insomnia

melbas2
melbas2 Member Posts: 108
in Anal Cancer #1
I can't stand this. I'm awake all day, I am so tired at night that I feel like I'm gonna fall asleep in my chair, and then I go to bed and I toss & turn. I've tried Melatonin, cuz it's non-narcotic, but I break out in a rash. If I take anything stronger, I sleep for 13 hours unless my husband wakes me up, but then I'm groggy all day. I've done hot baths...sleepytime tea...I need help here. I do not want to take any kind of drug, but if I don't sleep soon, I think I'm gonna fall out.

Comments

  • mxperry220
    mxperry220 Member Posts: 496 Member
    #2
    Insomnia
    Some of your lack of sleeping may be due to the stress level around the house after reading your prior post. Try to focus on getting over this hurdle only and nothing else. I know I did not get any sleep for two weeks prior to treatements due to stress of not knowing what to expect in the coming 6 weeks. If you feel like you are going to fall asleep in your chair then do it. Don't worry about making it to the bed. I know this is what I did even though it was not as comfortable as the bed at least I got a little bit of sleep. You might try taking Advil. This helped me rather than taking narcotics. Also, you might try sleeping in a seperate bedroom by yourself during this time you are recovering. This way you will not feel like you are disturbing your husband if you need to get up during the night. Hope some of this input helps.
  • alis7910
    alis7910 Member Posts: 80
    #3
    insomnia
    Hi;
    I know you don't want to take drugs, but I found unisom great- 1/2 tablet each night and I would sleep. it's under sleep aids in the drugstore but is really an antihistamine, so it is not a powerful drug.
    I hope you find some peace and comfort soon; remember, these are stessful times, and we must do whatever it takes to heal.Have you tried acupuncture to blance you out? I took it during and after my radiation and chemo.
    my love to you
  • lizdeli
    lizdeli Member Posts: 569 Member
    #4
    alis7910 said:

    insomnia
    Hi;
    I know you don't want to take drugs, but I found unisom great- 1/2 tablet each night and I would sleep. it's under sleep aids in the drugstore but is really an antihistamine, so it is not a powerful drug.
    I hope you find some peace and comfort soon; remember, these are stessful times, and we must do whatever it takes to heal.Have you tried acupuncture to blance you out? I took it during and after my radiation and chemo.
    my love to you

    insomnia
    I had trouble sleeping before cancer,not during, but then again after. I take Lunesta. I had to. I couldn't get more than one to two hours of sleep and then I would wake up again. I also found an over the counter non-narcotic sleep aid called Mid-Nite. It's all natural and it really seems to help. I hope it helps you too.
    Liz
  • Angela_K
    Angela_K Member Posts: 374 Member
    #5
    Sleep
    I still have a hard time sleeping through the night on some nights but have found that the more sweaty exercise I get during the day, the sounder I sleep. I went from 30 minutes a day to about an hour and the difference is remarkable. I break it up with 40 minutes of a heart-pumping activity in the early morning and then 20 minutes of moderate activity, usually with my family, in the evening works best for me. Also, I avoid eating at least 2 hours before bedtime and have a stretch routine before going to bed which helps me unwind. If you don't have an exercise routine in place, you might first try walking for 20 minutes a day at a moderate pace, after checking with your doctor. Hope some of this helps!Angela

Discussion Boards