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
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It’s very hard for others to understand how tough this is if they haven’t been through something similar, but you’re so nearly done. I had 32 sessions of radiotherapy in the same area too and thought it would never end.
What I know from my own experience is that you will be able to get different, potentially more helpful, creams after your radiotherapy finishes, so please ask for them. There are certain ones you cannot use while you’re going through treatment but afterwards are ok. I found it unbearable at times during treatment but afterwards got creams which helped much more.
Practical advice would be to sit in/on a basin of warm water to poo-easy to clean out after. Spend as much time as possible with no underwear on, and lie on a pad on your bed with your legs apart as often as possible if you can. Sorry if you are already doing these things but I’m just saying what helped me. The treatment effects might peak after you’re finished radiotherapy, but then they will should start to improve. And take regular pain relief so it build up in your system. I’m sure you’ve spoken about oramorph before-take it if you have it. It should help.
It’s a miserable time for you right now, but it will soon be over so try and hold onto that thought to get you through.
Sarah xx
I am sorry you have a lot going on. Firstly with bowel movements after my surgery I tried to keep my stools all soft and very loose. So I did this by using dulcoease, and the max doses of laxido. I had more soft foods like porridge, soups, mash, yogurts, and ate fruits and kept my fluids up to try and minimise constipation.
I fully understand my surgery and treatment where no where near my anus, but hard pushing was very painful. I am just thinking the softer you can make your movements maybe the less pain as you wont potentially have harder stools to pass.
It hard for family, friends, OHs, to know what to say and often they over compensate by saying things they need to hear for themselves rather than the words your need to hear. Often I found when they said be strong, you have got this....I simple replied with its my body that decides how this goes so it dont matter how strong I am. Which makes them see it slightly different in my personal experience.
Like I said before a while back, we has people are pre programmed on what words to use in situations like this from what we hear growing up on TV and movies and those around us. Its like the saying let's put the kettle on and it will all be okay, as we see this all the time soaps and dramas. No one will ever truly understand, unless they are living through it. This is why I have really benefited from this group of wonderful people. They know we have good days, bad days and nights where we cant sleep, the pain we feel is not just physical but mentally too.
We are all here to listen, support and offer advice the best we can to help each other You may feel alone right now but you have a forum full of people who are and have been in the same situation or similar to you. I called the help line two weeks ago and it really did me good just to vent and have someone listen who was impartial. Sending you a big hug. x
Helpline number 0808 808 00 00
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Its normal to feel low and your feelings are very valid. You have a lot of treatment, pain, bowels, cant get comfy. So no wonder you are feeling low and fed up. I guess this is also impacted more with lack of sleep as well. Like Sarah said it will improve but you have managed this far and means you have a good mind set and have reached out to express your feelings too x
Helpline number 0808 808 00 00
7 Days a week. 8am to 8pm
I used Flaminal Forte so you could ask if that’s suitable for you-it’s suitable for severe burns from radiotherapy which are weeping.
My radiotherapy also gave me extreme diarrhoea, so my bowel problems were different to yours and I had no control. That was really difficult. It’s better not to use toilet paper as it’s too rough when it’s sore in that area, and soft water wipes are easier. I never went for a wee without pouring water over the area as I was “going” which helped a bit.
When my daughter had her baby, she bought gel packs to freeze for her underwear which she said were good.
It’s so hard, I know. It’s not an area you can really speak to others about, and it’s very personal to try and discuss it when others can’t imagine how sore it is. I still remember, and my treatment was just over 7 years ago!
Sarah xx
