Just diagnosed and not sleeping. Ideas?

BetsyB22

Hello everyone. I was just diagnosed yesterday. I have a 2cm tumor, grade 3, HER2+ and estrogen/progesterone negative. I see a surgical oncologist tomorrow, and I have an appointment at UNC with an oncologist who researches HER2+ breast cancer on April 10. As bad luck would have it, I tested positive for flu this weekend, so I am really sick. But it's not helping that I just can't sleep. I have gotten a couple of hours here and there since my biopsy on Friday, but I just feel like I need to rest but my brain won't turn off.

I would be so grateful if any of you have some ideas for me. A friend told me to try CBD(?) oil? But I don't know if taking a drug is the best idea right now. I'm so overwhelmed.

Thanks in advance for any ideas you can share. You all are wonderful for sharing your knowledge and experience here.

gb2115

I don't really have suggestions, just sympathy. First of all sorry about your diagnosis. I didn't sleep well for probably the first month or so after being diagnosed. I used a little DVD player and would watch movies in bed, and eventually drift off. My husband got kicked to the sofa pretty quickly because he would accidentally roll over and bump the cancer side and freak me out which added to not being able to sleep.

Sorry you have the flu too. Honestly, I would just cuddle up and do the best you can. A little bit of sleep deprivation isn't something you can't catch up on later. If it's really bothering you, maybe talk with the oncologist about a temporary anxiety med. I have taken Ativan once or twice for procedures and it makes me super sleepy. Not long enough to get dependent, but maybe just to take the edge off?

DD17

Hi Betsy 22,

I'm sorry about your diagnosis and this incoming flu. I wish I could give you a hug! I had the same problem when I was diagnosed. I couldn't get into the OR until 6 weeks after diagnosis. I ended up with four tumors and one went through the lymph node wall, so it wasn't fun knowing I had that inside of me waiting. So....I did something I thought I would not do. I asked my oncologist and she prescribed Trazadone. It worked like a CHARM. I went off of it easy after surgery and it just helped me sleep like a rock. I also think they know less about CBD oil and more about a pretty harmless med like Trazadone. I'm a person that's never sick (besides breast cancer lol) and only takes an allergy pill year round so for me to take it, I was desperate. As my Dr said "its pretty benign and my ladies sleep well on it."

You got this girl! Reach out if you have any questions. My doctors were amazing and I'm doing really well a year since surgery in March and my treatments ended June 14, 2018.

HUGS! Your fellow warrior sister! I'm sorry you have to go through this. We are all here for you.

DD

BetsyB22

Thanks to you both. I guess I was worried about taking something, but maybe it would just be a relief to have a little help. And it's great to know that you didn't have any trouble coming off the medicine.

You all are the best for sharing your comforting words. It really does help me feel less alone.

Moderators

Hi Betsy,

We're so very sorry to hear of your diagnosis but we're really glad you've found us. As you can already see, our Community is an incredible source of information, advice, and support -- we're all here for you!

Along with the suggestions above, you may be interested in checking out the main Breastcancer.org site's page on Insomnia, which offers some tips to help ease your troubles sleeping.

We hope this helps and that you feel better soon -- both from the flu and your lack of sleep!

--The Mods

BetsyB22

Thank you!

santabarbarian

What about melatonin, which is a natural substance your body produces? It also happens to have anti-metastatic properties as a side bar!

A starting dose might be 5 mg... you can work your way up. I take 20 mg and sleep is not the issue, it's for the anti-cancer properties.

Take at the same time each night. Also practice good sleep hygiene re getting off screens, low lights, and read a book instead of TV before bed. A mindfulness app like headspace can help as well.

Good luck and breathe!! It is recommended to take 100 deep breaths to the belly each day; put those at bedtime!

msphil

hello sweetie I too had trouble sleeping with mind racing but I went to doc and got Ambien for anxiety and sleep problems and it did work for me you do need to get rest our bodies are already going thru this.So check with your doc have Hope and think Positive thoughts like "i will get thru this and I also said to myself "cancer you have to leave my body" you can do this I was making wedding plans for our 2nd when I found lump now Praise God I am a 25yr Survivor this yr. msphil idc 0\3 nodes. Stage2 3mo chemo before and after Lmast got married then 7wks rads then 5yrs Tamoxifen.

Rrobin0200

Ambien was a lifesaver for me, and don’t be ashamed to ask your doctor for Xanax. Those two meds (albeit not mixed together) got me through my waiting. Also, try melatonin supplements, warm epsom salt baths, relaxing white noise and a bit of lavender essential oil rubbed on your temples. I wish you well.

Rrobin0200

also... meditation and a massage!!!

Ingerp

Have you tried good old Benadryl? I swear even non-drowsy Claritin-like drugs help me sleep a little better but both my husband and I occasionally take Benadryl to help with sleep. It's the same active ingredient in a lot of the OTC sleep aids.

2002chickadee

BetsyB22, so sorry you are here but you are definitely not alone! I second the Benadryl suggestion. Also, Ativan has helped me sleep many, many times throughout the BC journey. Another thought is some meditation apps have "sleep" tracks -- I use the headspace one sometimes. Another great resource with free meditation tracks for people with cancer is thisiskara.com -- there's one for when you can't sleep.

BetsyB22

Thanks so much for all of these great ideas. I went ahead and tried the Headspace sleep app, and it helped me sleep once, and another time it just relaxed me, which is not a bad thing either. I am glad to know that many of you have used sleep aids. I feel much less alone about that now and may ask my doctor. Love to you all!

ellientta

I'm so sorry about your diagnosis. I'm also sorry that you have to deal with the flu on top of the stress and distress of diagnosis. I also was just diagnosed (still waiting on biopsies results but the radiologist had no doubt it is breast cancer, at least stage 3), and I haven't been able to sleep either. The suggestions here are very helpful. Last night I slept 4.5 hours which is the most amount of sleep I've gotten since I first found the lump. I hadn't considered taking something for it.

BetsyB22

oh, Ellientta - I am so sorry for you. We are both having sh*tty weeks. I hope you can get some rest. I just made an appointment with a massage therapist. I figure, why not? It doesn't solve the sleep problem, (I may need drugs for that) but at least it's another way to relax my body and mind. I will be wishing you peace and sending love.

Runrcrb

agree with others -so sorry you find yourself here but know you are not alone in either diagnosis or sleep issues.

Regarding sleep, talk to your doctors. I was in regular contact with my PCP through the entire process and discussed many of these types of things with her or my oncologist. Both agree that Ambien should not be used regularly, suggesting 3 nights max. Xanax did nothing for me. Currently (unrelated to breast cancer) I am using Trazodone and this is helping tremendously with my ability to sleep. It was developed as an antidepressant but made people sleepy so it is more often used for insomnia. There are no indications of addictive issues and I haven’t experienced side effects. Ask your doctor about that. You do need sleep during this.

kber

Ugh - the flu is truly adding insult to injury!  I've generally been a good sleeper, but since diagnosis I've definitely had my rough nights.  I've tried Ativan, which took the edge off, medical cannabis, which didn't do much in my particular case but some swear by, Benadryl, chamomile tea and taking a nice hot bath.  Generally, Ativan worked best for me.  I probably use it once every two weeks or so.  I also gave myself permission to sleep in after a rough night and be late to work.  For some reason taking of the pressure of "getting to sleep right now" actually made it easier to go to sleep and consequently to wake up on time.  The mind is a wonderful and weird thing sometimes.  

So sorry you are here, but this site is full of useful information and supportive members.  Wishing you all the best.

KBeee

I am a horrible sleeper, and BC makes it worse. I hate to say it, but when I cannot shut my mind off, I go to the couch and turn on the weather channel. I think it distracts me enough to help put me to sleep.

XXXGGGYYY

I had the same problem after my initial diagnosis (triple negative, grade 3). I was so stressed that I just tried to work off all of the energy at the gym. I was getting pretty haggard — I thought eventually, I would collapse in sleep. Thank goodness that my doctor called me and asked me if I was sleeping, and I told her no. She basically insisted that I try Ambien. It worked for me—it was like a nuclear bomb. I only needed one about once a week. Moral of the story: don’t be afraid to ask your doctor about some short term sleep aids

SDWoman

I also really struggled with sleep and even tried high quality cbd oil. It may have helped a little, but it also gave me major headaches.

I also had tried melatonin in the past and never had luck but then did a little more research and discovered 2 things. I wasn't taking enough and I wasn't taking it at the time. Melatonin is at it's peak 30 min after taking it.

When I increased the dose to 12mg and took it right when I went to bed and then read for 10-15 min, my sleep went from getting 4.5 hours to consistently getting 7+ each night. Life is so much better!

Melatonin is also beneficial in slowing cancer growth. I think I have read on this site that 20mg is the dose for that.

Best of luck in your search for some quality zzzzzz's.

rachelcarter35

I am very cautious about meds but from DX to start of treatment. I took adivan. One or two a day when needed. It's so hard to get used to the idea you have cancer. Once you get an action plan you'll be able to sleep better. I also listened to guided healing meditations on earphones right before sleep.

NoWhyToIt

Hi-- I am going to second the suggestion for Ambien to sleep and Xanax when you need it to relax during day, during tests, when waiting for results. These are straightforward medications, nothing to be scared about using. They just can't be combined. There is no need to suffer. Once you are out of this you can go off them.

xx