Unfortunately the SE of wrapping myself round several pints of Tribute last night was that my bladder kept waking me up, so I still didn’t get much sleep of any reasonable quality, so was knackered this morning. Not expecting much this evening either, but at least I’ve got my Kindle to keep me company.
Investigated further, found that each Night Nurse capsule contains 10mg promethazine. Visited pharmacy, asked for promethazine, comes in 10mg or 25mg tablets, thought aha! the 25mg is (nearly) the Norberte recommended dose (3 Night Nurse capsules - it’s OK I wasn’t taking that as a serious recommendation to everyone!), I’ll go for that. Then had to endure a lengthy grilling by the pharmacist on why I wanted them, what else I was taking, and on and on and on… So I got the pills.
I’m also suffering with back problems at the moment so going to try out one of the new pills tonight. I’ve warned my OH and told him not to worry if I’m sleeping for Britain (call me optimistic) as long as I’m still breathing. And if he wants anything just to make sure he pulls my nightie back down afterwards.
Ask GP for melatonin/natural ‘sleep’ hormone
Is approved for over 55’s with certain sleep probs in this country but everywhere else is available over he counter. I got it at 44 - GP considered circumstances special enough 
Works brill
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Had kindle.but couldn’t find torch. phone battery nearly flat so spent most of the night just listening to oh’s sleep apnoea and shaking him gently when he stopped breathing… finally got to sleep when he. woke up and turned the tell on. Can’t wait to see the quack tomorrow , I’m really bored with the zombie imitation thing I’m doing during the day…
Thanks CC for that advice I only took them for 2 nights in a row as I was totally exhausted and found it really hard just to function on a daily basis- I still have them in the cupboard and will only use when really necessary. Choccie I hope you get something from Doc tomorrow as you are in the same state as I was last weekend xx
melatonin!! i remember using that to make us sleep during a long haul flight and to help with jet lag.
you can buy it on amazon, but you might want to clear it with your clinic if you are on tomaxifen, it might be one of the things you should not take together
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5 HTP cannot be taken with anit-depresants, so again check with your clinic before using it
Well I tried the promethazine 25mg last night and it seemed to work. I slept quite soundly, which is rare for me these days, and although I got up to go to the loo a couple of times, got back sleep again quickly. And this morning I wasn’t feeling dopey or drowsy (or no more than usual!). So, so far a cautious “yes”.
I have to express a note of caution and say that one Night Nurse capsule doesn’t knock me out and it can take me ages to get to sleep with one, whereas I know some people are out cold with one capsule and still sleepy the next day. The pharmacist tried to persuade me to take the 10mg pills, perhaps that’s what he was worried about.
i find the liquid night nurse much more effective than the capsules…not sure why?! xx
Think I might have completely done in my chances of getting any sleep tonight, as I crawled off to bed for a nap this afternoon and did manage an hour or so. Good tip for the 5htp, will ask quack tomorrow morning. I already do the dark scarf wrapped around eyes, and definitely sleep better with it than without it. I started that when pregnant 15 years ago and haven’t been able to give it up!
I’ve just picked up on this thread whilst trawling through everything I can think of at 3.00am!
I haven’t had a full nights sleep since the start of treatment in July 2007!! I was on Tamoxifen for three years and used to manage to sleep about three hours at any one time - have been on Femara since January and that is now down to two/two & half hours then wide awake.
I still get terrible night sweats and aches & pains from the Femara. I have tried everything - natural remedies, prescription remedies, alcohol, chillow, climarelle quilt & pillows - nothing works. I have just accepted I am now an insomniac.
I just get up, switch on the tv and doze on the sofa when I can. I pretty much know the scripts of about every programme on Sky during the night!
Jo
Hi Jo
You’re not alone there. I’ve been awake for the last hour. Given up now on tossing about trying to keep my eyes closed in the hope I would drop off. I am off to surf a bit to see if that makes me sleepy.
Hi yep I’m awake to been awake since 4 not enough things to do at 4 in morn
Have a nice little bottle of Temazepam to try this evening. Fingers crossed, the bags under my eyes are like suitcases and I am ceasing to function.
Harumph . Think I’ll have. to take two tonight . have been tossing and turning since half past one. Boo.
What a bummer Choccie, I was awake from 2am to 5am when I finally took some Ibuprofen and went back to sleep!
I was given Temazepam for my last 3 chemo ( tax) which have worked to some extent… I still wake during the night but I seem to be able to just lie there untill the fairy returns and i sleep some more. only have 2 pills left now tho!
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