Arimidex and Sleep

Susan956
Susan956 Member Posts: 510
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I have just started taking Arimidex and it seems as if I can no longer sleep well. I seem to wake up every hour or two... I can go back to sleep... but I just don't feel well rested. I am taking it at night before I go to bed because the first few times I took it I thought it made me sleepy during the day. Have any of you who have taken it noticed it causing sleep problems and do you take it at night or in the morning?

Thanks for any information

Comments

  • ClaudiaAnn
    ClaudiaAnn Member Posts: 51
    #2
    Hi Susan. I take it at night because it gives me hot flashes and they're easier to deal with at night. I take it at 5:30 pm. I have noticed that I stay up a lot later and sleep fewer hours than I used to but so far I've been adjusting pretty well. I don't work so I can stay in bed later most days. Have you had problems with hot flashes returning? I've noticed that they are the most extreme about 30 minutes after eating. I guess it has to do with metabolizing food. My attitude is "this is a whole lot better than the alternative." Hang in there it settles down some with time.
  • Susan956
    Susan956 Member Posts: 510
    #3
    ClaudiaAnn said:

    Hi Susan. I take it at night because it gives me hot flashes and they're easier to deal with at night. I take it at 5:30 pm. I have noticed that I stay up a lot later and sleep fewer hours than I used to but so far I've been adjusting pretty well. I don't work so I can stay in bed later most days. Have you had problems with hot flashes returning? I've noticed that they are the most extreme about 30 minutes after eating. I guess it has to do with metabolizing food. My attitude is "this is a whole lot better than the alternative." Hang in there it settles down some with time.

    Hi Claudia Ann,
    I have noticed that hot flashes are a little worse. I had gotten to where I could enjoy a glass of wine and not melt. But once I started taking Arimidex, I have given up all alchol because that really triggers a hot flash. I may try taking my Arimidex with dinner rather than waiting until bedtime and see if that helps. Thanks for the input.
  • tlmac
    tlmac Member Posts: 272 Member
    #4
    Hi Susan. I've been on Arimidex since May 2003 and have only ever had one hot flash. It occurred in the middle of the night that first month and woke me out of a sound sleep. My bed clothes and sheets were soaked. I do, however, suffer considerable insomnia. Since I was always a person who could sleep 12 hours if I was tired enough, I'm assuming my sleep patterns are a result of the drug. The truth is, I stopped sleeping well once I was diagnosed and would often be up all night during chemo then sleep most of the day (never a problem). I've always taken my pill first thing in the morning with a fistful of supplements and a baby aspirin. My doctors prescribed Ambien to help me sleep. Unfortunately, neither the 5mg or the 10mg ever worked and, even if it had, it's not advised for long term. A Zanax does work and I keep a prescription for those nights when I absolutely have to sleep soundly. These days, I seem to function on 3-5 hours nightly and manage naps on weekends when I'm not working. I accept it as a necessary inconvenience but hope you have better luck.
    terri
  • Future
    Future Member Posts: 133 Member
    #5
    I have both the hot flashes and sleep problems. Been on it for approx 6 months - day/evening/afternoon - doesn't matter when I take it still have the hot flashes and trouble sleeping. Wish I had a good suggestion -- hopefully some of the suggestions will work for you.
  • Susan956
    Susan956 Member Posts: 510
    #6
    Thanks to all for your input. I guess I may just learn to sleep less. But it is definitely better than the alternative.
  • jdubious
    jdubious Member Posts: 113
    #7
    Susan956 said:

    Thanks to all for your input. I guess I may just learn to sleep less. But it is definitely better than the alternative.

    Hi Susan,
    I've only been on Arimidex for a couple of months (switching from Femara after joint pain) and I'm having sleep issues too. My issue has been falling asleep. Once I get to sleep, I sleep ok but dropping off has been really hard. I started taking the med in the morning(didn't help)then I increased my exercise and I go to bed earlier. This has helped. I'm not sure why going to bed earlier helps, but it does. I was staying up late, hoping to get sleepy but that really didn't work! The hot flashes haven't been as bad with the increased exercise either. Even with the sleep issues, Arimidex is an improvement over the pain I was having with Femara, so I'm not complaining (much!) either.
    jill
  • sstory
    sstory Member Posts: 4
    #8
    I take mine early in the morning before work and don't have any sleepiness during the day.
    I sleep really well at night.
    Hope this helps and good luck.
    Sandy

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