Help sleeping/coping techniques

Thanks Christine.can certainly relate to your post.  It certainly has been a roller coaster of emotions. Sleep is getting better. But not there yet. I'm sure I will though. It has only been a matter of weeks since life was completely turned upside down, Like yourself I was completely together prior to surgery. Knew what I had to do and was keen to get on with it. After the mastectomy, the reality of it all hit me like a tonne of bricks and I feel like I'm in a bit of a rut at the moment. I don't think I was at prepared for the emotional kick this gives you.  it's only early days, and I am lucky to have an incredibly family. Trying not to beat myself up but sometime easier said than done. Thanks for your support. Best of luck for your recovery. Jodiexx

I forgot to say that some people suggest you count sheep.  I always smile at this and I know it does work for people however it always reminds me of going to school camp on the bus and we would sing the song 10 green bottles hanging on the wall.
Honestly I am showing my age I know but it makes me smile.  Perhaps that's what you need when you head to sleep something from your day or your life in general that makes you smile.  I love the comment that Scorpion queen said in her post, "A teacher called cancer" - she looks like Uncle Fester!  That makes me think of the Addams Family and Cousin It - it is about getting your mind in a happy place and sleep will wash over you.  We are all here to support.  Take care from Christine xx

Hi!  Hope you have been able to sleep a little better since you first wrote this post.  Don't beat yourself up it is not unusual.  I found once I had surgery my thoughts were along the lines of hang on, what happened, how did I get here and where am I going now?  I am a fairly practical person so soon put my thoughts where they belonged and occasionally they come out to haunt me, even now after 3 surgeries, treatment, which is ongoing and 15 months since diagnosis.
What helps me, I have always had a radio to listen to when I head to bed, sometimes I hear 2 minutes and other times the hour disappears and it goes off and I think where did that hour go!  I do enjoy a hot chocolate before bed, a routine I've had for awhile, Ovaltine Light Break is what I enjoy and that certainly helps!
It's about finding a new normal and being comfortable with it and rolling along.
Wishing you all the best for treatment and a smooth ride on this roller coaster we are all on. 
Sending you a virtual hug from Christine xx

I downloaded a great app called white noise it has different sounds and I went through them one by one and worked out which ones worked for me. 
I also got a great CD called Sleep by Petrea King

Thanks for the heads up. Will keep in mind. Best of Luck

I use phenergan for migraines as well,  as it has anti nausea adpects as well as sleep help. You get really good sleep for about 2 days. Avoid driving on it if you can though.

Thanks for the tip Nadi.  Might give that a go.   Just really need to break the cycle at this stage.  Cant function without sleep and I dont want to start to rely on sleeping tablets. Seem to wake up at the same time each night, hopefully this breaks the habit.  Wishing you all the best with your health.

My doctor suggested to take phenergan an antihistamine which is available from the chemist  to help me break a cycle of sleeplessness  when I complained about the hot flushes that were keeping me up every night. Knocks me out every time. She told me it's not addictive. It can leave you drowsy the next day so I started off on a very low dose. I only use it now and then and not every night.

Thanks Hue and Ann-Marie for the feedback.  Will certainly try some of the suggestions.  Have only just joined the site despite and have been amazed by the support shown by everyone. Certainly has given me perspective and renewed hope that this is just temporary and I will come out the other end.  Thanks again for the support.

Hi Jodie, hope this finds you better. I too was unprepared for sleeping problems. For several weeks post mastectomy & recon, on and off, I could not sleep. It becames a vicious cycle of unable to settle & increasing irritation.
Various things helped on different nights... slow/dragged out breathing, different pillows, different bed/room, background music/TV, hot chocolate, audio books and long walks.
Good news is that it gets better as the weeks go by.
All the best, Hue