topic Re: Breast Cancer and Melatonin in Community Chat

Breast Cancer and Melatonin

luvdoodles — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:50:03 GMT

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.

Re: Breast Cancer and Melatonin

bargainsgirl — Sat, 28 May 2016 11:39:37 GMT

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!

Re: Breast Cancer and Melatonin

wagirl — Sat, 28 May 2016 14:46:24 GMT

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.

Re: Breast Cancer and Melatonin

Puzzle Piece — Sat, 28 May 2016 16:24:06 GMT

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.

Re: Breast Cancer and Melatonin

Irshgrl31201 — Sat, 28 May 2016 17:24:19 GMT

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.

Re: Breast Cancer and Melatonin

Tyak — Sat, 28 May 2016 18:49:31 GMT

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.

Re: Breast Cancer and Melatonin

Lucky Charm — Sat, 28 May 2016 19:23:10 GMT

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.

Re: Breast Cancer and Melatonin

tends2dogs — Mon, 30 May 2016 14:30:18 GMT

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.

Re: Breast Cancer and Melatonin

Blahblahvampemer — Mon, 30 May 2016 17:23:54 GMT

@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.

Re: Breast Cancer and Melatonin

lolakimono — Mon, 30 May 2016 17:35:41 GMT

What about Magnesium? I take this and it helps.

Re: Breast Cancer and Melatonin

jewel3 — Mon, 30 May 2016 17:47:17 GMT

If you belong to Costco, the sleep gummies in the supplement aisle might work for you. Probably combining melatonin, only yellow light near bedtime, tart cherry juice at bedtime, etc etc might help. You have my sympathy. Getting enough sleep is hard.

Re: Breast Cancer and Melatonin

MarieIG — Mon, 30 May 2016 18:17:48 GMT

I remember they tested my tumor and it was estrogen & progesterone receptive: so those two they wanted me to avoid. I don't recall any directive to avoid melatonin, although they did have me write out a list of supplements, and had me review it at every visit to make sure it did not change. (They had me stop some vitamins/ supplements before surgeries.) You may want to put in a quick call to your oncologist's office to check with them. They probably have nurses on staff who would be able to answer such questions. Good luck!

Re: Breast Cancer and Melatonin

DottieBlue — Mon, 30 May 2016 23:12:06 GMT

This was my experience with Melatonin:

I also have trouble sleeping some nights, so decided to try Melatonin. I purchased a bottle of 5mg gummies. The bottle said the suggested dose was 2 gummies but I only took one (5 mg). Egads! I zonked out, slept 7-1/2 hours straight, and the next day I felt awful, and very, very groggy. If I had taken the recommended dose of 2 gummies (10 mg) it probably would have put me in a coma!

However, several nights later, I tried it again, but at a lower dose-- I took a half of a gummie (2.5 mg) and it worked much better. I slept very well, and felt OK the next day.

So, those of you who felt awful the next day like I did, you may want to try a lower dose to see if that is better for you.

Re: Breast Cancer and Melatonin

ritasNo1Fan — Mon, 30 May 2016 23:32:37 GMT

Melatonin, I can take the 3mg. only. I cannot take St. John's Wort or other natural homeopathic cures because of another drug I have to take. Beware. Benadryl works the best. And magnecium/calcium.

Re: Breast Cancer and Melatonin

violann — Tue, 31 May 2016 12:34:45 GMT

I buy a melatonin product on COSTCO.COM that is a combo of melatonin and other soothing components .

My internist recommends it, and it works.