Posted by llrrrpp on July 4, 2006, at 7:40:55
In reply to Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome, posted by Deneb on July 4, 2006, at 2:23:05
Hi Deneb*
I have bad sleep problems too. First I had insomnia. I would wake up after only sleeping 4 hours and be unable to fall asleep again. pdoc prescribed me seroquel, which I take at bedtime. It's quite sedating. It also augments my antidepressant.In the last few weeks, I've been suffering from excessive daytiem sleepiness. I would get up at a reasonable hour, buut then take 2 naps before noon, another in the afternoon (often leaving work early) and struggle to stay awake until a reasonable bedtime. Now doctor has me on a stimulant called provigil. I took it for the first time yesterady at lunch time. Unfortunately, I'm still wide awake, and could not fall asleep last night (despite seroquel).
I think I will try a half-dose this morning, and see if that works better than a full dose. ugh. Don't like being up all night. I feel like a vampire. I can see what you mean about how life passes you by.
it's very possible you have a biological reason for having strange sleep cycles. You can treat your biology either through tweaking your chemistry directly (taking meds) or indirectly behavioral & light therapies. A lot of people report successfully changing their sleep cycles by simply maintaining a strict schedule that moves them in increments towards the desired pattern. This approach requires discipline though, and a tolerance to feeling icky for a week or so while your body sorts itself out. For instance, the last time I travelled from Asia to N. America, I was waking up in the middle of the night because my stomach was hungry for the big meal of the day. Took quite a bit of discipline to tell my stomach to shut up and wait for cereal and yogurt in a few hours. Exercise and light can help with resetting the clock.
I hope you find something that works for you :) sleep problems can really affect your mental health (and your physical health too!). Don't be afraid to tell your pdoc/T that you need help.
your friend,
-ll
poster:llrrrpp
thread:663904
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20060610/msgs/663931.html