My dad cannot sleep because of chemo, help?

[ArtsieSteph]

So my father is going through chemo therapy, and for some reason the past few days he just cannot court a full night sleep. We've tried ambien at 5 mg so far and it has done nothing. Are there any natural sleep aides we haven't considered?

Right now he has melatonin, lorazepam sometimes, and the ambien when not taking the lorazepam.

 

[Desertsrose]

Hi Stef,
I take 2 benadryl at night. They tend to help a lot.

 

[Desdichado]

I can't believe I'm suggesting this, but are you in a state where medical marijuana is available?

Worked wonders for a couple people I've met.

 

[renewed_hope]

Warm milk and sometimes having a nice hot bath before bed helps too

 

[MollyConnor]

I'm so sorry about your dad, Steph. When I can't sleep I take Zzzquil. I hope that helps.

 

[ArtsieSteph]

He took Benadryl caps last night and slept a little. We're gonna keep weaning him off the lorazepam to see if that helps him over time

 

[stonesoffire]

Steph

Does his blood pressure run high? I know this can keep one awake. For me then, clonidine takes it down fast, also has sedative effects, and helps my pain pills control pain for some reason. Might act similar to a muscle relaxer, not exactly sure. But, I fall asleep fast and stay asleep.

Am glad he got a little sleep. Better than none.

 

[ArtsieSteph]

Oddly enough my dad's blood pressure can run low sometimes

 

[tourist]

Hi Stef,
I take 2 benadryl at night. They tend to help a lot.

I do the same thing.

 

[laura_charlotte]

I wrote up a thread about this about a year ago now: http://christianchat.com/natural-health-forum/141786-getting-some-good-zzzzs.html

It has some fantastic natural alternative ideas on how to get to sleep. Of course they're going to be competing with the myriad of drugs in your father's system already. Hope he gets some rest.

 

[Crustyone]

A doctor has recommended 400-600mg of magnesium before bed to help with sleep. Some medications deplete magnesium so you might check to see if his medications do.

 

[blue_ladybug]

Try an over the counter pill. Like Tylenol PM Sleep. That's what I take..


Melatonin doesn't do much, it just makes you drowsy. Same with valerian and trytophan...

So my father is going through chemo therapy, and for some reason the past few days he just cannot court a full night sleep. We've tried ambien at 5 mg so far and it has done nothing. Are there any natural sleep aides we haven't considered?

Right now he has melatonin, lorazepam sometimes, and the ambien when not taking the lorazepam.

 

[Rosemaryx]

Hi sister...I would not suggest given him more drugs from over the counter without the doctors advice, but lavender sprayed on his pillows is calming, also nice clean bed sheets, not saying he does not have these already but it`s the little touches that make all the difference...Also if you have a little C.D system and make a C.D of Psalms, they have beautiful soft music in the back ground as the persons reads them, make sure curtains are opened wide in the day to let the light in, then close of a night, i hope he finds some comfort...xox...

 

[laura_charlotte]

Hi sister...I would not suggest given him more drugs from over the counter without the doctors advice, but lavender sprayed on his pillows is calming, also nice clean bed sheets, not saying he does not have these already but it`s the little touches that make all the difference...Also if you have a little C.D system and make a C.D of Psalms, they have beautiful soft music in the back ground as the persons reads them, make sure curtains are opened wide in the day to let the light in, then close of a night, i hope he finds some comfort...xox...

This is a fantastic natural alternative. Giving them more drugs aka poison mixed in with the dangerous cocktail they're already on, is incredibly inane advice. Great suggestions Rosemary!

 

[jenniferand2]

I am sorry he is not sleeping at night. I have to tell you that I have seen this several times with cancer patients etc.... They are afraid to sleep and will do anything to stay awake.. They are afraid to sleep because they fear they will not wake up.. The only thing I suggest is to just let him sleep when he sleeps... His body will eventually make him sleep when it needs it.. I agree check with the Doctor before giving him medications..

 

[Rosemaryx]

This is a fantastic natural alternative. Giving them more drugs aka poison mixed in with the dangerous cocktail they're already on, is incredibly inane advice. Great suggestions Rosemary!

Hi laura-charlotte...I know from from past experience that when we take one drug, we need to take another for the side effects of the first drug, then before we know it we are taken so many drugs that nothing work ...I believe God has given us many natural things to help us when we are sick, i mean to ease the discomfort, it`s very tempting to pop a pill , but unfortunately for steps dad, his chemo etc could out weigh the effects of the sleeping tabs, they may work for a few nights but then what, that`s why i mentioned the Lavender especially, there is just something about the aroma ...xox...

 

[Desertsrose]

Stef, another thought is to have him take a nice warm bath or shower before bedtime.


Some get relaxed and are able to fall asleep afterwards. And with Rosemary's suggestion, you could also add some lavender essential oil to his bath if he takes the bath instead of a shower.


I also wanted to mention that Benadryl has almost no side effects except to make one drowsy. It is a drug, but it's not your typical drugs with a long list of side effects.


I hope you've found something that helps him to sleep through the night.


God bless him and all of you!

PS
Also, at night my husband watches boring movies that don't have the volume level that rises and falls constantly. We have quite a few old classic movies that we've seen a few times. We know what's going to happen so that's why we use them because the interest to find out how it will end isn't there. It works great!

 

[mj007]

Not being able to sleep is usually because the basic sleep pattern and routine has been interrupted. All drugs have side effects, and often aren't the true cure. God is the cure which is completely natural, but I mean in the sense of God has the answers, which isn't usually taking drugs to fix the problem (unless absolutely unavoidable).

I know what the cure for not sleeping is, whether it is insomnia or the blank mind. Focus on your breathing, focus on your breathing until you fall asleep. And the next day will be quicker, and the next day. When they say sleeping like a baby, we were all born to naturally fall asleep from 'letting go' and becoming absorbed with our breathing (naturally without the need to focus on it, unless fixing a problem).

If you have thoughts keeping you awake, focus on your breathing, and 'return' to focusing on your breathing every time they distract you. If your mind is blank and you can't sleep (or float away) focus on your breathing until you detach from the blank mind.

When I had problems with sleep I asked God for the solution and took the advice. Now I will never have a problem with sleep again (and neither do other people have to no matter what they are going through).

Ps. Insomnia is more naturally occurring based on circumstance, while a blank mind is often a side effect of prescription drugs.

 

[ArtsieSteph]

Yeah dad has been having issues he's been taking two melatonin but he's also detoxing off lorazepam so it's difficult