Sleepy

rmap59
rmap59 Member Posts: 266
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi everyone,
I really appreciate this forum. I am very happy for all the good news and prayerful for
the bad. I wondered if anyone had any ideas on how to sleep better, I have not slept over 4 hours per night in a month, my emotions are suffering. I have ambien but it only helps me go to sleep, after 4 hours I am wide awake. Never experienced this before. Any suggestions, sorry to whine. The good news is I just finished radiation/chemo and have one month off before more chemo, stage 3 rectal. God Bless All, Robin

Comments

  • livefreeordie
    livefreeordie Member Posts: 45
    #2
    Did you tell the Dr. about this, did he
    suggest ambien?
    They have stonger stuff to help you sleep,
    relax, de-stress during the day, etc...
    I also find reading a good book to help get your
    mind off everything helps too..
    good luck
  • jams67
    jams67 Member Posts: 925 Member
    #3
    There are different strengths of ambien and ambien cr. I take 10mg and still wake up sometimes too, but not as often. If you think stress is a factor, you may have to read a few books on stress management, or go to your doc and ask for a recomendation. Being sleepless can really make a difference in how you feel during the day. Its hard to have a "Good Morning" unless you have had a good night.
    Jo Ann
  • goldfinch
    goldfinch Member Posts: 735
    #4
    I've tried ambien cr 12.5 without much effect. i would fall asleep, but wake up a 2 AM and not be able to fall back to sleep. I would meditate, visualize and practice progressive relaxation, but nothing worked. I tried some lorazepam 1 mg that I got a while ago. works great great for me. GIves me almost 7 hours of sleep! A fellow nurse that i work with says lorazepam gives her nightmares, but ambien cr works for her. I guess you have to experiment. I agree that you should talk with the doc.
    Mary
  • rmap59
    rmap59 Member Posts: 266
    #5
    livefreeordie said:

    Did you tell the Dr. about this, did he
    suggest ambien?
    They have stonger stuff to help you sleep,
    relax, de-stress during the day, etc...
    I also find reading a good book to help get your
    mind off everything helps too..
    good luck

    hi thanks for the reply, Yes he recommended Ambien but I will try and relax more and read before bed, what's the stronger stuff to sleep?
  • abcma
    abcma Member Posts: 24
    #6
    I break the pills in half and take one half when I go to bed and the other half when I wake up...usually about 4 hours later. That works just fine for me.

    I believe that there is also a timed released Ambien that is available now...
    Bev
  • goldfinch
    goldfinch Member Posts: 735
    #7
    Ambien Cr is the time released. It's supposed to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Didn't work for keeping me asleep, but may work for you. If you already have this, don't cut it in half!
    Mary
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #8
    OK, so, I just went with the flow, and took naps during the day to supplement my short sleep cycles at night. At work, I would go to my car, and set a small alarm for 20 minutes...refreshed me to go on.
    Your body is being significantly attacked, as you are well aware, by the treatment as well as cancer...it's all mixed up. Accepting that is half the battle. Realize it will straighten out, I sleep better now, 2 years later, than I did for 10 years! Many progressive countries (other than the US, sadly) realize the positives to naps...even for people totally healthy. So, don't let this get you down...give yourself a break....get some Nora Roberts books...they are easy to put down, and are an easy read...just the ticket for falling back to sleep after that 4-hour wake up call!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • KierstenRx
    KierstenRx Member Posts: 249
    #9
    Robin,
    I had horrible insomnia during chemo and radiation. I too would only sleep 2-4 hours a night and it was awful. I tried Ambien and it put me to sleep, but I would always wake back up with my mind racing about 3am. I then tried Lunesta it seemed to work a little better at keeping me asleep (it gives a horrible taste in my mouth-but tolerable). Finally what worked best for me was to make sure I walked 20-30 minutes each day, take a hot bath or shower an hour before bedtime. Quit drinking anything with caffeine. Finally the prescriptions that worked best for me were Trazodone 200mg (anti-depressant that also helps with sleeplessness) and Lorazepam as needed. The Lorazepam in an anxiety medication, but it worked well on those nights when I would lay down and my mind would race. Anyway I hope some of this helps. I know how awful it is to not sleep. I'll be praying for you.

    Kiersten
  • KierstenRx
    KierstenRx Member Posts: 249
    #10
    Robin,
    I had horrible insomnia during chemo and radiation. I too would only sleep 2-4 hours a night and it was awful. I tried Ambien and it put me to sleep, but I would always wake back up with my mind racing about 3am. I then tried Lunesta it seemed to work a little better at keeping me asleep (it gives a horrible taste in my mouth-but tolerable). Finally what worked best for me was to make sure I walked 20-30 minutes each day, take a hot bath or shower an hour before bedtime. Quit drinking anything with caffeine. Finally the prescriptions that worked best for me were Trazodone 200mg (anti-depressant that also helps with sleeplessness) and Lorazepam as needed. The Lorazepam in an anxiety medication, but it worked well on those nights when I would lay down and my mind would race. Anyway I hope some of this helps. I know how awful it is to not sleep. I'll be praying for you.

    Kiersten
  • kmygil
    kmygil Member Posts: 876 Member
    #11
    Hi Robin,

    Between depression and anxiety I had a real tough time sleeping. I have been on antidepressants for a while now, but that did not help me sleep. Ambien, Ambien CR and Rozerem did allow me to fall asleep, but after 2 1/2 to 4 hours I would be wide awake again. I am now using Restoril and it allows me 5-7 hours. I know there are other meds out there, but I have not tried them. Also, heavy-duty pain killers can interfere with sleep in a major way. Hope this helps.
    Kirsten

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