Hey everyone. Am having chemotherapy for womb cancer, had hysterectomy and now this treatment. I was wondering if anyone else has had issues with insomnia as a side effect of chemotherapy and if so, how did you manage? Got 6 x treatments every 3 weeks and then radiotherapy. Am not going to get through it sleep deprived so any advice would be greatly received.
Hi Jay56
Am sorry to hear that you are having chemotherapy and then radiotherapy for your womb cancer. I had both April-September 2022.
I hope that you are coping ok with the chemo and that your side effects are being managed. I found keeping the booklet filled in helped me - writing down day to day any symptoms and I did find that there was a pattern with each cycle. When I did get side effects I found that if I called my CNS team they could normally offer some medication or support that helped. When you have your reviews each cycle they can adjust and add in or take out medication when needed. This helped me.
Regarding the insomnia- am not sure when you started the chemo but I personally found that the day I had the infusions I would snooze on and off. The piriton in particular would knock me out. Because it was a long day (I was in from 8-5ish each time) I did find the following day I was really tired. The insomnia for me partly I think was a knock on from this, partly the emotional aspect but also the steroids they give you. On my first cycle I had steroids in the hospital and then had to take them for the next 2 days.
My oncologist gave me a tapering dose of the steroids from the 2nd cycle and this really helped. I found the steroids did make it hard to sleep properly. Am trying to remember but I think it was 10 tablets twice a day for two days, then 10 tablets for 1 day and then 5 tablets for the next day. This made a big difference so perhaps ask if this may be helpful with your insomnia.
The other thing though is that chemo can be tough at times and it will affect you in lots of different ways. Rest when you can and try not to overdo things. I found the first week of each cycle was really about taking it easy, trying to rest as much as I could, to eat what I fancied, to drink plenty. By the second week I would perk up a bit and could do a few things at home. By the 3rd week I could see friends, go for a walk and do a little more. I did find for me that the side effects accumulated with each cycle.
Hope this helps a bit, but I do suggest you ask about the steroids as they could well be part of the problem.
Jane
My oncologist said that it was the high dose of steroid then drop to nothing that could cause issues in some people. The tapering dose made a big difference so worth asking. For my first cycle I just tried to go with the flow really as everyone is different to how it can affect you.
I have taken oral steroids in the past several times due to asthma attacks- and they always make me hyper and unable to sleep properly. They sort the asthma but still a lot lower dose than they gave me for chemo.
Also is there anything else making it difficult to sleep? Pain, nausea, worry? I did find that the tummy effects would keep me up for the first few days. I developed some pain in my hips due to the paclitaxel and was prescribed some strong painkillers and they would knock me out during the day so at night I was wide awake at times.
