Do you have any other health conditions?
Do you have any other health conditions alongside insomnia? Have you found any effective ways to manage both your insomnia and other condition(s)? Share in the comments below!
I have Metastatic Breast Cancer which is stage4. On chemo pills and injections. My oncologist wont give me sleeping pills as he feels it's a short term fix. Sure, and I hate to take any more pills, and I'm really responsible in my care, so after 5 nights of difficulty surely a pill would help. It can take a few hours to go to sleep and I wake up during the night (but do fall asleep fairly quickly). My left leg has venous insufficiently and lymphedema around the ankle - cancer caused from blood clots due to cancer meds. Taken care of. Sometimes electric shocks (nerves) /neuropathy. Weirdly my feet feel like I have a big fat beef steak attached to the bottom! Vascular doctor has left me to deal with it. I'm trying. Read lots on insomnia. Getting up and reading is fun .... I'll be up all hours and wont put the book down. So I'm a mess that day later. Any suggestions?
That's so much to contend with,
. I am glad you are listening to your doctors, but I also hope they are listening to you and that you are getting the care you need. No doctor should leave you to deal with neuropathy and excessive swelling on your own. Have you considered finding a new vascular doctor or at least getting a second opinion?
It is usually better to beat insomnia without prescription medications, but that isn't always easy or possible, especially for someone under a ton of stress. How does your doctor feel about over-the-counter medications or natural treatments like melatonin? Here is an article about complementary and alternative therapies: https://insomnia.sleep-disorders.net/home-remedies. Maybe you can use it to initiate a conversation with your doctor.
Did you experience insomnia before your diagnosis or only after you started treatment? I ask because cancer medications can often cause insomnia. I hate to bombard you with articles, but I really think you might find this one from our sister community for people with advanced breast cancer helpful: https://advancedbreastcancer.net/living/staying-asleep. Have you checked out that community? It's a very active community full of great resources and super supportive people.
Thinking of you and wishing you the very best. - Lori (Team Member)Hi Lori. Thank you for replying and for the resources. I do appreciate it. I have spent a lot of time researching. I do think I need to approach my sleep habits consistently. Follow the rules for a time. I have tried many of the suggestions. I even got a white noise machine and set it on waves. Then, as usual, my mind went into high drive thinking about all the beaches I had surfed in my youth! But I finally managed to run the sound of waves together and now its a low roar, which works. I've had to experiment a lot. And YES, my cancer meds do influence my lack of sleep. The side effects come and go. Maybe last 3 weeks. Some are consistent. Melatonin doesn't seem to work for me. But I do better in summer from the sun. And yes, my sleep is worse now with MBC. Before I was teaching and sat up most nights late grading essays. Afterwards I dived into bed exhausted and could sleep though those habits were not good. My health team is a long subject, so I won't go there. I am very grateful for their direction (though at times disappointing) and the medicines that keep me alive. Thank you.
I have atherosclerosis. Currently waiting for a triple bypass.
Hi
. I hope that surgery gets scheduled soon and that all goes smoothly. Keep us posted if you don't mind. I'll be thinking of you. - Lori (Team Member)
Multiple sclerosis
Hi
. Is your insomnia due an effect of MS, do you think, or does it have unrelated triggers? Here is an article from our sister community, MultipleSclerosis.net, about MS medications that can contribute to or cause insomnia: https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/medications-causing-sleep-problems. I thought it might interest you. Wishing you the best. - Lori (Team Member) I have MS, fatigue is horrible but insomnia as well, all your material is helpful
I have insomnia, Chron’s disease, migraines, chronic kidney disease, lupus, borderline personality disorder, ptsd, depression, anxiety, and have had 3 heart attacks….did I mention I’m only 38? Have tried many different medications throughout the years…Effexor is starting to help somewhat. Melatonin helps me get sleepy but I don’t often fall asleep and stay asleep. So frustrated and exhausted.
That is an awful lot to contend with at such a young age,
. Is your insomnia due to pain or are you unsure what causes it? Is your doctor any help at all? I hope Effexor is effective for you. It can be so hard to find the right medications for mental health issues, but it will be worth it when you do. Thinking of you and sending the warmest of wishes your way. - Lori (Team Member)
