Insomnia

midinphx, BSN · Apr 12, 2010

I have this problem. I have had it for years. I work nights now, and still battle it. I am doing ok right now. I take a herbal formula from Hi-Health that has melatonin and tryptophan in it. Sometimes that helps. Otherwise I take Lunesta. It makes me go to sleep dreamlessly for about 4 hours. Then I'm up. but it doesn't leave me groggy and unable to focus.

Good luck!

jlr820 · Apr 12, 2010

I can relate. One thing that may help is valerian root. It's an OTC herbal used for sleep/relaxation. Supposedly it works on GABA receptors, similar to what the benzodiazepine drug class does. It seems to work, but I am here to tell you, it has an ungodly odor to it, so be warned. Something else you may try is beginning a daily moderate exercise routine (make sure you do it 3-4 hours before your bedtime). That may actually help to promote relaxation and sleep too. Perhaps your physician can put you on a few days of ambien (or sonata, or lunesta). Those are only for short term use, though. Best of luck.

vegas2009 · Apr 12, 2010

Maybe you just need some more exercise? Even a stroll, yardwork, cleaning up a bit/housework, running... just something physical will help ya sleep. I know it works on me. If I hadn't done anything moderately physical during the day, I'm up most of the night. I don't like taking anything myself, unless I have to.

cherrybreeze, ADN, RN · Apr 12, 2010

I've had problems with insomnia for a long time, the only thing that helps me well and with regularity is Ambien (I don't take it all the time, I've gotten short term prescriptions from time to time, and it's been a while since I've gotten one at all).

I understand being afraid of the side effects of Neurontin, but did you even bother to try it, or are you going by what side effects are possible? Not everyone will have negative side effects, it may be worth a shot. Sometimes you need to break that cycle of not sleeping to be able to be more active during the day, and therefore increase your chances of sleeping at night (exercise during the day may help, but for right now, if you're that tired all day long, it will be much more difficult to do). A good night's sleep may be more important than minor side effects. If you experience any side effects that aren't tolerable, you can always stop the med (with your doctor's advice, of course). It may not be as bad as you fear, though.

ETA: do you really think that it's still due to having worked night shift, even 3 years later?

cicatrixx15 · Apr 12, 2010

I used to work late nights and then stay up after work until the wee hours of the morning. It's now been two years since I worked that job . I'm sleepy all day, but then when night comes, it's ridiculous. I can't sleep!....Like right now, it's 1:15 in the morning and I'm on allnurses.com not the slightest bit tired. I haven't really found anything that helps. I've even stayed up for 48 hours straight before to try to reset my clock to sleep at night....that didn't work. I've totally stopped drinking caffeine and smoking, and it's gotten a tad bit easier to go to sleep, but I'd still rather be up at night.

Anne36, LPN · Apr 12, 2010

wow, funny you should mention that, its 1:30 and Im still up. Yeah, Im pretty wiped out, and I even took some meds in it with narcotic that is to help sleep. Mabye you are a natural nightowl like me. I am going to be dead at around 7-8 when I have to get up. It will feel like 2 am does to other people.

My plan is to eventually adjust my life around this schedule when my kids are a little older. I only have 2 that are in elementry now. When Im out of school and start work I want to do 2 or 3 shift.

metal_m0nk, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2010

I'm an insomniac too. My excuse is that I study at night while my son is asleep. Even if I take a night off from studying, I hardly ever get to bed at a decent hour. Unlike your situation though, my schedule isn't likely to change any time soon. It seems my body has just become accustomed to functioning on little sleep.

But...on those rare evenings that I absolutely have to sleep - like when I'm expecting to have to function at a higher than average level, 1/4 to 1/2 of a Tylenol PM tablet works for me.

lil pixi · Apr 12, 2010

Maybe you just need some more exercise? Even a stroll, yardwork, cleaning up a bit/housework, running... just something physical will help ya sleep. I know it works on me. If I hadn't done anything moderately physical during the day, I'm up most of the night. I don't like taking anything myself, unless I have to.

This is my new regimen, basically. Physical exertion, or lately, studying till I tire myself out. Haha.

I've dealt with insomnia as far back as I can remember, and always a night person. I spent at least a few years taking Xanax as prescribed for it every night.

SO glad I've been able to do without that for the past 2 years. :yeah:

I couldn't stand the grogginess, during the duration of the drug AND the next day, and even though it seemed to do me well all around in the beginning, it eventually started to cause depression as well - A no go for me, I'm a very upbeat, positive person.

And I just don't agree with the use of Benzos unless ABSOLUTELY necessary.

As far as safer & more convenient regimens go, I wish I knew what was guaranteed effective, but everyone's so different.

Anne36, LPN · Apr 12, 2010

Okay, its 2:00 am and I am making myself go to sleep. I truly am tired, but Im like a little kid fighting sleep. I just dont want to go to bed until like 4-5 am.

vegas2009 · Apr 12, 2010

Honestly, I can stay up 'til 4 or 5AM up to three times a week. Then, I have to make up the lost sleep somehow. As I get older, I don't see myself working the night shift - unless I have to.

Anyway, when I was younger, I used to be out most of the night with friends and I didn't come home 'til like 6 or 7AM. That was fun! Yup, I KNEW what it felt like eating the 5th meal, is it? AT Taco Bell, IHop, Denny's. . . I miss the good old days, when it felt natural to stay up all night! I felt more like a vampire :clown: I fed at night, active and wide AWAKE.

Now, when I lose sleep, I'm z-o-m-b-i-e-r the next day ... Geez, I'm getting OLD! :rolleyes:

diane227, LPN, RN · Apr 12, 2010

I suffer from horrible insomnia and just seem to get buy on these 4 hour naps. I have had a sleep study and have taken every sleeping medication known to man. Ambien really caused me problems... sleepwalking and night time eating. Plus, it was hard to break the psychological addiction to it. Now, I have just decided to roll with it. I sleep for a few hours when I get home at night (I work 3-11) then wake up, work on the computer, do other stuff and go back to sleep for a couple of hours before I have to go to work. I take an occasional xanax every now and then. No alcohol.. that keeps me awake and benadryl is like taking speed. Why are we all like this? My friend John (the best ED physician in the world) says that insomnia is a sign of a restless, perhaps unhappy mind. He might be right. He wife, my friend Les, who is also a nurse, can fall asleep standing up. The sign of a clear conscious I suppose.