chemo brain/sleep deprivation

[MJo]

I had been worried about cognitive disorders and whether I have chronic chemo brain. Had to go off aromatase inhibitors for one month due to liver reaction, and found myself sleeping soundly through the night after three days off. Began to feel alert and like my old self -- which has its challenges -- but I felt alert, youtful, etc. Am back on Femara. After three days, sleep disorder started again. I think I've been suffering from sleep deprivation for three years. I will have a lot to say to my oncologist. If the pharmas can figure out how to block estrogen and starve our cancer cells, they should be able to formulate the meds so that it doesn't cause chronic insomnia. That has its own health risks. At least I think I know what the problem is now -- chronic sleep deprivation! I wonder how often that's identified as "chemo brain." Thanks for letting me bitch.

[Cannon]

Interesting, MJo, I have been taking sleep meds for a while now - I figured the most important thing for my health is a good night's sleep. It seems like it's often two steps forward, one step back.