Sleep problems

childofthestars
childofthestars Member Posts: 251 Member
in Ovarian Cancer #1
Ladies
Just wanted to ask if any of you have problems sleeping.....
I finished chemo 8 December 2010, recently I suppose the last few months, I have been finding it increasingly difficult to get to sleep even though i'm tired. I get very fidgety and toss and turn for about an hour or so before I eventually fall asleep. Has anyone else experienced this???
Before this I had no problem falling asleep and I am now wondering if this is a left over effect from the treatment!
Michelle x

Comments

  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #2
    COULD BE
    Sounds like it is a residual affect, Michelle. Do you have any physical activity that you do daily? If not, maybe a light stroll around the block before bed will help you sleep - but nothing too strenuous at that time because it will keep you awake. Also, the neuropathy kept me jumping for a while (nerve damage). That will also subside in time.

    In the meantime, Vitamin B-6 helps the neuropathy. And I know it's summertime, but my favorite nighttime sleep aid is hot chocolate. I'm not talking about the instant kind - the pure cocoa powder, pure milk, a little touch of sugar and a little pinch of cinnamon - mmmmmmm, YUMMY! I drink it while in bed, maybe reading with my hubby, or reading something on my own. And lights out right after I'm done - works everytime!

    Hope this helps, Michelle!

    ((HUGS))
    Monika
  • poopergirl14052
    poopergirl14052 Member Posts: 1,183 Member
    #3
    mopar said:

    COULD BE
    Sounds like it is a residual affect, Michelle. Do you have any physical activity that you do daily? If not, maybe a light stroll around the block before bed will help you sleep - but nothing too strenuous at that time because it will keep you awake. Also, the neuropathy kept me jumping for a while (nerve damage). That will also subside in time.

    In the meantime, Vitamin B-6 helps the neuropathy. And I know it's summertime, but my favorite nighttime sleep aid is hot chocolate. I'm not talking about the instant kind - the pure cocoa powder, pure milk, a little touch of sugar and a little pinch of cinnamon - mmmmmmm, YUMMY! I drink it while in bed, maybe reading with my hubby, or reading something on my own. And lights out right after I'm done - works everytime!

    Hope this helps, Michelle!

    ((HUGS))
    Monika

    I also have trouble sleeping
    and I have been done with chemo for 4 months. I fall asleep and wake up and have a hard time going back to sleep. Not sure why but that seems to be the norm, when I finally do sleep I wake up at nine or ten am and I hate sleeping that late in the day, especially when the sun is shining...val
  • NCEllen
    NCEllen Member Posts: 115
    #4
    Trying......
    .....to get some good night's sleep can be hard for me too. I still have Ativan handy and will take one at night just to help my system relax and then maybe read a bit (benadryl just makes me too groggy in the morning). Thanks Monika for the hot chocolate/cinnamon advice. I have some Godiva choc. powder that I really should use.. and also the reminder of the extra B6 for the neuropathy. The neuro/foot non-feeling issue has been one of my primary issues recently that has kept me awake longer. I finished my chemo 4 weeks ago and am hoping it will still go away more than it has so far.
    I'll admit it, I have one of those cheesy little indoor fountains that make soothing water sounds- not so loud that it makes me want to jump out of bed and run to the potty ; sound machines are nice too. I know if I don't turn my 'thinking mode' off, I will have a hard time falling asleep. Good luck, and take a nap in the day if you can to make up for some lost snooze time, just to keep your body rested. El
  • leesag
    leesag Member Posts: 621 Member
    #5
    Better living through Chemistry
    Since my diagnosis, my "nightcap" has been 20mg. of Celexa and 0.5 of Ativan.
  • lauripiper
    lauripiper Member Posts: 28
    #6
    leesag said:

    Better living through Chemistry
    Since my diagnosis, my "nightcap" has been 20mg. of Celexa and 0.5 of Ativan.

    sleep
    I couldn't sleep during chemo. The most I ever got was 4 hours a night sometimes none but I've had no trouble sleeping since stopping chemo. Sleep problems can come with menopause if that is a result of your cancer. And there could be lots of other reasons for not sleeping. Insomnia is common and quite miserable. I'm not sure whether it could be an aftereffect of chemo this long afterwards.
  • childofthestars
    childofthestars Member Posts: 251 Member
    #7
    mopar said:

    COULD BE
    Sounds like it is a residual affect, Michelle. Do you have any physical activity that you do daily? If not, maybe a light stroll around the block before bed will help you sleep - but nothing too strenuous at that time because it will keep you awake. Also, the neuropathy kept me jumping for a while (nerve damage). That will also subside in time.

    In the meantime, Vitamin B-6 helps the neuropathy. And I know it's summertime, but my favorite nighttime sleep aid is hot chocolate. I'm not talking about the instant kind - the pure cocoa powder, pure milk, a little touch of sugar and a little pinch of cinnamon - mmmmmmm, YUMMY! I drink it while in bed, maybe reading with my hubby, or reading something on my own. And lights out right after I'm done - works everytime!

    Hope this helps, Michelle!

    ((HUGS))
    Monika

    Thanks
    Thanks ladies for your replies/advice especially the hot chocolate, I may be a bit of a freak but i like to eat the raw chocolate powder lol!!
    Anyway I am very physically active and in fact have just started Zumba classes which is hysterical since I have absolutely no rhythm!! I'm also at the gym 2-3 times a week and walk my dog nearly every day (weather permitting - I live in England after all!)
    Thankfully I don't have neuropathy either and I'm sure this was due to taking Vit B12 shots throughout chemo. It's just the inability to sleep, but as pointed out it may well be a menopausal thing as I was put into surgical menopause.....
    Ah well maybe a bottle of wine before bed is the way to go...... just kidding...
    love to you all.
    Michelle x
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #8
    MMMM! GODIVA CHOCOLATE POWDER!
    Sounds positively yummy! And by the way, Michelle, count me in as 'nutty' too, because I will eat the cocoa powder right out of the box also! I know, weird, but true!
    (((HUGS)))
    Monika
  • MK_4Dani
    MK_4Dani Member Posts: 314
    #9
    leesag said:

    Better living through Chemistry
    Since my diagnosis, my "nightcap" has been 20mg. of Celexa and 0.5 of Ativan.

    Amen sister!
    My "nightcap" is Celexa and Xanax on particular tough days. The insomnia can be related to the emotional stress of living with cancer: whether your in treatment, just finished treatment, NED for awhile, etc.

    Ain't that some sh$t story: I changed my medical to 100% coverage since I have been paying out of pocket my deductible since my dx. It addes up with port flushes, doctor visits, etc. each year. I was on Lexapro and when I changed to this "100%" coverage but they won't pay for Lexapro! So now I take Celexa which is the same drug class. Ain't that some sh$t! I want to meet the person who gets to make that particular decision and give them a piece of my mind right before I scratch their eyes out. MEEEOW.
    Mary

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