insomnia, anxiety, ovarian suppression (lupron)

erin_t

Hi all,

I have been suffering from insomnia since I started on the lupron (chemically induced menopause) 4 months ago. I also got severe depression / anxiety at the same time. I finished chemo about 2 months ago.

Both are sort of being managed now. I've been on cymbalta which is very, very slowly starting to work (will probably raise dose). I have seroquel and ativan for sleep but the seroquel is very tricky, too little and it doesn't work, too much and you can't get out of bed.

I have tried to stop the seroquel because of that but if I sleep at all I wake up too much.

The psychiatrist thinks the insomnia is anxiety related and will improve with the cymbalta. The MO also thinks it's related to the sudden lack of estrogen.

I'm managing barely but what I need to know is WILL THIS INSOMNIA GO AWAY. Does anyone have any similar history where it did?

I've never been a great sleeper but the quality of the sleep on seroquel and the anxiety surrounding it sucks. It gets me to work but I have a lot of bad days.

Thanks

ps. melatonin does not really work for me. i try to get as much exercise as I can. 2mg ativan does work but I can't keep that up. thinking of trying magnesium.

Moderators

Hi erin_t,

We're so sorry to hear you're experiencing these unfortunate side effects. There's some helpful information the main Breastcancer.org site's page on Insomnia (Trouble Sleeping) that you may find useful.

We hope this helps and that you find relief soon!

--The Mods

erin_t

I'm following up on this for the benefit of anyone with the same problem. I have since started letrozole/femara and continuing with the lupron and cymbalta (couldn't tolerate higher dose).

The insomnia did get better. It's not gone, but it responds better to sleeping meds. One night last week I slept without meds. Last night I didn't sleep much but was still able to get up and go to treatment without much difficulty.

Anxiety is also improved though whether this is due to cymbalta or just being near the end of treatment, don't know.

Energy had been bad, which I attributed to radiation which I'm doing now, but then suddenly got a bit better the last few days. My radiation oncologist says this is probably from being just that much further from chemo /surgery.

It has sucked, this whole experience. I really believed I would never recover. Now i think i might.

Erin

erin_t

Further follow up. I stopped the cymbalta and the insomnia resolved almost instantly. It was that. It wasn't working all that great for me so I need to find another antidepressant.

ElaineTherese

erin_t,

I'm on Celexa for mood swings while doing Zoladex and Aromasin. It works well for me. I take it in the morning with my Aromasin, and hasn't interfered with my sleep.

erin_t

Thanks Elaine, actually that is what my psychiatrist wanted to do also. But i had tried it a long time ago and stopped though can't remember why. I'm taking mirtazapine/remeron now which seems like it might be helping. Going to try CBD oil also.