I hate Insomnia :)

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Sandy10
Sandy10 Member Posts: 80
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
it's 4am.I'm up for the 6th time tonight. you would think that with all the meds I'm on for neuropathy,hot flashes,leg pain,joint/body aches,stomach cramps and so forth, that one of them would help me sleep!!?? No such luck!!! I wake up 5-7 times a night. I don't want to add more meds to what i'm already taking. Isn't having cancer fun? (sarcastic laugh) I'm having the time of my life!! (REALLY sarcastic laugh finished with a very fake smile) OH WELL, no rest for the weary!!! sleep is for whimps!! i can go without sleep forever!!!!!! HA HA HA!!!!!! not really. what i wouldn't do for a good nights sleep. Sorry guys, I'm not crazy. :) just ranting.........

Sandy :)

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  • jloe
    jloe Member Posts: 174
    #2
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    Wide Awake Too!!!
    I am up all the time too and yes, it really sucks. The only time I get good nights sleep is when they give me Adivan in the hospital. I think it's a pretty powerful, knock you out sleeping pill so I'm a little afraid to get used to them at home. What do you take for neuropathy and joint pain? I'm to the pont where I don't know the differnce of neuropthy/sore joint or just getting older. I think everthing darn twinge I get is the damn cancer. I think we all do that. I'm glad someone else is having as much fun as I do!

    J :):)
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #3
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    I REMEMBER IT WELL
    Sandy:
    Sorry to hear about your sleepless nights. That happened so often to me while I was on chemo. Normally, my head hits the pillow and I'm out - my husband can attest to that! But during both chemo sessions (2000 and 2006) I spent many a sleepless night sitting at the computer, trying to read, etc., etc., etc. For me, I'm fairly sure it was the steroids, although could have been the chemo, benadryl, etc., or all of the above. Your body is going through so much and at a time when you need sleep the most, just seems like you can't get it! Maybe the doc can find something for you that won't conflict with what you're taking. Lord knows your body needs time to repair and rest, and I think the doc should address that.

    Sending Hugs and Prayers that all will be better soon!
    Monika
  • joan60
    joan60 Member Posts: 89
    #4
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    sleepless
    I also have had a hard time sleeping, probably not recommended but a couple of times have had a couple of glasses of wine then take neurontin and tylenol and slept like a baby Hmmmmm!?!


    Looking forward to zzzzz's
    Joan
  • Cafewoman53
    Cafewoman53 Member Posts: 735 Member
    #5
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    You need your sleep
    I have the same problem and my Dr. gave me ambien which with my other meds and chemo brain is too strong but I take it when I have too many 'broken up sleep' nites in a row. It makes a huge difference in how I feel the next day with a good nites sleep. You don't have to take it every nite. I even split mine in half and it works well just don't split a controlled release pill.
    I hope you can find something to help you get a good nites sleep.
    Colleen
  • Sandy10
    Sandy10 Member Posts: 80
    #6
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    :)
    Thanks everyone!! I feel better knowing that when I'm up at 2am that I'm not alone. :) I used to sleep like a baby and thought that when chemo was over I would go back to that. Chemo has been over for 41/2 months now and I'm still dealing with the insomnia among many other things. I've tried all sorts of things for it and nothing seems to help. Oh well, i guess one day things will work themselves out. It's a small price to pay to be with NED. Thank you again for the advice and well wishes!! Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!!! I know I am Thankful to have another Thanksgiving with my family. Hopefully will have MANY more!!!

    Sandy
  • Sandy10
    Sandy10 Member Posts: 80
    #7
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    .

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  • Susan523
    Susan523 Member Posts: 231 Member
    #8
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    Me, too
    I have had insomnia since my diagnosis; about 4 1/2 years ago. Nothing seems to help. I've tried herb teas, melatonin, benedryl (which sometimes helps), and I've also tried all of the prescription ones; Ambien, Lunestra, Sonata, etc. Tylenol PM; nothing helps me. They are like caffeine to me~ and what I wouldn't give for a good night's sleep, too.

    We should start a 3am chat group~ lol

    I also listen to meditation/visualization cds. It sometimes helps.

    Our bodies heal when we sleep; so Lord knows we need it~ any advice gratefully accepted!

    xoxo
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #9
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    Susan523 said:

    Me, too
    I have had insomnia since my diagnosis; about 4 1/2 years ago. Nothing seems to help. I've tried herb teas, melatonin, benedryl (which sometimes helps), and I've also tried all of the prescription ones; Ambien, Lunestra, Sonata, etc. Tylenol PM; nothing helps me. They are like caffeine to me~ and what I wouldn't give for a good night's sleep, too.

    We should start a 3am chat group~ lol

    I also listen to meditation/visualization cds. It sometimes helps.

    Our bodies heal when we sleep; so Lord knows we need it~ any advice gratefully accepted!

    xoxo

    CDS
    Susan,

    Good to see you. I hope you are well!!! What CDs do you like best? I thought about buying but don't know where to start.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #10
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    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • beth1465
    beth1465 Member Posts: 63 Member
    #11
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    Ambien
    Ambien works well for me. I can get 6 good hours with that. I just take it if I've had a couple of wakeful nights cause I really hate to take sleeping pills.
  • Susan523
    Susan523 Member Posts: 231 Member
    #12
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    nancy591 said:

    CDS
    Susan,

    Good to see you. I hope you are well!!! What CDs do you like best? I thought about buying but don't know where to start.

    Meditation CDs
    Hi, Nancy,

    I have 2 favorites; but I do have lots of them~

    I really like a lady named Bellaruth Naparstek, "Fight Cancer",
    and I also like Deepak Chopra; "The Soul of Healing".

    Those are geared to healing; and then I also like one for Sleep~ called "Sleep Solutions", by Roberta Shapiro.


    Hope it helps! And also... Benedryl helps at bedtime too.

    xoxo
  • KarynH
    KarynH Member Posts: 32
    #13
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    Susan523 said:

    Meditation CDs
    Hi, Nancy,

    I have 2 favorites; but I do have lots of them~

    I really like a lady named Bellaruth Naparstek, "Fight Cancer",
    and I also like Deepak Chopra; "The Soul of Healing".

    Those are geared to healing; and then I also like one for Sleep~ called "Sleep Solutions", by Roberta Shapiro.


    Hope it helps! And also... Benedryl helps at bedtime too.

    xoxo

    Cd
    Another good CD is called Relaxation - A Windham Hill Collection

    I bought this for my mom when she was having trouble sleeping.
    I have an "old school" walkman, and hooked it up for her. She was zonked out before the third song.
    She also brought this to chemo a few times.

    I've listened to it also to help with stressful times.
  • Sandy10
    Sandy10 Member Posts: 80
    #14
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    Thank you for all the ideas
    Thank you for all the ideas and well wishes. I've tried all of the pill forms of sleep aides as well, none of them worked. It's weird because before the cancer, i never took any meds at all, just an occasional motrin for a headache. If i had a cold i would take nyquil and that would knock me out for HOURS. Since the cancer and all the meds I have to take now, nothing affects me like it used to. I don't understand how I can be SO exhausted and not be able to sleep. Like all of you, i would kill for a good nights sleep. Even 5-6 hours of un interupted sleep would thrill me. I know the lack of sleep is having a big impact on my recovery. The way I feel on a day is directly linked to how much sleep I've gotten the night before. I used to use relaxation CD's as well. I think I will give that another shot. I really miss the sand man!!!! :) I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!!! I have so much to be thankful for!!!!

    Sandy
  • azgrandma
    azgrandma Member Posts: 609 Member
    #15
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    Sandy10 said:

    Thank you for all the ideas
    Thank you for all the ideas and well wishes. I've tried all of the pill forms of sleep aides as well, none of them worked. It's weird because before the cancer, i never took any meds at all, just an occasional motrin for a headache. If i had a cold i would take nyquil and that would knock me out for HOURS. Since the cancer and all the meds I have to take now, nothing affects me like it used to. I don't understand how I can be SO exhausted and not be able to sleep. Like all of you, i would kill for a good nights sleep. Even 5-6 hours of un interupted sleep would thrill me. I know the lack of sleep is having a big impact on my recovery. The way I feel on a day is directly linked to how much sleep I've gotten the night before. I used to use relaxation CD's as well. I think I will give that another shot. I really miss the sand man!!!! :) I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!!! I have so much to be thankful for!!!!

    Sandy

    Trazadone helps
    try some trazadone 50 mg, you can up it more until it will help you sleep
    God Bless you
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    #16
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    Me too
    I keep my MP3 player next to my bed and it's fully loaded with audiobooks. I wake up several times during the night and the stories lull me back to sleep. You can download the books free from your local library!
    (((HUGS))) Maria

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