SLEEP!

Hi

You're mind will be like a whirlwind at the moment, so I'm guessing this is why you can't sleep?  Worry most definitely does have a huge impact on being able to drop off/stay asleep.

There is an AWAKE thread on here for those ladies also struggling with sleep and need a chat.... however, what I have found is that if I put down my mobile phone at 9pm I sleep an awful lot better.  It must be something to do with the screens on technology.  Then before retiring, I have a hot chocolate and when I go to bed, always have a good book to read so that I can get engrossed in something that it totally different from what's going on in my head/the day etc.  It was a routine I got into when I was diagnosed and as it worked so well, I've stuck with it ever since.  

Hope this helps and I do hope your HER2 comes back negative.

Kindest wishes, Lesley

I've practiced good 'sleep hygiene' for years and I really do think it helps. I go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even weekends,. That is the best one, your body know when to go to sleep and when to get up if you do this. I don't look at my phone for at least an hour before bedtime (or I cannot get to sleep), I read for half an hour or so once I'm in bed to help me relax and I also take a few supplements that help. I take magnesium and HTP-5 for headahces but they are also good for sleep (and barely have headaches anymore). Since going into a medical menopause with the BC treatment, I have found sleep far harder so I looked into it and apparently you don't produce as much melatonin after menopause so I take a montmorency cherry supplement before bed now and it really helps me sleep as it helps hour body produce melatonin.

I couldn't sleep during chemo and found I was very anxious so I downloaded a mindfulness app and I have found that really helps to help you clear your mind at bedtime. I don't listen to it at bedtime but I remember how to try and clear your mind and practice that in bed. I also read a couple of mindfulness books which again, just give you tips on how to stop your mind racing I have found those techniques really useful to help me sleep.

The worst thing you can do is worry about it. I always think that at least I am resting even if I'm not actually sleeping. That stops me panicking about not sleeping which then helps me get back to sleep.

I've also had to do a few extra things for night sweats, which I now get.

Thank you all so much for your advice! Hopefully I'll be able to switch off tonight using some of these techniques. I've also asked if I can start working from home so it's one less stress.

Thanks again

Kelly