Who else can't sleep?

Evap cooling is on but I don't think it helps that it's very windy and 28.5°...

I can see at least 4 of us who should be sleeping peacefully.

@kmakm I think there's a number of areas of bc that aren't taken all that seriously and I agree, the only dr who recognised the importance of sleep for me was my GP who has now run away to Orange.

Awake here too @sister. At 0141, 0356 and 0543. Regular like clockwork, and tonight with a side serve of wicked hot flushes. I was still menstruating in November! I continue wicked astonished that that part of my life is over...

Melatonin is a natural product the body uses to regulate sleep cycles. My nephew and niece were prescribed synthetic melatonin a lot while their mother was dying. It's gentle and non-habit forming. It might be worth asking your gp about it. Can be a bit pricey though I believe.

It does seem that this is a struggle for many.  Here I am again at 5am after trying to get back to sleep for the last 3 1/2 hours.  But at 9:30 last night, I could not keep my eyes open and I fell asleep withing minutes of going to bed.  And I absolutely do need more than 4 hours a night.  I've never heard of Melatonin @Mollygirl - is it a sedative? 
@Afraser I find the problem with puzzles (and books) is that I get engrossed.  I used to play solitaire on the computer when I couldn't sleep during pregnancy but now, like a good girl, I try to avoid blue light until I give up completely.

@sister & @Sunshine0206, I've had some success with 4-7-8 when trying to get to sleep in the past. In for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds. You do it five times. Calms the nervous system.

But getting to sleep isn't usually the problem now. Like everyone else it seems, it's repeatedly waking through the night and then the struggle to get back to sleep.

My surgeon says he doesn't normally advocate "sleepers". I don't get why. Good sleep promotes good physical and mental health, not to mention good healing and cell repair. I feel like this aspect of a BC diagnosis is not taken seriously enough.

@mollygirl My GP has mentioned melatonin when I've had the sleep conversation with her. Let us know how you go with it. I'm interested.

Sadly me too.  Damn I hate being tired. So sick of it. I'm now trying prescription Melatonin again to hopefully reset myself before I go back to work in a month. 
Why can't we turn our brains off???
Yours in sleeplessness, 
xx

It's irritating, I agree, I drop off to sleep
like a good baby most nights, but tend to wake up as sleep cycles change. Most nights I wake up at 3.30 like an alarm went off, except nothing has happened to wake me! Fine if I can get back to sleep, preferably before 5.30. On the positive side, I am getting rather good at sudoku. 

I try all sorts (even prescription drugs) but nothing really works.  I can barely function by 9:30pm so go to bed.  Start waking up around 12, usually go back to sleep in a doze for a little while, replay, then wake up completely at about 2:30-3am and will finally give up sometime around 4-4:30am.  I don't use any devices around bedtime and the bedroom is kept for bedroom activities.  A glass of wine (1 only) used to help but I'm not having that now.  I tried hot milk last night but the problem really isn't going to sleep, it's going BACK to sleep (or in fact, not waking up at ridiculous hours)  I'll give the square breathing a go tonight but I do already try a meditative type state which used to work but doesn't now.

Time will tell...I'll either be gently snoring in the bedroom, or meeting you lovely ladies online at 5am!

I swear by it. Good luck @Sister

xx