Getting a good night’s sleep can be a challenge when you’re living with lung cancer. People have trouble sleeping well for a wide variety of reasons, such as pain, night sweats, coughing, and dyspnea (trouble breathing). Lack of sleep can lead to more physical issues and poorer quality of life, so it’s important to find ways to sleep better.

What Causes Sleep Problems for People With Lung Cancer?

There are a number of reasons people living with lung cancer may struggle to find a good position for sleeping.

Some people don’t sleep well because of lung cancer symptoms like pain. One MyLungCancerTeam member explained, “My pain is very bad all the time. Not being able to sleep is the worst.” You may experience pain in your lungs or elsewhere if your lung cancer has metastasized (spread) or from surgery related to lung cancer.

Others find it difficult to sleep because they’re worried or anxious about having lung cancer. “I couldn’t sleep last night, worrying about things I can and can’t control,” one member shared.

For others, the lack of sleep doesn’t seem to have an explanation. “Even though I’m on a nighttime medication that helps me sleep, I’ve been waking up at different times throughout the week,” one member said. “Sometimes, it’s just hard to find a comfortable position to sleep in!”

Breathlessness, or struggling to get enough air, can also cause sleep problems. One member shared that they were “having a hard time breathing,” even though they had changed their sleep position.

This may be caused by lung cancer or have a separate cause. In one study of 30 people who were newly diagnosed with lung cancer, 20 had sleep-disordered breathing, including 17 with obstructive sleep apnea (a blocked airway causes brief pauses in breathing during sleep).

You can take several steps to help you or your loved one sleep better when experiencing shortness of breath at night. Changing to a different position may be key to better breathing, and talking to a health professional is important, too.

Note that you might have to try multiple sleep positions — what helps one person might not work for you. The best sleep position for you may change as your cancer changes and as you go through lung cancer treatment.

1. Side Sleeping

Some experts recommend sleeping on your side to reduce difficulty breathing while asleep. To do this without causing neck or back pain, put a pillow between your legs and enough pillows under your head so your neck is straight. You may want to have someone look at your spine while you’re lying down with all your pillows in place to confirm that it’s straight and not twisted.

If side sleeping helps you breathe but continues to cause back or neck discomfort, you may need to consider getting a pillow designed to support your neck while you sleep. It can take some trial and error to find one that’s the right shape and height for you. One study indicated that a pillow with springs or made of rubber may be best for people who often experience neck pain from their sleep position.

2. Back Sleeping

Sleeping on your back may also help improve your rest and breathing at night. If you’ve been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, though, this may not be the best position for you.

To sleep on your back correctly, without putting extra stress on your spin, make sure your legs are bent. To keep them that way once you fall asleep, place a supportive pillow beneath your knees. You may also want to elevate your head slightly. An extra pillow or one that’s thicker than usual should do the trick.

3. Elevated Sleeping

Keeping your head raised can help you breathe better at night. This goes beyond raising it for proper spinal alignment side and back sleepers, as described above.

Elevated sleeping works for many MyLungCancerTeam members. “Try to put some pillows behind you and sleep at a 45-degree angle,” one member advised another who said they were struggling to breathe while sleeping.

Another suggested taking it a step further: “I sleep almost sitting up.”

You can achieve higher levels of elevated sleeping in several ways. You might choose to stack pillows under your head and your body until you reach a level that allows you to breathe freely. Some people use wedge pillows for elevation and then add more pillows for comfort.

A recliner offers another option if it’s comfortable enough to rest in all night long. Sleeping in a recliner also allows you to change your elevation based on how comfortable you are and how you’re breathing. Sleeping on your side in a recliner can be difficult, so it may not be the best option for side sleepers who also want elevation.

An adjustable bed can also help you achieve optimal sleep elevation for your body and your breathing. However, adjustable beds can be expensive, and buying one while living with lung cancer may cause extra stress. Ask your health care team about assistance programs that may be available to help you rent or buy an adjustable bed if you need one.

4. Sleeping With Your Head on a Desk

If the above positions don’t help you breathe better, you might want to try sleeping with your head on a desk or table. Place some pillows on your desk for comfort, and then sit down the way you usually would. Leaning forward, put your arms on the desk and rest your head on the pillows.

This position may not be comfortable for your back if you use it all night, every night. However, if you have breathing problems and really need some sleep, it may allow you to get the rest you need.

Call Your Doctor for Help Sleeping

If you aren’t sleeping well and you have a lung cancer diagnosis, make sure to talk to your oncologist or someone on your oncology team. They can help you get tested for other conditions that may cause sleeplessness, like sleep apnea. If you have another condition, they can also direct you to the proper health care provider so you can discuss treatment options.

Your doctor should also be able to help you with other options for getting a good night’s sleep. They may prescribe medications, work with you to develop good sleep routines, or help you find a therapist who can assist you as you work through anxiety or other difficult feelings that keep you up at night.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyLungCancerTeam is the social network for people with lung cancer and their loved ones. On MyLungCancerTeam, more than 12,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with lung cancer.

Do you struggle to sleep well because of lung cancer? Do you have tips for others who have trouble sleeping? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.