Insomnia and Cancer

Thank you Johnhans for answering my comment. Believe me, I have tried to quit cold turkey, but I never sleep
and I am so tired , I cannot function. Everything you say is true and I have tried so often, I gave up and felt it is
better to get some sleep than none at all and get sick other ways., I have cut back on the zolpiderm to 5 mg. and
I am trying something new tonight, hope it works. Thanks again, Lacey

@lacey Actually 50 mg is low. I know of people recovering from multiple cancers and other chronic illnesses who take 75 up to 150. A call to your doctor may provide the OK to bring up the dosage a bit, however, if the Ambien you were taking is an addictive med, it might still take time to be rid of the effect. (As I recall, you said you had been taking the Ambien for several years.) Light exercise might help provide the feeling of sleepiness that you need. On that thought, have you tried walking or Tai-Chi?

Hi Hopeful, I have been on zolpiderm for around a year now and it really helps me to get
a good nights sleep, It is suppose to be addictive, but I take a 10mg pill and split it , so
it's only 5 mg and I never take it , only for sleep. I do belong to a group called livestrong
at the Ymca, we do all kinds of exercise and use the machines, I walk my 3 doggies in
the morning and I do a lot around the house, so I am getting plenty of exercise, I have
tried many other meds and none of them work. I was told about a co. called GoodRx.com
you can get your meds from Walgreens for a fraction of the price and you by-pass the ins. co.
So, we'll see where that leads me. Thanks for your input, appreciate any help I can get. Lacey

@lacey, I started smoking when I was 13 years old. Anyway I wanted to quit smoking and a friend who successfully quit smoking, shared his secret. Quit while you have a cold, as you feel already down, tired and everything else. Maybe you can try go cold turkey, while you have cold. You are anyway tired so maybe it would help you to sleep a little and after a week you start feeling much better. I personally followed his advice and I have not smoked for the past 3 decades. Take care,

I wish it was that easy, I smoked as a kid also and that was easy to quit compared to sleeping. I am
lucky in a way, I never get sick ( except for the cancer ) I am going to try sleeping on the couch sitting
partially upright, I did that last night and I got about 5 hours sleep, better than nothing, thanks for the
info. nice to know someone cares. God bless, Lacey

@lacey I'm so impressed with your exercise program. That is great. I'm glad to hear about your participation in Livestrong. I need to look into that as well. Sleep problems have a way of resolving themselves with time and patience. Best wishes and keep in touch.

@lacey Sometimes starting to go to sleep in a recliner is a good way to start as well. Glad to hear that you got 5 hours sleep, that is an improvement!

Hi Hopeful, I think I found a cure ( temporary anyway ) I have slept on the couch for two nights now and
I am sleeping almost through the night, feels so good, Of course I am still on my zolpiderm ( 5 mg. ) Lacey

I am so glad you found a solution.

Thanks, but I will let you know in a week or so if its still working.