Sleepless in tx treatment

[jogo68]

I´ve had sleeping trouble in my hcv tx treatment, starting week 13. I took ½ Imovane yesterday, advice from my dr. I would rather try other things than sleeping pills if it is possible, but I can’t be sleepless night after night. Any good advice ?

[jogo68]

Hi thanks for the advice. My doc say sleep trouble is familiar s.e. from interferon I can agree, because my worst night sleeping is the first two or three after the Intf shot (I just can’t sleep). But I´ve been dealing with horrible itching all the time (I start week 14 of 48 to day). I´ve been dressing in clothes pajamas likes to avoid itching - very smart :-). The night is the worst. It seems like the itch get worse when my skin warming up.
I was so glad when I finish the Incivek, I really though the itch problem was over (and other s.e.as well). But then I had the worst nightmare in my live. First nights in week 13 I sat with ice box try to cool my skin down, so I would not scratch myself to bloody hell. The doc first gave me Imovane, (light sleeping pills), I slept first night but the second I woke up two hours after scratching like hell, my skin was like burning up. Then I’ve was giving Atarax and I.ve been able to dressed properly since :-) and sleep better. I´ve not good deep-sleep but light sleep is better than not sleeping at all.
I feel bad taking any extra pills. So I’m in a little bit of dilemma. Atarax make me in a haze (it was enough before) and gives me a headache. I tried to skip it one day but woke up scratching so it really works for me at this moment. I do not know yet my liver enzyme status after 12 week (get to know that 29.7) maybe it is very high at this moment and could be definition for the itch problem. I’m just wondering if the itching problem is familiar to someone out there doing double tx after the Incivek? Is it high liver enzyme or maybe allergies? (I hope in my case not autoimmunity). Good to know there someone else fighting the dragon, giving good advice and supporting. Best wishes.
(English is not my first language so you just see through it)

[Dee1956]

Hi I had trouble around the same time, after finishing the Incivek portion of tx. I was given Ambien, when that did not work well,  I tried Melatonin, used benedryl, calcium magnesium helps to relax you before bed.  My husband is using a new Vicks sleeping liquid and he said that helped him quite a bit, it has liquid benedryl.

[jogo68]

Thanke yoy I try that. Actual boring story have been instrumental in my Kindle at night :-)

[ceanothus]

The first thing to try is taking your second dose of ribavirin earlier in the day. Many people find that it keeps them awake if taken later in the day. The twice a day label leads many to think it has to be every 12 hours, but it's really okay to take the two daily doses closer together. I have to take my second dose by 4 or 5 pm in order to get sleepy by 11 pm.

If that isn't enough you can try melatonin supplements about 1 mg  at bedtime, but it is always advisable to run any supplement by your treating physician before trying it. Other non-drug approaches would include meditation or guided relaxation recordings. I often use a bedtime story (the more boring the better) via an audiobook in my smartphone. Some of the apps even let you set it to shut itself off after a chosen amount of time. Best wishes!