After OC sleep problems : Hi Ladies, I know this... - My Ovacome

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After OC sleep problems

LittleMissMerit profile image
10 Replies

Hi Ladies, I know this is probably a trivial problem compared to the situations many of you are going through right now, but you were so lovely when I was in need of help and advice last time, I hoped you could help with a small issue. I am asking on behalf of my Mum (early 70’s) who was treated with Chemo for OC last year and followed by a full hysterectomy. During Chemo my Mum had terrible sleep, and since then her sleep pattern hasn’t recovered. On an average day and going to bed at the usual time and getting up as usual, she’d say that she only gets about 60% of actual sleep. She wakes in the early hours often and can’t get back to sleep. Some days she is often very tired because of this and it kind of spoils the day ahead for her.

(As far as I am aware the only medication she is currently on to do with her OC is a drug they give breast cancer patients, as some small cells still remain and are being closely monitored, they apparently can help with these occurrences).

So I am asking have others gone through this and also if you did what methods have you used to help? She has tried milky drinks. I wasn’t sure if some of you have found meditation audio’s helpful, Cognitive behavioural therapy. Bach flower remedies 🤷🏻‍♀️. Any suggestions would be welcome.

P.S. just not warm baths as she only has a shower 😂

Wishing you all the best x❤️x❤️

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LittleMissMerit
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10 Replies
Litchick profile image
Litchick

Hello,

I’m sorry to hear that your mum is having difficulty sleeping since her treatment. You will know that good sleep is very important, giving an opportunity for her body and mind to rest and as an aid to her general well being.

I experienced serious sleep problems when I was diagnosed with my first reoccurrence and through sheer exhaustion sought help from the MacMillan nurses. They gave me a leaflet on insomnia and following an assessment I was referred to a specialist psychologist for this and my underlying poor emotional health .

In the course of my counselling which I find very helpful she has given me new strategies to help deal with the issues and I also use an audio guided relaxation technique on an app called Headspace. This works for me but I am sure there will be many other similar ones available that she could try.

I hope this helps.

Jan. xx

LittleMissMerit profile image
LittleMissMerit in reply toLitchick

Oh I’ve heard of Headspace, thank you I’ll look into it. I did mention the McMillan nurses might be able to help but she has discharged from that now.

Tenacious66 profile image
Tenacious66

So sorry your Mom is going through this. It’s so hard to sleep with so much on our minds! Plus, all the steroids that are sometimes given are absolutely no help when it comes to sleeping. In addition to seeing a counselor, when needed I also take an ambien (sleeping pill) to help sleep at night. Sleep is so important! The less you sleep, the more stress we put on our mind and bodies! I’m in the US and see a palliative care doctor that helps with my ambien. I hope your able to find the answers you seek to help your Mom. She is lucky to have such a loving daughter and caregiver ❤️

xoxo,

Carol

LittleMissMerit profile image
LittleMissMerit in reply toTenacious66

Thank you for your kind words.

OvacomeSupport profile image
OvacomeSupportPartnerMy Ovacome Team

Hello LittleMissMerit

I'm sorry to hear about your mum's sleeping difficulties. We recently ran a webinar on strategies for better sleep as part of our Staying Connected online support programme, as we know it is something many people struggle with.

You can view some of our previous webinars here ovacome.org.uk/webinar-reco... and the sleep session is uploaded on this page. I hope your mum finds it useful.

Please do get in touch with us if there is anything we can help with.

Best wishes

Anna

Ovacome Support

bamboo89 profile image
bamboo89

It might be whatever drug she's on now causing the insomnia - I had no trouble sleeping with chemo nor after surgery, in fact I slept a lot, but since I started a PARP inhibitor, Niraparib, I am having trouble now. I go to sleep alright, but then wake up after about 4 or 5 hours and don't really sleep properly after that, more sort of wakeful dozing. Which does wreck the next day, nothing worse than feeling tired... I have yet to find a solution....

If I did have a wakeful night after surgery and on chemo (or anytime really) I listen to the radio set on the BBC World Service with my earphones in, with the volume set so low I can barely hear it - I'm usually back asleep within 2 minutes, and unless a sudden burst of music occurs, I remain asleep. I find I can sleep really well with quiet voices, but music wakes me straight away, though other people might find its the other way around. If the problem isn't the drug she's taking, it might help...

Miriam

Sashay2020 profile image
Sashay2020

I’m sorry you are having trouble sleeping. That’s a problem for me, too. YouTube has these sleep stories that I listen too which are often helpful. My favorite is called “Blue Gold” and has to do with lavender fields in Provence. If there is something specific upsetting me, I resort to my prescription for 0.25 mg alprazolam (Xanax). Hope you are able to find a solution that works for you soon.

Best wishes

Sashay

SASSY196 profile image
SASSY196

Just after COVID started I stood in a socially distanced queue waiting in line to go for cancer treatment. The nurse was asked questions to all going in re temperature, flu like symptoms and for some reason if we had sleep problems ( not sure why, is it COVID symptom?) Anyway every single person waiting in queue to go for cancer treatment had sleep problems, including me. Mine is primarily related to anxiety, at moment mainly if I am waiting for results of tests. I do usual, yoga, milky drinks, meditation, aromatherapy, write things down, take citalaprin. Try to have bedtime routine. I went through a phase of being desperate to organise so used to get up and organise - for hours . Now If I really can't sleep I get up and watch modern family .

DouglasPouch profile image
DouglasPouch

Is your Mum on Letrozole? That can cause sleep disturbance. I think it would be worth finding out what medication she is on and whether there are any alternatives if that’s the cause. Hope she gets some rest soon. Jane

LittleMissMerit profile image
LittleMissMerit in reply toDouglasPouch

I’m not sure what the drugs are called. I will ask her and get back to you. Though to be fair the sleep issue has been all the way through the process, with different drugs at different times. Though I suppose anxiety could play a part in the first stages.

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