Awake and up all night

Thanks for that Sarah - now I know  and I hope Stac reads your post too xxx

SarahH21 said:

I’d need to disagree about going to a&e and refusing to budge without a diagnosis I’m afraid.

It works for HNC patients but of course you have personal experience of the issue being discussed so I apologise for leading the discussion astray. 
A private gyne appoint is the way to go as you rightly point out. A consultation should cost around £250 with a possibility of immediate NHS referral with the same consultant. 

Thanks Dani-yes, twice going through cervical cancer has given me a lot of insight into various parts of the nhs, including a&e, and what the staff do or don’t normally do, but I appreciate your reply here.

I can only speak about gynaecological cancer and the process of getting diagnosed and it’s not always easy.

Sarah xx

Hi Sbird. 

thank you for your info. I am indeed finding the bowel issues horrific. I do have some Imodium (loperamide) but I am afraid to take it because constipation/solid bowel motions cause me incredible pain as my anus is sore and inflamed hence I am trying to stay on the soft side of things. To be honest I am terrified of eating anything at this point because I just don’t want to go to the toilet which I realise is not sustainable!

I have just taken delivery of some Agnes powder meal replacement shakes and I am going to supplement my diet with those along with fat less  solid food for a couple of days to try and give my anus a chance to heal a bit and make motions easier. I don’t really know what else to do.

i managed to sleep eventually though I woke up every hour. I spent most of today sleeping/resting. Chemo number 4 has totally wiped me out.  

Aymes powder, not Agnes

Hi Daffodil. Your post had me wincing for you, my poor love. I wonder if applying a thin layer of vaseline on the sore bits might help? Loose fitting clothes too, so more air can reach the hind quarters. Or you may have already tried this, but I really hope the protein powder helps and gives your battered bum a chance to heal

Sending you hugs and hopefully you'll sleep better tonight sweetheart xxx

I ate what I called a beige diet, I cut out most fibre, fruit & veg and as a consequence it caused havoc with my diabetes numbers but my GP was of the opinion that I had to get through the cancer treatment and then worry about the diabetes. I managed to get my numbers back down within about 3 months. 

H 

I've been recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer and I can't sleep either. I feel I'm turning round and round and think I'm not really thinking about it but I obviously am! Does anyone have any good tips to try to relax and unwind?

Hi Boozie, and a very warm welcome to our group.

So sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis my lovely, but it's not surprising you're finding sleep difficult with that on your mind. My sleeping tips aren't that great, but others here could possibly give you some helpful ones that have worked for them. Also, by joining the Breast cancer forum you'll find plenty of practical help and advice from the ladies there. A community champion will provide the link to that group when they see your post.

In the meantime, post here whenever you want to chat about anything, any time of the day or night. Sending you hugs xxx

Hello Boozie 

A warm welcome to the Macmillan Online Community, although I am so sorry to find you joining us. I am Brian one of the Community Champions here on the Community. I hope you find plenty of advice here from the members of the General Chat group regarding relaxing and unwinding.

The Community is divided into dedicated cancer specific groups and you will benefit from joining the breast cancer group - here's the link you need:

Breast cancer forum 

There you will connect with others on the same or similar pathway.

Just click on the link I have provided and once the page opens up click on "join" on the black banner at the bottom of the page. Once you have joined the group you can introduce yourself in the "New Here - Say Hello" section.

If you need any further help in navigating the Community please do get back to me.

Best wishes - Brian.