[Jackie07]

Hezzy,

I think the sleep problem has more to do with the treatment of the brain mets. I've had brain tumor(s) my whole life and always have sleeping problems. The sleep-awake cycles are controlled by the right and left Thalamus and they are right in the center of the brain.

About the medicine schedule - I believe you can make a schedule to take all of them during a 12-14 hour schedule from 8 am to 8(or 10) pm.

Just remember to take the antibiotic (amoxicillen) with food (such as after every meal and a snack before bedtime) so it won't hurt your stomach. Most medicine can be taken every 4 hours. So I would suggest to take the Dex early in the morning and then every 4-5 hours after the first dose (how about before each meal?) Take Xeloda after breakfast (or a mid morning snack if it needs to be apart from the antibiotic) and then after supper.

Take Tykerb every night after supper or any other set time that's easy for you to remember.

Make a simple grid and check off the medicine you've taken just so you can get a visual que (or you can record it on your calendar). I've found it handy to use the alarm schedule on my cell phone as reminders. But I have problem remembering whether or not I've taken it after the alarm goes off - especially if there's other interruptions such as a phone call. So try to take your meds at a set time that's easy to remember and count your pills if that will help. (I also use a 7-day pill box as a safeguard)

I am sensing some anxiety here - especially about the effectiveness of the treatment for your brain mets. Steroid such as DEX helps reduce swelling and is important to curb the side effect from the radiation treatment. Tykerb and Xeloda have been standard treatment for brain mets because the molecule of Tykerb is small enough to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. There are trials going on right now on the combination of Herceptin and Tykerb and other new drug and new combinations.

We've got several members here on the Board that have beat brain mets and either are on maintenance or been NED (think of Christine, the founder of this support group) So hang in there.