Tamoxifen and SLEEP (or lack thereof)

Trvler

Is anyone having a horrible time sleeping on Tamoxifen? I wake up 4-6 times a night and it is getting harder to get back to sleep. I have been taking 0.25-.50 mg of Xanax a night for a while but I am trying to stop it. Lately, I have been taking .25. I am at the point where I feel like I have to stop Tamoxifen to get any sleep. Suggestions? I have tried melatonin already.

Moderators

Hi Trvler,

We're sorry you're experiencing this unfortunate side effect! Have you checked out the main Breastcancer.org site's page on Insomnia (Trouble Sleeping)? There's lots of good tips there that may help.

We hope you get some sleep soon!

--The Mods

exercise_guru

I have the same problem. It is very difficult for me. I haven't tried Xanax but I have tried several other things like ambien and triazadone and a few other things. I feel the same way. I have all kinds of problems with sleep.

ata

I know how you feel. I had the same problem, I tried everything possible on the market and I tried everything what is written in all the good books. Nothing worked for me. Finally I got a referral to the sleep clinic. Maybe you can try to talk to you doctor and get the referral to sleep clinic too. In my case, I had a mild sleep apnea. I tried one of the thing which I have never heard of and it is called: The AveoTSD, simply it is a tongue puller. Here is Canadian web site : https://www.aveosleep.ca It worked for me at the first night and now 4 months later it is my lifeline . It falls at night sometimes, than I wake up to get it back, it irritates my tongue in the morning but it gets better in 30 min. I can't imagine my life without it anymore. My sleep now is comparable to the sleep of a teenager and nothing hurts me anymore. I hope that you will find your lifeline too.

ksusan

You might take a look at melatonin.

Traveltext

I second ksusan's post. I take a 3 mg melatonin tab before bed. I take tamoxifen at night as well. I sleep well, but more importantly, studies have shown that these tabs together are complementary and effective.

dtad

Trvler....so sorry you are suffering with insomnia as a SE from Tamoxifen.However please be careful with Xanax. Its very addicting and very hard to come off of. I'm not judging you, just giving you a head up. There are several non addicting prescription drugs and supplements that might be a better choice. Good luck and keep us posted.

Trvler

I know. I know the Xanax is hard to come off of. Actually I have no trouble not taking it but then I lie awake all night and I just can't afford to be exhausted all day. I have two difficult kids. I scale back every now and then to 1/2 and I was off it completely last summer but I started traveling a bunch this summer and I just needed to sleep. Tried melatonin already. Didn't do much. Maybe I will try again.

TWills

I have read up on Melatonin and sometimes it can have the opposite effect, it did with my kids. In general the dosage is 3 mg, I've read to try 1mg. I had to order it though, couldn't find that dosage in any store.

tlfrank

I'm currently just about to start radiation, followed by Tamixofin, so really not excited to hear about sleep side effects because I'm already experiencing this.

I'm looking for something that will help me stay asleep. I take a Xanex and 5mg of melatonin about 20 minutes prior to bedtime. Usually stay asleep about 2 1/2 hours - then the waking starts about every couple of hours all night long. I usually pop another melatonin around 3am - but it doesn't seem to do anything.

Another forum member recommended trying Magnesium and Calcium and also GABA. I've also got a message in to my BS for something other than Xanex.

Wishing good sleep for all......

dtad

I take GABA for sleep and it really seems to help...

tlfrank

dtad - Yes I'm going to try that too at the suggestion of a forum member.

I've also heard that cold press hemp oil would help too. Not so sure about that.....! Anyone have experience with it?

ksusan

I take 20 mg melatonin, which is what my naturopathic doctor prescribed and my MO and PCP approved.

ErenTo

My sleep was never great even pre-tamoxifen. I had mixed experience with melatonin, or it's possible that I haven't figured out the right dosage. I still take it, especially when travelling across several time zones. What works for me best is Ashwagandha. It does seem to have anti-cancer qualities as well, but I take it primarily for better sleep. I have to take 2 pill of 500mg each to work really well.

Here is more info:

https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medi...

jrow7

Any reason why you're taking it at night and not during the day? I'm supposed to start taking it today so I'm researching like crazy.

Thanks ~ Jenn

ML1209

My sleeping issues started with Taxol and have continued with Tamoxifen. Melatonin didn't work for me either. My BSO suggested Serenol - it is bee pollen from a swedish flower. It is helping lots!! If you are allergic to bees though - you can't take it. It is a bit pricey, but worth it to help me sleep!

Trvler

I have been taking melatonin the last couple of nights and I think it is helping. One thing I have learned is to take it later because my problem is not going to sleep, it's staying asleep.