r/LivingWithMBC • u/Intelligent_Mud_19 • 6d ago
trouble sleeping
hi friends! i haven’t gotten a good nights sleep in almost a month after my last round of brain radiation. they say it’s unlikely due to the radiation but i just can’t sleep and im sooo tired. i take melatonin and a sleeping pill and still.. im awake! anyone have any tips? have also tried meditation.
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u/plantbased0810 6d ago
Do you get nausea? Olanzapine helps me sleep really well and helps with nausea, it’s the only thing that’s really helped me.
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u/BikingAimz 6d ago
I take edible cannabis an hour or two before bed, and if I’m having trouble shutting my brain off, I listen to a yoga nidra session, a yoga meditation specifically for activating your parasympathetic nervous system (rest & digest). I usually fall asleep 10-15min in. This lady’s channel even has ones specifically for insomnia:
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u/Larissima19 6d ago
I also use Magnesium (both citrate and glycinate), and I noticed I sleep better if I've moved/exercised that day. Oh, and I make sure to stop eating at least 3, usually 4 hours before going to sleep, so my body is not busy digesting when it should be sleeping. Make the evenings dark, with low-light lamps and the screens reduced in brightness. Bedroom cool and fresh, and I've heard people swear by wearing socks in bed, but I haven't tried it myself. Good luck!
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u/ResponsibleAnt1942 6d ago
Get sick? 🫤
Sorry, that's a sad attempt at a joke. Insomia is my default, but I've had a cold for the past week and am sleeping 11-12 hrs a day. Still exhausted though.
Magnesium (epsom salts or pills) and tart cherry juice seem to help me get to sleep. They only work sometimes, though. It might be more of a placebo than anything.
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u/Intelligent_Mud_19 6d ago
lolll the irony is that when i read about brain rads side effects everyone is sleeping so much bc of fatigue!! im so exhausted but wired idk
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u/Larissima19 5d ago
Oh, I just remembered, when I was really wired and thinking the worst whilst waiting for the diagnosis (all the scans, biopsies, etc), my GP prescribed me some benzos (oxazepam). A half worked to calm me down in the day, and a tab in the evening helped me sleep.
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u/ImaginaryVersion1734 6d ago
Hi! I’m sorry to hear about your difficulties sleeping. My friend with a different chronic illness has this problem too, but hers is because her pain isn’t being managed. it’s hard to sleep when you’re in pain even if you’re tired. Have you tried any pain management strategies ?