What are prostate cancer treatment-related sleeping problems?

A feeling of un-restful sleep or an interrupted sleep sequence, often more severe than the sleep problems healthy people experience. Sleeping problems are often seen in people who have surgery, radiation treatment, or other forms of cancer treatment.

How do people describe treatment-related sleeping problems?

Individuals with cancer have described sleeping problems as not being able to fall asleep, waking frequently during the night with difficulty returning to sleep, waking too early in the morning, or experiencing sleep that is not refreshing.

What happens when you experience treatment-related sleeping problems?

Sleep disruption can affect the way you think as well as how you feel and can lead to fatigue. You may have trouble paying attention when reading, watching television, and even talking with family members. When your sleep is interrupted, you may find that you are not able to do all of the activities you did before cancer treatment.

What causes treatment-related sleeping problems?

The cause of cancer treatment-related sleeping problems varies among individuals. Problems like getting up frequently to empty your bladder, stress, pain, anxiety, depression, and other factors may contribute to trouble sleeping.

How do people cope with treatment-related sleeping problems?

Everyone experiences trouble sleeping and cancer treatment differently. You may not have trouble failing asleep while someone else does or you may experience waking too early in the morning while someone else does not. Here are some tips to help you cope with sleeping problems:

• Do light exercising in the late afternoon (before the evening meal); avoid strenuous activities 2 hours before bedtime.
• Avoid caffeine-containing fluids, after mid-afternoon (3pm). This includes colas, teas, coffee, cocoa, and diet sodas.
• Eat a high-protein snack 2 hours before bedtime.
• Soak in a tub of warm water for 20 minutes several hours before going to bed.
• Establish a bedtime routine that includes some quiet time.
• Keep your bedroom dark and free of loud noises or use a noise-making machine (fan) to help filter out loud noises.
• Listen to relaxation tapes or visualize a scene that has had a calming effect on you in the past.
• Do not watch television or read in bed.
• If you are not asleep within 30 minutes of going to bed, get up and do some quiet activity until you get sleepy, then return to bed. Do this as many times each night as you need.

• Be open and honest with your partner.
• Fully and calmly discuss with your partner your sleeping problems as well as any thoughts, feelings, or ideas you might have about the problem.
• Ask for your partner's thoughts, feelings, and ideas.
• Brainstorm with your partner possible solutions. Develop a plan to combat your sleeping problems. Post your plan.

Call your doctor or nurse if you:

• Are not able to fall asleep.
• Are waking frequently during the night.
• Are having difficulty returning to sleep after waking.
• Are waking too early in the morning.
• Are experiencing sleep that is not refreshing.