AI therapies and insomnia?

Hi burley,

So sorry to hear you're suffering with this side effect. It can in fact be a side effect of hormonal therapies, according to the main Breastcancer.org site. On the Insomnia (Trouble Sleeping) side effect page, you can confirm which drugs can cause insomnia, and also check out some helpful tips to help manage this adverse effect.

We hope this helps!

--The Mods

I suffered from terrible insomnia while taking Aromasin.  Now on tamoxifen I can fall asleep but not stay asleep.  So you are not alone in this SE.

I had the same issue after chemo and while taking Femara, and had been using Benedryl as a sleep aid.  My onc was fine with that - she said if it was effective for me, it was safer than any scrip she could give me for a sleep aid. She said most people take it for allergic reactions and sleepiness is a side effect, but I'd just reverse it and take it for sleepiness, with allergy relief as my side effect.  It worked, but it made me groggy in the morning.  

Then several people here on BCO recommended melatonin. I ran it by my onc who had no issues with it.  I started off with a small dose (3mg) taken about a half an hour before bed.  It's been a life-changer.  I now fall asleep easily, and even if I wake up in the middle of the night (hello, hot flashes) I usually can get right back to sleep.  Before if I woke up, I'd be awake for an hour or two.

I now use a time release formula (available at GNC) and that works well to help me fall asleep and stay asleep.  GNC also has a 1mg sub-lingual version.  I keep those on my nightstand for the occasional night when I do wake up at night and can't get back to sleep - just slip one under the tongue and I'm usually back asleep within 20 minutes.  

It doesn't work for everyone, but it's worked for me.  I'm convinced chemo reduced my body's ability to produce melatonin normally and that's why it works for me.  You may have weird dreams the first week or so that you use it, but that settles down as your body gets used to it.  Melatonin also diminishes in your system when you're exposed to light, so cover any LEDs or other lights in your bedroom, and don't use computers, smart phones, or tablet PCs just before bed.

I am with you...usually fall asleep around 2:30. What works a bit for me is Ativan with melatonin . The onc pharmacist told me to try that combo. It works for me at least three times a week. So I now take it every other day. Don't know why it isn't effective every day. Lack of sleep is the only thing I complain about all the time. Hope you can figure something out and then please share:)