Sleep Disorder - anybody have DSPS/DSPD? or other Circadian Rhythm Disorder?

[fitzy24]

I have a problem with getting enough sleep at night. I've been taking melatonin for a few years and every now and then I skip a couple of days (weeknights) to get away from it but without it, I fall asleep around 2 or 3 in the morning. That's not good when I have to wake up at 5 to go to work. I am afraid if I stop taking it, I would be getting only 2.5 hours of sleep every night. Oh and sometimes, I take Tylenol pm when I have a lot on my mind because when that happens, the melatonin doesn't work.

[Zara.Zoe]

Hello,

Have you considered switching to other medications, a better melatonin receptor stimulant?
I heard among friends that Rozerem also treats circadian rhythm disorders, but do not go for it before consulting your physician first

I hope it helps!

[Anoosha Alam]

instead of taking these medications, try switching to circadian rhythm lighting. if that's the case that you are sleeping till 3 in the morning and not waking up early, you might have DSPD that can be better treated with circadian rhythm lighting. look for any reliable brand out there and invest a few dollars in it. these lights does wonders.

[mooksmom]

Has any one of you seen a Sleep Disorder specialist?? I try not to ASSume but I don't see that answered in many of the posts. I notice many of us are also middle-aged (50+). Has any of your MDs mentioned sleep disorders go along with menopause? Yup! Sure does! I come from a medical professional career of 45 yrs and ALL of them worked on some form of 'night shift': 3p-11p, 7p-7a, 11p-7a. It is just where MY biorhythm lives.
In retirement I choose to keep living on that schedule. I had a paternal GMa who waitressed her whole life on the same night shift. My 28 yr old son was a night shifter in my belly...8p-6a and his wanting to chill when I still had 2 hrs left to work in the ER & ICU made for some major Braxton-Hicks episodes. He went to college taking most classes after 3pm into the later night hours. He now has a 9a-5p job buy adjusts his off hours around a night shifter body. I'm sure it is hard on him some.
The only time I ever took sleep meds was during my divorce...Ambien. It worked well x 6 mo. I did not like its side effects and tried to stop abruptly...NOT A GOOD IDEA. It took my body one year of restless, choppy sleep to get back to sleeping my 'normal' 6 hr night shifter sleep. Shortly after I had an emergent hysterectomy. I went straight into surgical menopause. I can get to sleep but no matter how tried I am, I'm wide awake again in 3-4 hrs and cannot get back to sleep. I refuse to take any meds for sleep ever again; not even Melatonin. Now, if I cannot get back to sleep in 30 min I just get up. I do crafts, watch TV, work out, clean house. I am thankful to be newly retired so it does not effect my daily routine. I do recall both my GMas getting up very early before the sun came up. I just thought it was part of them making breakfasts for day shift husbands. I get the sleep disturbance thing, I refuse to live my retirement in poly pharmacy mode and that does seem to be what most MDs want to do for it. They are taught ZERO in Med Schools about sleep and or the lack of it. Studies show night shift workers supposedly live less long, but I am mid-60s and still healthy and have many retired peers (police, fiefighters, MDs) doing the same thing. I have no answers as to what works for others, and Sleep Disorder specialty is relatively new to Medicine. I do what works for me and am just a happy night shifter.