Awake and up all night

Shimmer, I wonder if scraping real ginger into the tea infusion would give an extra kick, or ruin the experience. Please advise xx

I'm with those women. When I was much younger I used to go swimming with my SiL every Thursday and get as many lengths in as possible. Afterwards we'd head for the fish oyl and sit down for two fish and chips, tea bread and butter. I miss those days xxx

It seems the diagnosis has sunk in, family all aware, in short emotional reasons for not sleeping have in the main been dealt with.

I’ve had advice to ignore the sleep calling right through to some saying the hormone therapy has caused them tiredness.

I conclude we really are all different and no one size fits all seems to work.

Accepting I’m a novice I have researched this rather thoroughly and have just one question.

What out of the oils, meditation, are the most popular, is there something that genuinely can help.

i appreciate my brain is still processing as my diagnosis was very poor and i just don’t want to hurt those I love, but i could really do with the most popular approaches, is it adding a reply here, or what, i have got myself back to going to bed at the right time, getting up at the right time, and still I wake at 2-3 every night.

So any tips I would genuinely be grateful for.

Thanks all.

Evening Gunner  

If you Google sleep patterns, and delve deeper into those 2 hours in particular, most state that cortisol spikes, blood sugar dips, hormonal changes etc, are the most common reasons. Not much good knowing that if you're still waking up though.

It's sounding like you've been hit by an emotional truck, now your diagnosis has sunk in, and maybe you're getting vibes from your family too, now they all know. None of this makes for a comfortable ride, no matter how strong your intentions.

I'm not a counsellor by a long chalk but maybe asking for a discussion with your GP or team at the hospital could be a step to helping you get through the first very difficult few months. We are indeed all different but the last thing you need is to spiral into depression, so perhaps seek some help soon. Me, I've not got used to what happened to us but I've accepted it now, after a couple of years. Add to that my natural tendency to go off the deep end to relieve pressure has kept me off the happy pills. Not really recommended if you don't want to destroy your vocal chords!

I'm sure others here will come up with better ideas but we're all thinking of you my lovely, and want you to get through this in the best possible way as you're one of us.

Hugs and love xxx

Hi. You are still in the very early stages of coming to terms with how things are. Not helped if things are still changing, or you are still waiting for some diagnostic decisions and finding out how treatments affect you.

What sort of a sleeper were you before? Early to bed, early to rise? A night owl? A deep sleeper or easily disturbed?

It is a bit of a cycle in that rubbish sleep can make us feel rubbish and feeling rubbish can make our sleep rubbish.

If you have commitments that mean you can't sleep whenever the urge comes on because of work or children etc then I understand you wanting to optimize the chance and quality of sleep.

When you ask about oils are you talking massage, pillow spritzers, burner/diffusers?

Some people find listening to 'busy' things distracts from their own busy thoughts and emotions whilst others find more abstract things like white noise useful.

Cheers

Well I pour hot water onto all sorts of things and drink it. At this moment it happens to be loose leaf licorice tea that was a Christmas gift.

You can just slice real ginger and leave it floating in your cup. Can't see it ruining your tea but I am not you.

I also like a bit of star anise or cloves or just regular black pepper.

SERIOUS warning... some substance are not safe for certain conditions or with certain medications so do check.

Licorice and grapefruit for example.

Cheers 

Thank you so much for the kind words my sleep before all this was 10am to bed up at 6am now I am losing 3 hrs every night, at the moment I am just about okay but long term this is a challenge.

i do think your right that when things settle it will get better , maybe I’m a little impatient but I need to learn a little more.

 I’m hoping when I settle down on the hormone therapy and what ever treatment is is prescribed in a couple of weeks.

i guess let’s see?

Good call Gunner, wait and see.

I'm not one for advocating oils and stuff but that's just me. They might work for someone who's got an exam coming up and they're anxious about it, but once the exam's out of the way they're likely to return to regular sleep.

A cancer diagnosis goes much deeper and won't be over next week as most have years of treatment and procedures ahead.

Honest guv'nor, I'm not being mardy but didn't want to tell you to race out and buy a pack of Kalms cos they won't work. Only you can decide what does it for you.

You're not alone in the impatience stakes - I want everything done yesterday but I'm still learning.

Sending you sleep dust for tonight - it'll be as effective as Kalms but I'm trying, hon xxx

Hello Gunner66 

Waiting for a diagnosis and starting treatment is the hardest part of this journey as you are in limbo not knowing where you are going. I can sleep anywhere now and don't have any anxiety or worries - but hey-ho that's me. .

I will stick my neck out here and if I was a betting man (oh sugar I am ) I expect you will be placed on "Triplet Therapy" a fairly new treatment that combines Hormone Therapy and Chemotherapy and had great results.

Yes, it will take it out on you so my advice is to sleep when you can, keep as fit as possible and you will get through this. If you have a Pure Gym near you they will give you 12 months free membership once you have your full Advanced Prostate diagnosis. Don't forget you also get free prescriptions with a cancer diagnosis.

Crack on you are doing great.

Kind regards - Brian.

Oh thanks Shimmer - I'll go for the floating ginger circles as I believe ginger's great for digestion as well as flavour.

I've never been successful with finding liquorice tea but love all other things liquorice, and don't take any meds.  xxx 

Well I am assuming you ain't pregnant, but high blood pressure, kidneys etc etc are not ok with proper licorice.

About to slap a much needed colour on hair.

Cheers