Insomnia

[NancyPF]

One more thing I forgot to mention.  Insomnia is killing me.  I take my Riba about 7:00 p.m. as I work and don't get home until at least 6:00.  I take melatonin, Benedryl, 5-HTP, glass of warm milk, sometimes half a Unisom, and aromatherapy drops on my ears, and I'm still not getting a good night sleep.  Any suggestions from anybody?  My doctor gave me a px for Trazadone, but I've heard that's a pretty heavy duty drug and I'm a little reluctant to take it.

Nancy

[NancyPF]

Thanks for the great info, everybody.

Nancy

[medicmommy]

When my thyroiditis from the treatment kicked in, I became quite hyperthyroid and the insomnia was horrible...It hit about week 10 of treatment...so, if you have some of the other symptoms (anxiety, sensation of pounding or rapid heart rate, heat intolerance, increased anemia, frequent bowel movements (sorry folks if TMI), jitteriness, hand tremors, and even possibly a slightly elevated body temp) you should have this checked ASAP! This condition can become quite dangerous and can cause strokes or heart attacks if it gets bad enough...I'm not trying to scare you, but some aren't aware this can be yet another side of this lovely medication...Good luck...((((((((((HUGZ))))))))) ~Melinda

[Magnum]

Medical marijuana or Ambien CR. Make sure it's the CR not the standard...

Happy dreams

Magnum

[NancyPF]

Thanks everybody.  I guess I'll break down and try the Trazadone and see what happens.  Just another drug to clog up the works, right???  It's got to be better than not sleeping for days on end.  I think I have one really good night's sleep a week.  Yikes.  No wonder people get brain fog!!!

Nancy

[DragonSlayer45]

I understand where you are coming from. I told my doctor no on the sleep aides too. I later decided that was a mistake and began taking Ambien. It works for me most of the time. I figured it beats the losing sleep battle.

[CMcH]

I have taken the Trazadone and it has helped me a lot. I need all the sleep I can get. I don't even wake up for the night sweats. I am all about taking what ever rescue drugs I can to help me get through this year. I call it my chemical year because I am on so many meds and feel toxic 1/2 the time. You do what ever works for you and know that this to shall pass.

[can-do-man]

I had the same problem, my happy hepo had me take the riba earlier, morning dose around 7:00 and afternoon dose around 2:00 pm. Just had to make sure i had a snack with me. Which in my case i had easy access to ice-cream:) Did help me though.

Best to you

cando

[DB 0]

I used trazadone during the last few months of TX.I took a half tablet,it worked great for me.I was told it was not a narcotic,actually an AD.I hated the Insomnia so good luck

[Bill1954]

Thanks :o)

[NancyPF]

Hey Bill,

Wanted to answer you personally.  I'm hanging in there.  I've had some rough days but I've only missed one and a half days of work so far.  Mostly just fatigue and a bad headache, which seems somewhat better today.  If it doesn't get any worse than this, I'll survive it fine.

Hope all is well with you.

Take care and I'll talk to you soon.

Nancy

[NancyPF]

Thanks everybody.  Appreciate the info.  I'll see if I can get a px for one of the other ones suggested.

Nancy

[jdwithhcv]

I had a lot of insomnia problems, especially in weeks 10 - 36.  I am allergic to benadryl but ativan helped me a lot.  Hope your treatment goes well.

[Bill1954]

Hi Nancy—how are you holding up?

A lot of people in treatment expereince insomnia; if you’re uncomfortable with trazadone, ask your doctor about some of the non-narcotic sleep aids; Kimmy mentioned Ambien above. Also discuss other similar agents like Lunesta. You can also ask your doc if an antihistamine is appropriate; diphenhydramine is the ingredient in Tylenol PM that causes drowsiness; it’s available as an OTC at Walgreen’s or the corner drug store generically for about five bucks. Oops, I see you are taking benydryl; don't worry about the diphenhydramine :). I think Tazadone is a sedating antidepressent, but I don't have any personal experience with it.

I hope all is going well for you otherwise; take good care—

Bill

[kimmypoo2]

just take it when you need it ...i take ambien ...sometimes it works sometimes it dont ....im gonna be soo happy in 3 weeks when i m off tx ....so i can sleep...lol....riba robs us of a good nights sleep...i hope you feel better