Do you have a difficult time staying awake?

[Bella]

Sorry, I nodded off.

What was the question?

 

[David777]

Not surprising and expect much insomnia has to do with drug use and irregular waking versus sleeping hours. Roughly, two-thirds of people regularly consume caffeine. Two-thirds drink alcohol. 13% smoke nicotine cigarettes and a similar percentage use cannabis regularly. Adding to that 8% that regularly use sleep aid drugs, and unknown more that use other medicines that affect sleep like head cold and allergy drugs. As a result, there are few people that live their lives without consuming substances that affect their sleep.

So when people discuss sleep issues, the first thing I suspect is they are regularly consuming drugs/medicines that affect sleep. And when such people ask for advice, they rarely are up front about consuming whatever, not so much because they are afraid to admit whatever but rather because it hasn't occurred to them consuming such substances matters. In many cases they have been consuming such substances for so many years that it is just normal for them.

One key element of falling asleep more easily is doing so at consistent times each day in order for one's natural homeostasis biochemical rhythms to stabilize into balance.

 

[Babs2u]

I have trouble falling asleep, And then I wake up 3-4 times to pee, even tho I drink nothing after 7 pm. I'm often tired during the day and sometimes take what I call a "power nap"--10-20 minutes is very refreshing.

I like calling that a power nap. It makes it seem like a worthy effort.

 

[jimintoronto]

I tried a CPAP device as well as oxygen, but nothing helps because I simply stop breathing several times during the night. It's not "obstructive" sleep apnea that I suffer from; it's called "central" sleep apnea. I also have very shallow breathing, which gets worse when I'm asleep.

Glad you're helped by the CPAP device!

Since I stop breathing several times during the night, I'm wondering if there's something that could wake me up when that happens, and maybe that would help me. It's been about 15 years since I was last diagnosed, so there may be some new device that could help me. I just don't feel like going to the doctor. Maybe I'll ask Dr. ChatGPT for its opinion.

"15 years since diagnosis " ? Are you saying that you have not had a sleep study done in 15 years? If that is the case you really need to have a sleep study done now. People's bodies change with age, for sure. AND the technology does, too. I think you may not fully understand the medical problem that you have. You say you "tried a CPAP machine " ? Does this mean that you do not use one now ?

Stopping breathing repeatedly, while asleep is a cardinal sign of sleep apnea. I will point out that every time you "stop breathing " you are placing a great deal of stress on your heart and brain. Every time you "stop breathing " could be your last time. Think about that. Get a sleep study done at a sleep lab, soon. JIM.

 

[Aunt Bea]

I don’t keep regular hours but i can stay awake if something is important to me.

In the interest of full disclosure, not much is important to me.

 

[IrisSenior]

I have sleep apnea too, and I am wondering if COVID or the shot for it, made matters worse. I had to give up being a Senior Companion because my energy level is so low. Sometimes I nap twice a day. I may come home from the pool/gym and go straight to bed. I spend a lot of time playing games on the computer instead of being more productive because I don't have the energy and feel lucky if I can keep awake until bedtime.

My husband should be re-assessed as it has been awhile since he went. He even went to the dr for a physical. I don't think it has anything to do with covid (IMHO) but in your case I would think it would be good to have another assessment for the sleep apnea.

 

[Paco Dennis]

If the coffee doesn't wake me up after an hour or two I take 25mg of a "Smokiez Sour Peach Fruit Chews" Sativa. It brings my level of alertness up a notch.