Ahhh, the sun is shining, breakfast was good and…OMG I got 8 hours of sleep last night!!!
Yes, this is groundbreaking. I can’t remember the last weeknight I was able to sleep for 8 full hours. When school’s out and I can sleep in, no problem. But normally? Big problem.
My mom has been saying to me daily for the past, oh, fifteen years or so, (and…okay, fifteen years before that as well) “Go to bed early!” Understandable, since she knows I usually don’t go to sleep before 1 or 2am. Lately friends have nagged me, “You have to go to bed earlier!” whenever I mention I’m so tired my eyes won’t stay open…at noon. And my response to everyone has always been, “I can’t SLEEP any earlier. I can either go to bed at 10 and lay there for hours, or I can work for hours and then go to bed and (eventually) sleep.”
After all this time, I went to a sleep specialist yesterday and was told I have a circadian rhythm disorder. Just like that everything made sense. My body isn’t ready to go to sleep until 2 or 3am, and yet I have to get up at 7 to get the kids ready for school. I’m always exhausted. Duh.
The solution is my new best friend: melatonin. One little pill.
OMG I got 8 hours of sleep last night. (Pick yourself up off the floor, Mom!)
Any other nightowls out there who repeatedly wonder why your hours are so different from society’s? One. Little. Pill. 
Yay on finding out the problem, Amy. I’m with you and the little pill. Mine is called Lorazapan. It’s normally used as an anti-depressant but it can also relax you enough so you fall into a deep sleep. With my hours, I’m in bed by 8ish and up at 4:30. That usually gives me enough sleep. At least to function.
Good for you! I’ve been taking melatonin for years. It doesn’t always help anymore, but I’m up to 3mg and don’t want to take more than that. I’m also taking a cherry supplement, and recently found out it has a ton of natural melatonin. The last couple nights, though, I haven’t gotten much sleep. I hope I crash tonight.
Ohh Amy, I’m thrilled you got 8hrs of sleep. I tend to be a night owl as well.
Have a good night’s sleep tonight as well.
hugs,
WendyK
I take 2 melatonin pills a night or I would never get any sleep. I can literally stay awake all night and into the next day. Then of course I would pass out by 10 am. It is a great sleep aid and is natural so not addictive.
Maria, I’m the same way. I loooove staying up late but then I’m worthless the next day too. I can see how going to bed/getting up at the same time each day would be a good thing but I’ve never been able to do it. Maybe now.
Thanks, Wendy! It’s good to see you!
Edie, the doc started me on 3mg. I hope it works long enough to get my system to adjust itself, if that’s possible. I don’t really want to take it forever but if I have to…I definitely will.
Liz, I can’t imagine the 4:30am end of that…unless I never went to bed. *g* I think we’re on almost completely opposite schedules! lol