#39997 05-19-2006 11:32 AM | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 99 Senior Member (75+ posts) | OP  Senior Member (75+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 99 | My husband is almost two weeks post TX and he is so restless at night, aside from clearing out the mucous he just cant sleep for any length of time. He's up a little more during the day than he was but its nit helping. I was wondering if its o.k. to give my husband Tylenol P.M. or Nyquil before bed at night? He's up every one to two hours at night - He gets no sleep and I get no sleep. The problem is that I have to get up early and care for my 3 and 5 year old and my husband. I am getting no sleep and am exhausted. The suction machine sounds like a
jackhammer! Any ideas? (I'm afraid to ask for Ambien with all the weird stuff in the news about it) Thanks...Kerry
Kerry/wife of stephenm
StageIV - Base of Tongue T4N0M0
XRT x42 / Taxol and Carboplatin x4
Tx. Finished 5/08/06
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#39998 05-19-2006 12:32 PM | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 624 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 624 | Kerry --
While my husband was going through treatment, I had to sleep in another room -- and for quite some weeks afterwards as well -- between the phlegm, congestion, pain, need to urinate in the night, snoring due to inflammation -- or just simple restlessness. He took 1/2 Ativan to sleep as well. After he started taking Mucinex the congestion and phelgm cleared up a lot, but he still was getting up a couple of times a night -- to sip water, whatever. Plus he used a night-light so he could find his water, Oral Balance etc. at night. Sometimes he couldn't get back to sleep readily and would read. He went through a bunch of books! I am a light sleeper so no way, Jose!
I slept very nicely in the guest room...but would have slept on the living room couch if there was no other option!
Gail
CG to husband Barry, dx. 7/21/05, age 66, SCC rgt. tonsil, BOT, 2 nodes (stg. IV), HPV+, tonsillectomy, 7x carboplatin, 35x tomoTherapy IMRT w/ Ethyol @ Johns Hopkins, thru treatment 9/28/05, HPV vaccine trial 12/06-present. Looking good!
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#39999 05-19-2006 01:19 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Hi Kerry,
For what it's worth, I use Ambien and have had none of the side effects that have been reported.
I don't take it regularly and never used it before my surgery. It worked wonders for me helping me get to sleep when I was in a great deal of pain. Now I use it when I travel, as I never slept well when not at home. I have found it to non-addictive and with no side effects.
I'm know there are many, many people using it and I guess the only way to find out how it affects you is to try it.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
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#40000 05-19-2006 01:23 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 | Kerry, this is one situation where you need to take care of yourself so you can take care of your family. Do find anther place to sleep. It's the best advice I can give you. Amy
CGtoJohn:SCC Flr of Mouth.Dx 3\05. Surg.4\05.T3NOMO.IMRTx30. Recur Dx 1\06.Surg 2\06. Chemo: 4 Cycles of Carbo\Taxol:on Erbitux for 7 mo. Lost our battle 2-23-07- But not the will to fight this disease
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#40001 05-19-2006 03:30 PM | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 99 Senior Member (75+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (75+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 99 | Thanks guys... Everybody always makes me feel better - it's like you all know exactly what I need to hear. This website and you all have been my salvation through this. I have so many family and friends supporting us in so many ways but I still feel so isolated from the outside world right now. I have a feeling of peace knowing I can come here and people more than understand - they've lived it. This has unquestionably been, and I hope to God will be the hardest time in my life. There are days I want to want to jump off a bridge or just get out of my own head somehow but I know I have to be strong for my husband and my two beautiful children. Thanks so much...
Kerry
Kerry/wife of stephenm
StageIV - Base of Tongue T4N0M0
XRT x42 / Taxol and Carboplatin x4
Tx. Finished 5/08/06
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#40002 05-20-2006 01:04 AM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | I wouldn't recommend Nyquil - it has alcohol in it. Like Jerry said Ambien is pretty good. My doc prefers to give me Valium and just about any muscle relaxer will work - even Zanax.
Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#40003 05-20-2006 01:20 AM | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 122 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 122 | Kerry,
I would try the PM stuff without the tylenol in it. We were on a trip with another couple, she is a doctor. She said that taking too much tylenol is a major cause of liver failure. After that I skip the tylenol and take the PM only, and the generic works as well as the name brand.
For me personally, I am able to wake up after taking it easily if I have to. (Pick up daughter stranded by car trouble after I have gone to sleep, no problem. I guess the adrenaline kicks in when you are concerned and makes you alert.)
Not a doctor, don't pretend to be one, just my personal experience!
Sincerely,
Lisa
SCC Tongue T1N0M0\Dx 3-10-03
Hemiglossectomy, alloderm graft, modified neck dissectomy 4-14-03
3 Year Survivor!
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#40004 05-21-2006 09:47 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Kerry,
My wife also slept in the guest room. It even bothered the dogs. I didn't have a suction machine - just the constant coughing and gagging stuff.
You have to take large doses of tylenol to affect the liver but remember that many drugs like Vicodin have tylenol in them (AKA Acetaminophen) read the labels and talk to your pharmacist.
I guess one bonus is that I stopped snoring after the radiation, of course I no longer have a uvula - it melted along with numerous other things.
Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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