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#160449 01-18-2013 07:06 AM
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 30
Mikejw Offline OP
Contributing Member (25+ posts)
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Contributing Member (25+ posts)

Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 30
Hi, I don�t know if this is a common side effect of the chemo or radiation but after 4 weeks post treatment I generally feel ok, even good at times, yet it still seems that I�m have trouble getting good sleep. While my body feels tired, my muscles seem to be tense, like I had too much caffeine or something. I try to get some exercise during the day so I will sleep at night, yet come 11-12 o�clock and I�m still wide awake. So I still take two Tylenol PM�s to get to sleep. Even then I don�t seem to get a good full nights sleep. Even during the day I might feel tired like I would like to take a nap but when I lay down my muscles feel tense like on a caffeine high. I�m tired but just can�t get good sleep. Is this normal? Is it long term or will it go away?



Mike, 55
7/1/12 R Cervicl mass size of lg grape
9/12/12 diagnsd SCC lymphoid tissue level II BOT HPV+ blind primary
10/22/12 7wks rads, 2 cispltn
11/16/12 PEG in
12/18/12 tx end
1/14/13 PEG out
non-smkr, no caregiver
Mikejw #160450 01-18-2013 07:36 AM
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,267
Likes: 1
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
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Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,267
Likes: 1
It's common with cancer, due to the chemo, maybe radiation for that matter, but also with all the concerns on your mind about cancer, treatment, recovery, and you probably don't have the same physical, and mental activities, contact, you did before cancer. Also, take a look at what medications, even OTC products, you are taking that may cause sleep disturbances. Some even have caffeine in them. Discuss this your doctors too. They have medications to help sleep like ambien, and OTC products like melatonin, camomile tea. Try eating some carbs at night, which makes you sleepy, hot shower, warm milk. Light exercise may be helpful, such as walking, and for relaxation some try yoga, tai chi, meditation, massage. Try to stay away from Tylenol products, which interferes with he liver's detoxification cycle, and cause liver toxicities.


10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil
11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp
01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks
06/11 30 HBO
08/11 RND PNI
06/12 SND PNI LVI
08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy
10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux
10/13 SND
10/13 TBO/Angiograph
10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI
12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo
11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO
03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN
09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy
04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site
06/17 Heart Attack Stent
02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs






Mikejw #160467 01-18-2013 10:38 AM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,406
Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
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Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,406
Mike, if your system is anything like mine, the OTC and herbal stuff is like a dandelion in a hurricane. I knew this years before I caught dat ol' cancer bug.

Are you on any pain meds? They can keep you up.

For me it was Ambien, either that or Ativan, that was the only thing that would ensure a full night.



David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 14 years all clear in 6/23 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
Mikejw #160582 01-20-2013 08:04 PM
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 67
"OCF Canuck"
Supporting Member (50+ posts)
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"OCF Canuck"
Supporting Member (50+ posts)

Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 67
I would be up until dawn,and then sleep for 14-20 hours if it wasn't for Zopiclone. (I think there is another name for this that starts with an O?)
I also see a couple of shrinks that talk about good "sleep hygiene". But they have never had oral cancer or depression.
My husband is very understanding, but I have trouble sleeping in the same bed as him with my mouth taped shut and then the gagging on mucous in the morning.
Sorry to paint an awful picture - but it's only my own self-portrait. Not yours.
See your GP or PDoc to see if they can help. Physical therapy also helps a lot. Massage was wonderful for me. You are not long out of treatment so maybe it's just a matter of time to get back to the new normal smile



Pain late 2009. Dx as change in altitude. Sore spot on tongue late 2010. Dx as irritation.
Leukoplakia Bx Feb 2011 - Lichen Planus.
Bx May 2011 - Hyperplasia. Same sample retested as SCC.
June 2011 Rt Hemigloss,ND,rff,33 Rads. Hosp for 15 days w/bi-lateral pneumonia.
T3N1M0 Stage IV.

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