Night shifters - ever experience this?

[beeker]

I will be honest, it took me a long time to adjust to night shift. But then I had a really good stretch where I thought everything was going to be ok. I kept to the schedule on days off which helped. I felt good at work and slept when I got home. I was on a sleeping 10-4 schedule most days of the week. But lately I am WAY OUT OF WHACK! I mean like I will sleep for 18 hours then be awake for 2 days straight. I am exhausted, have huge bags under my eyes, my skin looks awful and I am sooooooo cranky! It is affecting my attitude at work. Its been about 3 weeks like this. I have tried Benadryl, melatonin, lunesta. But when I can't sleep I can't sleep. I feel crazy. I just lay there in bed and nothing! Even with all the medicine in me. My doctor said ambien is a bad fit for me since I already sleep walk and talk sometimes. But the stretches of insomnia are making me absolutely crazy. My doctor said I need to find a day job, nothing else will help but I really need to stick this out until January at the very least. Any ideas? Anyone have a sudden change in tolerance to night shift? I am afraid my lack of sleep will cause me to harm someone by making a mistake at work. I have not called out yet, but I am going to have to if this keeps up.

[Do-over, ASN, RN]

I did great on nights for over a year and a half. Hit a wall several months ago and spoke with my manager about going to days. I am hoping I get to make the switch within several months... I love the night shift, but I hate my life =)

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I have always been a night owl, even when I worked straight days. I'd either go to sleep late, or toss and turn. I've never felt right on days. I'm not really alert until at least 2 hours into my shift. Ideally, I'd like a job that's 9-5 or 11-7. Waking up at 0445 is awful.