I can sleep, I just don't want to, I have better things to do - Sleep Disorders Message Board

bluesnowflake · 10-30-2003, 12:29 AM

Okay, so the subject pretty much is my problem. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer on September 30th, and since then have gotten perhaps 20-25 hours of sleep a week. The cancer is not serious, but hey, its the word and the oncoming surgeries that gets me more than anything. I'm 21...I shouldn't have cancer

. Anyway, I just don't sleep. I feel like I just avoid it, and I just want to be alone, and the night is the best time for it. I occasionally take a nap, maybe 2x a week. I go to school, I have a million papers and exams to catch up on, and slowly I am trying to work on them. It would probably help if I got more sleep, but I just don't. I could go to bed right now I think, but when I have tried, I lay there, tired as hell, but then I get thinking...and then I decide I need to straighten my already very organzied freakishly neat and coordinated room. I pick up little tiny things off the floor, I arrange papers that have already been gone though ten times...I just want to sleep. But I am too scared. I have to many things to do besides sleep. I can't really remember what I do though. Suddenly its 5 in the morning and the sun peeks through and whispers for me to go to bed...I hate this. Whats going on?? I do yoga and relaxation exercises, have since I was 16. They aren't working. I have hypothyroidism, normally hypos are extremely fatigued and can sleep 14 hours a night and still be exhausted. Maybe I am so exhausted right now that I can't even sleep... thanks for the vent...sorry I really did rant didn't I??!!

Corinna_H · 10-31-2003, 01:20 PM

I am so sorry about your scary DX, I think you are most likely unable to sleep because you are very anxious and stressed? Also suddenly every second is precious and you don't want to waste it, yet you need rest and more important, sleep, to get the fuel to do your fighting for full health. Also sleep will help you to cope with the emotional issues involved.

Just maybe you need meds to help you get back the sleep habit.

You say you are hypothyroid, is this corrected by thyroxine tabs? If so your dosage may be a bit high and that makes sleep hard to get.

Just very rarely, a shock can cause your thyroid gland to go hyper, I don't know if this can happen when you are low, or when you have cancer in the gland, but it could be worth having your levels checked.

I wish you all the luck in the world, it very much sounds as if you have an easily sorted cancer and you will most likely be ok after, it may take a bit of time getting your thyroid levels correct, but once you have, you will feel fine:)

I know of plenty of people who have had cancer, including my Mum, she had it nearly 20 years ago and she has had no trouble since:) By the way, do get any councelling that is on offer, it really can help more than you can imagine.