how much sleep are you getting dave?
bizi

Dave, please don't stress about your weight gain - it is not a big number and you have had a fair bit to deal with recently.

I agree with bizi about nuts and seeds. I often snack on them - they are healthy and, at least for me, create a sensation of saiety so I don't overdo them.

I sleep badly due to the pain and continence problems caused by the Cancer/Radiotherapy. When I fall asleep I usually wake up 30-90 minutes later with pain and/or numbness, or - in the early hours - to go to the bathroom numerous times. It then takes a while to get settled and get back to sleep, so totting up I would say I have 7 hours of broken sleep a night - I have taken to falling back to sleep after my pain meds at 7am unless we are going out.

When I have my Lidocaine Infusions I sleep for virtually the whole weekend following. I am also in a constant state of drowsiness due to meds side effects - Morphine, Ketamine, Tramadol and Mirtazapine all make me drowsy and foggy.

I have been sleeping like this since 1990. I had an excellent night's sleep in '05 when they took my gallbladder out and I was still under the effects of the anaesthetic and was given a lot of Morphine. I felt GREAT

Dave.

Kiwi,

It is stll the wrong direction and I know the reason, even though it is hard to control med induced cravings.

I bought some mixed peanuts and raisins - no salt - and snack packs of dried fruit, sultana, raisin, coconut, banana, etc. All peanuts here, except ones for birds, seem to be roasted/salted/coated/dry roasted. Buying mixed with fruit means getting plain ones. The dried fruit eases my pangs for something sweet, chocolates have been creeping back into my diet these past 2 months.

I do not know whether I am repeating myself here, but at least I now know, with my weight being virtually stable for 8 weeks, that my dieting isn't the cause of my liver Blood Test Numbers being out of control.

Dave.

Dave, am sorry that you have interrupted sleep, pain etc.
One of the things they suggest is not having any fluids after say 6 pm or several hours before bed. If you take night time meds only take them with sips of water. This might help you avoid more bathroom trips at night. or even some plain yogurt to get a little protein in before sleep?
I wish you felt better.
What kind of cancer are you dealing with? I forget
bizi

Hi bizi,

I had a rare gallbladder tumour in '05, then a rare Colorectal Cancer, low down in my bowel in '13. I had had it for years, growing and bleeding, but I was in denial until the bleeding got too bad. The scarring and the Radiotherapy severely damaged my bowel and waterworks - it is not amounts that affect me, anything can work through at any time. Sorry to be so graphic As of mid last year I have been discharged by my Oncologist.

Anyway, my daughter picked up some yogurts today, so I have one on hand to eat in a few minutes. Then I have ONE cereal bar to snack on overnight if needed instead of 4.

Dave.

You have been thru so much dave.
(((((((HUGS)))))))
bizi

How is it going Dave?
How are you?
bizi

Hi Dave,

I am also thinking of you and hope you are well.


DejaVu

Hi Dave

I can relate to the beneficial effects of Morphine on sleep quality - they had to physically shake me awake to sign the consent forms before my appendectomy - does wonders for pain relief as well.

Don't fret the small weight gain - I know it bugs you but with your determination you'll get it sorted. I had a weigh-in at the doctor's today and was expecting an increase as I haven't been able to do any physio or exercise for the past month due to severe edema & pain (caused by very hot weather and meds). Surprisingly I had dropped 5kg (about 2lbs ?) - don't feeling like eating in the heat - Popsicles have become my new favourite 'food' (I think they may be called ice lollies in the UK).

Another good snack you might like is carrot sticks or celery dipped in hummus. Maybe not very appealing in the middle of winter but the chick peas (aka; garbonzo beans) are good for protein.