Meditation CD for poor sleep

[Shelagh1]

Try this one too 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4VFLY8nT-U

[Waffles]

Hi alll

Type 10 hour rain into google and you will get these lovely rain sounds that you can listen to with your headphones in bed and will send you of to sleep very quickly. You can get all sort of sounds like waves and the wind too. Very relaxing and free to use. xxx

[Carolyn52]

This thread has slipped a lot.
Last night went to bed ten ish .not feeling very sleepy but went through to six am without a pee or flush ....the only thing I can think of .. I had a banana before bedtime . First time ever as they normally give me heartburn.
There was a lot of press a few months ago about them being good for sleep . So try it and see if it works for you.
Xxx

[SamanthaL]

Hey Waffles,
Try this cd out - it works for me
Matthew Manning, Creative Visualisation, it's the second track.

[Carolyn52]

Hiya Dee ...yum Bailey's no need for a to z counting tonight. U will sleep like a baby on it.
I'm not counting tonight ...I have a book I'm in to so will try that .
Bailey's drinkers also wear bigger knickers ..loads of calories but they don't count if u put ice in it as it wipes out the intake ......haha.
Hugs everyone xxxxx

[Deedeepuss]

Yes Easter eggs is a good one, ill do the chocolate one again tonight. Nothing wrong with big knickers😃, we'll just have to wear our special Hospital ones more often lol.

Loving the A-Z, thankyou.

Gotta go its Baileys night. Well I don't have children so no Mothers day choccies, so gotta have a treat 😉

Xxx

Xxx

[Waffles]

Hi everyone,

It sounds like the a to z game for sleeplessness is working for some of you. I've used it since I was very young and the secret is to pick something fairly easy  otherwise you have to concentrate too hard which keeps you wakened. I  rarely get past C before I'm snoozing.

Best wishes everyone xxx

[Carolyn52]

Hiya Marie . I second that. I'm still chomping through mothers day chocs ..yum.
Bigger knickers for me now ....
Hugs xxx

[Marie123]

Every, Enormous, Exciting, Extremely chocolaty bar is mine ! M xxxx

[Carolyn52]

Omg.all I can think of is egg ...it's nearly Easter
And the creme eggs are in the shops..yeah.
I did a to z of colours last nite and slept like a baby.
Hugs xxxx

[Deedeepuss]

Chocolate bar beginning with E anyone? 😒

[Deedeepuss]

Good night, sleep tight.

Xxx

[Carolyn52]

zzzz ... feeling tired tonight so hope I dont have to resort to a to z ..of anything ......My Sis dragged me around Harveys looking at sofas, sitting on them  and looking at swatches of materials so I think that will do the trick tonight !!!!

Happy sleep everyone 

Carolyn xxxxxxxxxxxx

[Marirose]

Hi Carolyn

 I wasn't knocking your system what I ment was when I was thinking how many boys names began A then B I dropped off so it must have worked even though my mind may have felt bored with the game.

I will try it again if I find myself in a sleepless situation

Good Luck tonight everyone xxx

[Rachel10]

Has anyone tried a room atomiser with essential oils in? We have one (they are electric, use water and emit a mist) and out frankincense oil in it. That worked really well - not just for us but our kids too. Lavender oil works quite well too. 

[Carolyn52]

 Sorry Marirose that our system didnt help !!!!! I often lay awake and think about how many other ladies are doing the a to z thing !!!!

Try putting on tv and watching night time tv ........thats enough to make anyone fall asleep !!! I watched a whole omnibus version of Hollyoaks once ...........aagh such a sad life. Then try the shopping channels - a half hour of the advantages of a steam mop or steam gun  is enough to make any one nod off !!!!  

Come on ladies any other ideas ...we have to keep this going !!

Hugs everyone xxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Marirose]

Hi have been quite intersted with this thread. Couldn't sleep last night so tried different subjects didn't work but doing as many boys name beginning with A then moving on to B I fell alseep maybe it could have been boredom???

But thanks it's been a good idea xxx

[Carolyn52]

Hiya Rachel ..yes think u must b right ..won't even try to understand all these things. Just do what oncologist says and keep popping the pills she prescribes. Ignorance is bliss. Often thought how hard for nurses or doctors that have to go thru cancer treatment as too much knowledge must b scary !!
Hugs xx

[Rachel10]

Hi Carolyn, I think it depends on what other treatment you have had or are on: I think exemestane and letrazole do a similar thing but I was on letrazole with zoladex and then when that stopped working they added everolimus and switched the letrazole for exemestane. I did ask why but can't quite remember the answer! 

[Carolyn52]

Didnt sleep well last night and tried naming characters in eastenders ....got stuck on den and angies dog !!! Remembered when I woke up ( it worked) it was Rowley .....
Might try corrie characters tonight.
Another idea for you non sleepers.
Hugs xxxx

[Deedeepuss]

Hope you had a lovely day.

Yes I'm now officially a Letrozole lady, so keeping everything crossed it does the job.

Take care x

[Carolyn52]

Hiya hope yr a to z on flowers worked last night. I stayed up a bit later than normal so slept well ..in fact haven't been up very long.
Got some lovely flowers and chocs from eldest son and waiting for youngest one to visit running out of vases now.
Well we letrozole ladies must stick together and hope this tiny tiny pill does what its supposed to do.
Hugs xxxx

[Deedeepuss]

Hiya

Yes I also think it would be good to have a section with treatment plans as I try and dip into threads sometimes to get a back story. I looked on my profile page to see if there was a section but couldn't see anything.

You could be right about the cakes, there could be a subliminal message in the A-Z of cakes! Met my friend for a coffee today, and had an amazing piece of carrot cake. Didn't connect the 2 but now you mention it.

Julie it was good to hear you have managed to stay with Letrozole for so long, that's wonderful. Hope you continue to feel better, so many bugs and viruses around.

May start an A-Z of flowers tonight. That was such a brilliant tip, its helped me so much.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and Mothers day. Night night xxx

[JulieD]

Deedeepuss, well done for being assertive, we shouldn't hae to fight our corner but it seems that that is the case too often. You are right, I often wonder what happens to those less able to speak up?!

Talking about treatments, particularly hormones, sometimes we can be lucky and have something that works really well for us individually. To give some hope to those going through changes I've been on Letrozole (and zometa) for nearly six years now and have been more or less stable

I'm not sure I  could try to name cakes, it would make me want to go and buy loads of them! I tride the figure of 8 with my nose but think I was doing it wrong - landed up with an itchy nose and no closer to sleep!

Today is the first day in three weeks that I  have actually felt like myself, we've had a horrid virus and it really has knocked us for six. I went out yesterday, just shopping, but it was nice to get out and a nice bright though cold day. It was very tiring but at least I'm getting back to normal!

Carolyn, I  think your idea about treatment history is good.

Have as good a weekend as possible girls xxxx

[Carolyn52]

It would be no good me doing the A to Z of cakes as I would have to get up and raid the fridge !! I tried doing cars A to Z the other night but got bored with that !! 

Well keep on zzzzzzzzzzzzzz if you can ..at least you have a new treatment plan in action now - didnt realise you had done so much chemo !! 

It would be nice if there was a section where we all put our past  treatments so we knew what everyone was dealing with.... I cant remember whose having what !!! 

Hugs xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Deedeepuss]

Hi All, thankyou all for comments. Yes it's a scary path we walk down. Just keep trying hormones, then chemo, then hormones etc. A vicious circle. My last experience with chemo wasn't good, but now I've been through the last 3mths stressing about whether to go with chemo or hormone at least I know I would give the chemo another go.

I go to a hospital in Shropshire.

Did my A - Z last night thinking about cakes, got stuck on H.

Keep hanging in there xxx

[Carolyn52]

Im sure deedeepuss is very grateful to you both for input as you are both old hands at this! No offence meant but sometimes it's nice to hear all comments.
I have read so many ladies saying letrozole doesn't hold off progression for very long and it always ends up with the same route ........chemo in some form.
It's a hard journey this time around ( primary dx was a walk in park compared to this ) and although we all seem tough and strong ....all feel the same fear.

Hugs xx

[Cress]

Hello Dee,

Last Nov my onc was on holiday and I saw a Registrar. I had an extremely painful fungating nipple and had been asked to keep a photo journal of it on my phone by my onc, so I had pics from start of September. The deterioration was obvious, but this Registrar said it wasn't infected because it didn't smell (nevermind the fact that it was now sticking to my camisole)!!! He also said it 'didn't look that bad'. When I saw my onc in Dec. he immediately said it was fungating and got me to see a TV nurse for dressings.

To shorten this tale, I was so angry that I complained to my then trial research nurse, and she said that we have a right to ask to be seen by the same person every time. Obvs, this doesn't always work if they're on holiday but at least it gives us some continuity.

Marirose is right, everyone responds differently. Letrozole was my first treatment and I was on it for 4 mos before progression was discovered. If you feel a drug isn't working, try to ask for an early review. Time is everything for us, and we shouldn't be left on something ineffective.

I was so glad to hear you challenging your treatment. Most of my care has been excellent, but when something doesn't seem right, I speak up - it's our live at stake.

Take care,

Julia x     

[Marirose]

Hello Deedeepus

Sorry to hear that you were messed about at the hospital which hospital do you go to. The onc should have known better than to let a sister give you the news about a scan result. I admit I have had a registra give me results but if it has been bad it has always been the onc. I am pleased for you that some of your scan was stable but sorry you also have progression.

Exemestane and Letrozole are hormone drugs I first had Letrozole for 9 month when it stopped working and I had progression. So it was decided that I should go on everolimus and exemestane combo which gave me 4 stables scans but the 5th was progression again after 16 months. I had already had tomoxifen in my primary stage for 5 years. So my recepter had now changed and hormone drugs will no longer work for me.

This does not mean that one drug is stronger than another. Some Ladies do better on different drugs to others. It's all a question of finding what suits an individual best.

[Carolyn52]

Wow what a nightmare but at least you r now a letrozole lady like me. I've been on it over four months now and hope they will b able to say soon that its working! Although I'm getting hair thinning ..most of the side effects r ok.
I'm quite happy to take it if its working and lots of ladies here have been on it ages.
I think our next treatment if this fails is cape but not keen to go that route if can get good results with this.
I haven't seen a breast care nurse at all for any of my appointments ..always oncologist . Think bc nurses must b more involved with primary bc ladies and hangout with them!!
Glad u got the right care in the end but as u say u have to speak up and not like me ...Just want to escape quick from clinic !
Hugs xxxx

[Deedeepuss]

Hi there, thankyou all for your support. Long story, but when I went to hospital Thursday they put me with a Sister! Not the Oncologist. Was gonna let me go after telling me things were stable. Didn't realise it was a stable result following a progression and looking at med change. Unbelievable! Incompetence is an understatement. After being bombarded with questions she got me the oncologist. Oncologist assumed I was changing meds, but nothing in my file! So I could have left the hospital on the same meds which had failed me last Oct/Dec and gone back in 3 mths time with more progression had I not have been assertive. After discussion I'm now on Letrozole, and still have chemo Cap as my back up. So ended up good news. When oncologist left the room the Sister said she only gave stable results, didn't realise there had been recent progression and didn't deal with complicated cases like mine. I voiced my concern that I was in a fortunate position to speak up for myself, whilst many others that came through the system weren't, some too poorly, elderly or learning difficulties. So ladies please speak up and make sure you're listened to. Take care xxx

[Carolyn52]

Good news to both of you. I always thought that exemestrale and letrozole were much the same but maybe letrozole is a bit stronger. I'm sure you will get the best treatment when you c oncologist tomorrow deedeepuss and best of luck. Thinking back I haven't had a scan since October so must b due one soon ..ignorance is bliss though.
Hugs xxx

[Waffles]

Hi Deedeepuss,

Great to hear you were told everything was stable with your CT yesterday. I got the same good news yesterday too.  Such a relief isn't it! Glad the counting games have been helping but, as Carolyn mentioned, you probably wouldn't have needed them last night after your good news. Best wishes to everyone.  xxx

[Carolyn52]

Omg. I am a nightmare with seeing oncologist as all I want to do is get out as soon as i get in. She is really nice too. I don't ask many questions ...doh..just get on with what she says. I take letrozole ( 4 months) Adcal ( yum tutti fruity flavour) and injections . Hugs xx

[Deedeepuss]

Hi, I'm on denosumab injections (last 12 mths for spine), adcal - calcium with bit D, exemestane. The exemestane allowed cancer to progress to liver again, highlighted in Dec 2015 CT. Done another CT Feb showing cancer in liver no worse than Dec. Jan oncologist apt discussed moving to Xeloda or Letrozole. So Thurs apt to discuss what we do now! Last 3 mths have been tough. Lots of questions, but when you get in your apt they tell you something else and throw you, and you cone away with more. I've written them down. Have you any ideas on questions to ask? What meds are you on now? Xx

[Carolyn52]

That's good news so maybe you will sleep tonight without counting things ! What treatments r u on at the moment ? Obviously working to stabilize everything.
Hugs xxxxx

[Deedeepuss]

Hi Carolyn, had my 12th injection today woo hop. Didn't get a badge. Had CT result yesterday and cancer in liver stable, and blood ca 15.3 marker stable again. See oncologist Thursday to see if they think Xeloda or Lezeterole the way forward. I did A - Z dog breeds last night, a few tricky ones but its definitely helping. I'll give Zodiacs a go too. Take care x

[Carolyn52]

Hiya I was tired last night so just counted the 12signs of the zodiac ....don't think I did them all before I nodded off.
Wow 12 of the injections ...do u get a badge or something ? Obviously a on going thing not just a few month treatment. It's day 6 and I'm still achy and stiff ...
Well better get dressed as I'm still in my pjs.
Hugs xx

[Deedeepuss]

Hi, I did places in the UK last night, counties seemed a bit too hard for me! It helped. I did keep asking up, my usual 4 or 5 times but I just picked up from where I left off before I fell asleep each time. Got to X when I got up. Tonight I'm gonna do breeds of dog 😊😫 xxx

[Carolyn52]

I did the figure of eight nose thing !!!@lol.
Slept for six hours without a wee too so well chuffed. Too much information but it's a rare occurrence for me.
Dont think I can attempt the state's of us .....maybe it would b better with the counties of UK !!!! Even then i would struggle ...doh.
Hugs xxxx

[Waffles]

Hi DeedeePuss,

I hope all goes well for you on Thursday. 

Good luck with your sleep. I was doing my States of America memory game last night  and I only got as far as Colorado Colorado and I was out like a light.😀xx

[Carolyn52]

Hope everything goes ok for you on Thursday ...I dread all the appointments too. Just want to bury my head in the sand and have my old life back .
Hugs and thoughts xxxxx
Ps . Hope u get some sleep tonight.

[Deedeepuss]

Hi Carolyn and Waffles

Thankyou for the ideas, ill try a few out and let you know how I get on.

Matthew Madden has seminars for healing too.

I don't put anything on in the night as I'd wake my partner up, but listen to things before sleep to try and help. I go off to sleep ok, it's the waking up. To be honest I should put a cd on in the night to drown out his snoring lol!

Oncologist and results, then decisions to make Thursday, so sleep may improve after that. Or not as the case maybe.

I'll try the nose figure of 8 tonight!

Take care xxx

[Waffles]

Hi Carolyn, I've played the game with all the US state names thousands of times over the years so I do know all their names. It's just a matter of trying to remember them in the middle of the night. I'm not sure if I fall asleep because I've tired my brain out or if I've bored myself to sleep!! 😁xx

[Carolyn52]

No wonder Waffles you get to sleep quick .........naming the states of US would be like me  being on Mastermind  !! Could only name a couple and then I would have to get up and  google it !!!  lol.

Hugs xxxxxxxxxxxx

[Waffles]

I have a weird solution to sleeplessness which has  worked for me since I was little. I go through the alphabet and try to remember States of America,  countries,film stars or types of animal etc whose names begin with each letter. I never get to the end of the alphabet. I always fall asleep first. Give it a try. xxx

[Carolyn52]

Oh Im a nightmare at night too ..........usually 2 ish !! Either read or put tv on !!

 My friend swears by:.....

Shutting her eyes and drawing a figure of eight with her nose without moving it !!!

My other friend says you put your hand on tummy ( just above belly button )  and the other hand on your forehead and this is supposed to create a circuit which cleanses and relaxes your body !!

No much help really .........I wont use the cds things as I dont use mobile phone or tablets in bedroom - just tv !!  They say that having all the gadgets beside bed keeps you awake !!

Hugs and hope you get some sleep zzzzzzzzzzzzzz xx

[Deedeepuss]

Hiya

Thankyou both for replying. I haven't heard of Mathew Manning but will definitely check him out. There are so many cd's out there its difficult to know which one to try.

I do try visualisation, but at present I am unable to stay focused long enough, and keep getting distracted by thoughts so stay awake. I go to sleep well, but wake up and can be awake for a few hrs. Gets tiring by the end of the week! One visualisation which used to work was similar to the one you mentioned Carolyn, it's not rubbish thankyou for suggesting. Starts by lying on a big comfy bed, in a room which is all white, float through window, down a path, down steps to a beach, walk along beach to a deck chair, have a sit down, listen to waves on shore, watch sailing boat go by in distance, then retrace your steps until you are cosy back in bed in the white room. Are you asleep yet? Lol. That doesn't help me though at the moment unfortunately.

I also try the mindfulness body scan and the meditation but that's not working now either!

I'll investigate the Manning one the weekend. I like the sound of holding the two images, sounds a challenge.

Hope your sleep improves too.

Take care x

[Carolyn52]

I don't know much about these things but they say ...walk down ten steps and count and then imagine a nice scene ...beach Palm trees
or something u like and then stop count to ten and then climb back the steps. Probably rubbish but thought I would offer.....
Hugs xxx

[SamanthaL]

Have you tried Mathew Manning.

youve just prompted me actually, I used to listen to him on tape years ago, to great effect, but haven't got any downloads at the moment, and I too need quite a bit of help sleeping so I thought I'd do some research.  I'll let you know how I get on. 

The tape ( gosh yes it was years ago) encouraged you to hold two images, one on the left side of your brain and another on your right. And thus your brain flips into a meditative state and sleep! I'll let you know when I find them?