Its 2:30 A.m.---can't Sleep

[LOPSIDED]

I'VE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING FOR AWHILE NOW.......I REALLY DO NOT WANT TO TAKE SLEEPING PILLS. DOES ANYONE HAVE SUGGESTIONS THAT DO NOT INCLUDE MEDICATIONS?

[Merridith]

Hi there:

What I usually do is read something.

That takes my mind off whatever it is that I'm thinking about so that I can relax and go to sleep.

If you are really serious about getting to sleep, pick up something useful like a textbook and tell yourself that since you are up you may as well study............you'll go to sleep in a flash.

My next bet is to get out of bed and walk around a bit, maybe play some free cell for about 1/2 hour. That can help put you to sleep too.

Good luck!

[R.B.]

Melatonin is suggested by some to assist in the induction of sleep.

Here is a link. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/melatsum.htm

Sleep is a complex whole body thing so stimulants late in the day eg caffine, or high levels in the day may have an impact.

Improving diets balancing omega threes and sixes, looking at body acidity, salt intake etc. exercise may all help.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15167223&query_hl=24&itool=pubmed_docsum Nature is very complex for example I have read some salad vegetables have substances in that induce drowsiness so a wide variety of food should help provide the body the things it need to do the things it does.....

Melatonin is "controversial". There is some evidence it is an antioxidant and may reduce BC risks but again that is not well trialled. So please discuss with your advisor.

You will find lots on google on the subject of melatonin.


RB

[StephN]

Some Herbal teas are specially blended to help with getting and staying asleep. My hubby finds that white wine late in the evening tends to keep him awake for some reason. Doesn't bother me that way.

Also, some ladies here had posted in the past about TYLENOL PM helping them get a good night's rest.

Good luck.

[KellyA]

Hi there! I can relate to your sleeping difficulties. I was having problems myself and didn't want to take any more meds. I started walking in the evenings with a good friend. We go at 8 pm every night and walk for about 1 1/2 hours- 6 or so miles. She is a lunatic runner and doesn't give me any breaks. (in her words- "chemo schmemo") I cannot tell you how much this has helped me with EVERYTHING. I fall asleep every night within 5 minutes of hitting the pillow. I don't need naps during the day anymore. I stopped taking my Lexapro (antidepressant) and feel WONDERFUL. My stress levels have gone way down. I can even run a good chunk of it now (I could barely finish it walking a month ago.). I bought me some great shoes and it has really become part of my life. I have even been able to go on a treatment day (usually I sleep the remainder of the day on those days) and for the very first time, I have not hurt ONCE in the entire three weeks of this last dose. And I was having BIG problems with that.


Find a friend, go in the evenings when its cool, and I promise that you will sleep like a baby!

Love, Kelly

[Mary Anne in TX]

Walking does it for me! I get up and my little dogs take me for a walk each morning early! It makes everything in my life better, especially sleeping. ma

[Gerri]

When I have trouble sleeping I get up and drink some warm milk - not the best tasting beverage but I can get it down okay. Believe it or not it really works!

About sleeping pills: I attended a breast cancer forum last weekend and the question regarding sleeping pills came up in the fatigue session. The presentor of the session stated that it is imperative that survivors get in at least 8 hours of sleep per night (I wish!) and that if you need sleeping pills to accomplish that you should not be afraid to take them. They are much safer and less addictive than they were in years past. The number one way to fight fatigue: Walking!


Pleasant dreams!

[SoCalGal]

I like ativan. I also take melatonin. When you first start melatonin you can have vivid dreams, and can feel a little weird but that goes away after a week or so.

SLeep probs are a common side effect of breast cancer. That's why we all post around the clock:)

Yoga? Meditation? I've tried it all! Online shopping is a good use of time in the middle of the night. Blessings...Flori

[MJo]

I also agree that sleep is so important during treatment that a drug might be necessary. People take Tylenol PM. I tried Ambien but didn't like it - others do like it. I used xanax to relax me and it helped me sleep. I didn't like taking drugs either before I got BC. In fact, I hesitated to take aspirin. But medication hopefully killed my cancer cells, so medication is a good thing.

During AC I couldn't sleep. I didn't sleep in my bed for three months -- slept on family room sofa, which was very comfortable. In fact, I need a new sofa because I wore out the springs. WHen I woke up I would read or turn on the TV until I dozed off. I used Xanax when I needed it. Never knew there were so many good movies on at 3 a.m. Taxol was easier on me and I slept in my bedroom again because I slept through the night.

Sleep is a priority during treatment.

[anne2]

Hi there,
Yoga seems to help me get a better night's sleep. I really like Namaste Yoga on Fit TV if you can get it or order a DVD. It's really relaxing.
Hugs,
Anne

[Patb]

I have a sound machine and I put it on rain because everyone likes to
sleep in when its raining outside and I sleep like a baby and so does the
doggie.
patb

[Bev]

When I'm really wound up I need 2 ambien to sleep. Only did that 3 or so times. I know you want a non-drug solution though. My Italian father use to give us warm milk infused with garlic as a cure all. It was disgusting, but maybe there's something in these folk cures. I'm sticking with drugs. Good luck, BB

[Belinda]

My psychologist made me a self-guided relaxation tape - I keep it in the player next to the bed with headphones. Son't need it much at the moment but it got me through the first few months after dx, especially with the horrible night-wakenings that became the visiting hours for all of my fears...you can get similar relaxation cds etc at our local libraries and cancer care centre - might be worth checking our?

[juanita]

I checked out books on tape and listened to them. Had to be non-fiction or I got too into the story.

[Catherine]

Lots of great ideas on sleep. For me it is 1. change beds, sometimes I sleep in 3 different beds through out the nite. 2. I snack on Corn Chex. 3. I dose to the t.v. I agree walking is very theraputic. I also still take Lexapro an antidepressant.

Luckily, I sleep quite well now. I have been done with chemo since Sept 06. Now just on Herceptin.

[hutchibk]

Turn off the computer an hour or two before bedtime. Walk briskly at least 30 min a day. I too have a self-guided relaxation tape from my counselor. It is wonderful and can be very helpful. Sometimes my problem is falling asleep, and sometimes it is staying asleep. It can be very frustrating.

I get a hangover from Tylenol PM (it's just a big dose of benadryl with acetominophen). I also get a hangover from Ambien and Melatonin.

I take Lunesta when needed. The lowest dose possible. I love it. I wake straight up 8 hours later, no hangover, bright and energetic. I never take it more than 2 nights in a row to avoid any chance of dependence.

I didn't want to take sleep aids either, but my sleep was so erratic due to chemo effects, and I was becoming sleep deprived... so I caved in and am really glad I did.

[harrie]

To me a good night's sleep is VERY important. Decadron was keeping me up and to counter that I took an over-the-counter sleep aid such as Sominex or Tylenol PM. One pill worked just fine for me.

Exercise helps keep my stress level down and when I am not stressed, I tend to sleep much better.

[kristen]

Rozeram (sp) the one with Abe Lincoln and the, is it a beaver? It's prescription, but also the main ingredient from what my doc told me is higher levels of melatonin. Nothing worse then not sleeping. Good luck.

[Sherryg683]

You need your rest and if it means taking a sleeping pill then by all means do it. I take ambien every night , if i didn't I would be awake all night. I figure with all the chemicals and drugs I've been on, what would a sleeping pill hurt...sherryg683