Am I fooling myself?

[Carmen42]

Hi all,
Sorry to hear you're struggling with sleep... me too!

Initially (post biopsies, pre surgery) I used Nytol Herbal which worked quite well.
Then I had zopliclone prescribed which helped get me to sleep but I would wake up after 2-4 hours due to pain and then wouldn't be able to get back to sleep because of my very active mind.
Now I have prescribed amitriptyline which I take 3 hours before bed and I drift off within 30 mins of lights out. I still wake up a few times in the night but generally get back to sleep quite quickly.

Hope you find something to help you.
Carmen xx

[Tinkerbell72]

Hi girls the herbal tabs I take are from tesco cheap and cheerful Drs have said ok to have usually take about hour before bed so at least I go off and not lying there thinking see what u think ??
I'm going to use the paxman cap next week and been told to bring conditioner in to cover head anyone else used this ? Xx

[JETS]

*hugs* beryl xxx

[Matty2]

I had a bad night last night - first for a while.

I usually end up having a mug of camomile tea with honey, does relax me, I don't do anythng else,May look at a magazine pictures but not read, cat usually comes and curls up on my lap, Then after about hald hour go back to bed and more often than not sleep -

2.30 last night that is just what I was doing!!!

I feel I need the sleep as well, often drop off to sleep mid afternoon as well, never intentionally, seems my body requires it. so I go with the flow!. 

At night too quiet, too many thoughts (some dark) and often can't settle straight away

Was tempted to try herbal remedy but always worried about what will agree/disagree with Anastrozole

Beryl

[JETS]

Hi tink - what were the herbal pills u tried? I'm struggling to drop off And still wake regularly at 3 or 4 am - this is setting me back in terms of recovery and getting back to work but I am reluctant to try prescribed medicine (maybe stupidly....)

[Tinkerbell72]

You have to try and keep positive us girls have to get through it for everyone else around us.  Sometimes laying in bed in the dark trying to get to sleep can be the worst times of all, i did receive advice from my BCN to perhaps try some herbal sleeping tablets - which has really helped just to relax me before i go off to sleep.  Keep strong xx

[Carmen42]

That's a lot of philosophical thought!!!

I am a great one for overthinking stuff... it's hard to just remember that my surgery was successful, clear margins, clear nodes etc so on balance everything should be fine. My mind has an unhealthy obsession with "what ifs".

As I said before keep smiling! 😉

[sentangelo]

And yes, one important thing I forgot to say! Please do get better! And the sooner the better! xxx Julia

[sentangelo]

Hi Carmen, Tinkerbell, and Pianist! Thanks so much for your responses. Yes, it may be a seesaw sometimes, like Saturday evening turned out to be very bad emotionally, but then when I try to turn my brain on, I calm down and serousely think it's all gonna be fine. I guess it's just one day at a time. And yes, probably it's a very good idea to excercise. I somehow strangely believe that this whole experience is given to us because we are strong, and strong people tend to have heavier problems. And this all horrible experience will definitely change us for the best. Yes, it takes a lot, but eventually will give a lot too. Perhaps too much philosophy, sorry 🙂

[ThePianist]

Hello Julia

Good for you. They know SO much about breast cancer these days and more and more women are being cured. Some doctors don't use the word but many do now - there's a reason for that! Go with the flow and let them do their thing and I am sure everything will turn out well. You're on your way now; you won't believe how quickly it goes. Enjoy the pampering you'll get and take it easy. 

Remember, this is just a chapter in your book, not the whole story!!

Gill

[Tinkerbell72]

Hi ladies, I think it is great to be positive i think it is the only way ..... all of us will have down days, I know I have (usually after i have had a tough appointment or a long day).  Most of the time it can feel like a dream but then also that is quite good to get through the dark moments.  I must admit I did originally find it quite difficult at diagnosis stage before my masectomy surgery to lay in bed at night in those quiet moments, but once I had the op it sort of in a strange way the dark moments got less.  You have to ensure that you do your exercises and sleep and rest, I also got prescribed Citaloprim to help me.  Now I am waiting to start treatment 6 sessions of FEC, then radiotherapy and Herceptn and also taking part of a trial as HER2 + so that will be ongoing.  I think it is best to just go with your emotions dont be hard on yourself. xxx

[Carmen42]

Hi ladies,
I think it's fine to feel anything that will get you through the wait. My treatment plan has changed constantly from the original diagnosis and its so hard to deal with anyway and then it changes again and again and it gets harder. So be positive because your consultant will do the best for you and the treatment will be the best it can be and we will all get through this.

Good luck and try to keep smiling 🙂

[sentangelo]

Hi Pandorra! Thanks for your reply. I really hope I can stick to the positive thoughts as the moment I've written a post I somehow lost all the positivity, haha. It's just the rollercoaster, but I will try hard to stick to the positive. I've ordered some books on amazon to help me cope with the whole bloody cancer and will start reading them. 

How are you feeling? Are you healing nicely? I really wish you hear great news on the 20th, well as good as they can get, haha. XXX Julia

[pandorra1]

Hi Julia can only say that you should carry on with your beliefs. I think we all go through this in different ways and your positive thoughts are certainly good. I have to wait until 20th feb for my results and part of me says will not be too bad, but then the other part says, who are You kidding. I believe this is part of the waiting game, had surgery on 27th jan.  We all have so much going on in our heads, but whatever appears we will deal with it.  This forum is exceptional, we are all so special.  Carry on with your thoughts, you are not wrong lol xxxxxxx

[sentangelo]

Hello Ladies,

I was just wondering if I'm living in a dream and should come back to earth?

I was diagnosed about 2 weeks ago, not much yet known, only that I'm facing single/double mastectomy, the tumor is 100% estrogen positive, 60% progesteron positive, Her2 not known yet, the genetical test is on the way. I'm going to have chemo, radio, and hormonal treatment. I'm young and the tumor is agressive (grade 3). I'm super terrified of the upcoming surgery and treatment. But at the same time I'm confident that it all gonna be alright, that I'll get over it and overcome it and be healthy again cancer free. Am I fooling myself? I do not know my prognosis yet, but somehow I'm sure I'm going to be fine. Am I in denial? Or is it a stage and my emotional state will get worse? Did/do you feel something similar?

xxx

Julia