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Join our Sleep forum for tips on creating a sleep routine for your baby or toddler.

Join our Sleep forum for tips on creating a sleep routine for your baby or toddler.

Sleep

does sleep deprivation lead to days off work sick for anyone else?

19 replies

shazzg · 13/04/2010 17:25

my 3 and 1 year ods are both terrible and random sleepers despite trying all the usual things.
The problem is the affect it has on me - just one bad night maes me so depressed and weepy that I am not capable of looking after them.I have taken days off work sick (coz I just go in and cry so have to leave!)

thinking of quitting my job - but seems a limp reason to use..

anyone else had similar?

OP posts:

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ShinyAndNew · 13/04/2010 17:28

Not after just one bad night. But after a week or so I get emotional, nausea, suffer migraines and muscle pain. I wouldn't be capable of working if those symptoms went on more than a few days.

Can you afford to leave work?

shazzg · 13/04/2010 17:32

well i'd be a grand a month porer - i.e.have no income - but maybe saner and make less of a part of self at work?

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agalchchangedhername · 13/04/2010 17:32

I am self employed so unfortunatly not.

Had non sleeping dc in bed with me and woke all the time for bf etc. Just had to get on with it.

Was one time i wished i was an employed person so i could have taken time off and caught up on sleep

shazzg · 13/04/2010 17:33

part was supposed to read 'prat' - but kind of sums up how i can't think straight (or type)ha ha

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ShinyAndNew · 13/04/2010 17:33

Could you go p/t?

shazzg · 13/04/2010 17:35

i already am part time

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ShinyAndNew · 13/04/2010 17:40

If it really affecting you that much then you should leave. But I'd look at other alternatives first. Is there a DH/DP who could take over every other night to give you a break?

shazzg · 13/04/2010 17:45

thanks shiny and new - i know you're trying!!! - my partner already does the bulk of the night shifts - it's just that once i'm awake (most nights) i'm awake for 2-3 hours of my own doing....

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ShinyAndNew · 13/04/2010 17:48

I suppose there is no spare room you could sleep in to avoid being disturbed?

I can't see how leaving work is going to help, is all. Your still going to have to get up with children and spend the day feeling knackered surely?

Also check entitledto.com as you may find with increased TC you don't actually lose any income.

shazzg · 13/04/2010 18:56

good point will check thanks

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shazzg · 13/04/2010 19:04

if i do quit - i'm stillkeeping dd1 in pres chool and dd2 in nursery for atleast a day or so just to get a bit of rest.
i feel like our quality of life is utter shite and something needs to change.

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foxinsocks · 13/04/2010 19:12

1 day doesn't affect me like that. I'd need a fair few weeks before I was dropping - probably 2-3 nights of v little sleep to feel ill (ds has been ill for a few nights now and I left work slightly early today because I felt so nauseous though I suspect I have picked up a bit of a tummy bug).

I think if you feel like that after one night of bad sleep, it might be worth going to see the GP. Are you sure you're not anaemic? or a problem with your thyroid?

I do think that the way you are feeling now can be from cumulative shite sleep. I remember feeling like that. But I would get a check up on your health too. If you are only working part time, could you put them in nursery for an extra half day and catch up on your sleep?

shazzg · 13/04/2010 19:52

have got underactive thyroid and 20 yr depression - could be anaemic too -but had several tests in the past - thnks though

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Bumperliouzzzzzz · 13/04/2010 20:18

I know that feeling. Am currently pg and have insomnia, so have spent 3 months waking 4 or 5 times a night, taking ages to get back to sleep. At one point I woke up a 2 am and didn't go back to sleep. Decided to go into work at 5.30 rather than sit at home (I work flexi hours) but by the time everyone got in I was practically delirious. Ended up being signed of work for a week (and getting sleeping tablets). Still sleeping badly but it is my own body rather than my daughter waking me up like your LOs. DH and I are spending a lot of time sleeping separately as if I am trying to get back to sleep I can't even cope with him breathing!

It sounds like your DH is great doing the bulk of the getting up, my DH is like you, he knows it is in everyone;s best interest for him to do it rather than me! But like you once I am awake I am awake for a while. In order to avoid being woken up too much I used to sleep with ear plus (and an eye mask) but now use in-ear ear phones for my iPod and if I can't get back to sleep I try listening to talking books or waves or something.

It's a shame you are self employed as with an thyroid problem you get to have 'reasonable adjustments' made under the disability discrimination act as it is considered to have such an impact on your cognitive functions. Are you having regular tests?

TBH your reaction after just one night does sound a bit extreme, though I would say with a 1 and 3 yr old you are still not recovered from years of bad nights. I wonder if some of it is anxiety about not sleeping. I say this as a very anxious sleeper myself. I am terrified of how I will cope if I don't get my full 8 hours! It does make things worse. I did read somewhere the worst thing for bad sleeping is worrying about it and if you can stop worrying you are likely to get much better sleep. Obviously it isn't as easy as that and it doesn't solve the kiddie problem.

I wish I knew what more to suggest. I really do sympathise with your situation. There is a reason lack of sleep is used as a torture device!

shazzg · 14/04/2010 08:59

thanks bumper - i'm not self employed - wor pt for a bloody stressful charity - will look into dda.

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BeckyBendyLegs · 14/04/2010 09:23

I've been through this: hypnosis on my ipod has worked wonders. I recommend it! It helps with getting back to sleep as well as anxiety about sleeping. My sleep isn't 100% perfect but much, much better than it was.

shazzg · 14/04/2010 09:31

thanks bbl - i suppose after 20 years of deoression one has to see it as part of life huh?

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BeckyBendyLegs · 14/04/2010 09:53

But it's worth a try... I feel for you. I've only had insomnia since January.

Bumperliouzzzzzz · 14/04/2010 18:20

Shazz, it was another poster saying they were self-employeed. Defo worth looking into the DDA thing. I spoke to the occupational psychologist at work and she helped me come up with a 'disclosure' document for my boss which set out certain things like allowing extra breaks etc.

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