Sleep

[Pen7]

Hi Great to find this community, Just started Hydroxycarbamide a few months ago has anyone found any better time to take it. I suffer with very poor. sleep like alot of people, would it make any difference. Thanks all the best 🌼🥺

[hunter5582]

Time of day for HU dose varies by person and preference. It can cause GI distress so some prefer to take it an night to sleep and adverse effects off. Others prefer to take it during the day so as not to cause potential problems with sleep.

I expect you already know how common insomnia is with MPNs. I think this is mot likely due to the elevation in inflammatory cytokines. I have experienced chronic insomnia for about 20 years. I have tried most everything. Belsomra was the only thigs that ever worked. I don't recommend sleep meds until all other options are exhausted. I also do not recommend other types of sleep meds because they knock you out but disrupt sleep architecture. Belsomra works differently and does not have this problem. I have been very pleased with how it helps me.

Hope you get it all sorted soon.

[Pen7 in reply to hunter5582]

Hi HunterThank you for the reply, great help on here, will look in to that, such a complex issue with mind, body, sleep. I try to go down the natural route, uping meditation, walking and taking the H tab in morning, see if helps, Spring coming so hope the lighter days help to .All the best hope your asleep ha ha.

[hunter5582 in reply to Pen7]

That sounds like a good plan. The is a Qigong meditative/breathing form call the Six Healing Sounds. It is very helpful

smile.amazon.com/Six-Healin...

youtube.com/watch?v=_yMHHhx...(Not working as expected?)

[Pen7 in reply to hunter5582]

Thank you, will give it ago looks good.

[Ashburnmam]

Hi I take HU every evening just before I go to bed. No problems. I have been on HU for over 9 years on 1G.

[Pen7 in reply to Ashburnmam]

Thanks for replying everyone sounds so positive. 😀

[Aldebaran25]

Hi Pen7, I have been on HU for ten months and (fingers crossed, touch wood, etc....) my sleep has improved. I am clocking in 6-7 hours straight sleep every night. Whether it's the HU I can't say for sure, but seems likely as I had not been sleeping so well so consistently in many years. I take the medicine after dinner with a large glass of water (and then wash my hands, brush my teeth etc. ).

[Cja1956]

I take hu at night before bed. I’ve been taking it for 14 years. It used to make me tired but my body must have gotten used to it because I’m having trouble sleeping now. But I also have sleep apnea which doesn’t help. Hunter seemed to have some good advice.All the best.

[Wyebird]

I actually found they aided sleep. It’s also recommended you take them at night so that side effects happen during the sleep period. Good luck

[Pen7 in reply to Wyebird]

Thank you for replying all sounds positive 🙂

[bjay22]

When I started taking HU a few years ago, I wondered the same thing. I too have had a hard time falling asleep since I was my late 30s (I’m now 63) so anything that made me sleepy at night would be welcome. Unfortunately taking them before bed has no sleepy effect at all. I actually now think I should have opted for morning so at least I could take them with lots of water. Because if I drink a lot of water at night now, I’m up even more. lol.

[Pen7 in reply to bjay22]

Thank you for replying, funny that's what I worred about so took them about 6/7 pm and as I am trying 5 HTp tablet before sleep and a nutritionist said to try to take Magnisum before bed, all ment to help Sleep only started that this week, early days.

[Meatloaf9]

Hi, I have been taking HU (currently 8/week) since last July. I take it around 10 am every day when my stomach is empty with a lot of water. It has never bothered me, at least not yet. I do this because I want it to be absorbed as quickly as possible and I do not want it sitting in my stomach or lower esophagus due to its toxicity. History of lower esophageal/stomach cancer in my family. That is why I take it in the morning. We are all different and have different reasons. My MPN specialist said it did not matter as long as it did not bother me. Good luck to you finding the best possible time to take this medicine. Best to you.

[Bluetop]

I take mine before bed, but not for any particular reason.

[Hidden]

Hi Pen l have tried lots of different times of the day to take Hydroxy. Currently taking it at 3 in the afternoon, before bed didn't work for me. Poor 😴 sleep also impacts this drug so its important for me to tackle my sleep issues as it helps combat Hydroxy side effects. Hang in their your body will help find a balance it just takes time and lots of self care. Adiewon 🙏

[Pen7 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, everyone coping in so meny ways, all the best.