Sandman hates me

I became a nurse 20 years ago. Since that day, I have been a chronic symptomatic insomniac. I guess the sandman hates me since I have become a nurse!!! My usual is 1 hour of sleep per 24 hour period. If I'm on vacation or a stretch off work, sometimes I get lucky and get 3 or PURE heaven I would get 4 hours of sleep. Cloud nine!
Of course, you've followed up with a doc for sleep studies or whatever, right?

My husband wants me to. Its just that we have a $10,000 deductible insurance. I can certainly handle the appointment its just the tests that he might order. Then I REALLY wouldn't sleep.

Oh wow. How on earth do you make it on so little sleep???

Quote from dthfytrOf course, you've followed up with a doc for sleep studies or whatever, right?

Quote from eriksolnYeah. You're a nurse so no one has to explain to you how bad this is. You already know the dangers. Paying for the sleep study costs less than getting in a wreck on the way home (car damage, lost work time, hospital stay if its bad). Seriously, I've known a couple nurses who it happened to. Its not fun. As a fellow allnurses member, thats all I'd say about it.If we were friends...............I'd have a lot more to say, and I would not waste my time being "theraputic" about it. I just hope if you do wreck or something, you are the only one hurt. I'd hate to see a family lose a child or someone not be able to see their grandmother again because you were trying to avoid paying for a deductible. oops. See, there I go, I ended up saying it anyway.

Wow, how does your body function on so little sleep?

Because I lived quite far from my work, when I did late/early shifts, I used to only get about 3 hours sleep then I would be up for work again. I used to suffer really badly, but oddly, didn't make any mistakes or drug errors (none yet anyway). I used to have to get huge cups of coffee to drink to stay awake to drive home (there were few fast buses and no trains where I lived). I thought one day: I can't do this anymore. It was making me really ill - I used to get chest infections, oversleep and feel lousy, and I would get fierce headaches from lack of sleep. It also affeced my digestion - bad indigestion and constipation from all the different shifts. And I had no desire to do anything on days off - I was too tired and couldn't be bothered even exercising. Now I am overweight and have an unhealthy lifestyle.So now I don't do late/earlies. I thought if I fall asleep at the wheel and kill myself/someone else and/or their family, is it really worth the money? Now I am looking for a day job, or I do afternoon shift but unfortunately, unless you do all the crap shifts you don't get many shifts you want, or ones where you have to travel too far.I find nursing shifts disruptive and soul destroying. I don't mind afternoon shift but I feel I have missed out on so many celebrations/nights out due to work, and as I get older I am resenting that. And if I did make the effort to go out after an early shift, I would leave early as I couldn't stay awake to drive home. Life is just not all about work, right?The poster who said her friend works all night and looks after the g/kids all day, driving would be so dangerous after doing that. Doesn't she worry she may have a bad MVA? She needs to learn to say no occasionally I think!I am too old to only have 3 hours sleep now; I think you have to accept your limitations as you get older too. I just can't bounce back like I used to.

My Lord, I can barely function on 6 hours of sleep. I'd be fully psychotic on 1-3. Sleep deprivation is used as a form of torture for a reason, you know. Ask my kids.

Quote from carolmaccas66The poster who said her friend works all night and looks after the g/kids all day, driving would be so dangerous after doing that. Doesn't she worry she may have a bad MVA? She needs to learn to say no occasionally I think!

Quote from GoECUWow, how does your body function on so little sleep?

are your kids school age? If so, that's easily 6+ hours of sleep, even if you take them and pick them up. Not to mention before and after school programs. I work nights too, and still get decent sleep during the day. Believe me, my kids would not want to be around me at all if I didn't!If you have to stay on nights maybe switching jobs would help. Three 12 hour shifts gives you four days off each week. Or, is it possible for you to go part time and work fewer nights each week?Sounds like you need to do SOMETHING. Good luck to you.

Yetanotheramanda, I don't think she's saying she doesn't have TIME to sleep, but rather that she CAN'T sleep. Your advice would work if she just didn't have the time, but even when one with insomnia has an indefinite period to sleep in, they still cannot sleep.