I tried all the alternative strategies to help with sleep and none of them worked for me. In the end I used zopiclone, just the low dose of 3.75mg, and got a perfect night's sleep every night.
2 days ago
Michelle I see that medical cannabis is legal in Texas. I use gummies of cannabis for sleep and what a game changer it is. Ask your oncologist about it.
3 days ago
Thank you for the suggestion.
1 day ago
Sleep troubles are really common with breast cancer — you're definitely not alone in this. Many MyBCTeam members have shared how hard it can be to get a good night's rest.
There are several reasons why breast cancer can disrupt sleep, including:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Pain or nausea from treatment
- Anxiety and Show Full Answer
Sleep troubles are really common with breast cancer — you're definitely not alone in this. Many MyBCTeam members have shared how hard it can be to get a good night's rest.
There are several reasons why breast cancer can disrupt sleep, including:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Pain or nausea from treatment
- Anxiety and stress about diagnosis and treatment decisions
- Medications like tamoxifen, Arimidex (anastrozole), Herceptin, and chemotherapy Here are some tips that have helped others manage sleep issues:
- Keep your bedroom cool, quiet, and dark
- Stick to a consistent bedtime and wake time
- Avoid caffeine, especially after early afternoon
- Limit screen time before bed
- Try melatonin (check with your doctor first)
- Consider CBD oil — some MyBCTeam members have found it helpful
- Try gentle exercise like yoga or a 20-minute walk, but not too close to bedtime
- Explore meditation or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Use comfort tools like special pillows
One MyBCTeam member found that combining Benadryl, warm tea, lavender mist, and meditation did the trick — sometimes it takes a little experimenting! It's really worth bringing up sleep struggles with your doctor. They can help identify if a specific medication is the culprit and may suggest alternatives or prescribe a sleep aid. Your quality of life matters, and your care team is there to help.
3 days ago
Michele, breast cancer Is a big adjustment and it unfortunately doesn't happen overnight, not even close. The meds create a lot of issues and the stress certainly does.. I'm not sure if those who have never had cancer can possibly understand the mental and physical issues we handle every single day
It's a lot. By the time we get to bed, we're too tired to sleep and it's almost impossible to relax. The good news is that it realky does get easier. Promise. Talk to your nurse navigator because she may have some really great advice. She is now your new BFF. She can help you with everything. Wishing you the best. Love and hugs!!!!
3 days ago