Do you take any stimulants?

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I was curious as to nursing students and nurses alike, do you take any stimulants other than coffee to stay alert? I was working 2 jobs once and was subsisting off 2 or 3 hrs sleep a nite back 10 yrs ago. It was ephedra based but has since been banned because people were abusing it. This other guy introduced me to a product many years ago that worked but I can't remember if it was called "Uptime" or "Ultra Energy Now". They were herbal based. What do you use?:bugeyes:

Specializes in Med Surg/Ortho.

I was a huge caffeine/sugar freak. But I was fatigued and depressed all the time, couldn't sleep at night. I am trying to get better. Went from 2 to 3 cups of coffee (plus maybe Starbucks in the afternoon), and several cokes a day to maybe one of each. Some days I don't have either. I am trying to eat healthier, smaller meals but more often, and get plenty of rest. I also drink lots of water and green tea with ginseng. I think that helps. I hope to buy an elliptical or treadmill so I can work out more at home as well. One thing that helped me? A book by Jillian Michaels (the trainer from the biggest loser). She has several, I think, but the one I am reading is Making the Cut. Mostly about losing taht last 10 pounds and getting in shape, but there is a lot of helpful info about healthy diets, vitamins and supplements, working out, getting more energy naturally, etc. She has a website too, just google her.

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You will get enough sleep and not need pills if you go to sleep and get enough hours in. If you feel like you always need something to stay awake, then you probably need to see a physician to see why.

If I have to get up at 4 or 5:00 a.m., I'm in bed no later than 7:30 pm or 8:00.

You just have to train yourself.

I don't know about you but when I started school those care plans that were due to next day made this impossible. Heck I would not be able to get to the floor the night before until after 7pm because of being in class all day. It is good that you are able to do this:yeah:. And oh when finals came around heck sometimes I was up almost all night studying.

I don't have problems sleeping now because I am have my nursing orientation/precepting on the day shift. I will be switching back to the night shift after I finish my 12 weeks and once again when that happens Coke Classic and Columbian coffee :bowingpurwill become my BFF's again.

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Specializes in CTICU, Interventional Cardiology, CCU.

One night I had 3 sugar-free red bulls, 3 cups of coffee and since I am ADHD I take ritalin. I was DEAD tired when I got to work, found out I was Charge Nurse and kind of freaked cause i was a walking zombie, It was my 3rd 14 hour shift in a row. Thank god I had my red bull, i had my nightly dose of ritalin to focus(which is prescribed) and after the 3 red bulls and my ritalin not working I had 3 cups of coffee...WOAH if I was hooked up to one of my heart monitors, I work on a interventional cardiology floor, i would have been having PAC's. Never agian...hahaha

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Rock star and Red bull, Red bull really gives you wings! Hee hee :chuckle I only do this when I really need to though.

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Specializes in LTC, subacute CNA.

I take NoDoze when I work my 12 hour night shifts. Usually all I need is half a pill

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Specializes in ER,ICU,L+D,OR.

Coffee, Hot Black and Strong. Sumatran, Kona, Colombian Supremo. Jamaican.

These all used to be names of different kinds of marijuana also.

Times have changed

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I work the night shift and I usually take a couple of caffeine pills around midnight. They help. I won't take them after 4 a.m. because I want to go to sleep when I get home.

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Specializes in Gyn Onc, OB, L&D, HH/Hospice/Palliative.

From what I've seen on tv Crystal Meth can keep you up for days if you like, plus the added bonus of weight loss;, on the downside it appears your teeth fall out of your head and you will pick your face off--I prefer diet coke and dunkin donuts-at least til they fine tune that meth recipe :D

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Specializes in LTC, Subacute Rehab.

Usually 1/2 a No-Doz pill when I get to work, and another 1/2 around 1600... with some diet Pepsi... then I take Nyquil Cough when I get home to sleep! Darn noisy neighbors.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

How much caffiene does a No-Doze tablet have compared to one cup of drip coffee?

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Specializes in Operating Room.

Coffee, Red Bull, and Rockstar(they make a sugar free latte version which is really good).

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Specializes in Operating Room.
From what I've seen on tv Crystal Meth can keep you up for days if you like, plus the added bonus of weight loss;, on the downside it appears your teeth fall out of your head and you will pick your face off--I prefer diet coke and dunkin donuts-at least til they fine tune that meth recipe :D

Love, love, love Dunkin' Donuts coffee, especially the iced coffee. Hate diet soda though.

Hey, does anyone know if they still make Jolt cola? That stuff works too.

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