disrupted sleep-cycle

AnotherSurvivor
AnotherSurvivor Member Posts: 383 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

A month out from last rad treatment and I find I still have trouble sleeping.  I know I am getting some because I notice when I wake up, but I also am laying awake for long periods.  I am pretty much off all meds except for a blood-thinner, and my mucusites is much reduced so I'm not gagging on phlegm anymore.  At this point I would like to avoid any narcotics.  Activity level has been pretty low, but is starting to pick up, which will probably help.  Any suggestions?

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  • slk2015
    slk2015 Member Posts: 54
    edited February 2017 #2
    Sleep cycle

    My brother-in-law was given Ambien.  It seemed to help him.  There are other sleep aids that are not narcotic and some OTC ones (Benedryl makes some people sleepy).  Ask your physician about options.  

    People actually can get used to sleeping in "pieces".  For years, I slept 2 or 3 hours, woke up for 2 or 3 and then slept another 3 or 4.  It does make for a long time in bed.  I still get up 3 to 10 times a night to use the bathroom, because a migraine starts, etc.  I've done this for over 50 years and so far, I seem okay (at least to me Smile).  Not everyone sleeps 8 hours straight through.  

  • AnotherSurvivor
    AnotherSurvivor Member Posts: 383 Member
    edited February 2017 #3
    Okay, a  follow up note.  At

    Okay, a  follow up note.  At six weeks post-treatment, for no evident reason, I suddenly started getting a good night's sleep.  Routine is the same, my mucusites has dropped off, which helps.  I went to bed at 9PM, dropped off, woke up for my 3AM pee break, went back to sleep until 7AM.  Three nights of that now.  Bliss.   Best guess is when everything else is working well, everything else works well.  

  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    #4
    Sleep patterns

    I wear a fitbit while sleeping as it tracks sleep patterns.  It shows what time I go to bed, what time i wake up, how much time restless, and how much time awake.  Even though you think you might be sleeping, you might not be.

    I'm lucky if I get 3 1/2 to 4 hours a night.

  • AnotherSurvivor
    AnotherSurvivor Member Posts: 383 Member
    edited February 2017 #5
    Well, sort of bliss.  The

    Well, sort of bliss.  The disruption returned, sooo my Dr son and my oncol both say try melatonin.  Over the counter, non-addictive.  May take a couple days for it to start working.

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