I sleep my life away

caliotter3 · Jul 9, 2011

Have been like that for a good portion of my adult life, whether I have had one job, three jobs, or one job that had hours like three jobs, or no jobs. Something is wrong. Make certain you are comfortable with the doctor that you talk to about this. Many of them just brush a patient off if she is a female with these types of symptoms. It's all in our heads and our hormones, you know.

swimincatz · Jul 9, 2011

I think I've even convinced myself its psychological! So if you don't mind me asking... did you ever find out the cause for you?

caliotter3 · Jul 9, 2011

I figured it out to an extent. It was multifactorial and I could not get the necessary medical tests, consults that would have been needed to pinpoint everything to a T. I can tell you though that there was a medical component and a "life situation" component, that complicated matters. Sounds to me, and this is not medical advice, because we can not offer medical advice here, that you are in need of a good, good vacation, for a start. I would not offer any other opinions beyond that. Good luck with seeing the doctor.

StrwbryblndRN · Jul 9, 2011

That day shift in there may be what is throwing you off. I have always worked nights and my hubby used to work nights then went to days. But when he had to swith back and forth week to week with day/nights he was a mess.

We are adamant that if you work nights stick with just nights.

But it is always good to r/o anything else.

MusicNurseCarrlee, LPN, LVN · Jul 9, 2011

It may be the alternate shifts catching up with you...its difficult to switch between days & nights(4-6 months is just about the time I felt it). I work mostly nights now and still never can get quite enough day sleep/rest to feel "normal"...adding a day shift, along with other life responsibilities is a lot on the body. My two cents would be to work your OT on the same schedule(or close to) your regular hours to minimize the stress. I do hope you feel better soon: )

StrwbryblndRN · Jul 9, 2011

I feel the same way Coliotter. I sleep alot naturally. (before kids I averaged 10-12hrs night) I think my hormones are changing so a little insomnia is doing me good right now.

caliotter3 · Jul 9, 2011

When I was a young adult I moved to an area where I was able to interact with a half-sibling and their spouse. The spouse remarked to me that nobody my age should spend so much time sleeping. I agreed then and I agree now. But back then, I didn't even know that I should have seen a doctor for this.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2011

It depends on my rotation. Lately I have been working a lot because we are short staffed. 12 hour shifts and one RN is exhausting. If I worked 3 or 4 of these straight, I'm tired. So I sleep. However, I'm still up to cook, get groceries, do pilates. Still, not much of a life right now.

tyvin, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2011

When I worked nights if I could get in a rhythm it would be OK to an extent but I still slept excessively. If I worked OT and did a day shift my body demanded much more sleep.

It got to the point where I would actually experience lucid dreams at times when awake (my bodies attempt to have that REM sleep), sort of a Narcolepsy thing. My body just couldn't get use to working nights.

I did everything right; blacked out the windows in my bedroom, put in AC, turned off any ringers, comfy sheets and pajamas, etc.. and still I slept, slept, and still slept only to continually wake up feeling tired as if I didn't sleep.

Some people do realize that other issues are causing the excessive sleep and some of us just cannot do nights well. No crime, just a fact. Hopefully you find your answer and everything works out well for you.

zorro_wrangler · Jul 9, 2011

the night to day shift swithes are throwing you off. It was a good idea to see the doc. - Good luck

DizzyLizzyNurse · Jul 9, 2011

When I work straight nights I sleep fine. When I switch around or my sleep schedule gets screwed up I go back and forth between having trouble sleeping and sleeping a million hours. Think of how sick people feel after having jet lag. That's what you are doing to your body. Try just working nights and see if that makes you feel better.