Desparate for sleep!

julie26

I am so amped up from the Decadron that I only sleep maybe 2 hours a night and that's with taking a 30mg Restoril.  I have to find a way to get some rest as I just can't do this any longer.  I do have some 25mg Benadryl.  Has anyone ever taken that for sleep?  I have not asked my Onc. if it's okay to try this or not but I figure none of it's any good for you anyways. They are all drugs and have side effects.  I'd appreciate any feedback.

bevin

HI there, I do not have mets, but my Oncologist definately states Benadryl is a good choice for sleep .Tells everyone to try that before a prescription like ambien. Good luck - happy sleeping.

diana50

Ativan works good for sleep

julie26

I have 25 mg tablets.  Do you know the recommended dosage or does it vary?

diana50

My prescription is only 1 mg Take one at night for sleep.

julie26

Well here I am again!  I'm still having trouble sleeping.  I only get a few hours most nights and that's with taking Restoril.  I take 2 Decadron's first thing in the morning (2 mg each) and I am still amped up at night. I'm very frustrated.  I am no longer doing chemo (last one was in November) but I will be seeing my Medical Oncologist the first week of January. I'm sure that will be my last appt. with her and she will be referring me to Hospice (which she mentioned last time). She thinks I only have a month or two left.  My Neuro Oncologist thinks I may have longer (I think I'll listen to him instead of my Medical Oncologist!!) HA!  The Neuro Oncologist thinks I could have 1, 2, 3, even 6 months left but of course has no way of knowing for sure. I guess it's just a waiting game. All I do know is that after 11+ years of dealing with several bouts of breast cancer, then lung and brain mets I do not feel that I am ready for Hospice at all right now as I still function fairly normal.  No one would really even know what's going on with me if they didn't know. My hair even came back after having WBR and SRS after they said it wouldn't!   I sure hate the way the Decadron makes me feel. I am so jittery and get so frustrated about the way it effects my sleep.  I also don't like the way it makes me feel. I am very jittery and actually shake (slightly) sometimes. Plus I am ALWAYS hungry and eating!! My face and body are so puffy. I look terrible!!  Has anyone had any similar experiences or maybe have any advice on how to deal with some of these issues? I know sometimes I ramble on and repeat myself but this is the one place that I feel safe doing that.  I am home alone a lot (husband works a lot of hours and 18 yr. old son is going to the Junior College. If he's not at school, he's out with friends or upstairs on his computer.  I have noticed that I am having pain in my bones especially in my ribs (front and back).  I've recently had an MRI which my Onc. said shows the bone. I've also had several bone scans but it's probably been awhile since I've had one. My 10 months to a year.  I don't think they'd even do another one at this point anyway since all treatments have been stopped. Well thanks for listening and sorry if I repeat myself sometimes. 

Alicethecat

Hi Julie

Wow! An eleven-year survivor. Respect.

I am sorry to hear about your sleeping challenge and hesitate to say anything because I am not a doctor and don't know/don't understand the  meds you have to take.

However, when I was going through chemotherapy (4 x FEC 4 X Taxotere) earlier this year my oncologist put me on Dexametasone (Decadron) to prevent swelling and an allergic reaction.

He told me to take the pills with one at 2pm each day, which I dutifully did. Most inconvenient. Kept waking up at 3am in the middle of the night.

So I tried taking it last thing at night - about 11pm or 12 - and slept through the night until about 6.30am, which I found acceptable.

I notice Diana also takes a Decadron pill last thing at night.

Is it possible to speak to your oncologist or chemo nurse and ask if you could try this?

With best wishes

Alice

Angela-R

Hi Julie

Just want to send you the warmest hug possible.

Rant away on here whenever you need to. So sorry I can't do anything to help you.

Sending love,

Angela

winter_flower

hypnosis helped me, I highly recommend it!