Not sleeping

[Tammy0328]

I just had my first round of chemo and I'm not sleeping at all! Is this normal??

[Lainey66]

It was for me. Finished 9.5 months of chemo 4 weeks ago. As treatment progresses you will become tired and will sleep at the drop of a hat. Listen to your body, when you feel tired sit and sleep. It will build up your energy. Do listen to your body it is important..good luck with the rest of your treatment. X

[vwel]

As Lainey66 said my lovely, just listen to your body. There's probably a lot spinning around in your mind so just be kind to yourself and don't worry about not sleeping...if you're taking steroids they could be keeping you awake. Take care.xxx

[Mandywilson]

Hi .... I was the same ... My mind wouldn't settle .. Thinking all sorts.. But as time went by because of the treatment I slept like a baby ... You must sleep when tired ... Day or night Your body will tell you when ... Good luck xxx

[Hidden]

I didn't sleep much either, steroids kept my mind alert. I'd lay in bed and conversations from during the day would just play back through my mind, it was like a party going on in my head and I was the disgruntled neighbour wanting them to shut the hell up so I could get some sleep!! Lol

[Gracie66]

i was wired to the moon when i did my chemo, but like the other ladies said you will settle in to it and just sleep when you need to.. its the steroids. it doesnt help when you end up awake half of the night, staring at the ceiling and thinking much worse stuff than you could ever think in the light of day.. it does get better though. not much help but you're not alone thats all .. x x

[Tammy0328]

Thank you and i am taking steroids so that's probably it

[Hidden]

Hi Tammy

Most definetly the steroids, I was already on Prednisolone so the extra Dexamethazone had me completely wired!

I hardly slept for 3/4 nights each cycle so suggested husband took himself off to the guest room for those nights, so he could sleep, then l made myself comfortable & wrote long, rambling emails, did a little online shopping & luckily have friends in the USA so l spoke to them on iMessenger then I'd fall asleep around 4am

So much better than lying awake tossing n turning in the dark & disturbing my wonderful husband.

I used to call my bed Command Control, armed with iPad, iPhone & House Phone.

You'll get through it,

Best Wishes

Angela xx

[biddenden_sue]

They gave you lots of steroids, which keep you awake. Sleep when you're ready to.

[Jupiter96 in reply to biddenden_sue]

Hello Sue, I will be starting FEC soon. Why are steroids given? Is this for specific treatments?

[biddenden_sue in reply to Jupiter96]

They increase your metabolism to pump the chemo drugs round your body quicker. This reduces the chance of getting nautious. See what someone else said - take them before 2pm to help you sleep. But you'll probably be like the rest of us - unable to sleep for about 3 days after each dose.

[mags4]

Hi Tammy,

Like you i could not sleep but one tip i got was to make sure you take your steroids early last lot before 2pm and it does help !it will get better .x

[annmnnmalley]

I couldnt sleep for the three days I was on the steroid..Then slept normally untill next round of chemo.

[Hidden]

Absolutely. So is the sudden overwhelming tiredness. I even fell asleep once when someone was speaking to me. I think you just have to go with it and visualise those chemicals zapping all the rogue cells. A good book? Late night t.v.? Puzzles? My personal favourite. - mahjong on the iPad. Take care and good luck.

[Lorraineam]

It's probably the steroids. I had trouble dropping off the first few days after treatment but slept ok once the steroids were out of my system