Night Shift Complications

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I work night shift, 6p to 630a. I've been having a tough time sleeping on my days off. Yes, I am having trouble sleeping at night. I am currently taking zyrtec, melatonin, and a 1/2 dose of Nyquil on my first night off to try to get to sleep. Just wondering if anyone else struggles with this. I sleep like a baby during the day when I work nights thanks to blackout curtains. I am adding exercise in when september comes. I swim laps and the pool is overcrowded until the kiddos go back to school. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

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Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.

Any reason you can't just sleep days on your days off, too?

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I could but then I wouldn't see my husband very much. I've tried switching my sleep schedule around a few different ways, but I feel like sleep still eludes me.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Do you stay awake when you get off on your last day of work?

sometimes I will make appts on the end of my stretch and be forced to stay awake, then crash early and flip my sleep around.

however after 6 yrs on nights I typically stay awake until 3-4 am even on my nights off.

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" zyrtec, melatonin, and a 1/2 dose of Nyquil " That's quite a combo. Taking meds for their side effects can't be good. Speak with your provider. Can you get off nights?

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I know you said you wouldn't want to sleep during the day in order to see your family, but have you thought of "anchor sleeping" ? You would sleep four hours at the same tI'm no matter what, and shift the other four forward or back, depending if it's a rest or work day. So for you, you would probably consistently sleep 7-11a, then sleep 7a-3p on your work days and 3a-11a on your days off. Might work?

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Specializes in ICU, trauma.
" zyrtec, melatonin, and a 1/2 dose of Nyquil " That's quite a combo. Taking meds for their side effects can't be good. Speak with your provider. Can you get off nights?

I take Benadryl to help me sleep. Infact, Zzz-quil is diphenhydramine....aka benadryl.

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I have had to switch up multiple times from day shift to night shift and back to day shift for this new grad program I am in. That being said, I often would have to use ZZZ-quil (diphenhydramine) to help get myself tired and ready for bed. It takes me about 3-4 weeks of going to bed around the same time every time to fully adjust to the new sleeping habits. The blackout curtains are phenomenal and it sounds like you've already got those, so you're good to go there. I don't know how keen you are on reading, but that also gets my super sleepy when I need to go to bed. I also try to workout after work on night shift and that generally makes me tired; I even do it when I am on days!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

WOW!!! You guys are really suffering! I don't have any issues falling asleep, and fortunately, I don't have to take any meds. All I need after working night shift is for my feet and my head to be at the same level...aka supine...and I'm out for the count. I usually sleep until about 2p-3pm, lounge around for a little while, then back out again by 9pm. That way, my usual 0530 rise-n-shine routine is back on track by the following morning. I've kept that schedule for years on night shift while at the bedside. Of course, I'm in no hurry to get to sleep, and don't really care if I miss anything during the day or evening.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Anchor sleep is a terrific, evidence based strategy. I would also suggest eliminating screen time for 3-4 hours before bedtime.

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I take Benadryl to help me sleep. Infact, Zzz-quil is diphenhydramine....aka benadryl.

Nyquil ingredients:acetaminophen/dextromethorphan/doxylamine/pseudoephedrine, Op potentiates that with Zyrtec and melatonin. That's quite the self prescribed combo.

I am aware Zzz-quil is benadryl. Why spend $$$ on that brand when a generic OTC diphenhydramine is available?

Again, OP is self medicating and needs to rethink that.

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I stay up late until the wee hours of the morning (as in 4 am usually) the night before I have to work a night, then take something mild for sleep, and sleep all that day. Then after I work that first night I come home and crash with no meds necessary. I have been followed by a doctor for years because of my sleep dysfunction, had a sleep study, et al. I just have no natural sleep pattern thanks to flip flopping and other life circumstances.

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