Nightshift Insomnia- Help!!!

SarasotaRN2b · Jan 18, 2008

Hello all. I work on a very busy 27-bed Med/Surg/Tele floor night shifts (from 1830 - 0700), and have been doing so for 3 years now. Lately, the past 6 months or so, I cant fall asleep when i am home and I have to return that night! I went to my MD and he wanted to put me on Ambien, but I refused cause of the negative side effects, so he prescribed to Lunesta. Its helps me to fall asleep, sleep productively, and wake up feeling refreshed - PRAISE GOD A WONDER PILL, LOL! Anyone else have a similar situation? What non-pharaceutical advise can ya'll offer? I tried Sleepytime Tea, but that lasted a few weeks or so. Sometime I like to listen to ENYA and relax and fall asleep. I need all the advise i can get on this.
:o:o

Hi abbaking,

I too work nights. What I found is that I make sure that I work the 3 days in a row, not two days on and then a day or two off before my third. that played even more havoc on my system.

While I usually don't have too much of a problem falling asleep, I do take Ambien because it allows me to sleep at least 7 hours. Usually my hardest day to get adequate work is the first day of the week.

Biggest thing I make sure of is that those two days in between when I am home, it is time for sleep...not to do any big types of chores.

Kris

Danusia522 · Jan 18, 2008

when i really cna't fall asleep, i take melatonin usually a 5 mg. that really helps, or sleep MD (it has melatonin and other natrual sleep aids) both are all natrual, nothing addictive in it, no side effects. i love it! :up:

kcalohagirl · Jan 18, 2008

I have had good luck with Valerian Root. I sleep pretty well, and I wake up feeling refreshed, not stoned. LOL. Right now,I'm trying a different supplement that has valerian root, hops, and skullcap in it. I'll let you know how it works out. So far, no complaints.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jan 18, 2008

You should also find other non-pharmaceutical methods of falling to sleep along with the Lunesta. Maybe take a relaxing shower as soon as you get home, decrease stimuli such as the television and lights, unplug your phone (unless you have young children who need to reach you) or tell friends not to call. I had issues like this as well, and my doctor suggested that I not drink caffeine. I am not a coffee or tea drinker, but I do like my Pepsi. I also listen to relaxing music with the lights off when I get home (I work days, though). I took benadryl for a few nights to bring me to the habit of going to sleep at a certain time. Also maybe a book to read with dim lights while listening to Enya (I like her, too).

Sweet Dreams!

itchi_michy · Jan 18, 2008

drink milk instead of drink w/ caffaine

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2008

I too work 12 hr nights...but my shift is a little better...5 to 530...home before the light comes up....however, I tend to stay awake for 30 mins to a hour to decompress. I do not do anything super physical before bed, leave the TV off, usually listen to a relaxing mix of music on the ipod, but do not do that in bed. You don't want to associate bed with anything but sleep. also thinking about taping black garbage bag over windows....I try to cut out caffine by 2 AM or so....some nights its tough.

I cannot work 3 in a row, I'm dead by nite 3. Get a routine down and you'll be fine. Sleep soundly!

mom4josh · Jan 18, 2008

I usually take 1-2 Tylenol PM or an OTC sleep aide. If light is bothersome, you could get some eye shades. If there is outside noise, I find that a portable fan/heater that is very loud drowns out everything else. But I also agree that 3 nights in a row is a killer... it's my 3rd night tonight and I'll be so glad when it's over!!

Good luck.

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 18, 2008

I had a clinical instructor that swore by lavender to help her sleep. She used to tell the funniest story about it that would have everyone just cracking up.

I have to use Benadryl everytime I sleep because of allergies (1 with 1 Tylenol) and along with the lavender stuff from Bath and Body works.....it must work because I rarely have issues sleeping and I'm usually passed out by 8:30 or 9 and very rarely to I even move until 3:30 or 4.

And I have to work my 3 nights in a row because that is my schedule, but I don't think I could function if I had to swap back and forth from days to nights all week long. I work Mon, Tues, Wed nights and so I love knowing by Thursday I'm all done....I can go back to "normal" life for a few days.

KristiePDX · Jan 18, 2008

7p-7a

When i come home from work I make myself a small snack.

Then I lay out my clothes for the next shift/make my lunch and do winding down type activities shower being last. This should take no longer than one hour after I come home.

I usually pop a melatonin, possibly a unisom/benedryl if it was really bad morning rush hour traffic. I will time it for as soon as I get home so when I lay down it is well into my system.

I make sure I have tons of pillows and stuff to be comfortable. I sleep with a sleep mask to keep out the light. I cannot sleep well, if at all, without it.

I turn on a small fan and either point it semi towards me on hot days, or towards the floor/ceiling on cold days. I set it on medium because it provides the appropriate level of white noise I require. I usally dont sleep well without the fan either.

If I wake up before the alarm goes off, I must NOT remove my blind fold to check the time. When the daylight hits my eyes, it is all over.....

I set my alarm (with battery backup) for two times. Once that wakes me up 30 minutes before the real alarm. I need the extra 30 minutes to think about getting out of bed. If I dont set the extra alarm, it will cut into my precious getting ready time and 30 min chit-chat/catch-up time with my family before I am off again.

HTH.....

KaroSnowQueen, RN · Jan 18, 2008

I don't work third anymore.

But I would cover the windows with aluminum foil. Keeps the sunlight out and makes it really dark.

Unplugged the phone.

Used a fan for "white noise" to cover up house or neighborhood sounds.

Used Melatonin.

Used Valerian root.

Used Benadryl.

Sleep mask.

Ear plugs.

Sent a note to school with my kids that mom sleeps days, call auntie if something is needed, (sister knew my schedule and would call me if I was off if something did occur).

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2008

I'm in the melatonin fan club myself. I don't need it very often anymore, but anytime I don't feel sleepy and I feel like I need a little help ..... I take one of those and I sleep like a baby.

Hope you find something that works for you!