One of the issues I often hear about is sleeping and lack there of. I for one fall in this category and it was always an issue for me but more so once I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I listened to a telephone conference yesterday that gave hints on how to address this issue and also talked about sleep aids. One trick was to not do anything in your bedroom other than sleeping and that includes taking the TV out of the bedroom and removing your alarm clock or at least turning it so you can't see it. It also mentioned that those of us that seem to wake up and can't get back to sleep to get up go do something out of the bedroom until you are sleepy and then return to bed. I found that I cannot listen to music as I am, in my mind dissecting the music as to rhythm and instruments in the piece and more, I can't read as I get too involved and can't put the book down. If I make a run to the facilities, I can't get back to sleep and I have developed quite a pattern of interrupted sleep. I am aware that my routine should be consistent and so I will say I do comply with that by hitting the hay around 10-10:30 (Which means I miss CASTLE) and up around 5:30. I rarely need an alarm clock but if I wake earlier than 5:30, then I am restless until the time to get up. I try not to move if I awaken early as if I do that means dog and husband are up and that is the end of sleeping. I can't watch any violence on TV before bed and keeping a pad at the bedside to write down things you need to address doesn't work for me either as I continue to put things down throughout the night. Sleep aids work for about 4 hours and over the counter aids just give me a hangover. I am not sure of what will work for you but I do encourage you to discuss this with your doctor as all systems falter when you don't get your sleep. I do think my next step will be white sound just so long it doesn't have water running in it or that triggers a whole other response. (I know you are all aware of what I am talking about there). All in all, sleep is important and some day I hope I can slow down enough to get some, in the mean time when and if I do get a good nights' sleep it is like winning the lottery. I hope you can find your ZZZZZ's and make it a great day! In the meantime, I will be on a short reprieve until next week, I will update you when I get back. S
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AuthorMy name is Sue Kilburn and I am a clinical nurse breast cancer educator at the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Archives
March 2015
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