Need some advice with sleeping, anxiety, etc

Oil diffuser with lavender or CBD oil which does not have THC in it. I use both to help with sleep. I also have a relax meditation app on my phone.

Melatonin works for some--3 mg I think is the recommended rx (you can buy it over the counter). Magnesium will also relax us, along with theanine, an amino acid. I've had to clean up my sleep hygiene to enhance my "stay-asleep" button, so I go to bed at the same time, turn out the lights an hour before that, stop phones and other screen time (other than TV) an hour or more before at least, stop eating at least 2 hours before bed, and (important) watch something funny and lighthearted as the last thing I watch on TV before I sleep (or read something lighthearted--an escape-I like historical fiction).

I know you don't want to medicate, but I found that half a .25 mg tablet of Xanax was enough to take the edge off my worry and fear, and helped me sleep when I needed it. I didn't use it every day or every night. But I figured my gripping anxiety during the first 2 months was enough to harm my health, and my surgeon and PCP both agreed that if there was ever a time to need a bit of Xanax help, this was it.

We all get where you are, and it does lessen. Big hugs. Let us know how it's going~

Claire in AZ

I've been using Melatonin for years. 3 mg usually works for me. There are 'time release' versions that may help with a longer sleep.

But sometimes melatonin isn't enough for me. Those nights I take Zzzquil. It's just liquid Benadryl, but works much faster. Funny, I don't get drowsy when I take Benadryl tablets, but I do with the liquid version.

With melatonin/Zzzquil, I don't wake up feeling drugged.

santabarbarian, can you share a link to research about higher rx of melatonin and anti-metastatic properties? I'd love to see it!

When I first started tamoxifen I was advised by my NP to try Magnesium supplements for muscle spasms.....that 50% of sufferers would see a marked difference. Unfortunately it wasn't one of the 50%'ers. What did happen was an INCREDIBLE difference in my sleep. Pre-mag I would get, if lucky, 4 hours of 'meh' sleep. Post-mag I was sleeping solidly for 6 to 7. Thinking it was a co-inky-dink I stopped the mag supplement and my sleep went right back to lousy. I can't recommend magnesium enough...worth a shot.

Because of my GI issues I waded in carefully. All magnesium supplements are not created equal (some cause diarrhea, hence why mag is used in colonoscopy preps). The cheapest, and most available (Magnesium Citrate/ Magnesium Oxide) should be avoided if you have GI issues. Magnesium Bisglycinate or Glycinate are highly absorbed and don't cause tummy issues. It's all I take because of Ulcerative Colitis.....never a prob.

Obviously our doctors should be consulted before taking any new supplement, but know that 48% of North Americans are Magnesium deficient so it most likely won't be a problem....Mag deficiency symptom: Poor sleep.

That is interesting about the anti metastatic properties of melatonin. My neurologist also recommended it as a help with my chronic migraines as well as sleep. Egads, thanks for the tip on the type of magnesium. I have been looking at supplements to get started on but I seem to get overwhelmed!

I don't like taking pills either. Soon after diagnosis I started baking different desserts, collecting recipes and cooking new (but simple) dishes which have been therapeutic for me. Recently I started listening to audio Bible on my phone and that keep my mind off worrying as well. I literally fell asleep before they finished reading Numbers 1.

I think using essence oil diffuser may help as well. I haven’t tried it though.

Very interesting discussion about melatonin! Apologies to kec1972 about kind of hijacking your thread. I hope some of what was suggested here helps. Time, also, to wrap your mind around the shock of finding out about a b.c. dx will also ease the anxiety and sleeplessness somewhat. You'll begin to feel confident that you will get fierce, get treatments, and kick c to the curb. You're going to be fine!

Hugs

Claire in AZ