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Discussion

HELP!!!!!!!! SLEEP DISORDER

I have been working 12 hour midnights for over 3 years and not by choice. The only health issue I have had in my life is not sleeping due to working this shift. I have been seeing a doctor and have been diagnosed with shift work sleep disorder. Even with every med I have tried which is pretty much all of them and combinations of multiple meds. I am unable to sleep and have extreme difficulty staying awake at night. It is not uncommon for me to be awake as many as 6 days in a row with absolutely no sleep. In addition my blood pressure goes out of control when I can not sleep but, is fine other wise. Which has resulted in me about passing out on my off days until we sorted that out. When I have any time off with a few days in a row I have no trouble at all sleeping at night and feel great during the day. My work refuses to work with me about this at all. I have asked for a few simple things, not even asked to for a day position. However, I apply for everyone that is available and get overlooked every time.

I have zero hope of any treatment working as I have a giant pill collection of nothing that works and have been prescribed doses which would make me think twice before giving them to my patients. So, I am asking for suggestions on where I can work during the day as a nurse without having to take a giant pay cut. I really can't afford to but, I can barely keep it together day to day now. I am a fast learner and a hard worker. When I used to work days I had not trouble working 16 12's in a row multiple times. Although, I now feel like I am cognitively impaired due to sleep depravation, I would like to think I am intelligent. What is out there?? Where can I look?

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    Could you ask your current manager/facility to allow you to switch to day shift. Have you looked into other potential employers? With experience under your belt you should be able to land a day shift position.

    best wishes.

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    The list below offers some tried and true suggestions for people who suffer from sleep disorders and are looking for relief.

    • Try to go to sleep at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning.
    • Don't take naps during the day since they make you less tired at night.
    • Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine late in the day.
    • Don't eat heavy meals late in the evening.
    • Get regular exercise, but not close to bedtime since it will stimulate you and make it difficult to fall asleep.
    • Avoid using your bed for anything other than sleep or sex.
    • If you can't sleep, get up and do something that is not too stimulating, such as reading until you do feel sleepy.
    • When you are worrying, try to make a to-do list before you go to bed. This just might help you to avoid thinking about those worries overnight.
    • Consider taking a warm bath just before getting into bed.

    Having a regular exercise routine that balances your energy has proved positive for sleep, while eating foods that contain tryptophan, an amino acid that's used to make serotonin can also help us sleep. Serotonin does occur naturally in the brain. Bananas, chicken and turkey contain tryptophan. This is the reason many people joke about taking a nap after consuming turkey. Carbohydrates help tryptophan enter the brain, so try a glass of warm milk at bedtime.

    There are other natural remedies to help you sleep, including valerian, which binds to the same receptors in the brain that tranquilizers do, passionflower, which is used as a mild sedative, and lavender, which has an aroma enabling people to fall asleep.

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    There are lots of day or evening jobs. Clinics, home health, private duty, hospitals etc

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