Fatigue

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Nanaof3
Nanaof3 Member Posts: 15
in Breast Cancer #1
Hi,
I am new to this site. I had a successful lumpectomy in December and there was no lymph node involvement, so I feel very lucky. I finished a short session (16) of radiation 2-1/2 weeks ago and am on Arimidex. I have read the discussions about how extensive fatigue can be and how long it can take to taper off. My problem is that I crash every afternoon and, although I am very tired (like now at 8:43pm), I have great difficulty sleeping at night. I was a light sleeper before the cancer. Arimidex MAY cause sleeplessness in some patients, apparently, but I don't know if this is the problem - if it's just me - or if it's because I sleep in the afternoons. Does anyone else have this problem or have any suggestions. I would LOVE to have some restorative sleep.

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  • 1acme
    1acme Member Posts: 77
    #2
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    Hi Nanaof3
    I had Lumpectomy,
    Hi Nanaof3

    I had Lumpectomy, Centennial note and 14 lymphs note removed on Valentine's day (Feb-14-2011) I am still in recovery after operation and next week I have scheduled 1st appointment/consultation with Onco Dx (Mar-31). My surgeon told me that I need Radiation and MAY be chemo, so will see what they will give me.

    So I cannot share much information with you as my treatments are in front of me, but I am also light sleeper. I used to work for several years a night shifts and sleeping (try to sleep) over the day. I tried several different thing to put me a sleep and stay sleeping.

    a) always try to go to bed at same time, so my body get used to it. I also drink a full glass of water just before bed, keep my body hydrated during sleep.
    b) played a nice relaxing music like natural sounds or Reiki music AND always played same CD so my body get in to same routine. Music = Time to sleep
    c) put a small drips of Anise oil on my pillow and cover. I found that smell of Anise made me relax more
    d) finally if I missed my scheduled sleeping time or could not sleep I got a Melatonin STRIPS (brand Jameson) 2x 15 strips in box (30 days supply) for about $10. you take a one STRIP (or half) and put it on your tongue and it will dissolve quickly which goes immediately in your blood stream. In about 10-15 minutes I was asleep. with full strip I slept about 9-10hrs, with 1/2 strip I got about 6-7 hrs which was plenty for me.

    I hope that this help.
    Good luck
    Helen

    PS: If you cannot find the strips, I can get it for you and mail it to you home. Just let me know. They did "miracle" for me.
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #3
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    I wake up 3-4 or more times each night
    I was just taken off tamoxifen about 2 wks ago...and still up a lot but I think it takes over month or so to really get out of your system...but soon as out of my system I think my dr is chaning me to diff med...so more / and different side effects...if am sure..

    Denise

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