Herceptin and Insomnia: Any tips

Dharmamum

I had 8 rounds of chemo. a double Mastectomy no reconstruction and 16 rounds of radiation. I have had insomnia for a number of years and have managed it reasonable well although I have gradually had to increase the dosage of my benzos as my hormones disappeared. I managed my insomnia fairly well through all of the treatments although I had to increase my sleeping meds a bit, but I suffer from ME/CFS and was under huge amounts of stress both mentally and physically as most people are when they are diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. I had been on 12 treatements of Herceptin and started Capecitobine after my radiotherapy and after 1 week of that stuff, my insomnia went crazy. Even on the highest dose of my meds, I still couldn't get enough sleep. I tried adjusting the dose of my estrogen patch which had a positive effect, but this was temporary so after starting the 2nd round of Capecitobine, I decided to end that therapy.

2 weeks on and my insomnia is really bad again (although not as bad as it was on Capecitobine). Have tried all manner of herbs and supplements that have helped me in the past, but nothing seems to work. I only have 4 more rounds of Herceptin to go, but I don't think my body can withstand the sleep deprivation for 12 more weeks. My naturopath thinks it has somehting to do with histamine, as I suffer from dermographism and that has also worsened. But there are no easy solutions to having too much histamine Strangely, I am also quite warm which from past experience means that my insomnia is hormone related. I am taking soy isoflavones 150 mg 3 times a day. When I tried to stop them, I got even hotter.

My sleep hygeine is impeccable. After 15 years, I could write a book on it.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks

Dharmamum