Forum Discussion
Sleep
"We know that as many as 6 in 10 cancer survivors have problems of insomnia,
which is up to three times the rate found in the general population."
@SoldierCrab pointed out the Survivorship Center and I found this leaflet in their resources: Can-Sleep making night time sleep problems go away from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Center. It's got a lot of very straight forward information as a starting point, but I want to hear what you've found that has helped you, and how you have handled 'the vicious cycle of sleep deprivation' if you've experienced it.
I have felt fatigued, lethargic, and overall exhausted since it all started, and when it all finished (in that it-never-finishes way) I was left feeling not much better. I spent an entire year spending days and sometimes weeks as hit by fog, poor memory, physical weakness, and even nausea as hard as if treatment was starting again.
For me this is a BIG issue. I'm sure I've posted and asked questions about it before, but all the conventional 'tricks' don't seem to cut it.
No caffeine even eight hours before bed, exercise, cut out screen time and cut back on sugar? Done.
[Tosess around for three hours and stares at the ceiling in the darkness for another hour doing the most mundane mind-calming exercises]
Okay, cool, when does the sleep happen. Oh hey it's 6AM, guess I'll get up.
[Fast asleep on the couch by 2, awake by 5, goes to bed at 10PM, wakes up at 3AM]
This is better I guess, I'll stay awake all day and get a really good sleep tonight!
[Falls asleep at 9AM]
...Damn it!
What actually works?
@SoldierCrab pointed out the Survivorship Center and I found this leaflet in their resources: Can-Sleep making night time sleep problems go away from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Center. It's got a lot of very straight forward information as a starting point, but I want to hear what you've found that has helped you, and how you have handled 'the vicious cycle of sleep deprivation' if you've experienced it.
I have felt fatigued, lethargic, and overall exhausted since it all started, and when it all finished (in that it-never-finishes way) I was left feeling not much better. I spent an entire year spending days and sometimes weeks as hit by fog, poor memory, physical weakness, and even nausea as hard as if treatment was starting again.
For me this is a BIG issue. I'm sure I've posted and asked questions about it before, but all the conventional 'tricks' don't seem to cut it.
No caffeine even eight hours before bed, exercise, cut out screen time and cut back on sugar? Done.
[Tosess around for three hours and stares at the ceiling in the darkness for another hour doing the most mundane mind-calming exercises]
Okay, cool, when does the sleep happen. Oh hey it's 6AM, guess I'll get up.
[Fast asleep on the couch by 2, awake by 5, goes to bed at 10PM, wakes up at 3AM]
This is better I guess, I'll stay awake all day and get a really good sleep tonight!
[Falls asleep at 9AM]
...Damn it!
What actually works?
26 Replies
- @BlackWidow You're welcome. You may have to do a couple of cortisol tests over a 6-12 month period to see if it is consistently high. There are a couple of different tests - blood, 24hr urine collection (ick) and you may also have to do a midnight saliva test. Worth it though to see if something is going on.
- Thank you for that comment @KarynJ - I am thinking long term stress may be why I have terrible sleep so I will follow up on that with my GP. It is amazing the little hints one finds here ! Um - the weight loss comment is also very appropriate ! Anne
- Could I also suggest that if you're getting your thyroid tested, get your cortisol levels tested as well. Cortisol is the stress hormone. If it is high and stays high over a long period of time, this can cause all kinds of issues like sleep problems, difficulty in losing weight and generally is not good for your body functions.
- You can get Restivit sleeping tabs over the counter at the chemist(no codeine).I only take one when I get absolutely desperate for a sleep- every 6wks or so? Warning-you are groggy the next morning for awhile.Most of the time I function ok on 4hrs of good sleep till 3am followed by 4 hrs of rubbish sleep.
- arpie said:
@InkPetal - I wonder if our thyroid has a part in our lack of sleep? Maybe we all should get our thyroid levels checked at our next blood test?Great suggestion, but I've had it checked so often it's become silly. I think my GP is convinced I have a thyroid issue that just isn't showing up in my blood work. Boo - @DearB
It sounds like you are giddy with excitement as the new chapter is nearing!
Best wishes with the transition; perfect way to do it, finish work, holiday and then move
Take care - That overworking brain can be a damned nuisance ! Even Yoga and other relaxation techniques do not get me to sleep. Unfortunately when all is quiet in the house is when my brain wants to be awake but every now and then I resort to a Restavit (available over the counter) to get one really good sleep in. Makes a huge difference. Anne
- Always worth having your thyroid levels checked. Hypothyroidism is very common in women.
- I hope you can get some regular sleep again @DearB ..... definitely try something like Temase to start off with ..... but not every night - it is only supposed to be taken a few nights in any week. It is designed to give you 4hrs sleep & hopefully remain asleep after the 4hrs is up!
I love the 'mouse fart' analogy, @AllyJay LOL
@InkPetal - I wonder if our thyroid has a part in our lack of sleep? Maybe we all should get our thyroid levels checked at our next blood test? I am not sure if I have had mine checked for years (and my sleep is stuffed too!)
My sleep pattern is very hit & miss ... I can be out in my kayak for 6hrs+ and SHOULD be stuffed at the end of the day & go to sleep - but it doesn't always happen. I had a really long day on the water yesterday - and had very broken sleep grrr
And good luck with your business ideas for earning enough to be able to work part time ..... that WOULD be the dream!
take care xx - @Zoffiel thanks 🙏
