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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Remedy For Hypersomnia While Treating For Brain Tumor

Hi I have a dear friend who has brain cancer. Her family says she has been asleep or unconscious for the last three days. Is this because the tumor would make her sleepy or would her doctors given her something to make her sleep. She had a gioblastoma removed followed by radiation and oral chemo. She has had trouble with motor skills and numbness on her left side and they just discovered more tumors on her spine and cancer in her spinal fluid. They have inserted a port at the base of her skull to give her more chemo.
Tue, 24 May 2016
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Neurologist, Surgical 's  Response

Hi,

I am Dr.Bruno. I have read your question with care and understand your concerns abour your friend . Let me try to help you

Question : Is this because the tumor would make her sleepy or would her doctors given her something to make her sleep.

Answer : It is quite uncommon for sedatives to be given to brain tumor patients. It will be difficult to assess the level of consciousness when the patient has taken sedatives.

So it is more likely that the tumor has grown and that it is pressing some vital structures and that has reduced her consciousness

(PS : If Patients with brain tumour are to be sedated, they will be usually connected to ventilator)

Hope you found the answer helpful.

If you need any clarification / have doubts / have additional questions / have follow up questions, then please do not hesitate in asking again. I will be happy to answer your questions.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care.
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Physical Therapist or Physiotherapist Jay Indravadan Patel's  Response
hi,

thank-you for providing the brief history.

As due to the neruolgical problem and the medication there will be weakness in the body which will demand for sleeping alot. It is a normal process post surgery and also due to chemo and radiotherapy.

Many a cases in my clinical practice has such issues and we try to keep them awake by providing some simple exercises and this will help make metabolism move better and the drug pharmacokinetics will also be improved.

Having a lot of sleep means the body is trying to recover with the natural physiological process, as like how the new born child grows slowly and steadily. Initially the child sleeps alot and then later as the physiological responses start the Brain tries to keep alert and active.

Do not worry much just try some physical therapy simple exercise like passive movements to help the physiological effects to come into existence properly.

Regards
Jay Indravadan Patel
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Suggest Remedy For Hypersomnia While Treating For Brain Tumor

Hi, I am Dr.Bruno. I have read your question with care and understand your concerns abour your friend . Let me try to help you Question : Is this because the tumor would make her sleepy or would her doctors given her something to make her sleep. Answer : It is quite uncommon for sedatives to be given to brain tumor patients. It will be difficult to assess the level of consciousness when the patient has taken sedatives. So it is more likely that the tumor has grown and that it is pressing some vital structures and that has reduced her consciousness (PS : If Patients with brain tumour are to be sedated, they will be usually connected to ventilator) Hope you found the answer helpful. If you need any clarification / have doubts / have additional questions / have follow up questions, then please do not hesitate in asking again. I will be happy to answer your questions. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care.