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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I am just so made up for you. Its all gone well and back home to recover. xx
Helpline number 0808 808 00 00
7 Days a week. 8am to 8pm
Hello Doreenw
I think anyone sending a message "stop worrying" has your best interest at heart - don't forget we are all different and they are trying to help.
Have you:
* Spoken to your GP about your anxiety?
* Have you called our Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 (8am to 8pm 7 days a week)?
* Have you contacted Anxiety UK - They can help you on 03444 775 775 or online at support@anxietyuk.org.uk ?
All 3 of the above can help you with your anxiety.
Best wishes - Brian.
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
Strength, Courage, Faith, Hope, Defiance, VICTORY.
I am a Macmillan volunteer.
Good morning Doreenw.
It is very natural to worry and once our brain gets ideas its hard to switch off. We often over think many different scenarios. So worrying is normal part the process.
Anxiety and worry come hand in hand. Its like having twins in our head and they dont work well together at times. I am sure you have tried different things to calm these feelings, I use mediation once or twice a week. Darken room or dull room. Even spray your pillow with a relaxing scent often a smell that brings happy and comforting memories can help too..scents and smell which are positive can be used to calm and relax the mind.
I do just an hour and this can help the mind to focus on the mediation. It does take practice as those thoughts and worries do creep in, but then I just take a deep breath and try again. I have been doing this for the last 3 weeks and I have seen some improvements. It just a thought.
We are all hear to support and listen to your worries. Pleased you had a better night sleep too.
Helpline number 0808 808 00 00
7 Days a week. 8am to 8pm
Hi Doreen, I follow the forums and read the Awake section most days. I don’t often post as I have my good mate GILLH holding the fort admirably 
but I felt the need to respond to your post.
I totally get your anxiety my love. I’ve lived with worry my whole life but it really went into overdrive when my husband got his cancer diagnosis. Take a look at my profile if you’d like to know why I’m here.
From the day we heard those dreadful words … you’ve got cancer …. My world seemed to stop and this dreadful feeling of angst and despair settled like a cloud over my head. I fought it the whole way, read every single self help book I could get my hands on. I never really told anybody just how scared I was. Plastered on this I can cope face and just put my head down and got on with it, whilst internally I flip flopped from numbness to panic. The numbness was my brains way of helping me cope occasionally.
I couldn’t sleep, still can’t most of the time as although my OH has got the all clear, 1 in 4 return and that nags at the back of my ind all the time.
Dont get me wrong it’s not full blown anxiety all the time but when it does hit, boy it feels like I’m back there in the ENT room listening to that doctor tearing our world apart, albeit as kindly as he could.
So I guess, really all I wanted to say is, you worry my love when and if you need to …. But try and find some coping mechanisms that help at times. If you ever want to chat PM me.
IM lucky I’ve found some great mates on here (thanks Gill, Sian, Nige, Eddie 
️) who I can reach out to when I’m falling and this forum is also a really good outlet.
It doesn’t go away but I have as many good days now as bad … if only I could sleep 
Morning Jamie 
Hey, some great ideas there hon - I'll give my pillows a squirt of my favourite perfume and see how it goes. Saying that, I got loads of hours in last night but far from feeling refreshed it's had the opposite effect! I'm an odd bod.
I'm eager to know if you've decided on taking up Brian's offer, to become our Champ. I know you've got a lot on right now but you're so good with folk and would be perfect in the role, plus, I'm certain your babies will give their purrs of approval.
We've got an appointment with the dental hygienist in Leeds this afternoon "groan" so I'll be glad when that's done. Have a lovely day sweetie xxx
