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Insomnia after illness

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SpinDriftCoastal Mon 24-Aug-26 20:20:59

This summer I was diagnosed with breast cancer, had a mastectomy and am awaiting my treatment plan. My major problem is getting sleep. I can sleep for two hours from going to bed, but then wake up and cannot get back to sleep. This is hindering my recovery and left me trying to catch up with an hour here and there. I can wake anything up to five times a night as I have to sleep on a wedge pillow because of op. Any suggestions much appreciated? Thank you.

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MarieElla Mon 24-Aug-26 20:28:00

A small dose of mirtazapine [7mg] might help reset your sleep.
Hope you're recovering well otherwise.

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kittylester Mon 24-Aug-26 20:30:04

I'm sorry to hear you diagnosis and hope your treatment goes well.

My advice would be not to stress when you wake up. Can you play Sleep Sounds on an Alexa and read for a while?

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Cressy Mon 24-Aug-26 21:44:41

Whenever I wake up in the night I do a bit of cognitive shuffling. I think of a three or four letter word and starting with the first letter I think of as many words beginning with it. When I run out of ideas I go on to the second letter and then the third and so on. I very rarely get to the end of the word but if I do I just pick another one. It’s a distraction from allowing your brain to wander.

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