Sleep problems

For several years I have had a weird sleeping pattern that I can't break. If I go to bed by a pre determined time (Usually 9pm) I wake up at least 3 hours earlier then I need to (in the 3 O'clock hour) and feel refreshed; but any later then that even one hour (10 pm) I will over sleep and feel just weak and tired. I have looked into other variables (diet etc.) but the only consistent thing seems to be the times that I go to bed and wake up. If I go to bed later and not have to get up early I feel fine. Why do I feel great when I go to bed at 9 and wake up at 3 but feel awful when going to bed at 10 and getting up at 6?

I have similar problems. My body is only used to having minimal sleep and when it gets more than it desires, I feel like crap the rest of the day.

There have been times that I've only gotten 2-3 hours of sleep and I feel better than I would of with a full 8 hours.

have yourself checked for sleep apnoea

it can really mess you up.

I stopped fighting with my sleep patterns years ago, nothing seems to change and to be honest as long as it's not causing you problems with work / school or whatever you have to do during the day then I wouldn't worry.
People are all different

sleep like a baby me a bottle of milk and away i go

Ah sleep disorders! My favorite topic. Just check my ATS name. I have EXACTLY the same issues as the OP. If I fall asleep before about 10-11PM then I'll be up ALL the AM hours. If I fall asleep after say 1-2AM, then I sleep until the afternoon. If I fall asleep earlier than what I'm used to, I wake up only a few short hours later feeling better than I ever have. Otherwise, I tend to sleep about 12 (yes, 12! and sometimes more!) hours daily!

A neurologist (sleep specialist) told me that it's more important WHEN we sleep and not how many hours. Our bodies have a unique cycle sometimes.

A meditation expert told me that when falling asleep before midnight, each hour is like sleeping 2 hours.

My unique cycle was likely set and influenced by my already abnormal sleep patterns caused by my narcolepsy. My environment growing up didn't help either. My family never set restrictions on my bedtime or anything like that. So in the summers I would usually stay up very late hours and sleep all day.

I've tried it all, lunesta, ambien, natural sleep aids, melatonin, and even the mighty trazedone didn't help me get to sleep when I needed to. (I hope this isn't against T&C)

None of the stimulants worked very well on me either to wake me up. I've tried em all. Too many side-effects and not enough benefits.

I experience both extreme drowsiness and bouts of insomnia. It is difficult for people to understand how I can experience insomnia with a sleeping disorder that leaves me continually drowsy. It's not fun haha!

Ask your doctor about having a sleep study done. There are a lot of sleeping disorders out there and they affect individuals in unique ways. Good luck

I feel like crud if I sleep and I feel like crud if I don't. I just don't know what to do anymore. some people are just not set up the way others are.

reply to post by stonebutterfly


That's the nature of the sleeping disorder: crud if you do, crud if you don't. There is relief for some disorders while others go un-curable for the moment.

I, myself, don't seem to be operating on a 24-hour cycle though. It's like I'm from a different planet or something

Everybody has different sleeping needs, but society hardly recognizes that.

reply to post by subject1145


I have been having severe issues with sleep deprivation. In the past two weeks I have only had about 7 hours of sleep all told. Several nights I have not slept at all. I am suffering from this. I feel like I am walking on pillows, the ground does not feel solid under my feet. My appitite is also off. How long can a person go without sleep before it becomes dangerous.?

reply to post by karen61057


I think it's about 10-11 days that a sleep deprived person's condition turns fatal (meaning that they haven't slept a minute in all that time.) See a doctor, please, quick! Best of luck to you.

My husband and my daughter use Ashwagandha root. They use the un-adulterated version (pure organic powered root). Not only does it help with sleep, they take 4 capsules once or twice a week, it has many benefits.

Discover the benefits of Ashwagandha

I cannot sleep during the night. I have been on third shift for the last 11 years because I sleep better during the day.
Well, that just one reason. Anyway... even during my vacations and days off I still sleep during the day. I try my best to get my sleep pattern turned around so I can get out and enjoy the day with friends and family, but only end up tossing and turning if I go to bed before 6:00 a.m. That makes it tough to get up when I have an appointment during the day.
I have never been a morning person, so the night shift works very well for me.

Good luck on getting your sleep problem worked out.

Originally posted by NarcolepticBuddha
I've tried it all, lunesta, ambien, natural sleep aids, melatonin, and even the mighty trazedone didn't help me get to sleep when I needed to. (I hope this isn't against T&C)

It isn't. It's only against the rules to discuss illegal drugs. Discussing prescriptions, over the counter medication and herbal remedies is fine.

We do all have different sleep patterns! If you do have a sleep pattern that makes you feel rested, then that's fine! Even if this means that you need to go to bed very early... It's a problem if you never ever feel rested or you can't find hours in which you can easily fall asleep!