No Sleep

[juana828]

Hi everyone. Hubby has been unable to sleep for a week now. Has tried ambien, then ambien with tylenol pm (for the benadryl), then ambien with just benadryl, then trazadone 50mg, and now temazepam 15mg. Nothing works. He falls a sleep for an hour or so, and that's it. He's an absolute wreck. Have any of you had severe sleeping problems? Anything work??

It's hard enough dealing with tx, but add no sleep, and it's just impossible...

Thanks for any suggestions you can give.

[juana828]

Hi there. As far as the melatonin is concerned, we have been involved with naturopathic medicine, and eating healthy (organics, etc.) for quite some time. A few years ago, started using Melatonin, along with L-tryptophan (yes, the same stuff we get from eating turkey!) as a healthy way to aid sleep. Has worked very well for me, and so-so for hubby, as he has had on and off sleep problems for quite some time. Mostly, we realize it is due to other health issues he has (lower back issues, pulmonary issues, and extreme cryo-globuanemia affects) - but has gotten significantly worse now while on treatment. We've been through the gamut of doctors, and basically had very bad care for a long time. Doctors never listen to complaints, overlook issues, fail to follow-up, don't put things together - you name it. Today, we're told that thyroid is over-active (which we've known for a while), and is likely contributing to hubby's inability to sleep (a common symptom). So,  off we go to yet another endocrinologist. My only hope is that this time, since hubby is on TX and being referred by Dr.Schiff, that the new endo will actually do something (last one was a complete waste).

We're also waiting for results from chest mri to determine extent of lung scarring my husband has from past surgery, and see if something can be done to improve symptoms caused by that (difficulty breathing, tightness in chest and arms, hoarseness, etc.). So, as you can see, my husband's health is complicated, and only exhacerbated by treatment.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. And thank you all for your suggestions.

[Bali05]

try Lorazepam works great.
Downside it is addictive like so much of this stuff
but sometimes you just need someting to knock you out

[nygirl7]

You haven't said if he is taking Ambien or Ambien CR.  The Ambien CR helped me MUCH more than the regular Ambien. Of course I never slept the whole night through but a few hours then I'd wake up about 2 but I was able to go back to sleep usually even if it was several times a night.

Good luck, I've never been much of a good sleeper but if it gets that bad I would seek out a sleep clinic doctor place - he could have sleep apnea or something that is compounding the situation.

And remember we aren't doctors but there are specialists out there who do study sleep disorders and might be able to help.

[franke566]

just re-read the posts about husband having leg tingling and pain and a back problem.
A tens unit may help with that-MAY help with that.  Has he had a sleep study done?  
Does he snore when he does fall asleep? Kick legs etc.?  

[franke566]

sorry Juana.  Just one question if I may.  If you have been taking melatonin for years and it isn't working are you still taking it?  From what I was told as we get older melatonin which is produced in the liver decreases and it is essential for REM sleep.
May I be out on a limb if I asked why you were or are taking Melatoni?  Best of luck.

[newleaf09]

When I was first diagnosed and researching the disease and its treatment I came across a physician's set of medication guidelines.  I believe I found it on Janis & Friends but have so many bookmarks that it takes forever to find what's what.  Up to 200 mg benadryl was on the list.  I started with 50 and was up to 200 (4 of the extra strength 50 mg sleep aid pills) for the last few months of TX.  By that late stage I felt no different in the morning after 200mg than after 50.  

I read a study somewhere that drew the conclusion that cirrhotics don't get enough antihistamine for good sleep (wish I could find that one for you, too) and the addition of extra might help with sleep.  

[juana828]

Thanks Newleaf. My husband's doctor has told him to only take a max of 45mg Benadryl. Was it your doc that suggested up to 200mg? Hubby has used Ambien CR in the past - might have to try again. He has had sleep difficulty for a long time, prior to treatment, in part due to other health issues he has (back injury, and severe hepatic manifestations like pain and tingling in the legs), which all keep his body too agitated to relax and sleep. Being on treatment has just made it much worse.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[juana828]

Thanks. My husband and I have used Melatonin for years. It's not helping.

[newleaf09]

I just had moderate riba sleep disturbance on TX, worse for the couple months after EOT. He really needs to sleep.  He can try taking up to 200 mg of benedryl.  Also there's Lunesta, which is comparable to Ambien.  If he's doing Ambien, the Ambien CR is better for keeping you asleep; it's formulated to release throughout the night instead of wearing off a few hours later.  Also look at the dose.  Most doctors give half doses to people with liver damage, figuring they can't process a whole dos and a whole dose is overkill.  Your husband may need a full dose of Ambien CR, which is 12.5 mg.  They started me on 6.25 and it was an indicator that my liver function was improving when I needed to move up to the full dose to get it to work.

[orphanedhawk]

How about xanax?

[franke566]

Talk to your husbands Dr about Melatonin.  It is the only thing that worked for me.
Hope this helps. Best wishes, Frank