Sleepless Nights

ManuelaP
ManuelaP Member Posts: 23
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
Sleepless Nights
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  • ManuelaP
    ManuelaP Member Posts: 23
    edited December 2007

    Hi, is anybody up at this hour. 

    Woke up at 1:30 sweating profusely and couldn't sleep any more.  The usual all night torture.  I am still on Herceptin (x17) and started taking the tamoxfin.  I thought things would get better after the chemo and rad but they have not.  I usually wake up at least 6 times per night soaked in sweat.  Sometimes I sleep some more, sometimes not.  It's going on 4 am now and i have to get ready for work at 6.  Not looking forward to my day. No wonder I have moodswings and feel exhausted.

    Lately I wonder what kind of life is this.  I don't want to live like this anymore.   Undecided

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  • wendyk13
    wendyk13 Member Posts: 1,600
    edited December 2007

    Hi Manu....I can certainly relate to your nights as I am on arimidex and the night sweats are terrible.  I'm just outside of Chicago so I sleep with the windows cracked.  I find that if I IMMEDIATELY do ANYTHING to shut off the sweat, I can and do go back to sleep with 10 minutes.  Now here in the midwest, I poke an arm or leg out of the covers into the cool air and the "sweat" stops.  I see you are in CA so that would not work for you.  I hear there is a "chill" pillow you can buy that will keep your neck/head cool which helps a lot.  Or your onc. may be able to "rx" you.

    I don't think I helped much...but maybe go under the hormone thread and look for "bottle o tamoxifen".  Maybe more hints there for you!

    And also...there is not a single thing on TV at 2am, is there!!!!!!

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  • ManuelaP
    ManuelaP Member Posts: 23
    edited December 2007

    hi Wendy, thanks for the comment.  Every little word of encouragement or a tip helps.  I don't know how people can function like this.  Never any sleep and then work all day while sweating....I am going insane.  Sometimes I feel completely crazy.  I tried to go back to sleep at 4 to no avail.  I am not going to work today although my boss doesn't get it.  At the moment I just don't care.

    I live in Northern CA and it's not really hot here this time of the year.  In the 30's at night.  I have the window open, no heat on, covers on, covers off, covers on, covers off.   

    I am supposed to do this for 3 more years?  I don't think I can. 

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  • prayrv
    prayrv Member Posts: 941
    edited December 2007

    Manu,

    What time do you take your tamox?  Sometimes changing from the morning to the evening or vice versa might help.  Good luck!

    Trish

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  • ManuelaP
    ManuelaP Member Posts: 23
    edited December 2007

    Thrish, I take it at night hoping the side effects would be easier to manage.  Maybe I should try taking it in the morning and sweat all day at work.  I suppose that would be better than not sleeping at night.  Thanks

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  • jdg1
    jdg1 Member Posts: 608
    edited December 2007

    Manu,

    I am sorry you are having problems with the Tamoxifen.  I agree I thought once chemo was over my life would be better but hearing everyone complain about the Hormone's I am not sure if I want to take them for 5 years, besides they said to me maybe 10 years.

    What part of No. Cali are you in?

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  • ManuelaP
    ManuelaP Member Posts: 23
    edited December 2007

    I am in Dixon, work in Fairfield.

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited December 2007

    Have you considered any of the meds that are such a great help with cutting out flashes and sweats?

    Effexor XL, megace, bellergal, Vit E, are just a few that my onc offered and we tried,  Wound up with Neurontin and SLEEP.

    Really, there's no reason to continue with these debilitating sweats if you can relieve them with some meds.

    The pillow is a chillopillow.  walgreens or the net and you can find them.

    I have a fan on a stand with a remote control that I can turn on when I get hot.  It's pointed directly at me.

    A very expensive water cooled (or heated) mattress pad is also available.  Ck the net.

    Please discuss the possibilities with your onc.

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  • Hattie
    Hattie Member Posts: 414
    edited December 2007

    I have a pillow case and pj's made by wild bleu--basically made out of soft high performance work out fabric that wicks sweat--helpful but no magic bullet. Target has coolmax sheets and mattress pads for not much money--they could help make you more comfortable. Open windows and covers off/on really help me.



    If you can't work or function, it is time to try out some meds with your dr's ok.



    I was miserable for a long time, then realized I was functioning pretty well during the day so I have accepted things for now--nights are still interrupted and sweaty tho. And I may try meds in the future. (I was really mad about the whole situation, but felt better once I realized I wasn't super tired during the day. I do go to bed pretty early tho, only to sweat and not sleep a lot). This happens to women without cancer too.



    I never wear pullovers anymore--just layers I can take on and off easily at work.



    i take tamox in a.m. Days have gotten much much better but nights are still the pits.



    I feel for you. Hope things improve with time and some changes.



    Take care,

    --Hattie

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  • scoutmm56
    scoutmm56 Member Posts: 22
    edited December 2007

    I was going through the sleepless nights with the chemo thing causing the night sweats, dry mouth and hot constant flaming (oh if it were only a flash) -and having to work with an employer who also just didn't get it.  Sometimes you have to accept help or you will keep spiraling down-I was against it but had to do some "better living through chemistry"-it was the best thing-you need sleep. My Dr prescribed effexor xr 27.5-which really helped with the hot flashes and mood swings and he prescribed Ambien to help me sleep.  Got me through.  I currently am still just taking the Effexor -I am sleeping ok now and had no problem stopping the Ambien-

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  • Shirlann
    Shirlann Member Posts: 3,302
    edited December 2007

    I say, loudly, do anything you need to in order to survive this nasty journey.  This applies to everyone without a substance abuse problem, of course.

    Whatever help you need, Effexor, anti-deps, Xanax or Valium for break-throughs and for the days of treatment/appointments, get and use what you need to get through this difficult and LENGTHY time.

    Gentle hugs, Shirlann 

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