Who else can't sleep?

Zoffiel

Temazapam only knocks me for about four hours, doesn't matter how many I take. A little trick with them, have the first one and keep the second next to the bed. Shove it into your head the minute you wake up and try to lie nice and still, deep breaths for a little while and its likely you will nod off again. Not as good as sleeping right through, but worth a shot.

kmakm

@sister I take one with breakfast and one with lunch. Which can end up being quite 2ish because chemo's on a Monday so weekend hours. They give me significant reflux and last time made me feel sick.

kmakm

Thanks @Zoffiel, my breast care nurse suggested that too. I'll give it a try next time.

Sunshine0206

Temazepam is a hypnotic - it only designed to get you to sleep not to maintain sleep through cycles. 

My oncologist recommended phenergan. Many on here don’t like it. Each to their own. I find that if I’m struggling for some reason it works for me. 

X

Romla

I can support the soporific effect of phenergan which is an old fashioned antihistamine with side effect of sleepiness. I was badly bitten by sandflies in Cairns one year and desperate - a kind pharmacist sold me phenergan and it literally knocked me out to arise in the morning with the itch driving me to insanity gone. I never go to TNQ without it.

Romla

I did not need a prescription to purchase it.

Sister

Never thought of Phenergan. Mind you, other than what I've been prescribed and Panadol, I don't know what I'm allowed to take with chemo.

Romla

I’d check with your medical team before taking but gather has been given prior to some chemo - taxol?

Afraser

Phenergan was given to me before taxol - hated it as it made me dopey drowsy, although only for about half an hour or so. 

Romla

I did also feel quite dopey for a short while - rather like being drunk I guess - prior to falling asleep but it did knock me out.

Mollygirl

@Sister and @kmakm, I used the melatonin last year after chemo to reset and I think it really helped. I've decided to go back on it as the hot flushes and night sweats are back with avengence and really disturbing my sleep and I'm back to a zombie. It's non addictive and can be taken over long periods. My oncologist prescribed it the 2 mg ones and they are about $40 for 30 tablets. They don't affect your alertness in the mornings like benzodiazepines (temazepam) can. it will take a few days to build up in my system but hoping it works again and I can get back to the 7 hours sleep again with minimal waking. 
Lucky for me both my GP and onc are all over insomnia and how lack of sleep affects you. 
Hugs ladies xxx

kmakm

@romla @sister I'm given iv Phenergan before each chemo as I have an allergic reaction to the Docetaxol. Makes me dopey and sleepy and I drift right off for most of the time in hospital. Unlike @afraser I rather enjoy it!

@mollygirl Sounds like melatonin might be worth a try.

kmakm

@sister Excuse my language, but fucking paracetemol! It just doesn't cut the mustard. It's not touching my bone pain.

Did you see this article in The Age/SMH this week?  Trigger warning:  it will make your blood boil...

https://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/the-surreal-things-women-do-to-have-their-pain-taken-seriously-20180220-h0wct8.html

"When men are in pain it's real, it needs treatment. Women in pain just need to calm down."

Garghh!!!!

Romla

There
is a caution about taking melatonin if you are on warfarin ( a blood thinner) .Please always check with your medical team just to ensure no conflicts with any treatment you are on - I had a wake up call on one “natural supplement “.

Members on here provided me with a wonderful tool to also check supplements from a NYC hospital specialising only in cancer treatment - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cance Centre.I gather BCNA recommend it too.Here is the web address - 

www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/herbal-remedies-and-treatment 

Its well worth the time investigating this site.

Romla

@kmakm my medical oncologist recommended Krill Oil for joint pain. It’s stronger than fish oil and you need to take less tablets to get the same effect.