Sleep insomnia is affecting me

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Does anybody know anything that may help with sleep insomnia? I want to try as many things as possible to get through this very stressful week. I haven't slept in 2 days because i havent been able to physically fall asleep, even though I'm really tired and sleepy. I will just be in bed for 8 or more still wide awake and just "resting", but I still feel terrible in the morning. I took my OB exam today and failed it because I wasn't able concentrate and look at the screen too long, so I just started guessing on every single question even though I been studying for this exam for five days now.

im going to see a provider about this issue, however, it wont be until next week and I still have to get through this week. I have my pharm exam today and my med-surge exam Thursday so hopefully I wont fell those too due to being sleep deprived.

People are asking me the simplest questions, such as what do you want in your coffee, and I cannot no think clearly at all.

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Are you able to talk to your provider or leave them a message to ask what, if any, over the counter things may help you with insomnia until you can go in to see them?

Otherwise, have you tried mediation or yoga? Stress and worry could be one of the things keeping you awake at night, especially if this started or got worse with nursing school.

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Are you able to talk to your provider or leave them a message to ask what, if any, over the counter things may help you with insomnia until you can go in to see them?

Otherwise, have you tried mediation or yoga? Stress and worry could be one of the things keeping you awake at night, especially if this started or got worse with nursing school.

Yeah, i think stress is it. I've been struggling in OB...

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I have had a history of insomnia. I highly suggest not having any screen time for at least 30 minutes before bed. this includes tv, phone, and computer. Those 30 minutes should be spent relaxing and getting your mind off of the day. I nice soothing bath/ shower, reading a good book, listenting to calming music. Then, when you go to bed I suggest making the room completely dark with no lights. Flip your phone over so the screen doesn't light up. When I had major issues of insomnia, I was living on campus and frequently had noisy neighbors and people above me. I learned to play soothing meditation music (sounds crazy but it works) or creating white noise with a fan. Make sure you go to bed and get up at the same time every day, and AVOID NAPPING! Creating a routine helps a lot.

Also, exercise and other activities can help destress. Although I don't meditate anymore, it used to help me a lot with anxiety and fears related to school. If meditation is too much for you, try coloring. I personally believe that taking meds to sleep is not a good way to fix the problem, but if your doctor believes you needs sleep meds for awhile, make sure you ask questions and follow through. My insomnia got to be so bad that they put me on trazadone to help me get through the first few weeks before my routine would help.

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Specializes in ED.

First of all, I can totally relate. I've had terrible insomnia for years.

Secondly, nursing school creates some high anxiety and stress for us sometimes.

For me, when I am not exercising I don't sleep. The two go hand in hand for me. Getting that exercise time can be difficult if not impossible during school. If you can't get any time for that, I'd try melatonin. The trick for me is to take it and immediately go to bed. Don't mess around after taking it and miss the melatonin train. I have to be IN the bed when I take it and hope on the train the second my eyes get heavy.

You can also try magnesium and/or even an epsom salt bath.

I would still consider talking to your provider for some temporary help. For me, if I get two nights in a row of GOOD sleep, I can usually go another 3-5 days of good sleep. It is very cyclical for me and seems to be for most of my other sleep-deprived friends.

Another thing that works... and I almost forgot.... i keep a note pad and pencil beside my bed. If there is something keeping me up at night, I write it down. I have a very hard time turning my brain off at times and this helps a lot.

Good luck and sweet dreams!

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I have had a history of insomnia. I highly suggest not having any screen time for at least 30 minutes before bed. this includes tv, phone, and computer. Those 30 minutes should be spent relaxing and getting your mind off of the day. I nice soothing bath/ shower, reading a good book, listenting to calming music. Then, when you go to bed I suggest making the room completely dark with no lights. Flip your phone over so the screen doesn't light up. When I had major issues of insomnia, I was living on campus and frequently had noisy neighbors and people above me. I learned to play soothing meditation music (sounds crazy but it works) or creating white noise with a fan. Make sure you go to bed and get up at the same time every day, and AVOID NAPPING! Creating a routine helps a lot.

Also, exercise and other activities can help destress. Although I don't meditate anymore, it used to help me a lot with anxiety and fears related to school. If meditation is too much for you, try coloring. I personally believe that taking meds to sleep is not a good way to fix the problem, but if your doctor believes you needs sleep meds for awhile, make sure you ask questions and follow through. My insomnia got to be so bad that they put me on trazadone to help me get through the first few weeks before my routine would help.

Thanks! Im going to try these tips. However, i live in a dorm with 50 other freshman girls who wre very immature and likes to scream all day. But I'm going to try that white noise and i hope it helps tonight.

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First of all, I can totally relate. I've had terrible insomnia for years.

Secondly, nursing school creates some high anxiety and stress for us sometimes.

For me, when I am not exercising I don't sleep. The two go hand in hand for me. Getting that exercise time can be difficult if not impossible during school. If you can't get any time for that, I'd try melatonin. The trick for me is to take it and immediately go to bed. Don't mess around after taking it and miss the melatonin train. I have to be IN the bed when I take it and hope on the train the second my eyes get heavy.

You can also try magnesium and/or even an epsom salt bath.

I would still consider talking to your provider for some temporary help. For me, if I get two nights in a row of GOOD sleep, I can usually go another 3-5 days of good sleep. It is very cyclical for me and seems to be for most of my other sleep-deprived friends.

Another thing that works... and I almost forgot.... i keep a note pad and pencil beside my bed. If there is something keeping me up at night, I write it down. I have a very hard time turning my brain off at times and this helps a lot.

Good luck and sweet dreams!

Im going to try the melatonin thing as well. My professor also recommended it to me. Also did you find that benedryl helped? A classmate recommended that also.

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Specializes in ED.
Im going to try the melatonin thing as well. My professor also recommended it to me. Also did you find that benedryl helped? A classmate recommended that also.

Yes. I use both sometimes. You can actually take several melatonin capsules instead of just one. I will warn you that you might have some weird and vivid dreams.

I am actually taking Trazadone right now and it is helping but it is all in when I take it. I don't take it every day. I only take it when I MUST sleep - the night before work or if I'd had an especially emotional day.

Ambien didn't work for me at all. Neither did Lunesta. All that gave me was a horrible taste in my mouth. I also took Belsomra which I liked because falling asleep has never been an issue. Waking up at 0100 is my biggest problem and Belsomra had a very short onset and duration. It never made me feel hungover. It was just SO expensive. I have new insurance so I may give it another try.

I used to take Klonopin every few nights before the Trazadone. It was great but I often felt hungover and I was starting to worry about a dependence on it because it was taking a full mg to work when I started with a measly .25mg of it.

Bottom line, everyone is different. When you do talk to your provider, I'd make sure to start small and go from there. If he starts with Ambien right out of the chute, I'd question that.

I'd give the melatonin a few nights. If it doesn't work, you'll have something else to tell your provider.

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Specializes in ED.

GAH! I sound like a junkie!!!

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Specializes in Nursing.

Hello OsceanSN2019, CNA - I have terrible insomnia as well. Sometimes I take Benadryl (1/2 tablet of 25 mg dose). I have also tried Ambien. And in the worst cases, I will take a benzodiazepine (klonopin) to help with sleep. I have tried melatonin as well.

All of those (above) come with side-effects and grogginess in the AM for me.

One of the best things I have found for a natural sleep without grogginess is magnesium. I take 500 mg of Nature's Bounty (Target) Magnesium oxide and it helps me so much!

Some people get GI side-effects with this (diarrhea) ... but I tend to generally have constipation issues, so the GI side-effects are desirable for me. TMI (sorry!) If diarrhea is an issue ... I have read that magnesium oil can help, something to rub on your skin, that doesn't have the GI issues.

Those are my best remedies that I can offer you! I am sure you will get lots of advice on this one :-)

Sweet dreams to you!!!

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Specializes in ICU/ER/trauma.

Oh lord. I was the same way. Haha. OB sucks. I barely passed that class. By like 1 point. You're just stressed out. Ear plugs and a dark room. Deep breathing exercises. White noise. Try anything. You need sleep and less anxiety.

If this helps....you'll get through it and never deal with ob ever again your life. Just suffer this 16 weeks and it's over!!! Stay positive.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Thanks! Im going to try these tips. However, i live in a dorm with 50 other freshman girls who wre very immature and likes to scream all day. But I'm going to try that white noise and i hope it helps tonight.

Believe me, the white noise helps. I bought a huge fan and set that fairly close to the bed. The medium setting was fine most of the time, but when I set it on high an old boyfriend moved into my house and I didn't notice until the alarm went off. (An EX-boyfriend! I didn't hear it when he moved out, either.)

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