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Sleep aids while on Prednisone?

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Posted 8/26/2009 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
I've been averaging maybe 2 hours a night since starting prednisone. I was wondering if there's anything I can take for sleep along with all my other meds. The doctor said that sleep aids might be too much for my liver and stuff, but I have to get some rest. Does anyone know if melatonin is safe combined with all of these drugs? Or if there's some type of herbal supplement I can take to actually get there?
Posted 8/26/2009 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
Try some Benadryl. That will help a lot of people sleep, and it's a simple antihistamine.
Posted 8/27/2009 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
     They gave me Ambien CR while I was hospitalized last year and I am addicted to the darn stuff.  No one said it could harm my liver.  The prescription is only for 6.5 mgm but I find when I try to wean myself off all I do is stay awake all night and feel like a zombie in the morning.  Occasionally I will take a Tylenol PM but then I read that Tylenol is bad on the liver.

     I'm weaning off prednisone, down to 10 mgm but it still gives me insomnia. 

     Have you tried drinking Chamomile tea?  That helps some.

Posted 8/27/2009 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
The only thing that sort of helps is my Vicodin, but it just makes me feel like I'm paralyzed. Still no sleep. I've tried tea and Benadryl and they don't seem to work at all.
Posted 8/27/2009 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
I'm in the hospital right now on IV Solumedrol (prednison) 60mg and can't get much rest either. I am taking Ambien and it gives me 2 solid hours before I have to use the bathroom, 2 more hours, bathroom, 2 more hours so I get about 6 hours a night.
Posted 8/27/2009 1:07 AM (GMT 0)

XANAX or similar.  It can be addictive however.  Helps me a lot with anxiety and getting sleep!

ElaineNY

Posted 8/27/2009 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
Before you try prescription sleep aids try Tylenol PM, I have found that it is very effective. My Dr tried several prescription sleep aids for me and all gave me headaches, on my own I tried the Tylenol PM and it did the trick.

My daughter had severe insomnia and was seeing a psychiatrist for other issues so he went andprescribed Seroquel to her for sleeping. After reading a lot of troublesome information about that medication being used for sleep (it just seemed overkill for what the side-effects could be) I convinced her to give Tylenol PM a try and she said it actually worked better and left her more refreshed in the morning than the drugged out feeling she had been left with the Seroquel.

If Tylenol PM doesn't help you then you can always ask for something else.

Meesh
Posted 8/27/2009 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
     Be careful, Tylenol can cause liver damage.
Posted 8/27/2009 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
I know. And I'm taking 4 5/500 vicodin a day, so tylenol pm is out of the question.
Posted 8/27/2009 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
I have Ambien also.  I only take a half of pill because I don't want to be dependant on it.  I also use the Benedryl and it helps me sleep.  I would take the ambien because if I didn't sleep I was afraid I would become even more run down.  I do feel a little hung over during the day though when I take the ambien.  It is just such a bad feeling when you need sleep.
Posted 8/27/2009 11:38 PM (GMT 0)

As Christine says - Tylenol can cause liver damage - but so many of these sleep aid can do things - never sure what to do.  I have been told by four of my doctor that as long as I take no more than the recommended doseage my liver should be ok.  I have never had a bad test and been taking Tylenol for about 35 years every day.  I have not found another pain killer or narcotic that I can tolerate so I take Tylenol for arthritis.  BUT - the important thing is not to take anything EXTRA that has Tylenol in it. 

I have been very lucky - in all my years of blood testing - never had anything not normal but trigycerides and they are just a little high.  I know I am lukcy.   6MP did nothing to my blood count and my bleeding has never made me anemic.

Right now I am treating myself with what medications and supplements I have and doing ok - hope to live to be 96 as my Dad!!  I will see specialist in October.

ElaineNY

Posted 8/28/2009 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
Darth Squiddious-

I am new to this forum. I thought I would reply to your question about melatonin. I recently had a friend who suggested I take melatonin, so before doing so, I researched it out (so glad that I did). I have read that melatonin is not good to take for people who have UC/Crohns because it effects the autoimmune system in some way. I am not on pred or any steroid, however, I am betting that steroids will be my next treatment since I can't seem to get my flare under control.
Posted 8/28/2009 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
I take clonopin 2mg and it works really well. I also just took some benadryl (didn't take the clonopin - didn't mix), so I'll let you know in about an hour :)
Posted 8/28/2009 3:25 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you guys for all the advice and help. I'm down to 20mg a day as of right now on the prednisone so hopefully I'll see some change. If not, at least I'll be able to catch up on all the reading I've missed over the last couple years.
Posted 8/28/2009 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
     I have Benadryl in the medicine cabinet.  It's an antihistamine.  I am taking blood pressure medication, so not sure if it would be a good idea to take Benadryl.  Last night I had a lot of rectal pain, so took a Hydrocodone...that sure helped me sleep!  Wish I could just go to sleep naturally.  Having sleep issues since being hospitalized in May of 08.  NEVER can sleep in those darn hospitals.
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