Sleep-or lack of.
[color=#800080:26ikcwnv]I was unwell prior to my cancer diagnosis but slept okay. Since my first surgery and tough recovery I've had very bad sleep. I've practised good sleep hygiene. Ive had sleeping tablets prescribed by my gp when I've reached exhaustion breaking point, but only for very short use.
Basically I'm nearly 3yrs on and sleep is no better. Life is very good for me now. I practice mindfulness which keeps me sane..... 
and happy. My life is coming back together with my partner getting work after taking time out to care for me (I was very unwell at times) and then unemployment. We're in probably the best place we've been in since my cancer diagnosis nearly 3yrs ago now. I'm looking forward and busy enjoying the simple joys of motherhood.
I've tried everything suggested. Ive walked, I've cut out day time naps, I use lavender to relax the room, I relax to music etc etc. I strongly feel my inability to fall asleep;my tendency to wake up, bright as a button at 2am only to be tired by 6/7am just as I'm needed for younger children; is linked to my medications and I feel it has to be a side effect of one if not more than one drug.
I'm currently, on the advice of oncology, but my gp prescribing, on my 3rd week of taking a 5mg tablet to sleep every night and boy, is my life different.
I now wake up refreshed, ready to face the day, feeling alive and more human than I've felt in months, if not years.
THE PROBLEM-sleeping tablets not recommended to be given long term to a person of my age. But I feel like screaming, living life so tired and mentally exhausted is no way to live either. Oncology felt that with all the treatment changes, along with a bout of cellulitis in my lymphoedema limb, I was well overdue quality sleep, they felt if I was mentally & physically feeling refreshed I'd feel stronger to cope, which is what has happened.
My question is why do gps look at sleeping tablets like an enemy when tiredness and exhaustion is a very real enemy to me. I can't stop my medications and feel it's the cause of my sleep issues. So what do I do. After nearly 3yrs I've tried most things and looked at sleep hygiene.
I need my sleep and if it's by the help of a tablet, then please. I can't live a life with no regular sleep.....my youngest is 6yrs old, youngest of 4. I'm a mum, a busy mum like so many. I just want the bits of my life back that I can have......it's so important to me.
Anyone else have issues with lack of sleep.
Thank you [/color:26ikcwnv]
Comments
Hi Sunshine and Aniq
I wanted to share my experience on problems with insomnia. I have been fortunate that my BC was found early and hadn't spread to the lymph nodes. I had a lumpectomy and thankfully my Oncotype DX test gave a low score so I also avoided chemotherapy but had 20 sessions of radiotherapy.
As I started radiotherapy I found that my sleeping pattern became very erratic, I would fall asleep for an hour or two and wake up wide awake and ended up getting up watching tv for hours on end to pass the night. My GP prescribed sleeping tablets and said she thought once the radiotherapy was over my sleep pattern should return to normal.
When I finished my treatment I was so tired I was barely functioning but was happy to have got through surgery and treatment and out the other side. I also thought I would be able to sleep easily because of tiredness - I was wrong about that!
I actually went 48 hours without sleeping a wink. My GP again prescribed me sleeping tablets as I was unable to fall asleep no matter how tired I was.
I tried Melissa Sleep recommended by Aniq but that didn't work at all for me. Then just by chance I came across melatonin and asked my GP to prescribe it for me. Straight away my sleep problem went away by taking just 1mg of melatonin up to an hour before bedtime. It works by resetting the sleep reflex, it is often given to children with ADHD etc who have trouble with sleeping. It is well worth giving it a try.
Anyway though all the problems I had I have been able to narrow down when my insomnia started. It is since I started Tamoxifen which coincided with starting radiotherapy. I had a recent appointment with my oncologist and he advised me to stop taking Tamoxifen as I am due to have a hysterectomy shortly (it was on the cards before BC and more reason now as my cancer was hormone receptive) and he will prescribe Femara for me when I am post-menopausal. I really hope that I don't have the same problem with Femara as I see one of the side effects can be insomnia. Anyway I'm having a drug free holiday for the time being!
Hope this information can help somebody else having the same problems. It is great to have this forum and be able to share tips and advice with you all.
Sparkwell
From one insomniac to another there's one product that I found that has given me great relief. Like you I've tried everything and pills only work for such a short period of time.
Herbal tablets never worked at all but I read an article about a new type of herbal tablet which doesn't contain valarium which seemingly doesn't work for a large number of insomniacs. The new herbal is called 'Melissa Sleep' and comes in a bright yellow box. I get it at the health food shop but some pharmacies carry it too.
Rather than putting you to sleep it helps you relax allowing you to sleep. You take two an hour before bed and if you wake during the night it's safe to take two more but that rarely happens anymore thankfully.
I also listen to a hypnosis app when in bed which I find really help me drift off.
I know there are no magic solutions but it might be worth a try.
Fingers crossed x