Sleep Pattern Interruptions/Questions Regarding Affect On Health - Sleep Disorders Message Board

sndeane · 01-20-2008, 11:34 PM

Hi everyone,

I have some questions regarding sleep disorder symptoms and sleep pattern interruptions I am experiencing. I believe these issues are contributing to some health related problems I have.

I work the overnight shift 3 consecutive days a week (7pm to 7am). I have the remaining 4 days off. After my last night of work I come home and stay awake all day, typically falling asleep at 10pm. I do this in an effort to shift into a "normal" routine on my days off. So, once a week I spend a day staying awake for 30+ hours.

How unhealthy is this? I know it's not good based on how I feel (i.e. irritable, tired, lack energy). Should I try and stay in the nightshift schedule during my days off?

Also, I am a heavy snorer (much to my girlfriend's chagrin). I have tried over the counter preventatives but they don't do much. It seems to interrupt my sleep to the point where I am having difficulty getting a good night sleep. Am I a candidate for a sleep study? Are there basic measures I can take to prevent snoring?

Thank you all in advance for taking the time to read my post, I appreciate it.

sztoomuch · 01-21-2008, 03:23 PM

By all means, get a sleep study.

I was a security guard for a while, and I worked the night shift rather regularly. After a while, I could not do the night shift and had to switch to day shift. Fortunately, the place that I worked rotated guards so that I wasnt always on night shift. I had one or two months on day shift, and that gave me the time to properly reset my sleep habits and get some quality sleep.

In the end, I quit that job because of other health concerns. I simply cannot work late like that regularly. Now, I could do that maybe two days a year, but not consecutively. Do get yourself a sleep study, though.