Letrozole and insomnia

Hi Dulciana, I'm on Exemestane, which is a different aromatase inhibitor, and I'm also struggling to get back to sleep. 

I spoke to a nice Macmillan nurse today. She recommended I:

• stop watching TV / using any electronic devices an hour before bedtime
• go to bed and get up at the same time every day
• keep my bedroom cool
• avoid caffeine and alcohol in the evening

I'm pretty good at the last two, pretty bad at the first two  

She also suggested I talk to my GP about Melatonin. 

You're already using lavender. I'm glad that works sometimes. Someone else recommends Evening Primrose Oil. 

Hope that's helpful, and we all get some rest tonight   

Yes, that is heplful, Bear and Tilly, thank you.  I'm okay at no. 2 and 3, and not so great at no. 1 or (sometimes) the second part of no. 4!    The stupid thing is that last night, I could have ticked all of these boxes but I still woke up for the day at 3.45am.   Melatonin and Evening Primrose Oil - thanks for mentioning these.  Will look into them.  Hope we all get some rest tonight, indeed!

Ladies!  Last night was much better for me and I want to tell you why.  I did wake as per normal.  On this occasion, I didn't let myself look at the clock but it was in the wee, small hours.  The usual angst kicked in, at facing another wrecked night.  And then I remembered something I'd read in a little book by the late Rabbi Lionel Blue.  He had found out that the combination of a banana and a glass of milk releases the sleep hormone seratonin. He tried it and it worked for him many times.  So last night, I trotted downstairs for a snack of the same, got back to bed and consumed said banana and milk, shut my eyes - and the next thing I knew, it was 6.05am.  I can now face the day. 

Wow ! That's wonderful. I might that. 

I loved Lionel Blue. Great person to listen to on Thought for the Day.

Yes! I'm on exemestane and could barely sleep for a couple of years. Not great when I have a full time job. 

I started a low dose anti depressant which has helped hugely. I can still have issues getting back to sleep at 4am but not as badly as before. I'm also able to fall asleep quicker than before, mostly. 

Hi I am on ribociclib + letrozole..Before starting I did some research (googling) and it seemed that ribociclib made you sleepy and letrozole waa the opposite. So I take my ribo and night just before bed and the letro when I wake up. It seems to help. I also get Alexa to Open Tibetan Bowls or Rain Sounds to help my mind relax. 

Hi Dulciana. 

I'm on Letrozole too and don't sleep through the night most nights. Our room reeks of lavender oil every night and I use pillow spray from Boots too. I started using the Sleepio app 4 weeks ago so I can track my sleep and learn how to improve it, and there are some really good techniques to help you fall asleep on there. It's definitely improving my sleep quality since I started especially when I wake up in the early hours. Headspace is good too to help with meditation and sleep problems. 

Hope you have a good night's sleep.

Ah!  Right.   Thanks Tawe68!  I've been using lavender oil for ages, but these other suggestions are new to me.  I shall explore!  Hope you have a good night's sleep too. 

Hi

do you find Exemestane plays havoc with your mental health and gives you terrible mood swings.  My mum is 79 diagnosed with hormonal breast cancer 18 months ago.  Was on Letrozole now on this drug.  Sailed through the natural meno but is really suffering now.  Any advice?

Hi TJP29.     Diagnosed same as your Mum at 77. Was on Letrazol,OMG my mental health went down the toilet and after not being able to sleep for about 3 nights and was an irritable hariden during the daygot  help and was changed to exemestane. Like your Mum sailed through natural meno but now have joint discomfort and hot flushes,big deal cos l got me back. Back to doing the things l love and back to going for short walks and being part of the community again . Long may this last,l think hormone treatment is different strokes for different folks,so don’t despair there is one that’s going to suit you. Onco said come back if needs be ,no problem .  Good luck going forward. Dizzy Di