“Specifically, sleep disturbance is intensified for individuals living with multiple myeloma when physical symptom burden is accompanied by distress.”
Some the most common lifestyle therapies can be useful therapy for multiple myeloma (MM) patients and survivors. The articles linked below cite that sleep (SLE) is difficult during therapy and lack of restful sleep may worsen your MM. As a multiple myeloma therapy, sleep quality is more important than quantity according to research.
Like diet and exercise before, during and after cancer therapy, your sleep can make a substantial impact on your health both mentally and physically.
I am a long-term multiple myeloma survivor. While I haven’t slept for eight (8) hours continuously for the past 20 years or so, I am in bed for 8 hours a night and I make sure that the sleep I do get, 3-4 hours at a stretch, is restful. Further, I have made a science out of power naps during my day.
Irritable or Overactive bladder is a long-term side effect caused by cytoxan (cyclophosphamide) that causes a feeling of “urination urgency.” My IB or OAB makes me wake up every 3-4 hours at night.
So how do I make sure my 3-4 hour stints as restful as possible? The studies linked and excerpted below outline non-toxic therapies to help me sleep.
Ed.Note- I have to add another sleep therapy. A few months ago I bought a white noise machine. Soft, multiple noises, (rain, sea surf, jungle sounds, etc.) and the thing really does help me sleep! I fall asleep faster when I wake to hit the head too.
For more information about myeloma therapies to help you manage your incurable blood cancer, scroll down the page, post a question or comment and I will reply to you ASAP.
Multiple Myeloma – Sleep, Insomnia
Thank you,
David Emerson
- Multiple Myeloma Survivor
- MM Cancer Coach
- Director Galen Foundation
Recommended Reading:
“SLE disturbance is a common symptom in MM, and has been linked to both physical symptoms and psychological issues, including fatigue, mood disturbance, and decreased physical function. We test our hypothesis that the interaction between physical and psychosocial health is associated with SLE disturbance in a national sample of MM patients…
That is, the degree to which MM symptom burden is linked to SLE disturbance depends on psychological distress. Specifically, SLE disturbance is intensified for individuals living with MM when physical symptom burden is accompanied by distress. Overall, our results point to the important interplay of physical and psychological health for SLE…”
“Roughly 50–70 million Americans are affected by poor sleep. In fact, according to some studies, up to 30% of adults in the United States report that they sleep for less than 6 hours each night. (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source).
Although it’s a common problem, poor sleep can have severe consequences.
Poor sleep can deplete your energy, lower your productivity, and increase the risk of diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes (1Trusted Source).
Melatonin is a hormone that tells your body when it’s time to head to bed. It’s also become a popular supplement among people struggling to fall asleep…
Current evidence suggests that melatonin supplements are safe, nontoxic, and not addictive (34Trusted Source, 35).
That being said, some people may experience mild side effects, such as:
- dizziness
- headaches
- nausea
Melatonin may also interact with a variety of medications. These include (36, 37, 38Trusted Source, 39Trusted Source, 40Trusted Source, 41Trusted Source, 42, 43):
- sleep aids or sedatives
- blood thinners
- anticonvulsants
- blood pressure medication
- antidepressants
- oral contraceptives
- diabetes medications
- immunosuppressants
“The length of the nap is very important in determining its subsequent effect on alertness and cognitive functioning…The benefits of a brief nap (up to 20 minutes) emerge almost immediately following the nap and can last up to three hours…”
“Studies show that almost 80% of cancer patients will complain about disturbed SLE during their cancer journeys. Cancer and cancer therapies have side effects that impair good quality SLE, leading to insomnia,daytime sleepiness and fatigue. Sleep affects immune function,and a lack of SLE may put patients undergoing cancer therapy at greater risk of infections…”
“We know that disturbed sleep can result in lowered alertness the next day. A recent study suggests more serious repercussions for cancer patients….”
“Everyone should get about 8 hours of SLE each night. This is difficult for people without cancer and extremely difficult for those of us with cancer. The article below provide 8 natural ways to get a better SLE…”
