Sleep Deprivation

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Onco, palliative care, PCU, HH, hospice.

so, here we go, started my dayshift position working hh and hospice about 2 months. having worked night shift for quite a while i figured it would take me a couple weeks or so to get adjusted, yet here i am still getting 5 hours of sleep on a "good" night and it's really begining to take a toll.

i feel horrible all day everyday: fatigued, cranky, almost in a daze yet when the sun goes down i'm wide awake (yet still exhausted ironcially). i've tried relaxation excercises and a couple different low dose sleep aids from my pcp. the problem with the sleep aids however is that they practically me comatose for 10 hours at a time, needless to say i can't take them. now, even without taking them i find myself sleeping through my 3 different alarm clocks that i have set for 6am and have been late to work a couple times already. guess it's no wonder i'm sleeping through them since generally i don't finally drift off to sleep until 1-3am.:yawn:

to add to this i'm finding that my anxiety is really increasing especially at night and before bed time, it's really getting frustrating for me as i thought that being on a "normal" schedule would be better for body and yet it feels as though my body is fighting it tooth and nail. when i'm getting ready for work, i'm almost afraid to look in the mirror because i look like i just popped off the screenset for "dawn of the dead"! there are numurous threads here on transitioning to night shift but has anyone out there had a rough time with the opposite? it's just too bad my patients won't let me make my routine visits at 1am then there wouldn't be a problem :chuckle

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You mentioned trying a few "sleep aids" -- have you tried melatonin? It works really well for some people. Or a little Benadryl? Are you doing all the usual "good sleep hygiene" techniques?

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Specializes in Onco, palliative care, PCU, HH, hospice.
you mentioned trying a few "sleep aids" -- have you tried melatonin? it works really well for some people. or a little benadryl? are you doing all the usual "good sleep hygiene" techniques?

i did try melatonin, was on it for about 2 weeks with no effect and benadryl tends to make me hyper as opposed to drowsy. i've been practicing good sleep hygiene, not lying in bed for more than 30 minutes at a time, soft music in the background, reading before bed, etc.

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Here is what I suggest watching - it is awesome!! Its a relaxation video - about 8 mins long. Try to do it in a dark room, when you are alone... It works WONDERS!!!!! You can also youtube- relaxing music...

I also just found this one - I dont know if it is any good - but its worth a shot!

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Specializes in hopeful ER/Surg.

Try to find time 3 times a week to get some exercise- the serotonin release will help your anxiety. Also- and this may sound funny to some- but make certain that it is very dark when you go to sleep- and that no light gets to you as the sun begins to rise. The effect of natural light on sleeping patterns is pretty profound. I would agree that after being a night shifter, your melatonin levels could be greatly effected (circadian rhythm). And try, in spite of being tired, to watch your caffeine intake.

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Specializes in Emergency, critical care.

Couldn't hurt to try turkey sandwiches and warm milk!

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Specializes in PICU/NICU.

Valerian root.... you can buy it at a Whole Foods type store. Put a couple drops in some warm water(google it) follow your "sleep hygine" and it works like wonders! DOES NOT make you groggy in the am. I guess combined with the melatonin it is even better for regulating sleep- although I've never tried the two together.

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why would your subconcious be fighting you? do you really want to give up nocs? also, you must keep the same schedule on non work days.....

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