Awake and up all night

Moderator - Macmillan Community over 1 year ago

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Are you having trouble sleeping?

Sleep problems may be caused by how you’re feeling emotionally, or as part of the side effects for cancer treatment. If you find it hard to have a good sleep, you’re not alone. The Online Community is here to support you 24/7.

“Getting a cancer diagnosis is extremely stressful, and that brings a whole load of emotions, and lack of sleep certainly does not help. I think many of us have periods of insomnia. I experienced a long period of not sleeping. I could go off to sleep quite quickly, but after an hour I would find myself wide awake again, and would spend the rest of the night getting frustrated because I couldn't sleep."
Community member, ‘Pancreatic cancer’ group

This discussion thread is for members who:

Have trouble sleeping and looking for somewhere to talk
Would like some company and support each other during the night
Share some things you do that helps you get to sleep

Be a part of the supportive Community in this discussion thread.

Gill H 3 months ago in reply to excavator

Hi Derek

I'm guessing it's late afternoon in the good ol' US of A right now, so howdy do pardner.

I'll stop that nonsense now, first to wish you many happy returns for next Tuesday and secondly to ask - it's not a year since you last went, is it? You sent some great photos of wildlife and scenery last time. Remember the bobcat?

Anyway, hope you're having a smashing time (you know we'd prefer Barmston) and whoop it up. But 107F? Not for me hon, I've been grumbling my head off at far less here!

Eat plenty of steak and cactus soup xxx

Would the bookies let you place a bet on guessing your odds?

Soc 3 months ago in reply to RayMK

Ray my veins are bad you should see the bruises I got in hospital where they were trying to put cannula into me and taking blood.

RayMK 3 months ago in reply to Julie2468

Thanks Julie. The worst part was a blockage at midnight then 2.5 hours trying to restore flow, finally succeeding with an OUCH then blood, hence the precautionary trot off to A&E.

Your treatment requires courage. It is a lot to face. Sometimes, being in hospital feels safer than being at home. I hope that is your case, with good medical staff and food as well. Will you be in for long? Apologies if I've missed a post or two where you have already told us. This sub-forum really does cartwheel through the pages! Ray xxx

Gill H 3 months ago in reply to Soc

Sonia, that's awful for you hon. OH has also had a bad time with cannulas and usually ends up with lots of punctures.

I always feel so bad for him, as I do others who have to go through that.

Hugs sweetheart xxx

Soc 3 months ago in reply to Gill H

Aww thank you Gill the bruises are fading now on both arms. I feel for your OH I have a fear of needles now. I got a big bruise on my hand as well because they couldn't find a vein. The operation wasn't as bad as the needles.

RayMK 3 months ago in reply to Gill H

Gill, I've mentioned my tendency to faint. I was actually watching the nurse pushing needles and cannulas in today. Remarkable. Still not cured though. In the waiting room, various patients were being set up with drips on stands. My seat faced them. I was ok for an hour or so, then another nurse came in with a handful of new drips for unspecified patients. I began to worry that I might be one of them, became very clammy and only just managed to remain conscious by fanning myself with my catheter passport booklet. It seems that I cope better when I know what is going to happen. Uncertainty triggers something that I struggle to control. xxx

Gill H 3 months ago in reply to Soc

Oh Sonia, your terror of needles is palpable if you put that over the huge op. Poor lovey.

Now OH is fine with needles until his veins don't want to play and some of the nurses have been less than gentle. I almost had a fit when I saw his hand the day after his op. It was massively swollen and dark purple with all the tubes attached to his cannula. Awful times but I'm so glad that's over for you both xxx

Julie2468 3 months ago in reply to RayMK

Could be about a month Ray. Depends on how long it takes for my white blood cells to recover. They won't let me out until they're back up. As you say, I'll be safer there as I will probably need blood, platelets and IV antibiotics at some point (all normal for the treatment I'm having).

I hope the food is ok too. Apparently, it's possible to order Deliveroo if Matron is happy with what you're ordering (sandwiches not allowed apparently - as if you would?!!) I'll be taking lots of snacks too!!

Hope it wasn't too busy in a&e in the night. It always seems worse going in the small hours! It's good you've got treatment now though xxx

Gill H 3 months ago in reply to RayMK

Aw Ray, sweetheart, that must have been awful for you.

You know, last night when Shimmer, you and me were chatting and you suddenly left? I wondered if something had happened in the catheter department and was going to ask but then thought you'd probably just gone to bed.

Well I'm glad you're ok now hon, but please keep tabs and don't leave anything to chance.

Hugs and love xxx

Julie2468 3 months ago in reply to RayMK

I was clammy and a bit light headed last time I had a catheter fitted. Had water and they put the fan on me and I felt better. Most of the time I'm ok with needles but other times not. Need to nake sure I've eaten enough, that seems to help.

In a couple of weeks I've got to start injecting myself to release stem cells into my blood and then go to Oxford to get them harvested - a catheter in each arm for 4 hours for 2 days. Joy!! I'm really looking forward to that...NOT!! xxx