Sleep

dfdb06c
dfdb06c Member Posts: 9
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Nearly 5 months post treatment, 12-30-09, and after getting off meds in February I developed insomnia for the first time. I have been prescribed Lunesta(did not work), Edluar (worked somewhat), Ambien CR (worked somewhat), and now am taking Trazodone. Started Trazodone this week and seems to work the best. I have seen some negative info on this and am wondering if anyone has experience with this sleep drug. I know it was used as anti-depressent, and stil is some, but Dr states it is now, primarily a sleep med. Has anyone else experienced sleep problems? I feel like if I can get sleep improved it will help all the rest of the body. I still suffer from fatigue, is improving, and associated eating issues with h/c cancer. Thank you for your input.
Kenny

Comments

  • Greg53
    Greg53 Member Posts: 849
    #2
    Melatonin
    Kenny,
    I'm 6 weeks post treatment. I had major trouble sleeping at night. I attributed that mainly to mucus issues. I was only getting 15 - 30 minutes sleep at a time. Would go back to sleep but would wake again in 15 minutes. I tried several different items and then found Melatonin. It's an over the counter supplement. I used that and did deep breaathing exercises before I went to bed. Those seemed to help. I'm still up at night but have increased my sleep time to 2-3 hours at a time. I checked with my doc on using Melatonin. He said it was ok to use, but to avoid another herbal supplement that's around( I think it was kava??). I'm still waiting for the day I can eat. Still using the PEG 100% of the time. Frustrating! Good luck with the sleep issue!
    Greg
  • GRAVEY
    GRAVEY Member Posts: 83
    #3
    You could try Xanax also,
    You could try Xanax also, although some people have differing opinions on it, as long as it is taken responsibly, it should relax you to the point that you could go to sleep on your own, other than that, a beer late at night always seems to knock me out, not two or three or 4, just one, if I drink more, I will stay awake, not get sleepy, just make sure its a full flavored beer, no lites........


    GRAVEY
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #4
    Hi Kenny

    For me I think I use the Melatonin like Greg, it was over the counter and worked great. I used it for a few weeks and when my body was balanced was able to get off of it. Everything is now as normal as it gets, I sleep good but wake a few times, but able to go right back to sleep again.
  • Kimba1505
    Kimba1505 Member Posts: 557
    #5
    Hondo said:

    Hi Kenny

    For me I think I use the Melatonin like Greg, it was over the counter and worked great. I used it for a few weeks and when my body was balanced was able to get off of it. Everything is now as normal as it gets, I sleep good but wake a few times, but able to go right back to sleep again.

    Simple sleep
    Mark had two issues post surgery, mucus and sleep. His docs said to simply take 50mg of Benadryl at bedtime. Take two OTC (25mg each). Knocks him out.
  • Kimba1505
    Kimba1505 Member Posts: 557
    #6
    Hondo said:

    Hi Kenny

    For me I think I use the Melatonin like Greg, it was over the counter and worked great. I used it for a few weeks and when my body was balanced was able to get off of it. Everything is now as normal as it gets, I sleep good but wake a few times, but able to go right back to sleep again.

    Simple sleep
    Mark had two issues post surgery, mucus and sleep. His docs said to simply take 50mg of Benadryl at bedtime. Take two OTC (25mg each). Knocks him out.
  • Kimba1505
    Kimba1505 Member Posts: 557
    #7
    Hondo said:

    Hi Kenny

    For me I think I use the Melatonin like Greg, it was over the counter and worked great. I used it for a few weeks and when my body was balanced was able to get off of it. Everything is now as normal as it gets, I sleep good but wake a few times, but able to go right back to sleep again.

    Simple sleep
    Mark had two issues post surgery, mucus and sleep. His docs said to simply take 50mg of Benadryl at bedtime. Take two OTC (25mg each). Knocks him out.
  • Kimba1505
    Kimba1505 Member Posts: 557
    #8
    Kimba1505 said:

    Simple sleep
    Mark had two issues post surgery, mucus and sleep. His docs said to simply take 50mg of Benadryl at bedtime. Take two OTC (25mg each). Knocks him out.

    Triple post: very sorry
    Playing with an iPad...heavy finger on the post button. Sorry...that's a lot of Mark's and my face. :)
  • Greg53
    Greg53 Member Posts: 849
    #9
    Kimba1505 said:

    Triple post: very sorry
    Playing with an iPad...heavy finger on the post button. Sorry...that's a lot of Mark's and my face. :)

    Kim
    Replied to your pm. Did you get my answer?
  • dfdb06c
    dfdb06c Member Posts: 9
    #10
    Greg53 said:

    Melatonin
    Kenny,
    I'm 6 weeks post treatment. I had major trouble sleeping at night. I attributed that mainly to mucus issues. I was only getting 15 - 30 minutes sleep at a time. Would go back to sleep but would wake again in 15 minutes. I tried several different items and then found Melatonin. It's an over the counter supplement. I used that and did deep breaathing exercises before I went to bed. Those seemed to help. I'm still up at night but have increased my sleep time to 2-3 hours at a time. I checked with my doc on using Melatonin. He said it was ok to use, but to avoid another herbal supplement that's around( I think it was kava??). I'm still waiting for the day I can eat. Still using the PEG 100% of the time. Frustrating! Good luck with the sleep issue!
    Greg

    thanks Greg, I don't know
    thanks Greg, I don't know what is going on but I evidently have serious insomnia. I tried Benadryl first, no sleep, tried Melatonin (3MG tabs), no sleep, then went to the prescription stuff, going to try to get off the Ambien CR and try the Trazodone. I understand about the PEG, got mine out in April. I am still on 60-70% liquid diet, solid food is coming back slowly, went to speech therapist for swallowing test and exercises to improve. They seemed to work as swallowing is much better but the saliva issue is still very much there. Good luck, you should be starting to eat soon.
  • dfdb06c
    dfdb06c Member Posts: 9
    #11
    Kimba1505 said:

    Triple post: very sorry
    Playing with an iPad...heavy finger on the post button. Sorry...that's a lot of Mark's and my face. :)

    thanks, don't know why but
    thanks, don't know why but didn't work for me, wife thought I might have magnesium deficiency so having that checked, it all started when I got off all my meds, I used to could drink a cup of coffee and an hour later go to sleep. If any more ideas come along I am open. Good looking picture of you two.
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #12
    dfdb06c said:

    thanks, don't know why but
    thanks, don't know why but didn't work for me, wife thought I might have magnesium deficiency so having that checked, it all started when I got off all my meds, I used to could drink a cup of coffee and an hour later go to sleep. If any more ideas come along I am open. Good looking picture of you two.

    Ever since...
    Ambien for me. Still don't get a full-nighter, and the mucous thing is still with me when I wake, but I do get to sleep with relative ease.

    kcass
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    #13
    Kent Cass said:

    Ever since...
    Ambien for me. Still don't get a full-nighter, and the mucous thing is still with me when I wake, but I do get to sleep with relative ease.

    kcass

    Kenny,
    I had a terrible time during and post treatment with no sleep and I went into a big tailspin. I given anti-anxiety and antidepressants which worked wonders and I got 9 solid hours most nights. I am weaning off them all now and not sleeping quite as well but sufficient.

    The Melatonin is good but must be taken about 30-40 minutes before intended sleep time and it may take a few days or more to feel th effect. it is a naturally occurring hormone that we stop producing as we get older (acts on the pineal glad in the brain) and is usually triggered when it gets darks. it is more useful to restore the rhythm of a sleep pattern.

    You can try Valerian and Chamomile products on the natural side of products and all over the counter.

    I was on Rivtril, Remeron, Seroquel and Lyrica, all of which assist sleep. You need to find an answer as sleep is very important for your recovery.

    All the best with finding the right solution.

    Scam

Discussion Boards