Folfox and insomnia

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Hi guys it’s 03.10 and I haven’t slept a wink. Currently lying on the sofa so my husband can get some sleep after battling insomnia for 5hrs. I had my first treatment today and I cannot sleep. I’ve tried white noise, music staying off social media and cannot sleep. Has anyone else experienced this please and any suggestions would be greatly received as I feel exhausted. Thank you

Kareno62 16 days ago

Hi Wenglish It’s probably because of the steroid that you may have been given as part of the treatment - it helps with sickness. It may have been given during your IV or in tablet form like Dexamethasone? Hopefully someone with some actual experience will be along shortly but you’ll just have to listen to your body and sleep when you can for now? I’ve attached a link to a post from a couple of years ago about the ‘come down’

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/f/diagnosis/253090/dealing-with-steroid-come-down-after-folfox

Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

Lee_L 16 days ago

As Kareno62 says it’s likely to be the Dexamethasone. I’m on it for 2 days after treatment. If they’ve given you tablets to take at home take them early morning and at lunch - not later in the day. Tredness will kick in soon enough. Sleep when you can.

Hope you have a better night tonight x

Wenglish 16 days ago in reply to Lee_L

Hi at Lee_L thank you. I did have steroid via IV yesterday then tablet form this morning which I had early so fingers crossed that’s what it is. My nose was constantly running to which an antihistamine spray has sorted. Managed to get a wholesome 3hrs in whilst household getting ready for work and school x

Wenglish 16 days ago in reply to Kareno62

Thank you Kareno62 I will read the link it’s appreciated x

Net77 15 days ago

Hi Wenglish.

I was given Dexamethasone to take for 2 days after Folfox chemotherapy. The nurse said to take them before 14:00 or I’d be bouncing around the room and she was right.

I didn’t suffer too much with nausea or vomiting so after the first two cycles my oncologist said I could reduce them.

Sleep when you can.

Net77 x

Wenglish 15 days ago in reply to Net77

Thank you Net77 I slept better last night with the prednisolone tablet maybe the dexamethasone IV was a little more intense. I’m not having any issues with nausea so fingers crossed after today’s last steroids I’ll not feel like I’ve been hit by a bus as they said it’s likely. As they say take each day as it comes. Pump of fluorouracil gets taken off today can’t say I’ll miss carry it around though of course very grateful of the job it’s been doing over last 48hrs. Xx