Sudden Insomnia, no sleep for 72 hour... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

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Sudden Insomnia, no sleep for 72 hours...

97 Replies

I was sleeping "relatively" fine, but the only change was initially got a 6 month Eligard shot, recently got a 3 month Lupron shot, maybe this had an adverse effect?

Will call 911 if not sleep soon, maybe this will ping my docs attention, my mind is lost, don't know if its reaction to change in ADT meds, or anxiety. Being awake for 72 hours is nothing I've experienced before.

Anyone experienced this, when should I call emergency care?

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97 Replies

Yes, I've hired a personal trainer, and workout in between, I can't sleep!

Yes, no help in Boston after 9 PM, so hope to sleep soon, if not, then 4 days of no sleep could be an emergency, I hope.

in reply to

I’m putting in a call to the sand man . You need sleep now. Your eyelids are getting heavy as you read this . Tonight’s the night..

Oops, my bad, advanced cancer prostate cancer patients should never call 911, this is for normal health humans with an emergency...

NPfisherman profile image
NPfisherman in reply to

I use melatonin--12 mg....if sleep doesn't come, can add restoril 7.5 mg--rx from MD--can even take a second if needed....you'll sleep then...

Fish

in reply to NPfisherman

I've done that, melatonin 5 mg Gummies, took 5, nothing, think its my anxiety...

Hex40 profile image
Hex40 in reply to

Seek psychological help it saved me mentally at least. I went through the same experience following my diagnosis and subsequent treatments. At first I was prescribed Ambien by my primary care doc but I had a very bad reaction that took months to figure out. Psychologist figured out the issue in one visit (anxiety/depression) and I was prescribed a med that I take nightly that lets me sleep and get through the day. Don’t be afraid to take the path I took. It allows me to function and get through the day with some level of normalcy. Good luck

in reply to Hex40

I hear you, will go with real help about daily living...

in reply to

Some take 40 . I take 20.

in reply to NPfisherman

Can you buy this sleeping pills without doctor prescription?

NPfisherman profile image
NPfisherman in reply to

Melatonin yes, Restoril--no...a benzodiazepine--controlled substance--

in reply to

No, not the tough ones, but I'm sick of pills..

in reply to

Trying not to take anymore pills at the moment...

in reply to

With great respect for your situation and your diagnosis, NYMets, insomnia is bad but it is NOT a life-threatening emergency where Rescue is needed. Lupron causes all of the symptoms you are experiencing. [rxlist.com/lupron-side-effe...] Consider melatonin (about 5-6 PM), low dose naltrexone (4.5 is not a good starting dose unless you want nightmares), simple benadryl (25 mgs OTC) and herbal tea.

in reply to

Going to try melatonin for now and some mindful stuff...

I've been through that, racing mind, but in all honesty, how do I know? Us PCa patients have to wait for an appointment. We are not worthy of 911 call...

in reply to

Don’t go down that road of we’re not worthy. Yah the system can suck . You just need sleep to heal. I’m not acting tuff . I don’t envy non sleep . Pray for sleep. This is essential to healing .. deep breathing exercise . Think of calm waters. Forget about “PC” and 😴 sleep friend . You need it.

Yeah, something is happening, well to be honest, I stopped drinking beer, because of wanting to lose weight, well drink beer, what the heck!

in reply to

That’s big time stopping beer if you liked it. Good job. What do you eat? That can affect sleep as well.

in reply to

Yeah, never mind, beer around here is too good...

in reply to

I'm a pescanteian and avoid flour as much as I can, But pizza is a weakness...

I have drive and crash, then can get some medical help, us PCa have no access to urgent care. No sleep of 72 hours or more, is no 911, perhaps make an urgent visit, the waiting does make me sleep!

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen

Why not get a scrip for sleeping pills? Worrying about not sleeping can keep you awake and cause and endless cycle. Sometimes all it takes is breaking the cycle of sleeplessness. The newer sleeping pills don't leave you hungover the next day.

in reply to Tall_Allen

Whats a good one please?

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply to

I've taken Lunesta and liked it. Some people prefer Ambien ER because it keeps them asleep. Ambien is good for getting asleep but sometimes people wake up. it's important with all of them to go to bed immediately, and to not skimp on the dose.

Schwah profile image
Schwah in reply to Tall_Allen

I too use low dose lunesta. Very helpful. I keep a quarter one by my bed at all times for those nights you wake up at 2am and can’t go back to sleep.

Schwah

in reply to Tall_Allen

Going to see a GP and discuss this...

in reply to Tall_Allen

Yup, I'm in the trappings, need a GP...

So, the point is I need a GP, PCa docs are not about daily life, I get it, just have a hard head!!!

in reply to

Ask your onocologist . I think that they can prescribe what you need. Maybe depending on your insurance.. Most docs will help if asked.. that’s been my experience . A C shrink ,my onocologist , and my gp all wrote me scripts which I tossed each time. Don’t follow me ..but get some help .. please and sleep soon young man .

in reply to

My insurance is too good, so fortunate, will see a GP soon...

I'm worried, 4 nights of no sleep is alarming...

You really need to have a sleeping pills all the time, but only take when you need it.

Just to be safe and only get the low dose.

RalphieJr64 profile image
RalphieJr64

Work with your palliative care. I was prescribed Trazadone, an antidepressant that is strictly to put me to sleep and it works. Don't put this off any longer.

in reply to RalphieJr64

Yes, will see the GP soon, made sure selected a female, I'm taking Venlafaxine for the ADT hot flashes, but this drug may cause insomnia and anxiety - yikes!

in reply to

Have you slept yet?

in reply to

Last night for 4 hours, it helped so much, but targeting 6 hours for now...

in reply to

Thank the stars .. more tonight please.. good luck.

in reply to

Last night 8 hours!, is obviously because my family here, I thank all, all here makes my world a paradise, thank you so much!!!

in reply to

That’s awesome dude..

Schwah profile image
Schwah

Can’t you get a new picture Lulu? That one freaks me out. Lol

in reply to Schwah

Done, for you. Sorry about that..

ITCandy profile image
ITCandy in reply to

And now you're using a photo of John Cena?

You look good!

in reply to ITCandy

Lulu700 is awesome, I love all you guys, my world was shocked, but now have so many amazing friends...

in reply to

I love all you guys and girls...

in reply to

Even though I’m a Giants fan ,I love you you NYMets..... hang in there ...it’ll get better..

in reply to

I've been a few times at Fenway Park, see my Yankees lose to the Sox, no more, I'm moving on...

in reply to

Dam Sox ..

in reply to ITCandy

I’ll tell john cena..thanks

ITCandy profile image
ITCandy in reply to

I want to be ring side when you do.

in reply to ITCandy

Front row baby!

monte1111 profile image
monte1111 in reply to Schwah

Careful. He might switch to "Here's Johnny!"

in reply to monte1111

So sorry amigo.

in reply to monte1111

That was going to be my new face on hu . For you anything...

dvcarola2 profile image
dvcarola2

Maybe a full body massage will do the trick... helps your body and mind to relax... Take it easy George and dont think and worry too much...

in reply to dvcarola2

Hi there,

You know very well what I need, relocate to the sea area of 7000 islands... :)

whatsinaname profile image
whatsinaname in reply to dvcarola2

Right on, dvcarola2 !!! :-)

Full body massage with the last ten minutes devoted to a good head massage.

After the massage, go home and sleep for a few hours. Ah, so nice :-)

in reply to whatsinaname

I'm already home...

in reply to dvcarola2

Good point Vikkie..thank you!!

in reply to

Well, you (my wife) and Vikkie (dvcarola2) are Filipino women, so us sick husbands have it good.

in reply to

They surley take care of their men and loved ones .

tom67inMA profile image
tom67inMA

I've been taking clonazepam (another benzo) as needed for years without any dose escalation. It's much longer acting than Xanax so still helps with anxiety the next day. Typically I rotate between that, melatonin, and Benadryl so I don't build up a tolerance to any of them.

in reply to tom67inMA

Tom,

I've been driving to the office lately, the Boston area commute may be adding to the anxiety... :)

in reply to

I get anxiety just hearing about it...

in reply to

LOL

BigJack28 profile image
BigJack28

I use 10 mg of Super Snooze Melatonin by Sundown Naturals (any frocery store has it) which has Valerian Root in it...check to make sure your doc is OK with it. Also, take it an hour before bed and don't leave the TV on when you go to sleep...my biggest problem.

in reply to BigJack28

Oh, do you know something about me? Us smart dogs have this special bond.

The suggestion of melatonin with valerian root in it, sounds interesting, time to heal myself.

But I can't sleep with the TV off, too quiet, perhaps I've flipped. Actually, have Mission Impossible movie saved in my cable service. Ten minutes of watching knocks me out, always restart the movie next day and bam out again...

GoEZ profile image
GoEZ

I had problem sleeping. I would sleep just a couple of broken hours a night. I took sleeping pill which just added to my fatigue. After a couple of years of this the VA sent me to a sleep therapist. I thought it was BS at first. It will take some time but it will help you get back into your natural sleep cycle. There is something about the meds that throws your cycle out of balance. The first part of the therapy was rough because you actually get less sleep, but as time goes on you add more hours. Plus there are some rules you have to follow, nothing with a screen that emits light an hour before bed time, set bedtime and wake times hours, no caffeine, exercise, no naps during the day, no eating after 7, no activates but sleep in bed (sex is ok). You will adjust to what is happening to your body. I’m 9 years into this nightmare and I am doing ok. Don’t take what is happening to you personally, it is the meds. Don’t look to people who haven’t walk in your shoes for advice. All I ever got was take a nap. If I wasn’t so tired I would have punch them. There is a lot of good advice here, try it all. No sleep and fatigue has been the worse things to happen to me. Try to find your path through the emotion (anger, depression). Emotion just colors and magnifies everything. Find some time to clear your head and calm your mind. Stay strong, keep fighting.

in reply to GoEZ

Hi GoEZ!

Sound advice, usually easy going, but was sleeping fine, maybe the new 3 month Lupron shot, caused this insomnia relapse. Also the Venlafaxine side effects are insomnia and anxiety, which was added a month ago for the ADT hot flashes. Also this drug may cause unusual nightmarish dreams, and I'm having them, freaking weird.

I've started the intermittent fasting from 8 PM to 12 PM next day, more or less.

I struggled with lack of sleep for many years. It was semi debilitating when I was working and doing extensive travel for work. I started vaporizing indica some years ago in CA as a medical marijuana patient and now live in OR where it is also legal. I take several hits before bedtime and sleep the night through. I wake up refreshed. It also seems to really help with hot flashes ( I don't get them while asleep....as far as I can tell) and minor aches and pains. I don't do it socially or during the day, just a bit before I go to bed.

I am beginning a clinical trial soon with chemo and xtandi combined. I know I have to disclose all the herbs and supplements as part of the trial. I am concerned about not being able to sleep if I have to declare cannabis.

I still work, software development, some days can think and cut code. Other days can't solve simple bugs like misspelling!

Actually, when younger whipper snapper, my best coding was when air traveling, mostly when waiting for a flight, if delayed, would say Yes!

I get hot flashes mostly evenings, the Venlafaxine is suppose to help, but will stop for awhile and see what happens.

With my mental acuity issues, going to stay away from cannabis, makes me an air head. One time was locked in my bathroom for hours, until figured out how to push the unlock button...

Hex40 profile image
Hex40 in reply to

I’m a retired IT guy 43 years in the field. The last 27 as a self-employed contractor. I don’t miss it.

in reply to Hex40

I hear you, the work is mostly someone else's political of some solution...

Shooter1 profile image
Shooter1

20 mg melatonin and 2 mg clonazapam. (another benzo)

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n

COPIED FROM MY PREVIOUS POST TODAY:

Mind over Matter. You want to sleep fast? Just build a log house with your mind.

1. Dig Foundation

2 . Cut logs

3. Sleep

Works all the time... Never get past cutting and splitting logs.

When sleeping I always dream I'm sleeping.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 03/15/2019 5:05 PM DST

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 03/15/2019 5:43 PM DST

in reply to j-o-h-n

That’s a great one. j-o-h-n..

in reply to j-o-h-n

Where I can find and get logs?

Yes, I feel it all, us warriors need to feed of your energy, I'm down at the moment, but will be back on the battlefield soon!

in reply to

It’s a MFn rollercoaster ride .welcome aboard .. strap in , this could get rough.. hang on..

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n

Easy, just look under the letter L

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 03/15/2019 8:24 PM DST

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n

I think we both have something in common... Filipina? correct?

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 03/15/2019 8:55 PM DST

in reply to j-o-h-n

Yes, I'm blessed with a beautiful and business wise Filipina wife, think you already saw her picture...

:)

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n in reply to

No I haven't seen her picture... But mine is a sweetheart too...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 03/15/2019 11:32 PM DST

in reply to j-o-h-n

Mabuhi!

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n in reply to

Long live the Pilla-penes...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 03/17/2019 11:24 PM DST

in reply to

I'm blessed, meet my wife to be at a hong kong tech conference, OMG, filipina real love is the best!

in reply to

You’ve got love ... you ‘ll be O.K.

Absolutely right Lulu700, God only knows how long you gonna live.

in reply to

We are just along for the ride.. hold on!

Lulu700,

I want to thank you so very much, you pulled me through this.

Regards,

George

I love you Lulu700, as a brother, have a wonderful wife... :)

SmashedPotato profile image
SmashedPotato

Feel for you. I use(d) Vidyamala Burch's book and CD ( her body scan, breathing exercises etc are on youtube) and helped my pain related insomnia. I did not sleep much, but I found listening to her mindfulness based pain management techniques quietened my brain so I felt I was doing myself some good and gave me something to focus on. I am sure there are others out there too you could try if you don't get on with VB. SP

JimVanHorn profile image
JimVanHorn

I am so sorry for your sleeplessness. I had anxiety when I started Eligard (generic for Lupron). There is something I can tell that may help! I had Eligard shots for 6 1/2 years an now I NO LONGER have cancer!! Yes it worked!! It was worth putting up with the side effects. I also had 72 radiations over 11 years and metastatic bone cancer. To get me to sleep I used meditation and timed released Tylenol 650 mg generic tabs 8 hour tabs to get rid of some pain. I checked with my doctor before I started these pills. If I knew Eligard was going to work I would have slept better!! I wish you well, and just keep truckin'.

in reply to JimVanHorn

Hi,

I suspect anxiety is the main culprit, although the meds are in the conspiracy, accessory to the crime. I like watching Law & Order, Jerry Orbach, (Lennie Briscoe), passed from prostate cancer.

In fact, he filmed almost a year of episodes during the disease...

I see a noreaster coming your way. Take care on your commuting ...

in reply to

Thank you sir, left at 6:00 AM to get ahead of the traffic mess, but this noreaster was a bit wimpy for Boston area...

in reply to

Good news! Spring soon come .

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