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/q...=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

[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