Sleep issues

[Joecal]

Has anyone had trouble sleeping after chemo? Looking for solutions that don't involve drugs like Ambien, etc. I have been taking 10 mg of time release melatonin but it's not working.

[Joecal]

I should add that I had a hysterectomy at the end of September due to ovarian cancer.

[Liz9526]

I take the two supplements at bedtime together with melatonin, I find them to be helpful. In addition, I use the Calm app which has a lot of meditations as well as sleep stories. But please check with your oncologist with respect to the supplements to make sure he or she is ok with you taking them. Best of luck!

Supplements

[Joecal in reply to Liz9526]

Thank you!

[Tillymint61 in reply to Liz9526]

The calm app is my 'godsend' I'm fortunate I don't have concerns about being tired about the next day and so I can go with the flow of disturbed nights generally.

[Liz9526 in reply to Tillymint61]

I also find the Calm app very helpful. An important part of sleep is to relax the mind, the more we try to fall asleep, the less likely it will happen. I have also been taking Restorative Yoga classes which also help relax both the body and mind.

[Lyndy]

Hi JoecalDon’t forget that after chemo you are likely to be taking steroids for a few days which have the effect of stopping you sleep.

Try to take your last steroids before 2pm in the afternoon is my oncologists advice xx

[Joecal in reply to Lyndy]

Thanks, but not taking steroids. They were given during chemo and last chemo was in February

[Ruebacelle]

Reiki helps. Self hypnosis..I got used to intermittent sleeping/dosing afternoon naps hugs from france

[Tabor]

Hello Joecal, I have same problem it’s been 2 1/2 years my last chemo. I’m on maintenance now and still have problems. Sorry I’m no help I’ll be following to see what other ladies say. Good luck to you. God Bless and happy you finished chemo!

[SUE7777]

Hi Joecal, I find a couple of drops of lavender oil on the pillow helps. Take care Sue xx

[parkwalker]

Hi, I just eat a good meal, watch some rubbish TV and put a burner on with some relaxing aromatherapy oil. I wake in the night hungry from steroids so I think calming food is key.

[AlaNtO]

Hi when on Paclitaxel I had problems with insomnia and sometimes had no sleep for 36 hours. You become very tired but cant sleep. I decided not to take medication as it knocked me out and despite being advised to take smaller doses did decide to weather the storm so to speak. I have friends who became addicted to these drugs and decided against their use. Fortunately with Cannabis use being deregulated here in RSA I take a mild bushtea with THC in it and that has been great. But I take it just before sleep.

[Joecal in reply to AlaNtO]

I am in the US and tried medicinal marijuana but it didn’t help.

[AlaNtO in reply to Joecal]

Joecal. I agree it is ineffective against Cancer. I believe anyone promoting it works is promoting a myth. BUT as a sleep promoting treatment I can vouch for the Cannabis in what is known here as Rooibos Tea, A Herb tea . This one has a small amount of THC. I have never ever felt high on it. Anyway its just my experience.

[Nadie2018]

I take a Magnesium supplement at bedtime. My Magnesium level is borderline low and it helps me get a good nights sleep. Best of luck. Nadie

[Joecal in reply to Nadie2018]

Was going to try that. Which type of magnesium and how many mg?

[JustKBO in reply to Joecal]

I’d like to know that too please.

[Nadie2018 in reply to Joecal]

Hi. I take 400 MG of Magnesium Oxide.

[JustKBO]

I think many of us suffer from sleep loss after chemo but I’m not convinced it’s the chemo per se and I know in my case it’s because I can never switch off the fear of this damn disease. Even when I think I’m not worrying unconsciously I am and of course night time is the worst. If i have a positive checkup I have about 3 weeks of moderately good sleep but any aches, pains, or when I near my next blood tests/check up I start to get worried and sleep goes out the window again. I use Melatonin too. 😒🥺

[Cumbrianlass5 in reply to JustKBO]

Oh yes! This exactly describes my emotions. It is never off my mind but I front it out all day -- put on my make-up and a brave face for the world! When you cannot sleep your mind just churns. But it is hardly surprising when you think of what we are facing. I find it helps to really concentrate on happy times, school friends, nights out, holidays, Christmas etc. Because at the end of the day I thank my lucky stars I have got to 65 before getting cancer; when I think of children and young people with the wretched disease it breaks my heart. best wishes to you x

[JustKBO in reply to Cumbrianlass5]

I can relate to all those strategies and thoughts. X

[Cumbrianlass5 in reply to JustKBO]

thanks x

[testarossa71]

I've been having real issues with sleep - including getting off to sleep, and/or waking in the small hours unable to get back to sleep. Dr-prescribed sleeping tablets didn't help. I've researched loads and taken several steps to improve my sleep environment and sleep 'hygiene', which have helped the quality and duration of my sleep.

No screen time 2 hrs before bed.

No caffeine after 2pm. Your caffeine tolerance may vary, but this works for me.

No liquids after 8pm (waking for a wee in the night isn't helpful)

No non-bedroom activities in bed (ie TV, phone, etc)

Keep to the same bedtime every night, or within 20 minutes either side of your designated time. This trains the body and brain that this is your sleep time.

Make sure the bed and room aren't too warm - your body temp needs to drop in order to trigger sleep. ideal temp is 18-20 degrees. I had to stop using the electric blanket to achieve this. You can also trigger this by having a warm bath or shower just before bed - when you get out your body temp should start to drop, triggering the body's natural instinct to sleep.

Get blackout curtains or consider using an eye mask if light disturbs your sleep.

If you're awake longer than 15-20 minutes or so, get out of bed and go sit somewhere quiet and dimly-lit with a 'quiet' activity such as reading until you are sleepy again.

I also use a herbal calming supplement called Kalms which is valerian-based. I'm not sure where you're based, but it's readily available at chemists in the UK. It's non-addictive and my consultant is happy for me to use it.

Some of these may work for you, some may not. The idea is that you introduce one new thing for 3-4 nights to see if it is helpful, before adding another to the equation. I found that no one thing changed anything dramatically, but together these upped my nightly sleep from 2-4hrs to 6hrs+.

Hope this is helpful!

[bamboo89]

It kind of depends why you're not sleeping - if its your mind najjering away with worry, drugs tend not to work too well with that, nor do things like lavender (though I use it anyway) and mindfulness techniques, etc. I found a solution in the end - I noticed I fell asleep in moments in front of the tv if people are talking, but would wake up if there was music. So I dragged out my ancient pocket transistor radio with headphones, put that on BBC world service (radio 4 if its not night time) really quietly so I can barely hear it, and I'm asleep in seconds, and keep the earphones in all night if I wake up. Some people sleep better to music rather than voice or talk. It certainly seems to block out the 'night najjers'... The only time its not too great is Saturday night/early Sunday morning - they broadcast church bells at the crack of dawn on a Sunday, and that wakes me instantly...

Miriam

[Sashay2020]

I too have sleep issues. I bought a weighted blanket. There are several companies that make them. I decided on a twenty pound Bearaby Napper. It’s made a real difference for me. Somehow, it makes me feel safe and secure and I sleep better. I also have a free app called Sleep Machine which allows you to combine up to four sounds. I combine rain with fireplace crackle and a purring cat. Also, YouTube has tons of sleep stories and I have the Calm app, too. Hope you find a solution soon, Joecal. Best wishes from Louisiana,

Sashay

[Cumbrianlass5]

I just could not sleep when I was taking steroids, which I had to have prior to each chemo session and for the two days afterwards. Sleeping returned to my usual pattern (which is not too good) afterwards. Have tried CBD oil and the sort of antihistimine which warns it can make you drowsy. Sometimes they help, sometimes not. It is awful not being able to sleep because your mind goes into overdrive. I tend to get up and watch some drivel tv and go back when I am starting to nod! Hope you find a solution. Best wishes x

[Lolakittyhugger]

I have had issues sleeping since chemo. I'm 6 months post chemo, since then had surgery and radiation for breast cancer. Everything described above is helpful. What really helped me was a solid bedtime routine, CBD oil at first, then a CBD/THC 1:1 oil I take 30-45 minutes before I want to fall asleep. I also take 10 mg of Melatonin and 500mg of Magnesium.I hear of a good product in the US, Dosist Sleep. In Canada I am currently using Solei renew.

I got a weighted blanket and keep the bedroom as cool as possible. Good luck!

[Lolakittyhugger]

Sorry I should explain better. I started at first with just CBD oil and then when that stopped working, I went to the CBD/TCH oil.

[andyfay]

Benedryl seems to work for me. It's been about 90 days since chemo ended and there are days and nights that I cannot sleep due to pain.