
If it is the radiation after-effects then surely they will start to ease with more time since treatment.
Would love to hear your ideas.
Thanks,
Jennifer
Comments
-
I don't think rads cause
I don't think rads cause insomnia. Probably the tamoxifen. Or a combination of all the stuff you have been through this last few months.
I find the days I go to the YMCA to work out, I sleep better. I do take melatonin also. I started taking it when I was diagnosed.
Cindy0 -
I don't think rads could bemamolady said:I don't think rads cause
I don't think rads cause insomnia. Probably the tamoxifen. Or a combination of all the stuff you have been through this last few months.
I find the days I go to the YMCA to work out, I sleep better. I do take melatonin also. I started taking it when I was diagnosed.
Cindy
I don't think rads could be the cause as they usually wear you down, so, you sleep a lot. It might be the tamox. What does your doctor think?
Leeza0 -
Jenniferjnl said:I don't think rads could be
I don't think rads could be the cause as they usually wear you down, so, you sleep a lot. It might be the tamox. What does your doctor think?
Leeza
Having just finished rads myself and not being on tamoxifen yet, my bet is the lack of sleep is from tamoxifen. Rads make you tired... just the opposite.
Oh boy... I guess I better start resting up before next week.
Hugs,
Lorrie0 -
Insomnia
Jennifer- Thank you for posting this thread! I have been on tamox for a year now. About 3 days into it I thought I was going crazy! 4 hrs max sleep. After 2 months I switched to taking it in the morning. It helped slightly in that the nite time hot flashes were not as disruptive. After 3 months, I talked to my onc. I guess it is a fairly common side affect. She prescribed Ambien. Well that gets me to fall asleep, but not stay asleep. I can do about 5 hrs now. At least now I know it's not all in my head! I am learning how to cope better with it. I hope things improve for you!!
Diane0 -
Tamoxifen
Jennifer:
I definately think it's the Tamoxifen. Radiation wore me out, worse than chemo. I started taking Tamoxifen and about 4 weeks or less into it I all the sudden couldn't sleep. I feel asleep but couldn't stay asleep, getting anywhere from 3 to 5 hrs sleep at night. Last week, my doctor perscribed me Elavil(often used for depression, but also for sleep)at night. This past week, I've sleep better than I have in 6 weeks!
Good Luck,
Tammy0 -
Tamoxifen
Jennifer:
I definately think it's the Tamoxifen. Radiation wore me out, worse than chemo. I started taking Tamoxifen and about 4 weeks or less into it I all the sudden couldn't sleep. I feel asleep but couldn't stay asleep, getting anywhere from 3 to 5 hrs sleep at night. Last week, my doctor perscribed me Elavil(often used for depression, but also for sleep)at night. This past week, I've sleep better than I have in 6 weeks!
Good Luck,
Tammy0 -
Rads will make you tired. Ibutterflylvr said:Jennifer
Having just finished rads myself and not being on tamoxifen yet, my bet is the lack of sleep is from tamoxifen. Rads make you tired... just the opposite.
Oh boy... I guess I better start resting up before next week.
Hugs,
Lorrie
Rads will make you tired. I am not on tamox, so, I don't know if that is one of the side effects or not.
Lex0 -
You sound like me. I don't
You sound like me. I don't take tamoxifin, but I think the combination of anxiety and depression I've experienced due to the cancer has taken its toll. I take ambien now and I do sleep a little longer. What I do now is either get up at the ungodly hour I wake up and do things, or I turn on the TV to a low hum. Sometimes I can get a little longer like that. Good luck....
Judy0
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