Awake and up all night

Moderator - Macmillan Community 10 months 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.

Claire22 1 month ago in reply to Sbird

My sister x

Gill H 1 month ago in reply to Claire22

I'm so sorry to hear this Claire. We're all here for you and will give our support in any way we can. Sending hugs sweetheart xxx

Claire22 1 month ago in reply to Gill H

I just don't know what is next

Gill H 1 month ago in reply to Claire22

Aw lovely, I can't imagine how hard this is for you right now. Are you able to keep in touch with your sister, so that she'll be able to tell you how things develop tomorrow? Don't feel alone sweetheart, whatever time it gets to, as there's always some of us here to listen and chat to xxx

JoulesF 1 month ago in reply to Homebird

I'm grinding my teeth too. Not got a guard yet, but I think I should. The first time I saw my dentist after diagnosis, he commented he could tell I was grinding my teeth. He didn't press a guard on me. He just reminded of the importance of oral hygiene with cancer and chemotherapy.

Daffodil gloryb7a15f 1 month ago

Evening. It’s so overwhelming isn’t it? I haven’t posted for a while but tonight am struggling again. Just completed 29 of 32 RT and done 5 concurrent chemo for vulva cancer. My skin has broken down so badly now I have chunks of black dead skin coming away and I cannot describe the pain in my groin and anus. I am in so much pain that bowel movements make me weep. I have three more treatments but then expect at least another fortnight of continued pain and deterioration. I’m so tired of it.

Sbird 1 month ago in reply to Daffodil gloryb7a15f

Hi Daffodil

My skin was badly burned when having radiotherapy, lots of moisturiser helped but something like E45, not a cosmetic one.

I presume you've spoken to your oncology team about the pain, would something like Dulcoease help?

Daffodil gloryb7a15f 1 month ago in reply to Sbird

Evening Sbird. I do have lots of different creams but right now I am so raw in areas that the creams don’t seem to do much. I had no surgery so the RT has been maximum firepower on the tumour which is on the perineum and also aimed at lymph nodes so the two worst areas are my anus and the groin. I have some laxatives but I’m using the opposite right now as I prefer to have one painful movement every day or every other rather than the 5 incredible painful movements I was having.

someone’s I just find myself weeping at the whole situation but I know I don’t have long to go now. I just feel so fed up

Daffodil gloryb7a15f 1 month ago in reply to Claire22

Hi Claire. I’m sorry I just selfishly barged into this conversation. I should have checked the thread before posting. I am so sorry to hear about your mother.

Sbird 1 month ago in reply to Daffodil gloryb7a15f

You will come out the other end of the treatment and hopefully your side effects will improve, has anyone advised that they are not out of the ordinary?