Sleeping..

Sleeping

MMJ may help if you are lucky enough to being in a legal state. 

SandiaBuddy said:

Sleep

I have been doing a bit better on sleep lately, maybe it is the distance from chemo or maybe it is better strategies.  I take melatonin for its anti-cancer effect.  The usual dose is 20mg, something I worked up to.  But at that dose, it seemed to hurt my sleep, so I have backed off to 10mg.  I also take Magnolia Bark Extract at night which is supposed to make you sleepy, I really have not noticed that it works (once again, for the anti-cancer effect).  I like beer, but I drink red wine most nights (. . . once again for its anti-cancer effect).  It seems like that likely helps with sleep a bit too.  Sleep is essential.  Not to make light of it, but one of my slightly humorous sayings is, "the challenge of youth is getting a date.  The challenge of age is getting a good night's sleep."  Cheers.

Wine has an anti cancer

Wine has an anti cancer effect? I have been wondering how hard it is on the liver while I am on chemo. I would love to have a glass maybe once every two weeks. I am so worried about doing anything stressful to my liver since it will be getting chemo for so long. 

I used to take

two Tylenol pm‘s every single night, and I did for 12 years. Now I simply take 2 benadryl pills since that’s what puts you to sleep. I am horrible at shutting my mind off at night and need help. I usually take it by 9 pm every night and I am fine in the morning. Lunesta is good from what I have been told and less risky than Ambien.

abita said:

Wine has an anti cancer

Wine has an anti cancer effect? I have been wondering how hard it is on the liver while I am on chemo. I would love to have a glass maybe once every two weeks. I am so worried about doing anything stressful to my liver since it will be getting chemo for so long. 

Wine

Link

Colon cancer patients with a healthy body weight who engaged in physical activity, ate a diet high in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits and low in red/processed meats, and drank moderate alcohol had longer DFS and OS than patients who did not engage in these behaviors.

CBD

But if all else fails, try some CBD products. Just enough to chill you out to sleep.  

 

Some companies have just the right amount to induce sleep - one company is called SUTH and the product is called Nighty Night. Sugar Free Mints.

 

I have a trial pack sitting in my bathroom, but haven't used it yet. 

 

Good luck!  It is so hard to just lay there, waiting for sleep to take you.

 

Tru

Ambien

I've taken Ambien since diagnosis.  I'm on a 5mg tablet and cut it in half and only take half at bedtime.  If I'm not able to get back asleep during the night after going the bathroom I'll take the other half.  It usually keeps me asleep the whole night.  My mind races constantly at night and have a hard time shutting it off.  Sometimes the TV works in the middle of the night, but most times I'll get interested in the program I'm watching and then end up never going to bed.

Kim

Kazenmax said:

OTC drugs

Tru,

Just curious. Why do you suggest avoiding OTC drugs? Is there a problem with them? I thought Benadryl was safe.

thanks for any info.

k

Benadryl

There is some evidence that benadryl is linked in the long term with dementia/alzheimer's disease.  I used to take it liberally, but I have tried to cut back since my mother had alzheimer's and I have seen how miserable that disease is.

What works for me

I found that, after chemo, I had to 'train' myself into a sleep routine. It didn't happen over night, but it did happen. 

I use Zen type music, and I literally had to force my mind to quiet.  During chemo, I did that with a guided imagery CD - and that worked miraculously for me.

A steady, consistent bedtime ritual may also help.  Turn off the TV & Computer at least an hour before bed. Read a book (not on an electronic), or have a bath. Meditate. Whateever works for you persoanlly to turn off your brain. 

I avoid OTC drugs at all costs.

Each to his own, and these are only my thoughts and what has worked for me. 

 

Trubrit said:

Sorry Kaz

That was totally worded wrong. Thank you for pointing that out.

I shall change it to 'I avoid OTC at all cost'.  

Tru

Tru, I wasn’t pointing out

Tru, I wasn’t pointing out anything. I was asking why. i had heard about the link to dementia so I am going to cut back and try melatonin alone. Is there another reason to avoid?

thanks

k

 

 

Let's see, I used to take meletonin for sleep and anti-cancer properties but it was hit and miss, and I read articles that opposed it's use. I use benadryl occassionally, but I do wake a little groggy from it. If I have to sleep and can't, 2 of the .5 Xanax are a guaranteed good night's sleep, but more than occasional use will thwart it's effects. The best way for me to get sleep is to get the room cold and read or watch something technical, always puts me out. I don't sleep well in heat in any case. I don't recall how it was with chemo, but I'll soak my head and go outside for awhile to get cool enough to sleep, anytime I feel the need. I hear bad things about getting hooked on Ambien and the others of its kind, so I don't try them. Hang tough...................................................Dave