Sleeping..

mojogirl67
mojogirl67 Member Posts: 306 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

Wondering if anyone else has sleeping issues since having chemo. I have NEVER had such a hars time with sleep. My body is tired most nights but it doesn’t make a difference. Sleep will not come some nights. I have fought taking anything on a regular basis but I know how important rest is. I have tried melatonin, various natural supplements and teas. I walk 3 miles a day and I’m very active and limit computer or tv before bed. Nothing works. Tylenol PM seems to have a delayed reaction leaving me groggy for the first part of the morning and plus, I don’t want to tax my liver wit it. Part of me says after chemo, nothing could be any worse for wear. I meditate as well but sleep just seems to be hit or miss. When my husband was alive, he would laugh because I would curl up next to him and be dozing and snorting within 10 minutes as he watched sports recaps before bed.. lol.. how I long for those peaceful dreams again. I am scared of the Ambien and other stronger sleep aids. Any suggestions appreciated. Hugs, M

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Comments

  • Steelkiwi686
    Steelkiwi686 Member Posts: 76 Member
    #2
    Sleeping

    MMJ may help if you are lucky enough to being in a legal state. 

  • SandiaBuddy
    SandiaBuddy Member Posts: 1,381 Member
    #3
    Sleep

    I have been doing a bit better on sleep lately, maybe it is the distance from chemo or maybe it is better strategies.  I take melatonin for its anti-cancer effect.  The usual dose is 20mg, something I worked up to.  But at that dose, it seemed to hurt my sleep, so I have backed off to 10mg.  I also take Magnolia Bark Extract at night which is supposed to make you sleepy, I really have not noticed that it works (once again, for the anti-cancer effect).  I like beer, but I drink red wine most nights (. . . once again for its anti-cancer effect).  It seems like that likely helps with sleep a bit too.  Sleep is essential.  Not to make light of it, but one of my slightly humorous sayings is, "the challenge of youth is getting a date.  The challenge of age is getting a good night's sleep."  Cheers.

  • abita
    abita Member Posts: 1,152 Member
    #4
    SandiaBuddy said:

    Sleep

    I have been doing a bit better on sleep lately, maybe it is the distance from chemo or maybe it is better strategies.  I take melatonin for its anti-cancer effect.  The usual dose is 20mg, something I worked up to.  But at that dose, it seemed to hurt my sleep, so I have backed off to 10mg.  I also take Magnolia Bark Extract at night which is supposed to make you sleepy, I really have not noticed that it works (once again, for the anti-cancer effect).  I like beer, but I drink red wine most nights (. . . once again for its anti-cancer effect).  It seems like that likely helps with sleep a bit too.  Sleep is essential.  Not to make light of it, but one of my slightly humorous sayings is, "the challenge of youth is getting a date.  The challenge of age is getting a good night's sleep."  Cheers.

    Wine has an anti cancer

    Wine has an anti cancer effect? I have been wondering how hard it is on the liver while I am on chemo. I would love to have a glass maybe once every two weeks. I am so worried about doing anything stressful to my liver since it will be getting chemo for so long. 

  • abita
    abita Member Posts: 1,152 Member
    #5
    I can say sleeping is tough

    I can say sleeping is tough while on chemo. I actually signed up for help with my sleep. But I have always had sleep issues and the cancer anxiety has magnified it.

  • Ruthmomto4
    Ruthmomto4 Member Posts: 708 Member
    #6
    I used to take

    two Tylenol pm‘s every single night, and I did for 12 years. Now I simply take 2 benadryl pills since that’s what puts you to sleep. I am horrible at shutting my mind off at night and need help. I usually take it by 9 pm every night and I am fine in the morning. Lunesta is good from what I have been told and less risky than Ambien.

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #7
    I'm very lucky that I tend

    I'm very lucky that I tend not to have trouble sleeping or getting to sleep. But I've heard that things like Benadryl, as Ruthmomto4 mentioned, or Gravol, or things that make you sleepy can really help. Even Nyquil helps my daughter sleep, she swears by it. 

    I hope something will help, not being able to sleep is horrible.

    Jan

  • SandiaBuddy
    SandiaBuddy Member Posts: 1,381 Member
    #8
    abita said:

    Wine has an anti cancer

    Wine has an anti cancer effect? I have been wondering how hard it is on the liver while I am on chemo. I would love to have a glass maybe once every two weeks. I am so worried about doing anything stressful to my liver since it will be getting chemo for so long. 

    Wine

    Link

    Colon cancer patients with a healthy body weight who engaged in physical activity, ate a diet high in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits and low in red/processed meats, and drank moderate alcohol had longer DFS and OS than patients who did not engage in these behaviors.

  • Kazenmax
    Kazenmax Member Posts: 463 Member
    #9
    I have a really hard time

    I have a really hard time going to sleep and staying asleep. I’m tired but i just can’t turn off my mind.

    i take 10 mg melatonon and 1 benedryl every night. Sometimes it works and other times it does not. I’ve started reading a couplie chapters before I go to bed. Turn off the electronics and tv and just read for about a half hour. That seems to help.

    while I was on chemo, my doctor gave me ambien. That definitely worked but I really don’t want to take drugs like that.

    i don’t take any Tylenol pm or Advil pm because I don’t want to over stress my liver.

    k

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #10
    CBD

    But if all else fails, try some CBD products. Just enough to chill you out to sleep.  

     

    Some companies have just the right amount to induce sleep - one company is called SUTH and the product is called Nighty Night. Sugar Free Mints.

     

    I have a trial pack sitting in my bathroom, but haven't used it yet. 

     

    Good luck!  It is so hard to just lay there, waiting for sleep to take you.

     

    Tru

  • myAZmountain
    myAZmountain Member Posts: 417 Member
    #11
    Sleeping environment

    I found myself waking up often throughout the night and finally figured out it was a couple of lights that were disrupting my sleep--a very strong outdoor light of a distant neighbor, and the light on the alarm box--also the bedclothes were to heavy  for summer and I substituted a linen sheet--maybe there are some things like that stealing your slumber? I take melatonin 5 mg and sleep well now--have some crazy dreams though and I drink so much water all day I have several potty trips too. Sleep is so restorative I hope you can find the formula that works for you!!

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #12
    Ambien

    I've taken Ambien since diagnosis.  I'm on a 5mg tablet and cut it in half and only take half at bedtime.  If I'm not able to get back asleep during the night after going the bathroom I'll take the other half.  It usually keeps me asleep the whole night.  My mind races constantly at night and have a hard time shutting it off.  Sometimes the TV works in the middle of the night, but most times I'll get interested in the program I'm watching and then end up never going to bed.

    Kim

  • Kazenmax
    Kazenmax Member Posts: 463 Member
    #13
    Trubrit said:

    What works for me

    I found that, after chemo, I had to 'train' myself into a sleep routine. It didn't happen over night, but it did happen. 

    I use Zen type music, and I literally had to force my mind to quiet.  During chemo, I did that with a guided imagery CD - and that worked miraculously for me.

    A steady, consistent bedtime ritual may also help.  Turn off the TV & Computer at least an hour before bed. Read a book (not on an electronic), or have a bath. Meditate. Whateever works for you persoanlly to turn off your brain. 

    I avoid OTC drugs at all costs.

    Each to his own, and these are only my thoughts and what has worked for me. 

     

    OTC drugs

    Tru,

    Just curious. Why do you suggest avoiding OTC drugs? Is there a problem with them? I thought Benadryl was safe.

    thanks for any info.

    k

  • SandiaBuddy
    SandiaBuddy Member Posts: 1,381 Member
    #14
    Kazenmax said:

    OTC drugs

    Tru,

    Just curious. Why do you suggest avoiding OTC drugs? Is there a problem with them? I thought Benadryl was safe.

    thanks for any info.

    k

    Benadryl

    There is some evidence that benadryl is linked in the long term with dementia/alzheimer's disease.  I used to take it liberally, but I have tried to cut back since my mother had alzheimer's and I have seen how miserable that disease is.

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    edited July 2019 #15
    Kazenmax said:

    OTC drugs

    Tru,

    Just curious. Why do you suggest avoiding OTC drugs? Is there a problem with them? I thought Benadryl was safe.

    thanks for any info.

    k

    Sorry Kaz

    That was totally worded wrong. Thank you for pointing that out.

    I shall change it to 'I avoid OTC at all cost'.  

    Tru

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    edited July 2019 #16
    What works for me

    I found that, after chemo, I had to 'train' myself into a sleep routine. It didn't happen over night, but it did happen. 

    I use Zen type music, and I literally had to force my mind to quiet.  During chemo, I did that with a guided imagery CD - and that worked miraculously for me.

    A steady, consistent bedtime ritual may also help.  Turn off the TV & Computer at least an hour before bed. Read a book (not on an electronic), or have a bath. Meditate. Whateever works for you persoanlly to turn off your brain. 

    I avoid OTC drugs at all costs.

    Each to his own, and these are only my thoughts and what has worked for me. 

     

  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    #17
    I use low-dose Trazodone

    I've been sleeping through the night for the first time in YEARS.  It is by prescription as an anti-depressant, but in very low doses is used off-lable for sleep.  (My therapist recommended it, after we determined that Ambien and I could not be friends!)  I'm sleeping well, and awaking refreshed.  I take 50mg at bedtime.  (My husband uses 75mg at bedtime for restless leg and sleep.)  I was pleasantly surprised how well it seems to be working.

    Alice

  • Kazenmax
    Kazenmax Member Posts: 463 Member
    edited July 2019 #18
    Trubrit said:

    Sorry Kaz

    That was totally worded wrong. Thank you for pointing that out.

    I shall change it to 'I avoid OTC at all cost'.  

    Tru

    Tru, I wasn’t pointing out

    Tru, I wasn’t pointing out anything. I was asking why. i had heard about the link to dementia so I am going to cut back and try melatonin alone. Is there another reason to avoid?

    thanks

    k

  • SandiaBuddy
    SandiaBuddy Member Posts: 1,381 Member
    #19
    Kazenmax said:

    Tru, I wasn’t pointing out

    Tru, I wasn’t pointing out anything. I was asking why. i had heard about the link to dementia so I am going to cut back and try melatonin alone. Is there another reason to avoid?

    thanks

    k

    Etiquette

    I think Tru is referring to the informal rule of etiquette on this board where we try to say what we do and why, but not to tell someone else what to do or why.

  • beaumontdave
    beaumontdave Member Posts: 1,289 Member
    #20
     

     

    Let's see, I used to take meletonin for sleep and anti-cancer properties but it was hit and miss, and I read articles that opposed it's use. I use benadryl occassionally, but I do wake a little groggy from it. If I have to sleep and can't, 2 of the .5 Xanax are a guaranteed good night's sleep, but more than occasional use will thwart it's effects. The best way for me to get sleep is to get the room cold and read or watch something technical, always puts me out. I don't sleep well in heat in any case. I don't recall how it was with chemo, but I'll soak my head and go outside for awhile to get cool enough to sleep, anytime I feel the need. I hear bad things about getting hooked on Ambien and the others of its kind, so I don't try them. Hang tough...................................................Dave 

  • Butt
    Butt Member Posts: 352 Member
    #21

    I was prescribed lozerepam 1 mg. Did its job.

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