Hi folks...

I am posting a quick question and not sure if this is related to my surgery, my recovery, quitting smoking or my personal life but it seems I have a touch of insomnia...

There are a lot of changes in my life and not sure why I am having this trouble...

My husband has been hospitalized due to diabetic conditions and I know it is the worse place for me to be but I need to be there and it is no different than my house right now everyone is sick...

Anyway just wondering if anyone else has experienced this side effect?

thanks
Dianne

Hi Dianne,

I can't tell you if your cancer or treatment are keeping you awake but I can tell you that I quit smoking 5 weeks ago and haven't slept worth a damn unless I take a sleeping pill. I was attributing it to the Champix so I stopped taking it but I still can't sleep. Had the same problem the last time I tried quitting.

Dianne,

I can't sleep more than 3 to 4 hours at a time. It's usually the dry mouth and throat that wakes me up, but after moistening them, I'm up for a while.

Lani

I used to be able to go to sleep instantly, regardless of where I was -- Now, post-radiation and post-recent surgery, I need mild meds to get to sleep -- Hopefully, I will be able to wean myself from the meds and sleep normally again.

Wow that's what I like about this site...here I am thinking that I am totally weird and find out that I am not alone...I too thought of a connection with the quitting smoking...I also am finding I am not a back sleeper and well I just can't seem to get comfortable and the moment I get in bed and lie down my eyes open...thanks for the imput

Dianne,

I just remembered something from when I went to a hypnotist to quit smoking. It really did work to help me get to sleep and I still use it from time to time.

You conciously relax your whole body, but one part at a time. Start with you face, totally relax all the muscles in it - mouth, eyes, etc. Then focus on your neck - each and every muscle. Next, the shoulders, then arms, hands, down the torso to legs and feet. I quite often was asleep before I got past the hands.

It seems to work a whole lot better than just "OK, I'll relax now" when you slowly and deliberately move from each part of your body top to bottom.

Try it. Maybe it will help.

Lani

Diane,

Man you brain is working soooo hard right now dealing with a million different things, most of which are all new, is wonder you can sleep at all. Easier said than done, but try to relax, take deeps breaths, watch a movie, do something that normally soothes you.

Thanks folks these are all really good ideas and I believe strongly in meditation and alternative methods...I thought that it was due to my husband's snoring but alas with him gone in the hospital the last couple of nights realized NOT it was me...I am happy to say they are releasing him today it wasn't a long stay this time we caught it so it didn't effect him. This is one thing off my mind but back to the snoring lmao....But he is home. I am going to try everything I can not to get involved in sleep meds...I am going to give up my evening coffee (which never used to bother me before), try a herbal tea, try maybe if it isn't too cold to take a walk, wow you folks keep talking about a "new normal" well this for me is definately taking hold...1. less coffee, If you knew me you would know how hard it is to give up my coffee...2...no smoking...that also was a huge part of my normal...this is still really hard cause they say there are so many benefits from quitting so I guess I am blind to them...the only benefit I can actually see right now is I don't have yellow fingers and can actually wear nail polish without it going yellow...huge difference lol but I am confident the benefits will start to show up soon...oh see thought of one other is the $$ and not having to make sure I take them with me or find a place to keep them my hands are free..but I am talking about big differences I am looking for...and I know the biggest is that my chances of reoccurance are lowered and that caused this in the first place...you would think that that would be enough and the fact that I am in this situation mostly because of smoking ...but I am slipping can feel i too much change at once

Ok so now who is rambling this is a side effect of no sleep!! anyway still one day at a time cause I am being honest I still want to smoke part of the addiction...guess that's why I haven't quit before..I feel I have been forced to quit cause the choices were well really no choice...I have to talk myself into quitting for my own good and for life... Day by Day

Lani, that is a common relaxation technique -- I was taught to first tense each muscle and then relax it -- I've found that one effect is that you become very aware of a muscle being tense during the day.

Dianne, the stuf I am currently using to sleep are:

1. One Ibuprofen
2. One Melatonin
3. One Trazodone (Early script medicine for anti-depression with side effect of drowsiness)
4. One Bendryl or similar anti-histimine (or Tylenol PM if I have headache, etc.)

I take them and read in bed until I notice my attention wandering, then go dark...

It's best for your back if you sleep on your sides with pillow or cushion between knees -- If you must sleep on back or propped up, put something under your knees -- Sleeping on stomach is worst for back.

I would say you have your hubby on your mind , evem if it's in subconsous part of your mind. That has to be a natural thing for all of us. Just putting my thoughts here and maybe 100% wrong. I think everyone else has said it all but worrying about your man.