Just on my first week of treatment and my sleep pattern is awful. 2 hr naps throughout the night. About an hour in the afternoon. The nighttime is driving me mad, so it’s a vicious circle.
Hi. Treacle 57. Not getting away with it. It is tough And I guess some anxiety. Pain. Toilet visits I never had a problem falling g asleep. Staying asleep harder. It does get easier. Please sleep in the afternoon. Your body needs it Are you now post stem cell ? Or still in the first 4 cycles ? The path of recovery is a long slow one. But worth it. Hope other people can help also. But most importantly share it with your care team. So they know and can advise. Kevin
First cycle started this week, so a long way to go. Not too many side effects, but I could do with a good sleep. Like you it’s staying asleep that’s the hardest.I’m going to mention it at my next hospital visit in a few days. Teresa
Thank you. I’m resisting the urge to get up and do things during the night - baking, ironing - as don’t want to get into a bad habit (plus I’m not a domestic goddess)
It’s early days for me - 1st cycle started- I’m sure I’ll find a way through. Teresa
What you are going through is tough going, physically and mentally. I assure you that it does get easier (I have been in remission for over 2 years and seldom sleep during the day).
You don't go in into why you are sleepless.
- The most obvious cause is dexamethazone. It is notorious for causing sleeplessness.
- The shock of being diagnosed with cancer is enough to cause anyone sleepless nights. On that: people can and do live long, enjoyable lives with myeloma these days.
- You may also need to urinate frequently (as Vespa mentions). If so, as the treatment progresses, the high levels of calcium in your blood will return to normal, and your kidneys will start working again properly, making the toilet trips less frequent.
I found that CBD oil helped me to sleep. I used "Love Hemp" from Holland & Barrett. By the way, I have no links to either the maker of Love Hemp or Holland & Barrett: I don't benefit at all from this recommendation! I only heard of this around the time when I went into remission, so my kidneys were working by then but I was still getting 20mg of dexamethazone (CBD oil was less effective the night after taking dex).
Thank you. I’ll see how I am in the next few days and may try your suggestion. It’s all a big learning curve at present but I’m managing and will take each day as it demands.
You are not alone: most of us on this forum have been through what you are going through now, or are carers for us myeloma patients. We can help you through the learning curve.
