Hi, I'm a 24 year old male that an extreem insomnia problem. This problem has only existed for the last three weeks, but once it started, it has not broken even for a single night.
My problem is not falling asleep, and it never has been. But lately, I will sleep for only exactly four hours (It is haunting just how exact this is, people.) I work third shift, so already I'm at a disadvantage in my sleep pattern. I usually get home from work at around 5:30AM and can usually get to bed by 6:00AM or 7:00AM at the latest. I used to be able to sleep all the way through, usually getting up around 2-3PM and starting my day from there. It was no problem. I've had the job for about three years now, and this problem has only sprouted up in the last month or so.
I just don't know what to do anymore. I do know that after I wake up, again, after only four hours of sleep.. I absolutly cannot get back to bed. I feel alert and untired. I know I'm not getting enough, though, since I crash hard usually right about the time when I need to go into work. I have done my research, and I know how unhealthy it is to only get by on four hours.
I have seen my doctor over this, and he gave me a sample (10 doses) of Lunesta 3mg. The pills help me get to sleep faster then I usually do (it usually takes me over an hour to actually sleep from the time I lay down.. I'm a bedtime thinker unfortunatly) but these pills have not resolved my sleep maintance issue. It's still the same thing. Sleep for four hours, and then my body wakes up, whether my mind wants it or not.
What could be causing this? When I do wake up after the four hours of sleep, I will note that my mouth is extremly dry, and I will usually have a strong urge to urinate. It doesn't matter that I made sure to drink nothing within 3 hours of bed time, it's usually always the same. I was thinking it may be the first symptoms of something bad like Diabetes, but I try to push such possibilites out of my mind, else I'll be getting even less sleep.
I've tried litteraly dozens and dozens of home remedys, and as I already mentioned, prescription solutions. Nothing is helping me stay asleep. If anyone knows anything about this at all, have ever heard of or experienced a similar case, please I'd love to know what is wrong with me. It's started getting to the point where its all I can think about anymore. I've almost gotten to the point where I dread going to bed, because I know I'll be waking up in a mere four hours, unrested and unfulfilled, and physicaly incapable of falling back asleep.
Re: Why is my sleep limited to four hour intervals?
I have had the same thing for a year. I work normal shift and get to bed at 10-11PM, but always seem to wake up at 2-3AM. Sometimes I can fall back asleep, but usually not. And my mouth is dry too. I also do not feel particularly tired during the day, but I don't feel real peppy when I get up either. I had sleep apnea, but got it fixed 6 years ago with surgery. You might want to get a sleep study done so they can check your brainwave activity (EEG) and see what's going on to wake you. I'm about to go back and have one done. Just haven't done it because there doesn't seem to be any ill effect as I feel fine otherwise.
Re: Why is my sleep limited to four hour intervals?
I use to have insomnia. I didn't have any problem falling asleep but after two or three hours I would wake up and couldn't fall back to sleep again. My doctor prescribed Elavil and I haven't had any more problems with insomnia since.
Re: Why is my sleep limited to four hour intervals?
I have a similar problem and have dealt with chronic insomnia for about 10years now. At one point my doc gave me valum a few years ago, and it really helped but I felt sooooo hung over/drowsey the next day, even with just half a pill. Have you had any side effects with the elavil?
Re: Why is my sleep limited to four hour intervals?
I take benedryl and get about 7 l/2 hrs sleep. I sometimes wake up four hours later,
but I don't get of bed. If there's a day or so where I can't sleep, I read. I don't go
on the computer or watch TV because the stimulation would be too strong and I'd be
totally awake. I think Benedryl has less side effects.
Re: Why is my sleep limited to four hour intervals?
If this has just popped up for no apparent reason, you need to go to the doctor and figure out whats going on with your body. There could be a ton or underlying reasons, such as anemia or even cancer, that could be causing you to wake up this early. I'd get you blood checked out at the very least to see where your red blood cell and white blood cell count is. Good luck.
Re: Why is my sleep limited to four hour intervals?
Quote:
Originally Posted by naklang
I have had the same thing for a year. I work normal shift and get to bed at 10-11PM, but always seem to wake up at 2-3AM. Sometimes I can fall back asleep, but usually not. And my mouth is dry too. I also do not feel particularly tired during the day, but I don't feel real peppy when I get up either. I had sleep apnea, but got it fixed 6 years ago with surgery. ....
I've been told by my health professionals that many of the surgeries don't "last" so you may want to go in for another evaluation for apnea.
Re: Why is my sleep limited to four hour intervals?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Giygas
...My problem is not falling asleep, and it never has been. But lately, I will sleep for only exactly four hours (It is haunting just how exact this is, people.) I... I have done my research, and I know how unhealthy it is to only get by on four hours....What could be causing this? When I do wake up after the four hours of sleep, I will note that my mouth is extremly dry, and I will usually have a strong urge to urinate....
Hello Giygas,
There are many kinds of sleep disorders, apnea being only one. Prescribing pills is not the answer. I would suggest you get a referral to see a board certified sleep specialist. You might want to keep a sleep diary in the meantime as the specialist will most likely require you to complete one.
A dry mouth suggests apnea, but sometimes there is more than one sleep disorder...or one sleep disorder will cause another sleep disorder. Shiftwork also can "create" a sleeping disorder. The urge to urniate occurs probably because (for whatever reason) you don't get into the deeper stages of sleep. My specialist told me that unless there are urinarly problems, getting up to pee at night is a sign of a sleeping disorder because no matter how full your bladder is, if you get into the deepest stages of sleep, you won't get up to pee.
Re: Why is my sleep limited to four hour intervals? 
