Can't sleep

Hi anndanv,

So sorry you're having to endure the pain. I hope the Pain Management Team can sort out some relief for you asap.

I am in a lot of pain myself just now. I have liquid morphine that I can take for breakthrough pain in addition to slow release that I take twice a day. But, I feel I may have become dependent on the Morphine which worries me.

I am feeling so sorry for myself just now. In addition to the pain, I haven't had a bowel movement for 4 days which is freaking me out.

I have convinced myself I have bowel mets on top of everything else!

The jig saws are fun. Thank you. They do take your mind off things for a little while. 

I hope you are able to get some sleep. 

X

Hi just wanted to get in touch and express my sympathy for what you are going through . Being unable to sleep is bad enough without the  many  thoughts and feelings that take over our minds . There are many on here who can sympathise with you . When I can’t sleep I either listen to an audiobook or music , radio three has relaxing music in the night this doesn’t always work I admit . I have always been a person who plans you know plan A and plan B unfortunately that leads to many unhelpful thoughts when faced with what is ahead . I hope that you can get some rest both physically and mentally . Hopefully your appointment will be able to help and clarify your decision going forward whatever happens . Please be assured that along with the others on this journey  you will be supported .there is always someone here 24 hours a day if the posts are anything to go by . It would be good to hear how you are .  Love Chris 

I can sympathise with pain and unable to sleep at night. I have such bad stomach pain and it just wake me up if I managed to fell asleep.

There are much more powerful opioid medications than morphine. Maybe you could ask re OxyContin or fentanyl patches? Fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine so I think there should be more room for treating your pain. 

Opioids can cause constipation as a side effect. I was advised by specialist bowel nurse to take Orbit fruit cubes , 1 at night if needed. You can get them from Amazon, but ask the clinician first just in case. They are completely natural and help with bowel movement without pain. 

Hope things will improve for you soon. X

Hi Stella2020,

Thank you for your reply.

I'm so sorry to hear about your stomach pain. I hope you can get some respite asap. 

I think I am still in denial about a lot of what is going on. I keep thinking that I may eventually be able to be weaned off the Morphine and get back to some sort of normal functioning. Going for a walk etc. deep down I know this is never going to happen. I can feel myself getting weaker day by day.

I think a lot of my discomfort is due to the constipation. I'll check out the Orbit fruit cubes. Thank you for suggesting them.

Much love. X

Hi Hilo13,

Than you ever so much for contacting me. Things always seem worse during the night when you're lying alone in the dark. It's good to know that people are thinking of you.

Much love. X

Hi Coolcat, I am pleased you like the jigsaws, I wonder if you have tried any of he Word Puzzles? I like “Word Swipe” it starts off very easy but as you move on they get harder. I am on Level 141!

I too was on Morphine for a long time. I took slow release Morning Afternoon & Evening, I took liquid morphine 3 or 4 times a day and used the quick acting tablet for breakthrough pain. The problem is not becoming dependent but the more you take, the less effective it is because your body gets used to it. I came off them very slowly, then you don’t have withdrawal symptoms. Ask your GP or Oncologist if it worries you.

Well, I have 2 appointments for the Pain Management Clinic this coming Monday. The one in the morning at 9am this is a Group Meeting giving information about how they work. The second is a telephone aptm at 2pm to ask what i thought of the meeting! I didn’t expect contact for ages then when I had to call for these 2 appointments, I expected them to be in a couple of months! I hope you are asleep just now. I had better try for some sleep soon because I have workmen’ coming before 9am to replace 3 roofs, Garage plus two sheds.

Hi, I forgot to mention I suffer quite badly with constipation so I take prunes with my breakfast and liquorice all sorts before bed, they work quite well!

Hi anndanv,

I do play Word Swipe but I'm nowhere near to the level you are! I think level 12 is the highest I've got so far.

I hate taking the Morphine. Are you taking anything else at the moment for your pain?

I hope the Pain Clinic appointments are useful. Please let me know how you get on.

I hope the building work goes ok too.

Much love. X

I eat prunes too! I'll give the liquorice all sorts a try. X

Hi Coolcat, It really doesn’t matter what Level you have got to, it’s the playing that counts. Obviously I have had a lot of sleepless nights, to get to that level. Do you know you can also play Scrabble and Chess against the computer. They are also free Apps!

The problem I have is a lot of drugs affect my liver and I am not allowed to take them. They seem to be the ones I need for Neuropathic Pain. At the moment I take Duloxetine, paracetamol, morphine quick release. I also have Pain Patches, Ibruprofen Gel and Lidocaine Patches and I’m still awake at ridiculous o’clock!

The Appointments on Monday are an Introduction to what they have access too, so I will wait and see! The All Sorts I don’t take many, just 2 or 3 after a meal!