Awake and up all night

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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.

  • Still not heard anything about an appointment for the petct yet, my CN called me to check if I had an appt yet and said she would chase it, I think this has been the longest wait so far and it’s really annoying me… (I’m not very patient) 

  • Your welcome Gilly, and if it wasn't easy, I wouldn't have a clue how to do it, but that's awful thinking you may lose so many photos, I can imagine many of them hold important memories for you, I do hope your SiL can help, and I can't wait to see the pic you post, be very careful with family pics as there not usually allowed on an open forum.

    Awww Gilly, you'll have me blushing soon, I'm just a decent guy trying to make the most of a sh#t#y situation, and I'm not sure about talented, but I enjoy my arts and crafts,  and I, like you, and many of the people I've met through 15 years in healthcare, and 3+ years of living with cancer, would all say, the people you meet are amazing, you've got me crying again Gilly, but I don't mind.

  • Hi Chloe, the waiting is always tough my friend, but you have your CNS on side, looking into it, I'm sure they will have news for you very soon, other than phoning the department, your doing the right things, is there anything you enjoy doing to take your mind off the waiting, as it does no good getting annoyed, upset or angry, as sadly these things happen, xx

  • Hi Eddie, thank you, I’m sure it won’t be too long now. Hope you’ve had a good day today 

  • We've had a lovely day my friend, we had family round for lunch, I've been to my local cancer charity, to talk to a lovely group of  people with long term heath problems, and had dinner with my partners son & DiL, we didn't do our usual walks as it's been very windy, and the woods are not safe when it is, I hope you've been taking it easy today,

    Eddie xx 

  • Eddie that sounds a lovely day,

    I’m still working Monday to Friday 8-4 it’s my happy place (and my distraction), surrounded by a team of amazing people…

  • That's wonderful my friend, it's so important you have such a place, to switch off from the negative things in our lives, and to remind ourselves we still have a life to live, even if it's not the one any of us would want, your colleagues sound wonderful 

    Eddie xx 

  • My night of being full of steroids so no sleep for me... next dose they will half the amount of steroids given so hope that will help.

    4 out of 12 doses of chemo completed, a week off next week due to the bank hols... if all continues to stay clear (prayers for this are most welcome) they will begin planning for 6 weeks of radiotherapy around my birthday (23rd August) to begin as soon as the 12 doses of chemo are completed.

    Feeling pretty good with the chemo so far, no major side effects and blood results each week holding up ok so hopefully good signs, and no sign of any loss of my good head of hair as yet (which I've been well warned CAN be a side effect of this chemo, but hope not for me).

    My running PBs are now lifetime PBs, but I am proud of them!
    5k: 20 mins 20s - Victoria parkrun - I never ran official 5ksSlight smile
    5 miles: 34mins 36s - Coleraine
    10k: 44mins 10s - Coalisland Newel Stores
    10 miles: 1hr 13mins - Portaferry
    Half: 1hr 35mins - Belfast
    Full: 3hrs 38mins - Belfast (the famous marathon that became an ultra lol)
    Ultra: Covered 103 miles in under 20 hours moving time, over two days, Giant's Causeway to Cranfield beach

    Thanks to all who have and continue to support Slight smileThumbsup

  • Blimey!

    I thought it was an achievement to walk a couple of miles with my dog!! Wink

  • Hi Steve.  Rest assured you're in my prayers that everything stays clear and you're also a third of the way through chemo and into single figures.  I'm wishing you so much luck that everything carries on through this positive route x

    Hey, about potential hair loss; my fella didn't have chemo but did have six weeks RT.  Now he's head and neck so the beams were concentrated on his neck and throat.  This made shaving difficult, and the growth of his whiskers didn't half get in the way when I tended to his neck stoma, what with excess mucous, etc.  But, around four to five weeks in, the whiskers went AWOL and made the whole process easy as pie.  They've regrown but much, much darker and thicker.  So, if you do lose your fine Barnet, it could return with a whole new texture to equal Tarzan's.  Now that's a thought, but I also hope it stays at that.

    You've got a mighty impressive record on running - you must have a stash of medals and trophies?  Well you certainly deserve them if so and I take my winter pom pom off to you.  Well done champ!

    Hugs and strength xx