Night Work

HARRN2b · Jun 19, 2006

Indigo girl,

I have heard wearing sunglasses during the morning (on your way home) will help trick your brain into thinking it is night. Have you tried this?

ms mimi · Jun 19, 2006

i am concerned about night work too. when i get out of school i think i may have to work nights to keep with my son's school schedule. i worked nights for 6 months at another job and hated it. i felt like a zombie; having to sleep when it is still light outside, and having to run errands during the day because that is when things are open. i don't look forward to it, but what choice do i have: with the chioce of only 2-12 hr shifts in the hospital, it is either day or night.

cat2007 · Jun 19, 2006

Thanks for sharing the article. I remember hearing about night shift workers and breast cancer a few years ago. I have been doing the night shift for 12 years and it scares me because both my mom and her sister died of breast cancer. They were not night shift workers.

Unfortunately, night shift works best for my family so I am stuck. I wonder if there is anything I can do to help decrease the risk.

indigo girl · Jun 19, 2006

Indigo girl,
I have heard wearing sunglasses during the morning (on your way home) will help trick your brain into thinking it is night. Have you tried this?

I do wear sun glasses since I have to travel east in my commute. I think part of my problem is, I want to do too much especially this time of year. I seem to wake up when I get home. I'm so happy to see my garden. I'm going to have to hypnotize myself into going to sleep sooner!! And, then stay asleep, well, that's another problem. I did get blinds. Maybe a sleep mask? Too Hollywood, but maybe it's worth a try.

I did get a good scare this past week when I got a URI, and I was as usual somewhat sleep deprived. Several patients had it, and I should have worn a mask when assessing them, but none were handy. I don't even know if this facility had them available or not. The URI morphed into an asthma exacerbation. I'm a little slow sometimes at realizing, it's not just a cold. I do notice, however, having trouble breathing

unrelieved by inhaler. Almost done with the prednisone, and feeling better.

Usually take Sambucol in the winter to protect against colds and flu, but stopped in the spring. Who gets colds in this time of year?

I really get that sleep needs to be my priority. Sometimes, I forget though...Then, I read this stuff, and connect the dots. Time to get serious about this sleep issue.

Jolie, BSN · Jun 19, 2006

indigo girl,

Please do not take this the wrong way...I'm not trying to goad you, but am truly curious as to your way of thinking about nutritional supplements.

We have had some lively debates on vaccinations in which you passionately discuss the risks of injecting potentially harmful substances into our bodies. Then I read this thread, and while I understand your legitimate concern about breast cancer, I am flabbergasted at your comment about taking melatonin as a possible means of decreasing your risk.

Given the lack of regulation of nutritional supplements, and the lack of reliable labeling of these products, I am surprised that you would consider taking them, as you seem to be very conscientious about medications.

Would you mind discussing this issue?

catlady, BSN, RN · Jun 19, 2006

I worked nights about 14 years.

Dark curtains. Very important.

Melatonin is good for helping get to sleep, but it doesn't prevent waking up in two hours.

Benadryl with Tylenol, aka Tylenol PM, is very good for staying asleep. The acetaminophen is absolutely critical if you don't want a Benadryl hangover.

White noise. A fan is good. If your room is cool, point it away from the bed. But all those little noises you never ordinarily notice will get you when you're trying to sleep during the day.

Answering machines.

Oh, and don't have kids. They're allergic to the idea of Mom sleeping when they're not.

:paw: :paw:

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 19, 2006

There's other things you can do to offset the risk of breast cancer, such as eating a low saturated fat diet full of fruits and vegetables (lots of antioxidants) and exercising.

I invested in a "black out" blind that was custom measured to my window and blocked out all sunlight. It's nice now for when I sleep and the sun is coming up, I don't notice. :)

Nights though is very hard on the body. Been there and done that for 13 years. Now I'm a daytime worker struggling to sleep at night. :)

indigo girl · Jun 19, 2006

indigo girl,
Please do not take this the wrong way...I'm not trying to goad you, but am truly curious as to your way of thinking about nutritional supplements.
We have had some lively debates on vaccinations in which you passionately discuss the risks of injecting potentially harmful substances into our bodies. Then I read this thread, and while I understand your legitimate concern about breast cancer, I am flabbergasted at your comment about taking melatonin as a possible means of decreasing your risk.
Given the lack of regulation of nutritional supplements, and the lack of reliable labeling of these products, I am surprised that you would consider taking them, as you seem to be very conscientious about medications.
Would you mind discussing this issue?

Actually, Jolie, I was just thinking, not even that seriously about it. There is some controversy about melatonin. I would not take it unless, I researched this more thoroughly. I know that taking nutritional supplements is not considered conventional. And, you are correct about labeling issues. However, if a physician or naturopath, that I respect, and whose opinions make sense to me, and even gives supporting studies to back up what he or she is saying, says that something is worthwhile, I would feel comfortable with it. I feel even better if more than one manufacturer is offering it which is not always the case. I know that some

of these physicians, nutritionists etc. are selling their own products, but not all are, and sometimes those products are very good ones. I don't claim to know everything about nutrition, or supplements. I try to make informed choices. Years ago, my home health agency paid for me to take classes in herbal medicine taught by a medical botanist (she taught at Thomas Jefferson and Temple University in Philly). It was taught according to body systems, and came complete with supporting medical studies. I was initially very leery, and it was very hard for me to get over my fear of taking anything that was not prescribed. But, you know what? The teaching was so professional, and the classroom was packed with not only nurses but many other health professionals and it won me over. But, not right away. Trying that first herbal tea was kind of scarey even if it was only chamomile. I really am careful, Jolie. I due tend to stick to the tried and true types of things like cranberry extract for UTI's, or herbal teas that have a long history of use. I will use elderberry extract for cold prevention (I only wish I hadn't stopped this spring) because the Israeli physician who developed the formula I use, became interested in it because of it's folk history.

I kept reading about it from more than one source, tried it, and was impressed by it's efficacy and safety.

I prefer taking an herb or supplement if it can safely deliver what I need it to do. I will only take a medication if I have to. I'm not happy about having to take prednisone this week, or use combivent, but I will do it temporarily. We all know the possible side effects. There are many reputable, and well known companies that make good herbal formulas, and I did learn something about who has a good rep and who doesn't in my classes. I also grow simple herbs for my dinner table, and for teas. So, I guess I'm just comfortable with this now after years of reading books (some by pharmacists), traditional healers, and newsletters I subscribe to by physicians and naturopaths.

Will I take melatonine. Probably not. Will I read more about it, definitely.

But, you know what? I really think sleeping in the dark is probably the better option.

I always enjoy our debates, Jolie. Sometimes, you can really get to appreciate someone else best through their differences.

I'm not trying to upset anyone about this, but I'm really glad the FDA is not involved in my choices of these other products.

jannrn · Jun 19, 2006

I don't know about melatonin, I would think that the most basic things like exercise, diet, would be the best help with cancer prevention, and trying to get the best quality sleep when you can (our biggest challenge!)

My tricks:

-limit coffee, liquids after a certain time each morning before going home

-dark room (use tin foil taped to window) use a different room if you can. I use one of my sons' rooms that has only one window and a bunk bed that I can hang a dark sheet on the window end. cozy and cave-like

-use white noise (air filter or fan or white noise device, air conditioner aka "window shaker" you won't hear anything else with one of those!)

-lots of pillows!

-something boring to read to wind down

-comfy sleeping attire

-sometimes a sleep aid, but only one I have used is benadryl, not always helpful for me though

-if you work 11-7 then a nap before work is awesome! (2-3 hrs sometimes)

-take a shower before work to help you wake up, use makeup or whatever "morning routine"

-true, young kids don't know mom needs to sleep, I used to work only weekends so my husband could have the kids, he would bring the breastfeeding baby to me and we would snooze together... lots of fond memories... funny how they always grow out of that phase!

Jolie, BSN · Jun 19, 2006

Thanks, indigo girl!

I guess my greatest reservation is the lack of reliable sources of herbal supplements. So many that are sold as "nutritional supplements" fly under the radar screen of regulation, making me very leery of their contents, strengths, standardization, etc. I wish I knew of reliable sources so that I could trust the labels, or had access to a true practitioner of Chinese herbal medicine whose expertise I could trust.

If there are any good references you would be willing to list, I would be grateful. Also, did your instructor from Jefferson ever publish any articles or texts that may be available?

Again, thanks!

ONSnrs · Jun 19, 2006

:stone

I can not sleep more than three hours during the daytime unless I take at least 6-9mg of melatonin.

At 42 yo I am beginning to lack melatonin production in my brain, so it is necessary day or night. I would like to think that it is a more natural alternative to OTC sleep aids, but sometimes after I take a dose I feel myself having some heart arrythmias.

Therefore I am still in search of the eternal question how does a night nurse get a decent days rest before work the next night. Keep the suggestions coming I am riveted to my lap top. :coollook: