Sleeping with Picc line and Pump...HELP!

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LisaFG01
LisaFG01 Member Posts: 3
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hello, everyone! I really hope someone can help me, and I'm really hoping I'm doing all this correctly. long story short (long version is in the "check in" thread) I have stage 4b cancer of the oral cavity being treated at the moment with 3 courses of 3 chemotherapy drugs: Cisplatin & Taxotere administered at Fox Chase and 5-FU administered (for now) via a Picc line and pump at home over the course of four days. I had my first treatment yesterday 2/17--so far so good no nausea, just some things I expected. However, what I did not expect was finding it impossible to sleep with this picc and pump. Has anyone who has had this experience have any suggestions? I only got about 45 minutes in bed last night and about an hour of sleep sitting up this afternoon. I know it is only for 4 days, but my sleep has been compromised for months and I swear I think I'm getting delirious!

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  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    edited February 2017 #2
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    welcome

    LisaFG01,

    Welcome to the H&N forum, sorry that you are here, but hopefully I can bore you to sleep (at least I can try).

    The only things I had in common (as far as I can tell) is I had a PICC line and I had cancer, your brand of chemo was not in my treatment regiment, I had Erbitux along with radiation, both following surgery.

    You would think that you would eventually pass out you are probably so tired.  Keep your team informed on what is happening and be brutally honest, ”I am not sleeping”.  Usually, they can adjust meds to satisfy your needs.  If you do fall asleep in a chair, so be it, get comfortable.

    This is probably just your body’s side effect to chemo, it is a mystery what can happen, but it may be short term, I hope so.

    Matt

  • LisaFG01
    LisaFG01 Member Posts: 3
    edited February 2017 #3
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    CivilMatt said:

    welcome

    LisaFG01,

    Welcome to the H&N forum, sorry that you are here, but hopefully I can bore you to sleep (at least I can try).

    The only things I had in common (as far as I can tell) is I had a PICC line and I had cancer, your brand of chemo was not in my treatment regiment, I had Erbitux along with radiation, both following surgery.

    You would think that you would eventually pass out you are probably so tired.  Keep your team informed on what is happening and be brutally honest, ”I am not sleeping”.  Usually, they can adjust meds to satisfy your needs.  If you do fall asleep in a chair, so be it, get comfortable.

    This is probably just your body’s side effect to chemo, it is a mystery what can happen, but it may be short term, I hope so.

    Matt

    Thanks for the welcome, Matt.

    Thanks for the welcome, Matt. This is all a little daunting!

    I managed to make myself comfortable last night downstairs half sitting up and got some sleep, and even a small nap in today so there is hope.Funny thing is I did basically pass out yesterday with my head on my tray table and laptop for about 40 minutes and my husband didn't dare wake me even though he knew I'd have one hell of a stiff neck. I hope removing the picc line Tuesday and replacing it with the port before my next round of chemo on the 3rd will help things.

    Again, thank you for reaching out.

    Lisa

     

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