Sleep advice

[Liz520]

I'm a pre-nursing student looking for advice for my husband's sleep trouble. He's too macho or stubborn (or both) to go to the Dr's. right now. Here's the scenario any advice would be greatly appreciated!

For about the last 3 weeks my 30 yro husband has been having a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep. He wakes up easily and it takes about an hour to fall asleep again. He is woken up about 3x's per night. He also has been getting more frequent headaches that are not affected by ibuprofen. He tried Ambien a few times which helped him fall asleep somewhat, but didn't help too much. He is now going to try melatonin. I'm not really looking for pills to pop, but what some possible reasons for his sleep disturbance.

Medication: 200 mg daily generic WellbutrinXL (time release). (Meds haven't changed in a long time, so I don't think that is a factor)

Diet: okay. I have to get on him about eating breakfast. Occasional drinking.

Activity level: Some. Yard work and handyman type work around the house. Occasional hiking on weekends.

Stress: No significant change

His diet and activity level could use a tune up, but not sure if that is the issue either. Any advice would be great

THANKS

[TazziRN, RN]

We cannot give any kind of treatment advice here, sorry. If it's a problem he needs to see a doctor. I understand you're saying that he won't go, but there's nothing we can do to help, per the TOS and the limits of our licenses.

[ArizonaMark]

Well, please remember that you are asking for what could be construed as medical advice on a nursing site. So, he really needs to SEE HIS DOCTOR!

Having said that, a little internet research will provide you with more information such as info. I found on Wellbutrin :

" Contact your doctor if you have any of the following side effects, especially if they are new symptoms or if they get worse: mood changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, agitation, aggressiveness, severe restlessness, mania ", as quoted from drugs.com.

Now, if you go and throw some melotonin, a hormone that is NOT regulated by the FDA, you can see that you may be opening another can of worms, especially considering melotonin has an effect on the serotonin levels in the brain...

As for nursing interventions, what would you suggest works for him, perhaps in the past. Alcohol is not conducive to sound REM sleep. A little exercise several hours before sleep might help. Does he eat much before retiring? A heavy meal can cause havoc on sleep patterns, especially right before retiring.

There's lots more you can try, but bottom line he needs to suck it up and go see his PCP. Could be he is having a side-effect of his meds...

Food for thought, but don't take my word for it, research it yourself. Just stick with valid sites on the web and you can apply some "pre-nursing" ideas yourself till you can get the stubborn ox :banghead:in to see his PCP :chair:, hehe.

Mark

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

The posters above have given excellent advice.

I'm sorry, but we cannot answer medical questions on a nursing message board, which, as you will learn later in your studies, is beyond the scope of our practice. Your husband MUST see a physician or advanced-practice nurse to be properly evaluated and diagnosed.

Of course, we wish both of you the best of luck in dealing with this problem. I'm a firm believer in the restorative qualities of sleep, and wouldn't wish insomnia on my worst enemy!

Have a nice day.