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Re: Sleep and cancer
For me the Effexor had no effect on my constant clammy wetness, feeling that I was trapped inside something. And it made me feel weird.
So, slowly, slowly, after begging to be taken off, I weaned off.
Evening Primrose helped during the day. Ativan helped during the night. Actually Ativan was excellent for hot flashes but can't take it by day.
My fav onc since 1995 told me way back, when I resisted taking pills as I never even took aspirin -- YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SUFFER. THAT'S WHY WE HAVE THESE PILLS. TO HELP YOU. AT THE FIRST SIGN OF PAIN, NAUSEA, WHATEVER -- TAKE A PILL. He's basically very conservative, though aggressive when necessary, always reasoned and caring. I offer that advice to all of you.
I find watching a movie, the more boring the better, I start to fall asleep.
I do add Theanine (natural supplement, calmative) to help stop the non-stop thoughts pounding inside my skull. And melatonin.
I would be walking the hallways in my house till 5 AM if not for help. And that is not good, for my body (it needs to regenerate and rejuvenate). I read a study on nurses who worked the night shift. Their T cells were way lower than the other nurses'. Their immune system was compromised. That's the last thing any of us wants, right?!
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Andi BB
'95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive...
'98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!)
+ good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either...
Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...
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