Insomnia

[PJ1966]

I've not seen anything from anyone about sleep issues (insomnia).  I had terrible insomnia last time I did the program with just the peginterferon and the Ribavarin.  Does anyone have any issues with this?
Also I wondered about exercise.  My doctor says that I should continue but not to the point of exhaustion.  Is anyone able to exercise if they were exercising before starting?

[PJ1966]

Thanks.  I just downloaded White Noise lite for free.  I want to be ready in case....it'd be nice to not have it but I think I probably will.  I start next week on the program.

[PJ1966]

I had it really bad last time on program as well.  It lasted one year and I'd finally have to get up and do something, but I'd be so tired, but couldn't sleep.  I hated it.  I finally got over it but it's a learned behavior according to my doctor.  Of course it's caused by medication but getting it to stop after you stop the meds is hard as well.  I finally did stop the Ambien and finally did start sleeping again.  I'm not looking forward to it for sure.  How long did it take for you to get over it?

[crossroadsec]

The dose timing can help, but I still needed ambien throughout most of tx. It really surprised me actually when I got off treatment, I just didn't need it. I wore ear plugs and kept a fan going. Still do. I sleep light even when I'm exhausted. Getting rid of the virus helps too. Just my input to encourage you that it will get better.  Someone on here posted about just lying still in bed even if you're not sleeping. Just getting rest can help a lot. Hope this helps.
Karen :)

[PJ1966]

thank you.  Good advice.

[Diana66]

I was checking on ph apps with some friends yesterday and we have come across an app with WHITE NOISE for sleep problems. Is only 99 cents to download and some of them are free. Worth trying ...

[bbj2856]

I had the sleep problems for the whole time .Dr gave me ambien It would give me maybe 3  or 4 hours at best and was awful.... been off 2 mo and still having sleep proble. I just lay there and try to get rest and the days were really long  and did not even yawm but lay down for awhile anyway. God Bless you an good luck

[BoceprevirGal]

  I have suered from insomnia, since I was a child, but it did get worse when my liver began to get worse.
  During my Treatment (triple w/Victrelis) it was even worse, because I had to make many bathroom trips, due to my mouth getting so dry that I had to drink water thru-out the night, inorder to even swallow, at times.
  The thing is: I would sleep from 11 pm until 4 am, and then it was insomnia time until 6 am, when I would get up. I still felt pretty healthy, operating on 5 hrs sleep, and I made sure I was horizontal in bed, for 7 hrs...the time spent awake I lay flat, and let my mind wander, which I feel is good for our brains to do.

[Advocate1955]

My husband had insomnia through 3 treatments and took Ambien.

[dointime]

Riba is notorious for insomnia problems.  You need to take it several hours before you want to sleep.  Experiment with the timing to find out what works for you.  I'd recommend this approach if at all possible, rather than loading your body up with yet another drug to make you sleep.

Having said that, you do what you have to do to get you through, and some people do seem to need the extra sleeping pill, even if it's just now and again.

dointime  

[Dee1956]

Hi, I had some trouble sleeping and was given Ambien, then I tried Melatonin.  After finishing I read the the Incivek may block the Ambien so I should have taken more
Live and learn.  On the other hand Incivek can increase benzos so that made me sleepy, just did not know that either.  Yep it was up and down there for a while :)
Good luck

[PJ1966]

thank you for your response.  Good to hear.  I'm starting next week so I'm trying to figure out my schedule and review it with my doc on the day I start.  He's reviewing the schedule with me to make sure I have thought it out well..  this site is fantastic and gives me so much information.  Thank you.

[orphanedhawk]

We have had posts about insomnia but the search engine here is difficult.

Ribavirin is a mild stimulant. I had trouble sleeping and was told to switch my second dose and take it with lunch instead of dinner. That did the trick, for me.

BTW: It is not necessary to take riba 12 hours apart, 5 is just fine. Be sure to take it with a substantial meal to avoid nausea.