excessive sleepiness after chemo

Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment that reaches and affects every part of the body. It works because it destroys the DNA in fast growing cancer cells just a little faster than it does in healthy cells. His body needs to rest so that the energy and nutrition he does get can focus on healing.

Do have him walk around the house a bit when he gets up to use the bathroom or eat. Do give him many small meals as they are easier to digest and take less energy.

If you're not already using protein powder in his drinks or protein shakes, do start. Boost or Ensure are good products to make sure he's getting the nutrition he needs. Protein promotes healing.

As part of the pre chemotherapy preparations you should have had a chemo teaching session. At my recent chemo teach they explained that the fatigue and recovery will follow a pattern and you will be able to predict what days will be good or bad and be able to make plans accordingly. There's a lot of information and I found it overwhelming the first time. If you no longer have a copy of the information contact the oncologists nurse and ask for another copy.

Thank you for writing about your concern. It demonstrates that you are a wonderful advocate.

@denise96 I think we all can respond a bit differently to our treatment protocol. Echoing what @denzie said, encourage your husband to move around as much as he is able. It helps get his system to wake up and get those good aspects of the chemo to work. It might seem daunting as our bodies get used to these new things, and being gentle on ourselves is a good thing. Small meals, often, will help. I make protein shakes every morning with food I find tasty for me. And that's a key, also, if he has been on a restrictive diet. Eat what appeals to you, just get something into your system! It's a fight your body is going through, and you want to fuel it along.

You might want to check in with your care team and let them know what you are seeing in your husband, the sleeping a lot and all. You mentioned hypotension in place even before the chemo started, so getting up to walk around might be a good thing for him to do. Around the house, down the driveway and back. It will all help.
Ginger

Dealing with my husband is easier said than done. He rejects most everything I want him to try. He was given remeron for anxiety and possibly would help him to gain some weight. He threw them away. He was given meds for nausea and he would only take 1. He is supposed to take claritin for the neulsa onpro they gave him for bone pain. He took one. Said he did not need them. (he still has nausea). I bought him an electric throw and at first he loved it because he is always cold. After about a week, he quit using it because he said it bugged him. There are about 10 bottles of boost in the frig. He was drinking them, but now he won't. He said everything he eats, makes him sick. The only thing he does, is sit in his recliner, drink coffee and smoke cigarettes. I mentioned that he should walk around outside and he told me that it would not do anything to help. I bought him chocolate pudding and he did try that, but could not finish it. They were the little cups. Then I made him jello. Hopefully today, he will try that. I made him homemade chicken noodle soup. He would not eat the chicken. He only eats processed food -when he eats. Lipton noodle soup out of the box and frozen foods out of boxes. I am at my wits end. He fights me on most everything that I suggest he try. He weighs about 106 pounds. Recently bought him flannel shirts to wear over his t-shirts that he always wears. He won't wear them although he complains about being cold. His pronosis is not looking good because he does not seem to want to help himself. But I will keep trying to come up with foods that he may try eating. And as far as those other meds, I believe he should take them because they are to help him. He used to be a drug/alcohol counselor and he believes he knows more about drugs than the doctors do. I look forward to going to work today. That is not nice to say but it is a break from listening to him complain but not doing anything to help himself. But thanks for the reply.

Thank you for your advice. The only thing is that my husband wants nothing to do with eating healthy or walking. He never was a good eater. He hates vegetables and fruits. He will drink a Boost on occasion. There are 10 bottles in the frig, but he will only drink one now and then. I sound horrible for complaining but I am at my wits end in trying to help him do more healthy things. If he is given a pill from the doctor that he thinks won't help, he won't even try it. He just throws them away. All he wants to do is sit in his recliner, drink coffee and smoke cigarettes and watch TV. I know he is very sick as he has stage iv lung cancer and advanced COPD. I keep praying for him, but he is his own worst enemy.

At this time calories are more important than balanced diet. Feed him those frozen meals. Try serving him ice cream sundaes. They helped me gain weight. Of the 40 lbs I lost with the cancer I managed to put 60 of them back on. I blame the hot fudge sundaes.

Another thought. The nihilism is so ingrained that he may never pull out of it. In a non judgemental, non confrontational way, sit down with him and ask what he wants for his funeral. Where does he want to be buried. Ask him to consider a pre planning meeting at a funeral home near you and put a deposit toward the expenses.

Fourteen years ago when I had my stage 4 diagnosis I planned and prepaid for mine. It felt good to get the dying stuff out of the way.

Good suggestions. we have already discussed most of this already. It is just so sad to talk about the end of life things.

That is what I do. I suggest healthier food, but I don't nag at him when he eats his processed food. Eating anything is better than nothing at all.

Yes, my husband slept a lot for a few days after first chemo treatments. Each treatment was better. Protein drinks did help him. He should drink water too. Mention to oncologist for suggestions.