Insomnia

HERE'S A FEW MORE SUGGESTIONS
Wow! Sounds like you've tried everything! But, here's what works for me:

L-tryptophan (be sure to get a good, well-known brand), 500 mg. Don't eat anything with protein with it, it nullifies the affects. Take one tablet about an hour before bed. You can try an additional tablet if that didn't help.

ZMA - That is a zinc and magnesium supplement. Magnesium has calming effects and has helped my husband fall asleep.

Daily exercise helps. Even if you can only take a leisurely stroll around the block, it does help.

Don't watch TV or use the computer too soon before bed. It's too stimulating to the eyes and brain and you will have trouble falling asleep.

My FAVORITE! Hot chocolate sipped slowly before bed, then go to bed immediately afterward (I actually drink it in bed). Now, I make my hot chocolate with REAL milk AND REAL unsweetened COCOA (Hershey's in the can). NOT the kind you add water to. There's tryptophan in milk. I only add about a teaspoon or two of sugar. But, YUMMY! It's my 'comfort drink'.

Massage - Anyone that can rub your shoulders and back? Massages are VERY therapeutic. Makes me go to sleep!

Soaking in a hot tub - another favorite of mine. I like the water very, very warm. I use a mineral bath salt (it's green and is found in stores like CVS, Walgreens, etc.). Very soothing. But even more than that I like my lavendar bubble bath. Lavendar also has calming affects and it smells nice. Some suggest that you even use a lavendar linen spray on your pillows and sheets.

I don't know what time you go to bed, and it's good that you limit your caffiene after 3pm. But, I can't even have caffeine past noon. It reaches it's peak in 6 hours, so it might still conflict with your sleep schedule.

Well, I sure hope this helps. I can totally relate to your situation. Even now, not going through chemo at this time, etc., I find my mind wandering and sometimes I just can't shut if off. I have a lot going on right now, and it seems like when the house is quiet and I'm alone with my thoughts, my mind just takes off. Cancer still crosses my mind, too. I know exactly what you're going through. So, try some of these simple measures. I hope something works for you.

Take care. Susan. Love and hugs and prayers. . .
Monika

anxiety
Be sure to tell your doctor about now being able to shut your mind off. Maybe an anti-anxiety prescription is what will do the job. I take a low dose of that combined with anti depressant every night. It's the generic for paxil and not expensive. Probably addictive, and will have to wean off of it at some point but I, too, felt that the lack of sleep was not helpful for my recovery. Saundra

Stuff to do to help you sleep
Susan, looks like you have alot of advice. I don't want to get repetitous but I'll tell you the things I do to help me sleep: 1. Take St. John's Wort (I take 2 capsules morning and before bedtime), 2. Take a hot bath before bedtime, 3. No caffeine, including green tea after 3:00pm or even earlier if neccessary, 4. Read a book in bed before bedtime, 5. No food after 7pm. Hope these help you.

Susan523 said:

Thank you everybody!! ;-D
Gosh, it feels so great to have so much feedback!!

Thank you; each and every one of you. But I have
to say that I've tried everything that each of you
mentioned; except for the tryptophan and ZMA. I'll
try those, Monika. And I'm (thank God) in remission
right now, so no, I'm not on steroids now.

I have also recently started exercising; (the IP
Cisplatin really did a number on me).

I can only dream that my hubby would give me a
massage! If he does, it lasts about 15 seconds!!
Bummer there... but otherwise, he's wonderful.

Thank you all so much for the suggestions, and
taking the time to care. This is truly a blessed
group of ladies.

Love,
~Susan xoxo

sleep
Hi Susan - I use the Ativan (Lorazepam) each night about 1/2 hour before I'm ready to go to bed and it helps tremendously. It is for anxiety, it is not habit forming and it works within 30 minutes of taking it. When I was originally prescribed this it was to take before treatments because I wouldn't sleep the night before and would be so anxious on the hour drive to the town where I had treatment at. It's only 1 mg - and even a 1/2 of one works. I don't know how - but it lets you close your eyes and just sleep. Even if I watch TV, am on the computer, drink caffeine or any of those things we are always told "NOT" to do.

I hope you get a good nights sleep soon.

My best to you -
Kris

groundeffect said:

I know I've suggested this
I know I've suggested this recently on the board, but plain old diphenhydramine hydrochloride (generic Benadryl) that I buy at WalMart for about $5.00 for 100 capsules of "Allergy Medication" does the trick for me and a few others that I know. After being put to sleep by the I.V. Benadryl I was given during chemo, I appreciate that it's simple, and not addictive or habit forming.

I did check with my doctors, and they have no problem with me taking it, but I know that it's not great for people with high blood pressure.

good reminder
this is a good one.. or at least for some of us.