Ceftin helped me fall asleep and sleep deeper. It made me feel sleepy, and I could even nap in the afternoon!! This was after years of not sleeping or poor sleeping with a lot of waking.
I've been off Ceftin for a week now (needed to take a break after 4 weeks because of major bladder issues) -- and sleep is getting worse each night. I am now working on a migraine from poor sleep.
I looked at the side-effects of Ceftin and one of the side-effects listed under "Nervous System" is "sleepiness." I liked that side-effect.
Has anyone else had this side-effect from Ceftin? Did you stop sleeping after you went off of it? Did/do you use something to sleep?
Ideas, please.
Posted by BackinStOlaf (Member # 23725) on :
It didn't affect my sleep at all.
I'm lucky in that I've been able to sleep well through all this
Posted by canefan17 (Member # 22149) on :
Sounds like your body is adjusting to being without it. Very normal to experience sleep issues when you're switching meds/herbs, etc
Adrenal support will help regulate cortisol and thus sleep.
Maybe try a calming tea before bed. Take magnesium before bed as well.
Posted by Marrit (Member # 25454) on :
canefan17, For some reason unknown to me, I seem to have trouble with all magnesium supplements. I retain water in tissue and that leads to headaches and eventually the dreaded migraine.
I hope this is as you said, and it's just a temporary adjustment. Otherwise, it's go totally crazy or start the Ambien. I had SO HOPED the Ceftin had turned things around, and I was on the up.
BackinStOlaf, you are SO FORTUNATE to sleep!!! I think your chances of getting well are extremely good if you can sleep ...
Posted by kidsgotlyme (Member # 23691) on :
Have you tried other things to help you sleep??
You said you have major bladder issues. Do you have IC? If so, an antihistamine can help with your bladder AND your sleep.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
The herb corydallis root puts me to sleep almost every night for over a year. It is extremely powerful and does not lose it's effectiveness. Better than any other supplement I have every tried with no hang over.
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
nefferdun,
What brand do you use and what dose do you take?
Posted by steven (Member # 13101) on :
I have the same problem.
since I have been on flagyl/tini i wake up every morning at 5.
when ive been to mino I slept great, but only as a side effect of mino.
now, off all meds, i wake up at 5 am again. im tired of not being able to sleep :-)
Posted by CedarWidow (Member # 27541) on :
I have had sleep issues as well. I take 1,000mgs of Tryptophan 1 hour before bed on an empty stomach. Along with this, I do light exercise 4 hours before bed. It seems to work most nights. The nights it does not, I take melatonin as well. For additional support, take GABA one hour before you exercise. For example- 4pm GABA, 5pm Exercise, 8pm 1,000mgs tryptophan, 9pm Sleep, if still awake after 1 hour, pop some melatonin (you should never go to bed any later than 9pm if you have Lyme, and should try to sleep 8-10 hours if you can. That is, IF you can. I heard this from a trusted MD.)
Posted by mojo (Member # 9309) on :
OTC "Simply Sleep" (made by Tylenol) and Extended Release Melatonin.
I also use Ativan but weaning off.
Posted by Marrit (Member # 25454) on :
Through the years, I've tried Melatonin; 5-HTP; L-Tryptophan; Valerian and Hops; Benadryl; Passionflower; Calcium/magnesium; Herbal teas; Progesterone cream; Estrogen cream; various other herbs; warm milk; a carb; a protein; relaxing music; baths; even a little wine. Absolutely NOTHING has worked. The Valerian/Hops worked the best, but then it stopped working suddenly and was no longer effective. L-Tryptophan reduced awakenings to a few from continuous, but I don't remember that it got me into deep sleep.
I ran through a stop sign yesterday, didn't even see it. WHOA ... thankfully, no one was driving through the cross street at that time.
I couldn't afford yet another sleepless night, so last night I took ~ 1/3 tablet of Ambien. And guess what? I slept for nearly 4 hours! I woke, used the bathroom, then thought about taking another 1/3 tablet, but instead was able to get back to sleep without it. Woke at about 5 AM. That makes about 7 hours sleep total!
Today I feel a bit hung over (even from 1/3 tablet!). But, it could be the weather, too. And I've got mild flu-like symptoms.
So, I think it's going to be Ambien for awhile. Thanks to everyone who posted ideas. kidsgotlyme - I do have bouts with IC, so I'll try the anti-histamine when it's flaring. nefferdun - I've never tried Corydallis root, but I'll look it up and perhaps give it a try. CedarWidow - I haven't tried GABA, as I read that the supplements don't cross the blood brain barrier. I'll have to check into this more. I can only handle ~5 minutes of gentle bouncing on my trampoline. Much more than that causes post-exercise crash.
Posted by canefan17 (Member # 22149) on :
I highly recommend eleutherococcus taken morning, lunch and at 3pm
It will help regulate your cortisol levels.
And thus... adjust your sleeping cycle.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Please reconsider Ambien. It can be a very dangerous drug. ---------------------
Some Sleeping Pill Users Range Far Beyond Bed -
Posted by Marrit (Member # 25454) on :
Thanks canefan17. I don't know what eleutherococcus is. I'll have to look it up. I wonder if sleeplessness is related to cortisol or if it is neurological.
Keebler, thank you for the warning. I'm only taking 1/3 - 1/2 tablet at a time, and I can get 4-5 hours out of it. Although, I must admit I don't feel truly rested, and I felt a lot better with the sleep I got on Ceftin ...
Ironically, when I went to see a doctor last year to get something to help with sleep (saw a PA), she gave me boxes and boxes of samples of Restoril. I read the info, and it is highly addictive, so I only took 1/2 to try. I felt like I was hypnotized all night long but didn't actually sleep. I never used it again and eventually threw all the boxes away.
People who take Ambien and don't go to bed immediately are the ones most likely to begin to do other things under the influence without knowing it. I am always in bed, ready to sleep, then take just the smallest dose and wait for it to take effect. No getting up after!
On the other hand, my adult son tried it one night and didn't go to sleep right away. He downloaded some software on his ipod and had no memory of it until he found it there the next day. It scared him so bad that he said he will never take Ambien again.
I don't like resorting to it even at a fraction of the dose, but not sleeping is the worse of the two, I think. I can't afford to cause a car accident ... or go crazy from lack of sleep.
Posted by Marrit (Member # 25454) on :
canefan17, I just looked up eleuthero on wiki and here's what it said:
"Eleutherococcus senticosis is more tonifying than the true Ginsengs (Panax sp.)[citation needed]. Taken regularly, it enhances immune function, decreases cortisol levels and inflammatory response, and it promotes improved cognitive and physical performance[citation needed]. In human studies Eleuthero has been successfully used to treat bone marrow suppression caused by chemotherapy or radiation, angina, hypercholesterolemia, and neurasthenia with headache, insomnia, and poor appetite."
Two things concern me: "decreases cortisol levels" and "enhances immune function." I think my immune system is already in overdrive, so how will enhancing immune function help? Also, evening cortisol is already below normal (at least it was when I was tested), so how would it help to lower cortisol levels further?
Are you using it for high cortisol levels? My LLMD prescribed cortisol, but I never filled the prescription because I'm not at all sure it won't make me worse.
Posted by canefan17 (Member # 22149) on :
Marrit,
Those things concern you? haha
Most here would die for an enhanced immune system and cortisol control. An increase in cortisol should concern you. Not a decrease/regulatory effect.
Here's where you're getting confused with the immune system. and I've talked with Buhner on the subject.
The immune system in "overdrive" that you speak of is the Th1 response. If you are a late-stage Lymie you need to avoid increasing your Th1 levels. (I'm not an expert on this... just reciting what Buhner has told me)
That DOESN'T mean avoid all immune enhancing principles.
Different things work on different parts of the immune system.
For example: Astragalus, a powerful immune stimulating herb, you would want to avoid. It directly increases intrferon-gamma and interleukin-2 levels (Th1)
It's a great herb if you're trying to PREVENT Lyme.
Example 2: Cats Claw, a powerful immune stimulant, you would generally WANT. It specifically is known for increasing CD57 WBC counts. It does not have a direct effect on Th1 response.
Example 3: Eleutherococcus, a powerful adrenal tonic and adaptogen, you would also WANT. It has shown immune enhancing abilities (T-lymphocytes, NK cells, helpers/inducers)
It also does not have a direct effect on the Th1 response.
So understanding what part of the immune system it works on will better help you understand "overdriven immune function."
I highly recommend "Healing Lyme: by Buhner
This is all in there in MUCH more detail. he's been a master herbalist for many years.
(But just like you... I was curious about these other immune enhancing herbs and why they were ok.
Knowledge is power : )
[ 08-15-2010, 02:47 AM: Message edited by: canefan17 ]
Posted by Marrit (Member # 25454) on :
Thanks canefan17, just by chance I ordered Buhner's book yesterday on amazon! I am ready to try some herbal alternatives.
Posted by Marrit (Member # 25454) on :
Oh, and BTW, the decrease in cortisol in the afternoon and evening was a concern because it caused unbelievable fatigue and feelings of irrational irritability. Poor sleep ... but by morning, the cortisol was back into the normal range. Not sure what this really means. Seems to have improved, though, since antibiotic use.
Posted by canefan17 (Member # 22149) on :
That's great Marrit! I'm excited for you.
Shoot me a PM or email if you ever have any questions.