Breast Cancer Tired But Sleepless?

Every week after a new infusion I feel more and more tired 🥱. Everyone says relax, read a book, watch tv in the middle of the day, do nothing. Yeah right. I try, I really try but there are some things I have to do. Luckily we’re able to hire someone to clean every few weeks, but there are some things that must be cleared daily. We’re two very messy people, clutter could be both of our middle names.

I seem to have lots of phone calls and computer work to do. We’ve only been in this new house for a little over a year and there’s always something I’m having done or making sure it’s done right. 

Then there are the insurance forms and medical bills to handle. We have complicated insurance so I’ve spent a lot of time calling, clarifying, paying, uploading documents, etc.

Regardless, I can handle all of it as I usually do with some breaks in between. 

Granted I’ve had sleep issues for about 31 years. That’s right, my husband used to be a world-class snorer. Eventually, that led to a CPAP machine. Not so bad if you have rugs and soft window treatments.

Now we have a smaller bedroom, no rug, and window shutters. Looks great but the sound seems to carry. Oh yes, we no longer Iive on a farm with no neighbors in sight or within hearing distance. Now we live in the suburbs in a neighborhood with very little space between houses.

I also have some past medical issues with sleep movements but stopped taking that medication last year. I also have an issue with repetitive sounds…

So maybe I’ve covered some of your issues or maybe you have no sleep issues. However, don’t be surprised if one of your side effects of cancer or your infusions is insomnia. I had my sleep issues under control. We have a new remote-controlled mattress. I always wear a sleep ask and I’m serious when I say this: I either wear these heavy-duty construction ear muffs, some lighter-weight electronic sleep earplugs, or at times sleep in a different room from my husband. I've even resorted to sleeping pills since my side effects increased.

I’m not particularly sleepless over cancer. I think about something I should get done the next day or about nothing at all, I would just lie awake the night after my infusion or sometimes any night really. I recently tried sleeping pills. I’m playing with the dosage with my doctor's help. I need a stronger dose that first night and can go with a half dose the rest of the week.

However, not sleeping for whatever reason is Not a good thing. I know it’s important to rest in between treatments. After a week of pretty good sleep, several of my blood levels that were dropping steadily each week bumped up a bit! I’m mostly just over the line into acceptable levels! The only thing that really changed this week was sleep!

So whether it’s industrial earmuffs or a mouth plug for your spouse, get some sleep!