Several of the medications used to treat your child’s leukemia have side effects that are likely to make sleep harder. Remembering this when your child starts each chemotherapy cycle may help to prepare for sleep challenges during certain days of their chemo cycle.
Your child takes this chemotherapy medication for 5 days in a row at the beginning of each Continuation Cycle. Common steroid side effects that may affect sleep include:
Your child receives this chemotherapy in clinic on the first day of every Continuation Cycle. The most common side effect of vincristine is constipation, meaning that they have trouble pooping or feel “backed up.” We know that when kids are constipated, they may have belly pain, which can make sleep harder.
Your child receives this chemotherapy in clinic every 2 weeks during Consolidation Cycles. A common side effect is fatigue, which can last for the first 1-2 months of Continuation before going away. By being fatigued throughout the day, they may spend more time in bed or laying down on the couch, and can take more naps than usual. This could affect their sleep at night.
We know that many of your family’s regular routines and schedules are disrupted by leukemia treatment. Specifically, kids may miss days of school, afterschool activities (like playdates with friends), and regular exercise (including normal activities like running around on a playground). Disrupted routines and decreased exercise can contribute to poor sleep, so working with your team to resume as many usual routines as possible will be helpful for your child’s sleep.
