17 replies to this topic

[AutumnRaine]

I have been told about a supplement that can be taken at night to reduce the effects of sleeplessness, it is called Tart Cherry. Has anybody used this? Has it worked? I am at 11 days free of Cymbalta, cold turkey, I was on it for 10 years. My first week of symptoms were horrible, and I feel this weeks symptoms are a completely new set. I am not sleeping all the time like during the first week, now I can't sleep. During the first week, the pins and needles feeling was during the day, now it's at night. And now I am crying for almost no reason, a song on the radio can make me burst into tears so extremely that I have to pull off of the road until I pull myself together. I am very agitated my very minor things, I need to sleep. Can the Tart Cherry help?

[fishinghat]

Below is three research articles which all agree that tart cherry preparations are benificial to sleep. They say that it increases the production of melatonin in the body. Happy reading!!!

 

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22038497

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20438325

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11600041

[xman]

Wow I am sleepy from the article. Just kidding--it was something new to me. Sleep is so elusive for me--I chase it like an old boyfriend in my teens. Up and until about age 35 I slept well. Fast-forward to present time~~~~~~~ I sleep for 1-2 hrs. at a time. I had been blaming this all on IC (interstitial cystitis) but now I am at a loss.

 

 

Back to topic. Admittedly I take Ambien but would not recommend unless loss of sleep is interfering w/your activities od daily living.  It will be next on my list to dc.

 

White noise like a fan on medium--focus on the noise, constantly

Hot bath prior sleep

No caffeine after 4ish

Heating pad, electric throw; which I promptly throw when the hot flashes begin.

Two dogs to pin you in like a sandwich, making it difficult to leave the bed. WOOF

[fishinghat]

One of the important things to consider is that when the higher the light levels are above 25 watts the more seratonin you produce and less melatonin. Blacking out you bedroom windows and keeping your light levels low in the evening is very important. You might look over the attached document and see if you can pick up any tips you can use.  Happy dreams!

[FiveNotions]

AR, sounds like you're working through this very well!

my sleep patterns were pretty much what you're having...the first week I slept almost nonstop....the second week, whammo insomnia....to the point where I let myself take lunesta several times....but the doc gave me 3 mg pills, which is way too strong and gave me hangovers...so I was chopping them in half with my kitchen shears....barbaric, but efficient....

Then, the third week through about the 8th week I was able to get to sleep on my own, but woke up at 2 am almost on the dot, and was awake until 4 or 5....then cld sleep until 7 or 8 and was wide awake...but still tired....

that's when I tried the tryptophan and theanine....(be carefull, they both can lower bp,mso if you tend to run on the low side, go easy on the dose) about an hour before bed with chamomile tea...or damiana tea...and it seems to have worked...I'm getting to sleep pretty easily, and staying asleep for about 7-8 hrs, xcept for my old fart middle of the night bathroom trips....

Also, fishinghat's sleep article really helped me improve my sleep habits in general.....I plan to get new light blocking curtains, but in the meantime I've taken to sleeping with a folded up bandana over my eyes and tied behind my head....it works better than a sleep mask for me because I can tighten and move it in such a way that it puts gentle pressure on my eyeballs and surrounding areas...which feels lovely for the optic neuritis....and, of course! I provides complete darkness....

I've never tried the tart cherry, but I'm going to look into it....

[Xiaojie]

Wow AR and Xman I am totally relating to your posts today. AR, I am only ahead of you in your cold Turkey by a couple of days, and I'm having the same problem. But I've managed it this week because I happen to be in the hospital with an unrelated issue ( I think) and the morphine injections are making me sleep...but only 4 hours at a time. Oh well. Better some than none, I guess. I suspect when I go home in a few days, Insomnia will be back with a vengeance without the morphine.

Xman, your post made me laugh out loud because everything you describe, I do when I'm home - even with my two dogs! Ha! Similar life styles maybe?

But thank you AR for posting the question about the tart cherry idea is very intriguing. I'll look into it. And thanks for posting the articles, Fishing hat - good info. Thanks for your input FiveNotions!! Always helpful.

Keep us posted on your experiences AR. I enjoy hearing about your experiences too. Taje care.!!

[FiveNotions]

Hi Xiaojie, how are you feeling? And how long must you be in the hospital? I love that you're posting from there....tablet or ipad, I assume....

Morphine....ooh yeah!

[Xiaojie]

Hi FiveNotions, yeah still here in the hospital. I'll just spill it: I am here in the hospital for the 5th time in 6 months to be treated for the hospital-acquired MRSA infection, every two months like clockwork, I have a break out. Usually on my chin or neck, but even on my arm. Accompanied by a lot of cellulitis to get rid of too. Also accompanied by fever, chills, and nausea. Very painful, too.

Since the current symptoms seem to have overriden the withdrawal symptoms it harder to figure a out how to separate thew two problems.

But i seem to be able to handle my symptoms
Regardless of what kind of they are., and even though they are such a big pain., there are Friends who are willing to help out when I need it. I'm so appreciative at this point because some of this is stuff is difficult to handle even for me, the veteran when it comes to hospital in-patient stuff. Oh my eyes are ready to roll back in my head because ...I'm so sleepy I gotta pass out now. More later when I'm more awake ...

[FiveNotions]

Oh Xiaojie, I am so sorry that you've got this.....you are incredible in how you are handling everything at once!

I can see how cymbalta withdrawal symptoms would get lost in the midst of the mrsa......maybe that's all for the good.....the hospital treatments...including morphine....will perhaps pull you through the worst of getting off C.

I am praying for you!

[FiveNotions]

Yummy tart cherry stuff......here's a tea for me to add to my "arsenal"....

http://www.healthyfi...a-and-tart.html

And the juice itself really sounds good....thanks for the suggestion!

[fishinghat]

You have my prayers too Xiaojie. MRSA can be real tough.

[GinnyKim61]

Hi Autumn Rain, I put the Tart Cherry in my morning smoothie for help with pain. It's been very beneficial for me. I have never tried it for sleep and am going to look into it. Praying you feel better soon. Let all of us know if you try the tart cherries and how they work for you. God Bless.

[FiveNotions]

Here's ann interesting article about differences in the brains of folks with insomnia and sleep problems...also mentions mental illnesses....

http://news.yahoo.co...BpTTxQA1DzQtDMD

[Carleeta]

Xiaojie. .Oh my in the hospital for MRSA and cellulitis. .You must be in tremulous pain..It's very common to have cellulitis along with your breakouts of MRSA and definitely a fever accompanies this due to the infection..You are getting the correct treatment with antibiotics and morphine. .I can believe your Cymbalta withdrawl symptoms are tolerable and even minimal at this time do to the morphine..

I truly wish you a healthy and speed recovery from what you are suffering with..

My thoughts are definitely with you..

Please keep us posted...

[Xiaojie]

Thanks, Carleeta, and thanks everyone for your good thoughts and wishes. I'm hanging in here. dr may let me go home today (fingers crossed) and I can get some real rest. I'll keep you guys updated.

[Carleeta]

Thanks, Carleeta, and thanks everyone for your good thoughts and wishes. I'm hanging in here. dr may let me go home today (fingers crossed) and I can get some real rest. I'll keep you guys updated.

Xiaojie. ..Hope all is well with you and you came home today and got off the morphine..What a combination to be on while while you are still withdrawing from Cymbalta..I wish you well and yes you are a tough individual even in spite of the fact you feel oyhers are stronger than you..You are extremely strong and please remember that...Again, wishing you well

[xman]

Xiaojie: hope you were dischgd.! Funny(not really) how doctors take pts off their home meds when they come 2 hospital. not always, but lots. I hope you feel better and be well!

 

On the other hand have learned a couple things--one is that many ER docs recognize Crabalta withdrawal syndrome! Now that's a plus and a sad statement both--I will explore this more today if opportunity presents!

[FiveNotions]

Ha....I'm not surprised about the ER docs knowing about C withdrawal....they have to deal most immediately with the havoc it causes...right up to and including suicides and attempted suicides....aaargh....

Anything else you can find out about this would be very helpful to have posted here!