I'm having a sleep problem

[Droopy]

I also have a mental health problem and when I couldn't sleep for 2 days last week I thought I was becoming manic. But that doesn't appear to be the case. I got 8 hours in on Friday and I slept for about 10 yesterday.

I've been having problems with not being able to sleep when I need to since I started working 3rd shift a year ago, but it never got bad enough for me to worry too much until recently. I could usually get at least 5 hours and then an hour nap some time at work (I'm a trucker). That was usually enough to keep me going and I always have my handy dandy caffeine pills just in case.

But those two days of sleeplessness last week really messed me up. I have tried Ambien in the recent past and I was taking it at the maximum recommended dosage and the damn things might just as well have been sugar pills because they didn't do a thing.

I need some suggestions on how to get more sleep. I can't give up my job right now for different hours because the money is so good and I have really good health insurance. My prescriptions for the mental health problem were costing me $400 a month without insurance. I paid that for a year. I now pay $54 a month.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear Droopy...

I feel for you...

People who do shift work as you are, often have trouble sleeping...

One thing I always heard was a good idea, was to keep the same hours even when you're not working...

So sleep in the daytime or whenever you do even when you have that day off...

That way you have the same time for sleep and your body will hopefully get used to it...

Good luck, sweetie!

:hug:

[Droopy]

2. I've tried that Peggy

But thanks anyway.

On the weekends I sleep quite a bit. Yesterday I got to sleep at about 4 in the afternoon, slept until 1am. Got up for a couple of hours and then took another 2 hour nap. If I could just sleep when my body tells me I need to I think I would be alright. But it doesn't work that way.

[Skittles]

18. thing is, Peg

I work nights and if I always "kept the same hours" I would never see my doctor or dentist or vet or even have lunch with a friend. Such advice simply is not realistic. :)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

22. Oh, I understand that completely!

I used to work nights too, and I never followed that advice!

A few people can, but not me...

:hi:

[Skittles]

23. now if I could find a dentist at 02:00

I'D HAVE IT MADE LOLOL! HA, when I donate platelets they often tell me I look tired - I tell them well that's because right now at 2 in the afternoon it is the middle of the night for me. Now if you saw me at 0200 in the morning, I LOOK GREAT! :hi:

[yewberry]

3. Hey, Droopy!

I'm sorry to hear that you're having trouble.

Are you able to exercise regularly? That's a big one for me--if I don't get in enough activity, I just can't sleep. It's never been easy for me to fall asleep, really.

Other (maybe completely random) things that seem to make a difference for me:
no hanging out in the bedroom, ever, outside of sleeping and that other thing
fish tank in the room (white noise)
darkness or near-darkness
heavy covers (lots of weight to hold you in place, I mean--I currently have 2 quilts & 2 blankets on my bed)
coffee (or any caffeine) only within 2 hours of waking
no eating within 2 hours of sleep
once in bed, concentrate on deep (sleep-like) breathing
progressive muscle relaxation sometimes helps

Do not use melatonin, Droopy.

Good luck, friend, and take good care of yourself. Otherwise, I'll kick your ass.

[Droopy]

7. Good to see you tofunut. I thought we might have run you off ;)

I do get a lot of exercise at work. I have to hand unload a semi trailer full of stuff every night on my job. As far as the other stuff goes I pretty much do all of that to one degree or another. Why do you say I should not use melatonin?

[yewberry]

9. Check your PM.

Melatonin might not be the right choice for you.

[auntAgonist]

10. no melatonin? I'm curious as to why. (seriously)

[yewberry]

12. And check your PMs!

Gee, two PMs in one night.

I'm on some kind of a roll here!

[Wcross]

4. Black out curtains!

I used to work the 6pm-6am shift & I slept well when the room was 100% dark. Make sure family & friends know you are not to be disturbed during your sleeping hours. White noise or earplugs might help as well. Not much more I can offer, been there & didn't like it too much.

[Droopy]

11. My bedroom is pretty dark, but I guess it could be darker

I've heard about the white noise deal but for some reason I keep forgetting to try that. Maybe I will get a fan and let it run when I'm trying to sleep.

[some guy]

20. You might try a sleep mask

if you decide darker might help. It took me a few days to get used to having a sleep mask on, but after that, it really sems to help. Linens & Things sells them, I suppose lots of other places do too.

A fan fir noise, a sleep mask - I sleep well. :)

I hope you find something that works for you. :hug:

[auntAgonist]

5. hey Droopy

Wow, sorry to hear you're still having trouble sleeping. Have you tried Melatonin? It's completely natural and doesn't leave you feeling groggy when you wake up.

Can be purchased at some pharmacies and at health food stores. It works for me.

I take a prescription strength called Rozerem.

good luck my friend.

aA

edited to add this link : http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/melatonin/NS_patient-melatonin

[Droopy]

6. Hi aA

The post at the other place about me not wanting to be a trucker anymore was written in the middle of that sleep deprivation I was talking about in this thread. It's really starting to mess with my head. On Friday when I got enough sleep I was back to my usual truckin' self.

I have not tried melatonin. Maybe I'll check into that.

[auntAgonist]

8. yeah, I sort of wondered about that post

I didn't reply to it because I thought you might change your mind :) Or at least have second thoughts.

:hug:
I hope you can get some GOOD rest soon!

aA
kesha

[Contrary1]

13. Sleepytime Extra Tea...

works for my son, and sometimes for me.

My husband, who use to never have a problem falling asleep tried to teach me his technique. He would close his eyes, and try to see a perfectly shaped solid orange circle. He would be gone in under five minutes.:shrug:

Now, that he's older, and has arthritis here, there, and everywhere, it doesn't seem to work. Go ahead and try one or both. Can't hurt.

[Inchworm]

14. You haul designated?

home by 9pm sort of thing?

I have only been familiar with over the road so sleep there was a luxury. Do you notice the sleeplessness builds up? I did that until recently. I'd sleep 8 then 6 then 2 then zero for 2 days then crash hard for 12 hours.

Oddly my quit smoking meds (bupropion HCL) stopped this. I would go anywhere from 2 to 4 nights straight each month with no sleep. You make me wonder if it has to do with trucker-blood hehe.

Docs always told me... dont lay down unless you are tired and ready to sleep. That backfired because I would just stay out of bed for those times I was awake for days.

I hope you get the combination.

:hug:

[Droopy]

15. Hey Inchworm

I work from 11pm to 11am. I make damn good money but I sure as hell pay the price. If I could just sleep during the day I'd be alright. But it just ain't happening. I take bupropion as well as an anti-depressant med but it ain't helping me out any as far as the sleeplessness goes.

[Inchworm]

16. I seem to be prescribed this like candy lol

I wonder if you have to do this 3-100mg pill a day thing?

If I screw up on taking 2 in a row, I sure know it.

:hi:

[Skittles]

17. what works for me

I work 12 hour shifts at night - I'm a chronic insomniac but I've found that Sleep-MD or melatonin tablets and reading a couple chapters in a book helps me get to sleep, and I keep a fan on in the background for "white noise". Alas, staying asleep has always been a problem for me. :(

[Droopy]

19. Hey Skittles

I appreciate the advice. I've been informed that melatonin might not be for me since I have a mental health problem, but I think I'm going to try that white noise thing and buy myself a fan. Sweet dreams, sweetie. :) You know I love you.

[Skittles]

21. HOWDY

well, do try reading - I've found that really helps get me to sleep - seems like the older I got - or maybe the fatigue of having to put up with repukes for so long - caused me anxiety that prevented me from falling asleep :o

[fizzgig]

24. is it not being tired or not being able to fall asleep?

if it's not being tired, try some sleepy time or chamomile tea sometimes helps. if it's getting to sleep, i focus on my breathing or count in multiples of three (yea, i know that sounds weird). i have problems shutting my brain down sometimes and i find those things to be really helpful in getting to sleep.

i also don't get into bed until i know i'm ready to go to sleep and then i read for a bit.

good luck