This doesn't belong here, but ......

[Eze]

... I don't know where else it will get enough views.

I am working midnights right now for 7 nights in a row. My problem is that I have only been sleeping for 2 hours each day after work. For example, yesterday I got home at 8:00 and went to bed at 11:30. I woke up that day at 1:30 and couldn't get back to sleep no matter what I did.

Does anyone have any tips you can give me for falling a sleep (and staying a sleep) after midnights.

BTW, due to my job rec drugs and prepscription drugs (unless they are prescribed directly to me) are not an option.

I have bought some "Sleep Aid" and "Gravol" and but only make me drowsey and I need to be out for a good 8 hours. I was thinking about going to the doc and seeing what he can prescribe for me.

 

[reallittleguy]

I had the same problem and I never really found a way around it. Some people seem to be able to sleep anytime but I was not one of them. Sorry this doesn't help much other than letting you know that your not the only one that couldn't sleep.

 

[brooklynheight]

are u eating big meals when u get home?...when i stopped doing this i got better
sleep when i was working the night shift

 

[Muraco]

I just got through working a shift very similar. I would get up at 3am. in order to make my beakfast (and eat it) and lunch, and made it to work by 4:45am. But, I put in 11-12 hour shifts. I still forced myself to get to the gym 3 days per week and on the weekends. But still, after a few weeks of watching my arms dwindle down, losing weight, getting only 3-4 hours sleep, I told them I couldn't take it and I had to quit. But, they offered me another position 8am.-5pm., which solved my problems. Is there another shift or type of job you could do at your company? It is possible they might work with you on the shceduling if you talked with them about it. Unfortunately, I don't think a person can really get used to it. The other drivers that worked the crazy shift told me they haven't gotten used to the sleep deprivation even after 4 or 5 years.

 

[Rokomuscle1]

Got to your doc and ask for Ambien... amazing stuff as long as it is not abused...

 

[cbcb]

Shoot, I forget what the deal is with what's happening in a person's system that makes them wake up in the middle of the night.

I have heard some people have had luck with a kinda new *time released* melatonin. I'd recommend a sublingual if you're going to try any type.. not sure if Source Naturals has the time released version but they're a good brand.

 

[cbcb]

after a few weeks of watching my arms dwindle down, losing weight...

Wow - absent dietary changes you saw this on just too little sleep? Sounds like cortisol the stress hormone having at it (catabolic as hell from what I hear).

I'm a night owl and had no problem (relatively speaking) with a night job that let out at sunup (and then I'd go right to bed). But my body was wholly and utterly uninterested in the other alternative... getting up at 3 or 4 am. Felt like a dead person, except it hurt more.

 

[hidethereal]

You could try Valerian root, it works very well for alot of people, I remember reading an article saying the Valerian root is more effective than ambien. You can get it anywhere that sells vitamins, I know GNC carries it.

 

[AssItch]

I find that valerian puts me to sleep, and theanine keeps me asleep. Most of the time.

 

[Bimmer]

i say valerian root all the way, first off its an amazing stress reliever, 2ndly it will help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Very very good stuff. Also melatonin or something like that, but iv never had that.

 

[Eze]

valerian root .. How much should I take?


I wonder if my doc would prescribe me something if I asked.

 

[thetopdog]

If you just need to get to sleep quickly once or twice, a shot or two of Nyquil will put you out. This is NOT something you want to rely on though, becuase very quickly you will need the nyquil to fall asleep at all, or else you'll be up for 30+ hours straight without it

 

[hidethereal]

I think you take one valerian root pill like half an hour or an hour before you want to go to sleep

 

[WALLY]

melatonin works wonders if u ask me buy it at stop and shop 3mg pills take 2-3 and your out like a light no hang over feeling just some weird dreams but who cares about that

 

[truck]

I've had success with melatonin also, like you I use to be able to fall asleep but not stay asleep, but I feel like it keeps me asleep through the whole night. Like they said earlier you get to have some crazy dreams, I actually enjoy them, its like being in a movie. I can't really relate to the grave shifts. But I know my Dad has suffered the same problems from his shift work. It could just be your biorythem isn't able to adjust.

 

[Ifrit1]

Melatonin and GABA.

 

[Thoms]

Same situation; and melatonine doesn't do dick for me.
I tried lorazepam and it worked at first, but at the end it didn't and i got some serious sides. (total body paralysis)
Cut the coffee, try to sleep at the same hour every night, and make sure the bedroom is as dark as possible.

 

[Deepglute]

I wonder if my doc would prescribe me something if I asked.

Most prescription sleep aids are habit forming and thus doctors are reluctant to prescribe them except for temporary short term needs. These drugs do put you asleep but often times don't take you into a deep REM sleep which is needed to feel fully rested and recovered.

There is an old antidepressant drug called Amitriptyline which is not a very effective drug for depression but it does put you into a deep REM sleep. Doctors aren't hesitant to prescribe it because it's not a narcotic and has no addictive properties.

 

[Eze]

I actually bought some Sleep Aid pills at the pharmacy. The last couple of days I was actually able to get over 3 hours of sleep which is nice. I also had the flu a couple days ago, so I am sure that also helped with some sleeping.

I have 7 nights in a row, so I guess it may just take me a couple days to get into a routine.

Thanks for the replies gents!