Bad Insomnia on first cycle

[Nemlack]

I'm on my first cycle and am having a lot of trouble with insomnia. I'm doing Test-Cyp 2x week (Sun and Thr) at 500 mg/wk. I'm also doing HCG 2x week (Sat and Wed) at 500 IU/wk. I'm also taking Arimidex .25mg every other day. I just started my first cycle last week Sunday. I didn't have any sleeping problems last week, after taking two shots of Test-Cyp and two shots of HCG, but I only started taking Arimidex last week Thursday. The insomnia started this Sunday, and I have not been able to fall asleep for the last 4 days (from Sunday to today - Wednesday). I did a search and saw that insomnia is a possible side-effect of Arimidex. I had not heard about that on this forum before. Has anyone experienced this before? I'm going to try going off of Arimidex and see if I can sleep as I cannot function at work if I can't get to sleep. Could Test-Cyp or HCG be causing insomnia? Any help would be appreciated as if this insomnia continues I will have to stop the entire cycle.

Thanks in advance.

[BigB_44]

I've never had any sleep issues with the things you are taking...Everyone reacts to things differently and if u say it started after starting your adex, try stopping it and see what happens and try something else for estro control...how sure are you about all of your products

[Nemlack]

Ok, I don't know what's up but this board is no longer allowing me to post messages and telling me that the **SPAM SOFTWARE** has detected some forbidden words in my post???

What I'm trying to say is that I bought some sleep aid and will stop using Arimidex and see if my insomnia clears up.

[RangerDanger830]

Ok, I don't know what's up but this board is no longer allowing me to post messages and telling me that the **SPAM SOFTWARE** has detected some forbidden words in my post???

What I'm trying to say is that I bought some sleep aid and will stop using Arimidex and see if my insomnia clears up.

You don't need to stop using the Adex if you have no other AIs on hand. You need an AI on cycle, it is one of the most important parts.

[Nemlack]

You don't need to stop using the Adex if you have no other AIs on hand. You need an AI on cycle, it is one of the most important parts.

I have to be honest, the last 4 days of insomnia has really freaked me out. Enough to want to forget about using an AI (That is if Arimidex is to blame for the insomnia. That has yet to be determined). I read online that a lot of b-cancer patients on Arimidex and Aromasin had stopped taking the medication because the insomnia was affecting their life worse than the thought of getting cancer.

So if it turns out that Aromasin and Arimidex are not for me (I read that the side-effects on Aromasin are worse than with Arimidex) what other options for an AI do I have? I have Clomid and Novadex on hand but I am keeping that for my PCT. Could I just not take an AI and then take larger does of Arimidex only if I start having symptoms of Gyno? Would it be worthwhile trying to reduce my dose of Arimidex to less than .25 mg every other day? Is there another AI that is different enough from Arimidex and Aromasin that it won't have the same side-effects/ What other options do I have?

[MuscleInk]

I'm on my first cycle and am having a lot of trouble with insomnia. I'm doing Test-Cyp 2x week (Sun and Thr) at 500 mg/wk. I'm also doing HCG 2x week (Sat and Wed) at 500 IU/wk. I'm also taking Arimidex .25mg every other day. I just started my first cycle last week Sunday. I didn't have any sleeping problems last week, after taking two shots of Test-Cyp and two shots of HCG, but I only started taking Arimidex last week Thursday. The insomnia started this Sunday, and I have not been able to fall asleep for the last 4 days (from Sunday to today - Wednesday). I did a search and saw that insomnia is a possible side-effect of Arimidex. I had not heard about that on this forum before. Has anyone experienced this before? I'm going to try going off of Arimidex and see if I can sleep as I cannot function at work if I can't get to sleep. Could Test-Cyp or HCG be causing insomnia? Any help would be appreciated as if this insomnia continues I will have to stop the entire cycle.

Thanks in advance.

Insomnia is a side effect for 6-8% of people. Members generally only list the side effects THEY experience, not the entire side effect profile which is extensive for arimidex.

Aromasin can have the same effect.

You need to use an AI.

Hormones regulate many functions including sleep so disrupting your natural hormone levels may affect your sleep-wakefulness. You may want to try a low dose of melatonin or Benadryl.

[RangerDanger830]

Insomnia is a side effect for 6-8% of people. Members generally only list the side effects THEY experience, not the entire side effect profile which is extensive for arimidex.

Aromasin can have the same effect.

You need to use an AI.

Hormones regulate many functions including sleep so disrupting your natural hormone levels may affect your sleep-wakefulness. You may want to try a low dose of melatonin or Benadryl.

^Benadryl, if you can just buy the generic sleep aids (Diphenhydramine), same thing, is what I prefer. If you find melatonin is not effective enough. A low dose of 25mg before bed will do but some people need more depending on body type and sensitivity so 50mg is just dandy.

[rplante7]

Insomnia is the main side effect of test for me at TRT doses

[MuscleInk]

^Benadryl, if you can just buy the generic sleep aids (Diphenhydramine), same thing, is what I prefer. If you find melatonin is not effective enough. A low dose of 25mg before bed will do but some people need more depending on body type and sensitivity so 50mg is just dandy.

Yes sir. ZzyQuil contains diphenhydramine and for many is an effective sleep aid. I find 5 -10mg of melatonin often takes the edge off enough to fall asleep without feeling hung over from diphenhydramine the next morning. I have a hypersensitivity to diphenhydramine. It works too well for me.

[RangerDanger830]

Yes sir. ZzyQuil contains diphenhydramine and for many is an effective sleep aid. I find 5 -10mg of melatonin often takes the edge off enough to fall asleep without feeling hung over from diphenhydramine the next morning. I have a hypersensitivity to diphenhydramine. It works too well for me.

I am the opposite, I have a tolerance built up to it due to extended use. I started taking it right after I got back from my first deployment and have been using it off and on since. It did give me terrible hangovers and seemed to dehydrate the hell out of me but now I don't get them.

[ppwc1985]

I am the opposite, I have a tolerance built up to it due to extended use. I started taking it right after I got back from my first deployment and have been using it off and on since. It did give me terrible hangovers and seemed to dehydrate the hell out of me but now I don't get them.

I was same way, have you ever tried meditating before bedtime. I made a lot headway when I was turned on to meditation by one of my teammates. It does wonders for me not just sleeping.

[Honkey_Kong]

Yes sir. ZzyQuil contains diphenhydramine and for many is an effective sleep aid. I find 5 -10mg of melatonin often takes the edge off enough to fall asleep without feeling hung over from diphenhydramine the next morning. I have a hypersensitivity to diphenhydramine. It works too well for me.

The sleep I get from the diphenhydramine isn't very good sleep. When I take that stuff, I still feel tired and groggy the next day. Unfortunately, I take that stuff way too often... You know of any stronger but better alternatives?

[RangerDanger830]

The sleep I get from the diphenhydramine isn't very good sleep. When I take that stuff, I still feel tired and groggy the next day. Unfortunately, I take that stuff way too often... You know of any stronger but better alternatives?

I hear Ambien works wonders for some of my buddies but I have yet to try it. I am going to at least give it a chance within the next few weeks.

I was same way, have you ever tried meditating before bedtime. I made a lot headway when I was turned on to meditation by one of my teammates. It does wonders for me not just sleeping.

This came out of left field, I have never tried that. I cannot really comment anything as I know nothing about it. I am going to look into it though, I am skeptical.

I have to be honest, the last 4 days of insomnia has really freaked me out. Enough to want to forget about using an AI (That is if Arimidex is to blame for the insomnia. That has yet to be determined). I read online that a lot of b-cancer patients on Arimidex and Aromasin had stopped taking the medication because the insomnia was affecting their life worse than the thought of getting cancer.

So if it turns out that Aromasin and Arimidex are not for me (I read that the side-effects on Aromasin are worse than with Arimidex) what other options for an AI do I have? I have Clomid and Novadex on hand but I am keeping that for my PCT. Could I just not take an AI and then take larger does of Arimidex only if I start having symptoms of Gyno? Would it be worthwhile trying to reduce my dose of Arimidex to less than .25 mg every other day? Is there another AI that is different enough from Arimidex and Aromasin that it won't have the same side-effects/ What other options do I have?

As far as other options I would just say stop cycling and stay natural for the rest of your life. The more I read the more I realize you probably weren't ready to start a cycle as you obviously have no idea what an AI is for and why we take it. I guess having breasts isn't a big deal as long as you are sleeping better.

[Nemlack]

As far as other options I would just say stop cycling and stay natural for the rest of your life. The more I read the more I realize you probably weren't ready to start a cycle as you obviously have no idea what an AI is for and why we take it. I guess having breasts isn't a big deal as long as you are sleeping better.

I'm not against using an AI, I just wanted to know what other options there are besides taking Arimidex and Aromasin while on cycle, and yes being able to sleep is extremely important. If I had to choose between doing a cycle and being able to sleep, than yes I would stay natural and choose to be able to sleep, but I'm sure there are other options here that will allow me to do both. I have heard of people who do not take an AI while on cycle, but have a particular reversible AI like Letrozole, Formestane, or Vorozole on hand in case they show symptoms of gyno. I was hoping to hear from others who have not taking Arimidex and relied on a reversible AI instead.

[MuscleInk]

I am the opposite, I have a tolerance built up to it due to extended use. I started taking it right after I got back from my first deployment and have been using it off and on since. It did give me terrible hangovers and seemed to dehydrate the hell out of me but now I don't get them.

Have you tried melatonin? 10mg is all I need and 5mg usually does the trick. Some people get nothing from it.

[RangerDanger830]

Have you tried melatonin? 10mg is all I need and 5mg usually does the trick. Some people get nothing from it.

I have gone up to 10mg and while it did help, it just wasn't enough. I have a lot of severe sleep issues though so I feel I need something more aggressive. A few weeks ago for example, I was sleep walking and ripped my bedroom door off of the hinges then laid back down. I have also been known to wander the neighborhood in just my boxers.

[Lifted1]

since starting trt ive become more narcoleptic and will fall asleep in the middle of a conversation after 9pm. i know im tired since i wake up around 5:30~6:00am, but i will just pass out sitting up talking lol.

i used to use a zma to help with sleep, but the melatonin would give me crazy vivid dreams that made me feel unrested in the morning. try either suggestion above and be sure to stay away from caffeine 5~6 hours before bed.

[AsEpSiS]

Just my .02......I'm not going to get into brand discussion, but I've gotten insomnia from a certain ugl test E. I switched between that brand and another just to test out my theory. Needless to say, one brand gave me insomnia, the other I had no issues. You never know what "recipe" some of these places use.

[Mr.BB]

Thats why i take adex first thing in morning

[Nemlack]

Thats why i take adex first thing in morning

I was taking my Adex first thing in the morning but that didn't help my insomnia. Someone else suggested taking it just before bed. Actually last night I tried taking my Sleep Aid Fastgels (Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride capsules 50 mg), but I had my worse restless night ever. I could not stay still for 1 minute. It was a strange feeling, I wasn't in pain, but staying still was so uncomfortable that I had to keep moving about. At one point I thought about getting up and doing some push-ups, but I didn't think that would help me sleep. I must have fallen asleep at some point as I woke up with my alarm this morning. I also did a shot of my Test-cyp yesterday, so I'm not sure if this insomnia is the result of my Adex or my Test-Cyp. I like the idea of switching up my brand, my current vial will only last for half my cycle, so I'll try getting another brand of Test-Cyp to finish it off and see if that helps.

[ppwc1985]

This came out of left field, I have never tried that. I cannot really comment anything as I know nothing about it. I am going to look into it though, I am skeptical.

Ranger give it a try, I know a lot ppl using this. I also have seen a lot progress on PSTD by using yoga, meditation and acupressure instead of the drugs they are throwing around so easy.

[MuscleInk]

The sleep I get from the diphenhydramine isn't very good sleep. When I take that stuff, I still feel tired and groggy the next day. Unfortunately, I take that stuff way too often... You know of any stronger but better alternatives?

Yes, the somnolence (that groggy tired feeling you described) is a common lingering side effect. I try to avoid diphenhydramine for that reason. Melatonin has worked for me at 5-10mg. Ambien, lunestra, sonata, intermezzo are effective, require scripts, but have their own issues and I rarely prescribe them as a first therapy. Lorazepam, flurazepam, Ativan are milder benzos but again, require scripts and can be habit forming and difficult to come off. Some people do well with motrin PM or Tylenol PM but I would use these as short term solutions. Red wine for some is a nice way to take the edge off and help you fall asleep but I rarely drink and wouldn't exactly encourage everyone hit the bottle every night before bed, lol.

[Sfla80]

Yes, the somnolence (that groggy tired feeling you described) is a common lingering side effect. I try to avoid diphenhydramine for that reason. Melatonin has worked for me at 5-10mg. Ambien, lunestra, sonata, intermezzo are effective, require scripts, but have their own issues and I rarely prescribe them as a first therapy. Lorazepam, flurazepam, Ativan are milder benzos but again, require scripts and can be habit forming and difficult to come off. Some people do well with motrin PM or Tylenol PM but I would use these as short term solutions. Red wine for some is a nice way to take the edge off and help you fall asleep but I rarely drink and wouldn't exactly encourage everyone hit the bottle every night before bed, lol.

Agreed with the red wine. If u aren't a heavy drinker anyways. A glass or two... (not a bottle lol) will knock u out. At least for me. At least for a couple hours.

[Mp859]

What time are you pinning? If I pin to close to bed I sometimes have this problem. There is a certain type of medicinal plant that really helps in this regard. It's especially nice if you are bulking.

[RangerDanger830]

You can use Letro at a relatively small dose as your AI and pray it doesn't give you bad sides either. Do not expect Letro to save you once you get gyno by deciding to just have it on hand and not use it.

[lovbyts]

I hear Ambien works wonders for some of my buddies but I have yet to try it. I am going to at least give it a chance within the next few weeks.

This came out of left field, I have never tried that. I cannot really comment anything as I know nothing about it. I am going to look into it though, I am skeptical.

As far as other options I would just say stop cycling and stay natural for the rest of your life. The more I read the more I realize you probably weren't ready to start a cycle as you obviously have no idea what an AI is for and why we take it. I guess having breasts isn't a big deal as long as you are sleeping better.

Google ambien sleep walking and those who gave it to girlfriends or wives.guaranteed she won't say no to anything you might suggest.

[RangerDanger830]

Google ambien sleep walking and those who gave it to girlfriends or wives.guaranteed she won't say no to anything you might suggest.

Wtf man, sleep driving? Yeah I change my mind, I'm already a bad sleepwalker as it is. Maybe I could sleep lift and get some extra gains.

[Nemlack]

So for anyone who is interested, as an update to my insomnia problem, I took my last dose of Arimidex last Wednesday, and two days later my sleeping went back to normal. I haven't taken any Arimidex since (missed two doses) although I have continued my HCG and Test-cyp shots, my sleeping has been great. I think that confirms that it is in fact the Arimidex that is causing my insomnia and not the Test-cyp or HCG. I'm going to go back on Armidex on Thursday and see if the Insomnia comes back for the weekend (I don't want to chance getting Insomnia on a work day). If that happens I'll either try buying another brand of Arimidex (maybe I'll react differently to a different brand?) or I'm going to have to try another AI.

[600@50]

Nemlak you can also try GABA. Its available at health food stores and it works for me. I take either 1 or 2 and that seems to do the job. 2 GABA and a 10mg timed release melatonin and you should sleep.

[Nemlack]

Thanks, I'll keep an eye out for GABA the next time I go to a health food store!