Shift work disorder?

[ratski]

Ratski's right... sleep apnea is a huge problem and very dangerous for sudden death while sleeping. This was likely a significant contributing factor in the death of the "Minister of Defense," for those of you NFL fans who might recognize that nickname.
My problem was always not being able to convince them to go for the testing, or those who did, couldn't get them to wear their sleep apparatus. Had several patients die in their sleep that I am convinced this was a factor.

Not only was it a contributing factor, I believe that "Sleep Apnea" is actually listed as his Cause of Death on the Death Certificate.

As to wearing their sleep apparatus, the Oral Appliance is a first line alternative to CPAP.

Dave

 

[daddy-o]

I've worked for years on the night shift. 7P-7A. Its not a normal life and hard on the family, marrage, kids. I enjoy working nights because I can do my job and dont have everyone looking over my shoulders and finding other jobs other then my original job for me to do. Dont have all the politics that goes on with the job. Day shift workers are more interested in talking about co-workers and other things then helping out. Night shift pull together, and help each other out more. Over the years I've become obsessed with having a dark bedrooom. I black out anything that lets in light. Blackout blinds, towl rolled up, coving door entrys, whatever it takes to make black room. I guess I think it helps keep me normal. LOL. I keep a fan blowing on me year around. I love the white noise it produces. I've tried the provigil and nuvigil. One thing I liked was I didnt drink as much coffee. I was able to go to sleep as soon as I wanted, but just kept me awake when I was going. I stopped taking it thought. I fingured for everything you take you have to pay the piper. Dont think I could ever go back to working days.

 

[indpndt74]

I did shift work for a couple years and yes it messes with you and your immune system. 12 midnight to 10 am 4 days a week then 4 days off Monitoring T1 circuits. I used to take ativan to fall asleep when insomnia messed with me. Sometimes I would come home and couldn't get to sleep for anything or I would fall asleep for 2 hours and couldn't get back to sleep. I went to the doc and he prescribed me ativan. I was able to use it without becoming addicted and it helped me alot to sleep when i needed to. I could take 4 hour power naps and wakeup feeling like I slept all night. It also helps with flip flopping yourself on your days off.

 

[druryj]

Not only was it a contributing factor, I believe that "Sleep Apnea" is actually listed as his Cause of Death on the Death Certificate.

As to wearing their sleep apparatus, the Oral Appliance is a first line alternative to CPAP.

Dave

I am convinced that my CPAP has been the best electrically powered device I've used in bed in all my years. It has no doubt saved my life and remedied myriad ailments. I put that sucker on my mug at night and it's lights out! ZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZ ZZZZ...


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[BadgeBunny]

Ratski's right... sleep apnea is a huge problem and very dangerous for sudden death while sleeping. This was likely a significant contributing factor in the death of the "Minister of Defense," for those of you NFL fans who might recognize that nickname.


My problem was always not being able to convince them to go for the testing, or those who did, couldn't get them to wear their sleep apparatus. Had several patients die in their sleep that I am convinced this was a factor.

Not only was it a contributing factor, I believe that "Sleep Apnea" is actually listed as his Cause of Death on the Death Certificate.

As to wearing their sleep apparatus, the Oral Appliance is a first line alternative to CPAP.

Dave

Wow ... really?? I might need to have GC go in for tests ... He doesn't sleep good. Never has ... twitchy legs, snoring, wiggling and squirming all night ... and he complains about being tired ALL. THE. TIME. Even after he's had a week off. I've never seen the man actually stay awake in the evenings ... he just naps in his chair until it's time to go to bed.

He's going to the doctor ...

 

[ratski]

Wow ... really?? I might need to have GC go in for tests ... He doesn't sleep good. Never has ... twitchy legs, snoring, wiggling and squirming all night ... and he complains about being tired ALL. THE. TIME. Even after he's had a week off. I've never seen the man actually stay awake in the evenings ... he just naps in his chair until it's time to go to bed.

He's going to the doctor ...

He has the symptoms.

Need to get him to someone that actually has some idea of what sleep apnea is and how to treat it.

Have him take the test that I posted earlier in this thread.
If he scores 10 or more, he probably needs a sleep test.
I would also suggest that you take the test and fill it out "for him".
It is VERY interesting the difference in scores that I see between patient and partner.

My office facebook page has alot of information and links about sleep apnea on it:
https://www.facebook.com/DavidJDrummondDds

If you have any questions, let me know.

Dave

 

[tRidiot]

Wow ... really?? I might need to have GC go in for tests ... He doesn't sleep good. Never has ... twitchy legs, snoring, wiggling and squirming all night ... and he complains about being tired ALL. THE. TIME. Even after he's had a week off. I've never seen the man actually stay awake in the evenings ... he just naps in his chair until it's time to go to bed.

He's going to the doctor ...

Absolutely. It's pretty simple, any primary care doc should recognize that he has the symptoms when you bring it up, and can easily order a sleep study. It's done overnight at a sleep center usually... although there are other alternatives.


Who knows... if he ends up properly diagnosed, fitted with a good device and starts getting proper sleep, you might find all kinds of wonderful benefits.

 

[BadgeBunny]

People ask me all the time why I am so fond of you guys here. Threads like is (and the PMs and texts I've gotten) are exactly why. Y'all may be a bunch of cranky social misfits, but y'all have a heart of gold. Shooters (and specifically the folks here) are some of the best folks in the world. Thanks for all the help, encouragement and advice guys.

 

[WTJ]

Interesting. I have Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder and have battled it for as long as I can remember. I worked 2d shift as long as I could, and was fine. Working a 'normal' day shift causes a cumulative loss to my stored sleep and working for weeks with no days off leads to extreme exhaustion, as in hallucinations, micro-sleeps, and general fatigue-induced stupidity. It's been best described as chronic jet-lag.

If you are a daywalker and occasionally have your schedule disrupted or have to pull off-shifts you have an idea of what I mean. Here's the difference: If you have trouble functioning during "normal" hours, you must be lazy or shamming. If you are a daywalker and pull a night shift, then everyone understands the problem.

I was told that the way to normalize your circadian rhythms is to go to the woods for a week without any electronic stimuli and wake and sleep as you wanted.

I intend to try this one day if I ever get off of work.

 

[druryj]

I don't know about shift work disorder but I do have a disorder with this "work" thing being discussed.


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