Insomnia - Can't Sleep

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RedemptiveSufferer
RedemptiveSufferer Member Posts: 242
edited April 2019 in Just Diagnosed

Hi,
I'm new here; this is my first post. I was diagnosed w/invasive BC Nov. 4th. That's about the extent of what I know right now. Honestly, while it never leaves my mind, I don't think I'm worrying about it for the most part. Nonetheless, every night for the past week I've gone to bed early from exhaustion. I have no trouble going to sleep but 2 - 3 hrs. after falling asleep I wake up and am awake for the next 4-5 hrs. I then get maybe one more hour of sleep before I need to get up for the morning. Is it possible to be suffering subconsciously from anxiety? I have no idea why I can't stay asleep. I've even tried taking melatonin and Tylenol PM (which I don't like) and nothing seems to help.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Thank you in advance for your input!

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  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited November 2016

    i couldnt sleep either after diagnosed my doc gave me Ambien it worked for me needed rest.msphil idc stage2 Lmast chemo rads 5 yrs on tamoxifen. Ps all while planning my 2nd marriage.

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  • muska
    muska Member Posts: 1,195
    edited November 2016

    I used Ativan while I was in treatment. Worked like a charm.

    What you describe is a totally normal reaction. I was concerned about having to take a pill like Ativan but if one needs to get up each morning and head to work and function at work that's a necessity. We need our sleep.

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  • tlgio17
    tlgio17 Member Posts: 191
    edited November 2016

    Hi,

    I can relate, i was diagnosed in Oct and have had sleep issues as well. I am ok during the day (besides fatigued from lack of sleep) because work and family keeps me busy. I also fall asleep but then wake, sometimes to worry/fret/think about the long journey ahead, etc or other times for no known reason. From what others have mentioned in this wonderful forum, once we have more details about our treatment plan, etc we feel better and should hopefully rest better. The waiting and wondering is hard.

    Wishing you the best!!!

    Traci


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  • RedemptiveSufferer
    RedemptiveSufferer Member Posts: 242
    edited November 2016

    Thank you ALL for your responses!! I'm sorry I'm just seeing them. I guess I'm still learning how to maneuver this forum. It's comforting to know I'm not alone in this, though hopefully we all get much needed rest soon...or else some Ativan like Muska did! I've gotten a little more sleep over the last couple of days. Perhaps it's from what Traci said...I'm moving forward w/somewhat of a plan and that makes it easier to rest. Cheers and may you all get some good sleep tonight! ~ Kim

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2019

    Worry about b.c. and all our treatments, drugs, etc. will sure disturb sleep.

    I didn't sleep well before dx--woke up during the night and couldn't get back to sleep, and since realized the benefits of having a clear nightly sleep hygiene: no computers or phones 2 hours before bedtime, keep same bedtime every night regardless of activity, turn lights lower 2 hours before b.t, no food 2 hours before b.t, exercise daily, etc. etc. Not all of us can do that I know, but it has helped me get (most nights) 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

    I read a bit (some escape novel that doesn't have a dark storyline) when I go to bed to relax me. And from time to time I take half a .25 xanax or Tylenol PM if I wake up during the night and my mind begins to ruminate.

    Trazodone (50 mg) helps some. It's an older antidepressant but in that low rx (higher doses would be for depression) it is rx'ed for sleep, since it increases drowsiness that works all night. I have used it--and it works.

    Claire in AZ

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  • RedemptiveSufferer
    RedemptiveSufferer Member Posts: 242
    edited April 2019

    Hi, Claire! I'm doing much better, even though more than 2 yrs later I still take something for sleep. Typically, just a melatonin and and low-dose ativan does the trick. Sometimes I'll take half a Tylenol PM in lieu of the ativan. Early on (after my original post) my oncologist put me on Trazodone and it worked WONDERS! However, after being on it for about 6 mos. I started feeling funny sensations in my mouth..then I looked up potential SEs and decided to stop it. I went for nearly a week with no sleep aides and thought I had beat insomnia, but then it returned. I realize there are worse things and am just happy there's something out there to help us all get sleep! :-) Thank you for sharing and I hope you are well. ~ Kim

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