I am sleepy all the time

brainman · Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 7:11 pm Post subject: I am sleepy all the time

After finally getting permission to return to work, I am sleepy all the time. I am on my second day off and cant wake up for more than a few minutes. My eyes are heavy and it is hard to type. I think it is medication so I will talk with my doctor. I am just so sorry that I can’t be here more.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

brainman · Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 10:43 am Post subject: Re: I am sleepy all the time

Of the last 48 hours, I have slept at least 36. I have been up 1 hour this morning and already feel like I could sleep 8. I did not know which of my doctors to see, so I called my oncologist since that office always has a doctor in the office. He will work me in the afternoon. At first, I thought it was my going back to work too fast. But I adjusted to the shift change and work load well. Then I thought it was medication. I have never had to work while on Keppra. But I have not worked the last two nights and have not taken my meds like I am supposed to. You would think that, if anything, I would be more awake this morning. But I am not. I don't know what is wrong but I will keep you updated through this thread... when I have the energy to write.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

brainman · Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 9:37 pm Post subject: Re: I am sleepy all the time

Last week, after 7 months of taking steroids, my gradual decrease came to an end. That is to say, as of last Tuesday, I was no longer on steroids. My oncologist thinks that my body became dependent on that external supply and stopped making its own. Without either internal or external supplies, I became lethargic, weak, sleepy, and all the other symptoms I have. Tonight, I have started on a low dose of steroids. So far, it has helped a little. But I wonder what I will not to do for the long term solution I seek.

I have an appointment with my neurologist on Friday to have those meds evaluated and possibly an EEG to see if I am not having some seizures that are so mild that I can’t even detect them.

I have to go to work tonight even though I am not 100% yet.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

brainman · Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2006 12:42 pm Post subject: Re: I am sleepy all the time

I continue to be weak. Steroids help a little but they wear off too fast. It is hard to work but I try.

Thanks to all of you who are helping me with The Cancer Forums by keeping an eye open for trouble. My not having to check each forum is a great help.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

3pturk · Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 12:39 pm Post subject: Re: I am sleepy all the time

Jim,
I just wanted to say that i hope all will be fine with you. Hoping this extreme fatigue will get figured out so you can get back to a normal life. As normal as possible. I miss your kind words and good advice but certainly understand your absence at this time. Get yourself back on your feet again that is most important. Thanks for keeping us updated on your condition. Wishing the best for you. My prayers are with you.
God Bless and be well......
Jill
_________________
Dx 3-17-05,breast cancer
40 yrs young, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, 2.5cm
ER+/PR+, Her-2/neu Negative, Grade and Stage 2
1 Sentinel node pos. 17 neg., chemo AC/Taxol ,
rad.tx

brainman · Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 9:42 am Post subject: Re: I am sleepy all the time

Thank you Jill for your kind words. I do not think it is anything life threatening. However, in terms of quality of life, it has been rather devastating. It probably is a combination of things: starting back to work on third shift after being off for 7 months, stopping the steroids too fast, being in general in poor shape, and something that none of the doctors seem concerned about but that I notice, low blood pressure. They all look at 110/65 and say “great!” But that is not normal for me. My normal has been 135/70 for almost 35 years now. So, in addition to sleeping way too much, I have a generalized weakness, shortness of breath, and dizziness. I have to climb ladders to do my job!!

Thanks, Jill, for your prayers. I do miss the forums and being able to help others.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Anneli · Regular Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 13 Location: Finland

Jim,

I hope you get better soon. You have been going through a lot these last months and maybe your body is reacting to that. Rest as much as you can! Best of luck! Smile

Anneli

bethanyaok · Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 5:56 pm Post subject: Re: I am sleepy all the time

Hi Jim,

I was poking around the forum today, and saw your posts. I hope you are doing better now, than you were in March. Have any of your doctors suggested you try PROVIGIL for the sleepiness & fatigue?? Some people with cancer have used it and found it very helpful. It is primarily approved for use with narcolepsy. But, in recent years it has become an accepted treatment for multiple sclerosis fatigue (I take it to help with my MS). And as I said, people with cancer are using it as well. I have one friend with sleep apnea who is finding it a lifesaver! Just thought I'd pass on this info! Hope you are doing well, Jim!

Bethany Smile

_________________
Bethany
breast cancer dx 4/17/00
4 AC, 28 rads, tamoxifen
7 years NED, and counting!
BRCA2+ 2/1/07

Lost Dad to Lung Cancer June '05

brainman · Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 11:02 pm Post subject: Re: I am sleepy all the time

Hi friends,

Well, after a long absence, I am back on the forum. I have spent so much of my time and energy caring for my father. In April he was diagnosed with AML. He died earlier this month from an infection related to the AML. I should have taken the time to write about it. But…

My energy is still very low. I sleep a lot… more than 12 hours some days. I know that it is partially depression. Another big part is the anti-seizure medication I have to take. I cannot work because of that danger and because I have not adjusted well to the change in medication. When I am not sleeping, I am dizzy and unsafe to climb ladder or lift heavy objects. I have fallen more than once just bending over to pick up something on the floor. In fact, just today I fell into a flower bed here at my house. I bent over to pull a weed from between some bushes. Before I knew what had happened, I was on top of the pushes. I did not pass out… I just lost my balance and fell.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I had my 6 month follow-up MRI. The treatment for the cancer on the left side of my brain seems to have taken care of the cancer. There was no sign of recurrence on the MRI. However, there was a spot much deeper on the right side. The first thing that the doctors are sure of is that on a list of what it could possible be, recurrence is at the bottom. 1. Oligodendrogliomas do not metastasize and 2. the new spot is not connected in any way to the original area.

The most likely option is that it is a small stoke. My blood pressure is not high at all, 110/68 but my cholesterol is above 300!! Isn’t life funny? I probably had a small stoke that I would never have known about except that I happened to have an MRI to check for cancer.

Sometimes while I am telling this story to people, I think I sound like a basket case, like a drama queen. So I do the worse thing for someone facing all the issues that I am facing: I withdraw from friends and family… even from “virtual friends” like all of you.

I have therapy in the morning. Just writing the post has been therapy. Thanks for caring about me.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

kumo · New User Joined: 26 Sep 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Aust.

Hi Jim,

I hope you're fairing well. Thanks for sharing your stories too. Smile

brainman · Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2006 11:08 pm Post subject: Re: I am sleepy all the time

[quote="kumo"]Hi Jim,

I hope you're fairing well. Thanks for sharing your stories too. Smile

[/quote]

Thanks, kumo. I am still very tired most of the time. But I don't know if this other spot is cancer or a stroke yet. From all that I have read, either could cause my generalized weakness and sleepiness. I know that I am struggling with depression and THAT I do know can make a person want to sleep all the time. I just don’t want to get out of bed most mornings. If it were not for keeping up with friends and this forum, I would probably just sit and watch TV all day long. Some days are better than others. Today has been a reasonably good day. I had two of my brothers and their wives over to help sort through some of my father’s things. And I have spent some time printing out a small book my father wrote to give to his Sunday School class. While it is printing, I am working on the Cancer Forums. So, it has been a productive day… more so than most days.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

vintage · Regular Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 35 Location: Minnesota

Hello Jim~ Sorry to hear you are still so tired. Yes the depression will make you very tired. Are you on anything for it? If not, you may want to check into getting something.
Just wanted to say hi and take care

Kevan

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