Insomnia

weathergirls

If hormones are completely contraindicated for you, can you take a low-dose of something like Ambien? I know it’s probably not what you would prefer to do, but having severe insomnia and not getting sleep is just not healthy for the body.

Of course you know that, and I am so sorry that you are struggling with it. I believe there is some controversy around the issue of breast cancer survivors and HRT. In some instances, I think depending on the patient, their particular medical history, and their specific type of breast cancer, they can use some forms of HRT. But I don’t know enough about it - have only read it in my own research on HRT. You may want to look around and do some research on that.

I have found for myself that using a meditation app on my phone at night has helped a lot! I didn’t think that it would, but it did. Also, things like Valerian root, and maybe even melatonin? I wish I could offer you more options. At some point I think it’s important just to get the sleep, even if you have to take something that you would prefer not to. Let us know how you’re doing!

weathergirls

One possibility that might someone mitigate the hot flashes would be black cohosh, or adding flaxseed (ground up) to foods. I know people who have used both and had considerable relief from them.

Particularly the black cohosh. I don’t know if you would need to get that cleared by your doctor? But the black cohosh is readily available over-the-counter. It’s in products like Remifem, Estroven, etc. My sister-in-law swears by the black cohosh and says it had totally helped her hot flashes, which were bothering her a lot at night.

sw403

I am so sorry you have insomnia, I know how terrible that is. I have tried many things, including prescription meds, herbs, anything crazy recommended by anyone, etc. The only thing that has helped me other than HRT is L-Tryptophan. I don't have any problem falling asleep, but i take it when i get up in the middle of the night and i can fall right back asleep. I like it better than Melatonin. I would suggest trying it! It can't hurt you, and it also helps with mood as it is the precursor to serotonin.

Sadtosay

My GP put me on low-dose antidepressants for my chronic severe insomnia. It's been a godsend. Each one only lasts for about 6 months before it stops working, but he has me on a drug rotation so I sleep most of the time. The ones that worked best for me are mirtazapine (Remeron) and quetiapine (Seroquel) and Trazodone. I sleep 7- 8 hours a night on these, when before I slept from 2 to 4 hours nightly, and not in one stretch, either.