Sleeplessness and genetics

ginger · New User Joined: 08 Dec 2007 Posts: 1 Location: England

Hi Everyone
My dad has been dx recently with very active GBM IV. He has had some debulking on the tumour about three weeks ago but his symptoms are already reappearing. Contrary to what I have read about progress of brain tumours he is having trouble sleeping and I wondered if anyone else had come across this. He gets very distressed and is clearly alot worse after a sleepless night (he does take sleeping tablets). He has lost the use of his right arm, has speech problems and feels that his legs are getting worse. We have been told that he has about 3-4 months left but my dad is indicating himself that he feels it will be less.

Also my dads mum died of a brain tumour and I am interested if anyone knows of any genetic links (my maternal grandmother also died of a brain tumour so I have a vested interest).
I have had breast cancer myself and know how important these forums are to everyone so thanks in advance and love to everyone.

xx
_________________
Daughter of 78 yr old male with GBM IV

brainman · Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 10:57 am Post subject: Re: Sleeplessness and genetics

Hi ginger, I am very sorry about your father's GBM. My mother died of a GBM in 1998 only 2 months after diagnosis. I also have a glioma although mine is a lower grade.

I have heard of one other person who is a member of this forum that has a similar trouble sleeping. I hope she will reply to you soon. I will try to contact her for you. Just recently, she heard from her doctor. She was told that her tumor was pressing against a gland located in the brain that controls sleep. The same thing might be happening with your father. Of course, you will want to confirm this with your father's medical team.

I was diagnosed with my cancer in 1992 so when my mother was diagnosed in 1998, I asked the same question you are asking about inheriting the glioma. I called around and found that MD Anderson in Houston was doing research on the subject of multi generational gliomas. We did not qualify for that study since it was only the two of us in our family and they were looking for families with many members with gliomas. I have not heard the results of that study. Since I was first diagnosed, a genetic mutation has been identified that is helpful in identifying patients who are most likely to respond to chemotherapy. It is called the 1p/19q gene deletion. I do not know if the gene deletion could have a familial link. It is worth asking about. However, the presence of the gene deletion does not mean that you will ever get a glioma. I would imagine the you are more likely to have a recurrence of the breast cancer than getting a glioma. Confused

You and your father are in me thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Noid · Experienced user Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Posts: 57

I have a similar problem. I'm awake for weeks at a time, alot of the time..and sometimes, I'm so exhausted that I hallucinate, and when I do sleep, it's broken. I have pressure on the Pineal gland of my brain, which produces melatonin. I've found taking melatonin at night, and a prescription for xanax has helped me. I wouldn't try the melatonin without asking his doctor first though, just to be safe. You can buy it at most health food stores over the counter.

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