I'm sorry about the impact the steroids are having on your sleep and health Visgraat. 

As mentioned here, difficulty sleeping is a common side effect when taking steroids but I hope you've managed to see your doctor and they were able to offer you some workarounds. Hopefully some of our members will offer their advice and suggestions soon but you're more than welcome to give our cancer nurses a call about this as well. They're available on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m.

I hope you're able to get a decent nights sleep soon Visgraat and wish you well with your upcoming chemo.

Kind regards, 

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hello Steph,

I'm currently taking Dexamethasone for 3 days, every 2 weeks following a palliative chemo treatment and have sleep deprivation issues for a few nights afterwards.

I've read elsewhere that corticosteroids affect the body's melatonin hormone, hence the sleep loss.

Do you know if it's acceptable to 'replace' this melatonin with an appropriate supplement (eg melatonin milk), or will that offset the purpose of taking the steroid?

I'd prefer not to take sleeping pills.

Hello Steph,

I'm currently taking Dexamethasone for 3 days, every 2 weeks following a palliative chemo treatment and have sleep deprivation issues for a few nights afterwards.

I've read elsewhere that corticosteroids affect the body's melatonin hormone, hence the sleep loss.

Do you know if it's acceptable to 'replace' this melatonin with an appropriate supplement (eg melatonin milk), or will that offset the purpose of taking the steroid?

I'd prefer not to take sleeping pills.

Hi Paul, I was on dexamethasone for three days with each of my chemo treatments and it did mess up my sleep. Have you tried walking/exercise? I've read that it can help with sleep, appetite, pain, fatigue, etc. I've walked almost every day since diagnosis for breast cancer in August last year and I believe it helped me cope with chemo and the emotional aspects of having cancer. Worth a try? Wishing you all the best, Amy

Hello Amy, thanks for the reply and I hope everything's working out for you.

I already walk quite a lot: two labradors are keeping me on my toes and occupied! I agree with you about the benefits as I always feel better when we return home.

I've spoken to my oncologist and it's been suggested that instead of taking full doses on the 2 days following treatment - 4 pills/day, I take a full dose on day 1, half a dose day 2 and quarter of a dose on days 3 & 4, ie, weaning myself of each dose gradually as opposed to the full hit and then nothing.

Best wishes, Paul

I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble sleeping Paul.

I'm not medically trained so I can't answer your questions about this I'm afraid, but our very friendly and knowledgeable team of cancer nurses may be able to help, so if you'd like to give them a quick call you can do so on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m.

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Thanks Steph,

You may have noticed that in a previous response, I've already had a chat with my oncologist who's come up with a suggestion.

Best wishes, Paul

Sorry Paul, I was typing my reply when you posted yours to Amy so I didn't see it until afterwards.

I'm glad you've spoken with your oncolgist and a solution has been found. 

I do hope it works and you're sleeping much better again soon.

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Not a problem! I'm grateful your reoly