18 replies to this topic

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Haven I mentioned that since I started taking Gleevec I wake up at 3, 4, or 5 and can't go back to sleep.  My pcp prescribed sleeping pills that really didn't help this so I stopped taking them and now I can't go to sleep at all.  I think I doze off briefly sometimes because I remember dreams but I always feel like I am awake.  I just stay in the bed hoping I will drift off until my alarm goes off but I am always up. 

 

I take my Gleevec around 7:30 with food I stopped taking my Reglan (nausea med) and I stopped taking Xanax I feel more stable but still can't sleep.  My emotional state has been shaky to say the least since I started Gleevec they want me to take antidepressant but they are just nasty to get on and off so that is a resounding NO!!!!  I don't want to keep throwing more pills at the problems that are caused by a pill.

 

I am fighting and will keep fighting to take my life back from CML.

[hannibellemo]

Bummer, not being able to sleep is wretched. In case the Gleevec is causing this, and I don't have any idea whether or not it is, have you thought about taking your G with breakfast or lunch and see if that changes things up?

 

Good luck!

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I have tried taking it with lunch but that didn't seem to make any difference.  Made me a bit tired at work so I stopped.

[Dom]

Don't take antidepressants, and don't take sleeping pills. They make things worse, especially the sleeping pills. I had to fight the good fight to get off them, and I'm still bothered that a doctor ever prescribed them for me. A good cup of chamomile does it for me. I still wake up 3 times at night, but it's easy to got back to sleep.

You already took your life back from cml. It's the people before 2001 who didn't.

[Antilogical]

MDJ4Life - It took me a good year or so to really stop obsessing on the fact that I had CANCER. It was on my mind 24/7, and it greatly affected my sleep... which amplified the fatigue.  Now ... not so much.  I still have significant issues with side effects from Gleevec, but sleep is not one of them.  I think more about Snickers Bars than I do CML  Give yourself some time to get used to your condition, and maybe you'll be able to catch a few more zzzzzzzzz's.....  Sweet Dreams!

[gerry]

I agree with Antilogical. Once you know the drug is working, life starts to return to normal apart from annoying side effects.

[Trey]

Some people use simple antihistimines (25mg diphenhydramine) to make them drowsy (NOT decongestant type, which have the opposite effect).  They are fairly benign for a sleep aid.

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Thanks everyone. Dom can you explain why you say that about the people before 2001? I take 2 Benadryl when I get home and 2 before bed and I still don't sleep I also work full time and go to the gym 3x a week and I still don't sleep. All I can do is give it time.
I seem to obsess about things that I can't do anything about and didn't care about before maybe my mind is trying to trick me into not thinking about the cancer. I've been kind of a mess. But know it is the first step to fixing it.

Peace and blessings,

MDJ

[Antilogical]

That's why you fit in so perfectly here, mdj4life:  We're all kind of a mess!  And we're glad to have your company....

[Dom]

The 2001 reference was just a point about fda approval of gleevec. It was a little sloppy of me. Gleevec was around since the 2000-2001 time frame, and some trials were going on in 1999. My point though was that before gleevec, people lost the fight against cml. You are one of the winners.

I agree with the others here. Give it time. I was diagnosed about a year ago, and now I don't think about cancer at all. I'm sure the same will happen for you.

[------]

Thanks Dom.  That's what I thought you meant. 

 

I truly look forward to the day when I can say that I don't think about cancer at all.

[gerry]

We'll always get a reminder when blood test time comes around, so you might find yourself a bit on edge then. But everything else should hopefully settle down.

[Billie Murawski]

I'm having the same problem, I can't turn the brain clutter off and just when I start to doze the rls kicks in. Makes me so mad!!!!!

[------]

I am a hot mess Antilogical hope it helps to just put that out there like that.  I can't even turn it off during the day Billie that's what makes it so bad.  I talk about it to my husband he is very supportive and really helps and like he said it is a day to day battle.  I guess if it's not one thing it's another. 

 

I actually got some sleep last night but then I guess after nights of not sleeping I am bound to fall asleep eventually.  I did wake up early but not as early as I have been.  Now lets see if I sleep tonight. 

[Antilogical]

You will sleep more, and worry less.  Check that - you will worry, but it will be about the same things you worried about before your diagnosis.  Like I said, it took about a year for the "I have CANCER" voice to stop whispering in my ear 24/7.

[------]

I'm glad to know there is hope for me.

[Billie Murawski]

Well said  AL.

[Gail's]

I am finally sleeping better too. I think attending the cancer support group has been the most help to de stress me. It's nice to sit in a room with others at different places in their cancer journey. Like here, it really is reassuring because you're hearing from people who have gone thru a lot of the same issues. This forum is great, but I've also benefitted by being in a roomful of living breathing folks who know exactly what I feel

[------]

I never thought about doing that Gail. I'm sure that would help me a lot I will have to see what's in my area. Thanks!