Stay in Touch
Get sneak previews of special offers & upcoming events delivered to your inbox.
Sign in
01-03-2013 10:50 AM
I am a brest cancer survivor, 13 years now, but haven't been sleeping well. Is it ok to take melatonin as it is a hormone, and have been told not to take any type of hormone. I need my sleep and starting to get grouchy. Don't think it's menopause as I went through that in my 30's as a result of the chemo. Looking for the magic bullet.
05-28-2016 07:39 AM
I used to take Melatonin and was diagnosed 11/15. My oncologist said it was ok to take Melatonin. I too have read where it is a hormone but he said ok. I also take Tamoxifen. My sleep patterns change alot and I was off Melatonin for while but now I am considering taking it again. I need my sleep too!
05-28-2016 10:46 AM
I was dx in 2012 with breast cancer and have never heard that melatonin could be a no-no but I can't take it anyway as it just makes me feel awful in the morning. I too, don't sleep worth beans anymore but have been taking a mineral powder called OptiLife Tranquil from E*vine shopping channel. It is a powder that you mix hot or cold and drink before bedtime. It contains 400 iu of vit d 3, 250 mg of calcium,600 mg of magnesium,198 mg of potassium and 20mg of sodium. It taste a little chalky and sweet but not unpleasant at all. I drink it warm and I drink it during the late afternoon as who wants to get up to go to the bathroom at night. It works really well for me and I have been a chronic insomniac for 30 years.I usually get maybe 5 hours of sleep; but the quality of my sleep is much better. Those minerals are all relaxing type things and prob we are all low in them anyway. It's about $25 for 7.4 oz and the scoop size is 7 grams. Will last 30 days. I"m auto delivery too. There are other things like this in the market, I think one is called Calm but they didn't have these all these ingredients.
05-28-2016 12:24 PM
From what you write, you had a quick menopause at 30 as a result of the chemo - however, your natural menopause may be kicking in. When that happens, you will have sleep fluctuations. Chemo is only temporary. Glad you survived.
05-28-2016 01:24 PM
When I have trouble sleeping I take benadryl. That is what is used in Tylenol Pm and other sleep products. I can't take melatonin as I feel weird the next day and I cannot take Ambien either. Benadryl works good for me and isn't addictive and I don't feel wonky the next day.
05-28-2016 02:49 PM - edited 05-28-2016 02:49 PM
If you are on tamoxifen for breast cancer DO NOT take benadryl as it is a MAJOR inhibitor of tamoxifen's effectiveness. I am also a bc survivor.
05-28-2016 03:23 PM
Vitamin D is actually a hormone.
Does anyone who had breast cancer had to avoid plant based estrogen?
Usually people think soy, but all kinds of beans and other vegetables--even tomatoes contain estrogen.
05-30-2016 10:30 AM
Valerian root is another alternative option.
Melatonin is a neurological hormone. Our vet recommended it for our dog, Quincy, who is being treated for lymphoma. He said it helps with chemo related hair loss. Our dog sleeps like a log at night after taking it.
05-30-2016 01:20 PM - edited 05-30-2016 01:23 PM
@Lucky Charm wrote:Vitamin D is actually a hormone.
Does anyone who had breast cancer had to avoid plant based estrogen?
Usually people think soy, but all kinds of beans and other vegetables--even tomatoes contain estrogen.
If it lived, it has hormones. There's no escaping it, but soy should be avoided for most people--especially men. A high-carb diet also makes the body produce a ton of unwanted hormones because the increased insulin fires up the endocrine system.
05-30-2016 01:35 PM
What about Magnesium? I take this and it helps.
Get sneak previews of special offers & upcoming events delivered to your inbox.
*You're signing up to receive QVC promotional email.
Find recent orders, do a return or exchange, create a Wish List & more.
Privacy StatementGeneral Terms of Use
QVC is not responsible for the availability, content, security, policies, or practices of the above referenced third-party linked sites nor liable for statements, claims, opinions, or representations contained therein. QVC's Privacy Statement does not apply to these third-party web sites.
© 1995-2024 QVC, Inc. All rights reserved. | QVC, Q and the Q logo are registered service marks of ER Marks, Inc. 888-345-5788