Awake and up all night

Hi Sarah, Thank you for all that information, I really appreciate it. I do take paracetamol regularly but my sister swears by codeine. The only time I’ve had it was when I was In hospital after the pump was removed, I was given dihydrocodeine along with Oramorph and found it worked reasonably well. Now I take a bit of a concoction but the pain is still there. The Pain Management Team recommended Gabapentin, which I have had before a while ago but I couldn’t remember why I came off it. It may have been side effects. I also had Pregabalin but that was no use either!, I’ve been on Oxycodeine too. Tell me why you don’t think your GP would prescribe that now! Have you asked him? They say the best combination is morphine & paracetamol regularly. I do think, no matter what you take, your body gets used to it very quickly and it soon looses its effect.

I still haven’t got to sleep yet but I have been doing jigsaws!! I have been trying to stay away from this site for a bit to see if it makes me sleep any better. The answer is NO! Thanks again for your reply and info!

Morning Annette.  Well lass, still no solutions for your insomnia, although I can still swear by the cricket  

How are you doing, other than the sleeping issue? Keeping well I hope. Nothing much doing at ours other than I bought my hubby a walking cane, as he's still pretty wobbly on his pins.  The pair of us are like a couple of old gimmers now and I reckon I'll be reaching for his cane on occasion too.  But Leeds won yesterday so that's a plus.

Love Gill xxx

Hi Annette

I think lots of gps ae reluctant to prescribe any type of opioid medication, especially long term because withdrawal can be difficult if you stop it, and because they will be concerned about addiction. But I’ve never asked him! I’ll see what the surgeon says on Monday because my pain can still be pretty bad. 

My OH hated pregablin and had a terrible time on it and long term gabapentin for a herniated disc and sciatic issues-mood changes, weight gain and not much relief from pain at all. Horrible all round. 

Sarah xx

I braved turning on my side recently ( 

surgery prevented it ) and slept like a log. I am not a back sleeper. 

Hi there and a warm welcome to the group.

Well done on finding a way to get a sound sleep.  I'm usually a side sleeper, but any which way rarely works these days!  On the other hand my OH, a habitual side sleeper, is now enforced to sleep on his back due to his surgery! It's a convoluted game, this search to get some sleep.

Hope you're doing well xxx

Hi there, and a very warm welcome from me, as Gilly says, we have to find a way that works for us, I've always slept on my back, but  the tumours are making more difficult, so we adapt my friend, and I was a little surprised you said you've been keeping your emotions in check all through surgery, absolutely your choice, but I  firmly believe we have emotions for a reason and let them out when it's needed. My very best wishes for your immunotherapy and chemotherapy next week, I will have everything crossed it's the success your hoping for.

Eddie XX

Evening Eddie.  You've obviously spoken to Jri before, so now I know a little more, I too would like to send my best wishes for their treatment next week xx

Hopefully you're feeling ok my friend?  Hugs xxx

Hi, Gilly, re  nope, I  haven't spoken to her before, just caught up on her previous posts, what an amazing lady she is, a little like us my friend, in always putting family first, which is, as we know, our default  setting, but we also know we have to look after ourselves as well, so how are things in the wild west?,  XX

Thanks Eddie

I’m not sure I chose to keep my feelings in, I just went into practical mode by default and now think it’s inhibiting me expressing my worries. Lots of stay strong and you’ve got this messages from friends haven’t helped, may be this is the reaction to knowing what is happening next, first comes the anxious wait, the relief at knowing what happening next and then the reality of what the treatment entails. 

Hi Eddie and not too bad at the moment, although as you're fully aware, things can change in a heartbeat.

You're so right about putting family first, as that's what we're here for.  Jri certainly does sound amazing and good on her, for being true to herself, just so long as she looks after herself too.  The trouble is, no matter how much we advocate it, not many of us do what we keep telling others to.  Crazy isn't it?  But I will tell you to take good care my friend xxx