HELP!!!! How many hours do you sleep?

[Thurinus]

It shoul be individual. Ainstain slept for 3h a day and it was enough for him. On the other hand maby you should check your Er, Hg... But that is just... dont you think

Judging from your post, looks like you could use a little more sleep.

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[Thurinus]

I usually asleep by 1 - 2am and I wake up between 7:30 - 8am on weekdays. Weekends are roughly the same except I usually sleep about an hour more. I try to catch a nap when I can.

 

[erica31]

LOL. True words my friend.

Judging from your post, looks like you could use a little more sleep.

 

[jmw38]

You may just become used to functioning at sub-maximal levels.

AHHHHHHHH AHHHHHHHHHHH BEGASTER I LOVE YOUR AVATAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

love love LOVE SUFJAN

also, as for the sleep. if you are sleeping a lot that's no problem but if you feel like you can never get up or always feel like you could sleep you should probably reevaluate your lifestyle. either you have a health problem or something isn't ideal with your diet/exercise (most likely the latter)

try exercising, it will help you sleep better
try melatonin, some people swear by it (didn't help me)
try EARPLUGS - i did this and i slept SO MUCH BETTER
try eating more fruits & veggies, taking a multivitamin - p.s. ever since i stopped eating meat (i went veg like 6 weeks ago) feel SO much less tired

just a thought, good luck! i still wish i got to sleep as much as you!

 

[blargh]

It shoul be individual. Ainstain slept for 3h a day and it was enough for him. On the other hand maby you should check your Er, Hg... But that is just... dont you think

didn't einstein have a problem where he had to sleep 10+ hours a day?

 

[Drogba]

I have the same problem. Maybe 7 hours is just a really bad amount of time for you because of where you are in your REM cycle. Try 6.5, 7.5, or 8 hours. Sometimes those work for me. If you're willing to try something different that really works, one word: Strattera. It's meant for people with ADD/ADHD. It doesn't really help with attention/focusing at all, but it really helps you wake up and stay awake. It's a norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitor, so you know that jolt that you get when your alarm clock goes off? It doesn't go away. You end up lying there awake and eventually realize you're not going to fall back asleep, so you get up. I took it for a few months in high school, but I stopped because I didn't like the short temper that I had when it was in my system.

Thanks for the input. I am hoping to not resort to any medication and somehow just use behavioral modification, even though I've failed repeatedly in the past. I'll probably end up seeing a psych or sleep doctor sooner rather than later to discuss this. Internally it just seems like a matter of a lack of discipline but considering how disciplined I am in other aspects of my life I'm not sure if there isn't something else going on.

 

[LandSpeed]

As resident noc-shift SDN poster, I'd say that what's helped me is sublingual melatonin and/or lunesta. Lunesta, especially, helps me get quality REM sleep and even though I might only get 5-6 hours of sleep, it's ALL REM so it feels like more. Plus, lunesta isn't habit forming and helps you establish a regular sleep pattern. Just some advice for free, if you want it. Don't resort to OTC sleep aids, though, or any kinds of Rx that are habit forming... these things are just bad news. Good luck!

 

[Drogba]

As resident noc-shift SDN poster, I'd say that what's helped me is sublingual melatonin and/or lunesta. Lunesta, especially, helps me get quality REM sleep and even though I might only get 5-6 hours of sleep, it's ALL REM so it feels like more. Plus, lunesta isn't habit forming and helps you establish a regular sleep pattern. Just some advice for free, if you want it. Don't resort to OTC sleep aids, though, or any kinds of Rx that are habit forming... these things are just bad news. Good luck!

Lunesta seems to have withdrawal symptoms but is nonetheless an option to consider.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_sleep_phase_syndrome

Seems incredibly similar to what I experience

 

[qtpai]

I sleep about 4 hrs a night. Lately it has been about 3. I probably do best on 5. I prefer this to more. 8 hours of sleep and I usually have a pretty bad mood for the first whole half of the day and don't function as well.

 

[LandSpeed]

Lunesta seems to have withdrawal symptoms but is nonetheless an option to consider.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_sleep_phase_syndrome

Seems incredibly similar to what I experience

I took Lunesta for about a month, then stopped... and tapered off, you might say, w/ sublingual melatonin (all natural supplement). Now, I'm obviously up at 3am, but that's because I don't have anything to do in the mornings. Lunesta actually helped me maintain a decent bedtime schedule so that I could get that 7-8 hours of rest I need. This is great for when you can't fall asleep easy, or have a bizarre circadian rhythm (eg me the nigthowl). Make sure you get the max dose from your doc if you decide to use it, too (3 mg), or start off with sleepy tea (chamomile and hibiscus) and melatonin or something to see if you really need it. Good luck, fellow disturbed sleeper. BTW, you might want to research the indications for Lunesta before you request it from your doc, just in case it comes up (pretty sure it's "namely" for insomnia).

 

[Drogba]

I took Lunesta for about a month, then stopped... and tapered off, you might say, w/ sublingual melatonin (all natural supplement). Now, I'm obviously up at 3am, but that's because I don't have anything to do in the mornings. Lunesta actually helped me maintain a decent bedtime schedule so that I could get that 7-8 hours of rest I need. This is great for when you can't fall asleep easy, or have a bizarre circadian rhythm (eg me the nigthowl). Make sure you get the max dose from your doc if you decide to use it, too (3 mg), or start off with sleepy tea (chamomile and hibiscus) and melatonin or something to see if you really need it. Good luck, fellow disturbed sleeper. BTW, you might want to research the indications for Lunesta before you request it from your doc, just in case it comes up (pretty sure it's "namely" for insomnia).

Did you read the description of delayed sleep phase disorder? What did you think of that? It's such a pain in the ass. Very difficult to conform to a regular 24 business day when your internal clock just doesn't function like that. My dad had the same sleep habits, especially when he was a PhD student and could do lab work and study whenever he wanted. I can naturally sleep for much longer than 7-8 hours though this might be due to an accumulation of a sleep deficiency from getting up too early on days that I have obligations. I'm going to make one more concerted effort to enforce a sleep schedule until I can go see a doc.

EDIT: you might wanna check this out http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/rozerem_ad.htm

 

[Vihsadas]

I sleep so much less than I should. I really think that everyone needs at least 5-6 hrs a night. Especially during finals! Go biochem...

 

[SStorm]

I probably average around 7-8 hours. But my pattern really varies whenever I have something due. I've had weeks in the past where I've gone 2 hours one night, followed by about 14 hours. I also sleep more on the weekends: about 9-10 hours.

 

[FrickenhugeMD]

During school I usually got 6-8 hrs of sleep during weekdays, and 8-12 on weekends (depended on how late/how much to drink I might have had ). My roommate could also sleep for ever. There were times he went to bed at midnight and didnt wake up till 4 or 5 in the afternoon! I dont know what i would do with 16 hrs of sleep!

 

[PreMD86]

Honestly, does this thread really warrant 'HELP!!!!' in its title? So you sleep alot? set your alarm and you'll be good to go.

 

[beachblonde]

Lunesta seems to have withdrawal symptoms but is nonetheless an option to consider.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_sleep_phase_syndrome

Seems incredibly similar to what I experience

Lunesta does carry some risk of dependency, just like any sleep med. Plus it's a controlled substance (most prescription sleep meds are, except Rozerem, I believe).

But just an fyi, Lunesta is not effective in treating DSPS. Most sleep meds aren't, because they are typically sedatives and don't affect your internal clock.

And if you think you may have DSPS, be sure to see a specialist in sleep medicine. Your primary care physician will probably have never heard of it, or will be completely over his/her head in treating it.

 

[badasshairday]

who gives a crap. just sleep as much as you like. its your last chance before med school. i sleep like 9 hours a night due to my sever case of senioritis. all i know is that i'm loving it. and i cannot wait till this round of finals are over so i get my 7 months off before med school

 

[Drogba]

Lunesta does carry some risk of dependency, just like any sleep med. Plus it's a controlled substance (most prescription sleep meds are, except Rozerem, I believe).

But just an fyi, Lunesta is not effective in treating DSPS. Most sleep meds aren't, because they are typically sedatives and don't affect your internal clock.

And if you think you may have DSPS, be sure to see a specialist in sleep medicine. Your primary care physician will probably have never heard of it, or will be completely over his/her head in treating it.

Rozarem is not habit forming and as you said its not a controlled substance. Seems like the best option for a sleep aid. From what I read nothing is really effective at treating DSPS directly but melatonin and by extension Rozarem can have a beneficial effect and according to the literature are pretty standard therapy recommendations for this disorder. I will probably see a sleep doctor as long as my insurance through school covers it.

 

[Michelle823]

Interesting topic..... I'm a 9+...which sucks cause sometimes i get off of work at 6AM and and other days have to be up by 430AM. Needless today my sleeping is all sorts of FUBAR'd. Also, someone posted earlier about sleep and its affect on health. People that develop fetal familial insomnia (a prion dz that keeps ppl from sleeping) die within months...hmmmm.... so the next time you sleep through something, you're just looking out for your health, right?!?

 

[Drogba]

Einstein wasn't applying to med school.

Doubt his MCAT scores would be balanced.


On topic, I've been using 3mg melatonin and it helps with sleep. I just take it at 9pm and sleep until 7am.

9-10 hrs of sleep per day?

 

[chemphd]

I've gotten between 7 and 9 hours of sleep since starting high school- with very few exceptions. I don't believe in all nighters...

 

[Old Grunt]

4-4.5 hours per night, days off approx. 9 hours per

work from 10pm-6am
sleep 7am-8am
class 9am-3pm
sleep in library 3pm-5pm
class 5pm-7pm
go home, eat, shower, shave 7pm-8pm
sleep 8pm-930pm

Taking 19 hours this semester, working 40 hours on night shift.

on my days off I sleep like a mofo.

I expect all As and 1 B.

I AM ALWAYS IN PAIN AND TOTALLY PISSED OFF.

You mean you didn't give that crap up after Ranger School?

I am hoping I never have to go through a period of my life again where I am in contant pain, always pissed off, and sleeping 1-2 hours a night for weeks on end.

At least you aren't cold and hungry too.

Found this on Wiki and thought it was interesting:

While there have been no publicly available, peer-reviewed scientific studies published on the physical effects of the Ranger course on students, it is not uncommon for these individuals to lose 35 - 50 pounds during the course. Common military folk wisdom has it that suffering through Ranger School takes a toll on the body not unlike years of natural aging; high levels of fight-or-flight stress hormones (such as adrenalin, noradrenalin, and cortisol), along with standard sleep deprivation and consistent physical strain, prohibit the students full physical and mental recovery throughout the course. This has a "snowball effect" and takes quite a physical toll on the student, making even the simplest task difficult.

Common maladies during the course include extreme weight loss, dehydration, trench foot, heatstroke, frostbite, chilblain, bone fractures, tissue tears (ligaments, tendons, muscles), swollen hands/feet/knees, nerve damage/general loss of sensitivity in the limbs (which may or may not fully return), cellulitis, cuts requiring stitches, and insect, spider, and bites from venomous wildlife (including the brown recluse, fire ant, scorpion, and water moccasin).

In addition to the physical ailments and damage suffered by the body, students must also recover from a drastic change in their metabolic status, brought on by the large calorie deficiency experienced during the course.

There might not be official studies behind it, but I believe it. My metabolism has never been the same since the course. Not to mention the trench foot.

 

[waterbuffalo]

8 hours a night is optimum for me. I have found that the hours of sleep before midnight is the best sleep. I wake up refreshed and ready to go in the mornings. If I sleep after midnight, I don't feel as rested. Also, a quiet and very dark room is the best environment for me to sleep.

 

[student12x]

I used to sleep about 8 hours a day, but recently I've been getting 4-5 hours of sleep everyday. My course load didn't get any heaver. In fact, it got lighter. I guess I spend a lot of time worrying and stressing out about random things. When I'm not stressing, I'm just surfing the web.

 

[nick_carraway]

I'm out of school and on work days, I get 6-7 hours per night (which I'm not happy about). On the weekends, I get 8-12 hours.

Interestingly enough, during school, I think I got more sleep... up to 9 hours of sleep on school nights and about the same as now on the weekends.

 

[0Complications]

i have the most f'ed up sleep patterns. i stay up for a couple weeks on end with naps when i pass out (2-4 hours) and then i'll sleep a lot for one weekend. not sure why i'm still alive...

I'm the same way.

This week is a perfect example. ~ 1 hour per night Sunday and Monday, 7 on Tuesday, 2 Wed, 3 Thurs, and sure enough, I've got a final tomorrow in the early AM and really should be sleeping since I'm not studying, but nope. It's a problem.

I've always been like this though. When it gets really bad I'll sleep about 5-8 one night then none at all the next, then 5-8, then none at all, and so on... It sucks sometimes, but I have just gotten used to watching the sun rise multiple times one one dose of sleep.

 

[katieo]

On topic, I've been using 3mg melatonin and it helps with sleep. I just take it at 9pm and sleep until 7am.

Melatonin works well, especially in resetting your "biological time clock". My Dad travels often to Asia, so really far in terms of time difference. He always uses melatonin to adjust and help with jet lag.


I have pretty severe insomnia, I lay in bed for 1-3 hours every night before falling asleep, and if I have any caffeine after about 3 I can be up until 4 or 5. It's pretty awful, just laying in the dark wishing I were asleep. Of course, once I'm sleeping I could sleep forever!

 

[wanabdoc]

I've always wondered how much other people sleep. Generally on weekdays I kick in about 7 hours, and usually about 1-1.5 hrs of nap. So like 8-9 hours a day.

And on weekends I get 11-13 hours.

I'm a sleepaholic, and sometimes I feel like I sleep too much, but...I just can't get myself to get up sometimes, especially weekends. Jeez.

What about the rest of you? Do you guys do anything special to sleep better or ..get more REM sleep? (someone told me that's the key to sleeping, get as much REM as possible)

I wana cut down my hours so I can not be lazy and hit the gym, but it's hard.

HELP

I was told that hours slept before midnight are worth two after midnight, but I know now that is complete crap

I sleep 9-10 to feel 100% the next day, the "6-7hrs is all you need" doesn't work for everyone.

If I get all the sleep I need, I am absolutely brilliant during the hours I am awake, but if I miss sleep, I turn into an ineffectual zombie.

Enough sleep is vital, don't let people who talk about all-nighters get you down!

 

[bipolarbear]

who gives a crap. just sleep as much as you like. its your last chance before med school. i sleep like 9 hours a night due to my sever case of senioritis.

right on. my senioritis started last quarter (spring qtr- JR year). either i was sleeping 9-10 hours a night because i stopped studying/caring unless there was an upcoming exam, or would stay up to play on XBOX and get <5-4hrs. of course i would doze off occasionally in class, but i've had some of my best naps in lecture.

 

[shawnpl]

Do you realize this thread is over a year and half old?