To literally cry due to tiredness?

[GoJetterGirl]

Those of you who know me will remember previous threads about my son, who is now terminally ill with cancer.

He is 3 months into the 6 months he was given and is now on a great number of meds for symptom control, recently, we added a new medication to help with the extreme sickness, so far so good...

But,

For the last few nights, he has been waking at around 11pm (after being put to bed at 8) and having 'conversations' with himself but he is apparently wide awake!

His hallucinations are quite creepy, it's like watching him interact Day to day with other people, but they're not there iyswim? And his subject topics are changing rapidly, keeps asking for various boxes and pointing into space when I ask what box and where... he's also very shouty!

I'm planning on speaking to his palliative care nurse in the morning, but I'm literally running on 2 hours sleep over the last 72 hours and am exhausted to the point of tears

So, am I being unreasonable, to consider asking his care team to change his medication? Or at least prescribe something to make sure he is relaxed enough to sleep without the delirium and hallucinations? I can't think straight due to the tiredness....

YANBU, I don't know how you are coping as it is without the added horror of sleep deprivation. I remember my youngest who for some reason never slept more than 2 hours in a row and I was an absolute mess for 12 months. Please ask.

for you OP.

Sleep deprivation is brutal. So sorry you're going through this.

Oh OP, no, you're not BU. Please do speak with them. I hope you can find some way to get some rest.

It doesn't seem unreasonable to at least discuss it with his care team to see if there is an alternative anti sickness medication that won't have these awful side effects. Sending you big hugs XXX

Hi OP, I don’t know you or your story but I’m so sorry you are being faced with all this.

Definitely ask for help because you matter too and you need to be able to function and you can’t do that properly on no sleep.

Big hugs to you

Not unreasonable at all, for either of your sakes. Sending my love.

YANBU, you matter just as much as your son and if it helps you then it helps him.

On no planet are you being unreasonable! You are dealing with an unimaginable situation and added to which you’re sleep deprived... good for you for getting out of bed each day. You must be a very strong person underneath and I can only think of you.

Oh darling you must be physically and emotionally exhausted. I know that when my mother was dying of cancer, she became agitated like this as a result of the medication she was on. They adjusted her meds and the levels and it worked for a while, and then we adjusted again as required. You REALLY need a rest and you also really need to comfort your kid. If he is hallucinating and distressed, you feel so very helpless. I have been thinking of you (and your boy and your baby) and wondering how you are going. Sending you much love!

Dear Op, I don't have any more advice than what you have already been given…please reach out for any rl support that is there. I just wanted to send you much love, you are in my thoughts.

OP I couldn't read and run. I'm so sorry to hear about your son. You must be at the end of your tether on lack of sleep.

YADNBU

it’s an awful situation all round, do speak to the palliative care team, they’ll have seen it all before and can hopefully help.

Nothing to add but

Do what you feel like doing. What a soldier.

Yanbu at all. I am so so sorry to hear what an awful time you are going through. Have you managed to speak to your nurse today?

YANBU
Sleep deprivation + children is brutal not to mention what you and your son are currently going through.

Of course yanbu

I clicked on post also feeling exhausted today -completely at the end of my tether. Also seriously sick child (but thankfully manageable), oh that works abroad (yeah thanks for the support oh), and a busy job. My kids have never slept through the night and I’m defincient in iron and vit d.

I’ve not read your previous posts sorry so firstly I’m so sorry about your sons diagnosis.

Secondly can you get any family support tonight to let you sleep at least for a bit?

Speaking to the nurse would seem a good step about his meds.

I sympathize - sleep deprivation is awful. Especially when you have other such major stresses .

YANBU. Sleep deprivation is horrendous - and that's without a sick child. Lots of love to you and your family OP.