To call in sick for lack of sleep

[giggly]

I suffer from insomnia which is well known in work. I probably average 4-5 hours a night every night and permanently exhausted. It’s now 5.29 am and I’ve not had a worse long sleep yet and have a full diary of patients tomorrow. Until now I’d never cancel anyone but would just struggle through the day sometimes giving a no doubt less than good service. My but here is that so many patients cancel at the last minute with no reason given, which is fine so why is it so difficult for me to make this decision.
I just want to go to sleep before the alarm goes off at 7.30.

I did a night shift and just as handing over there was a traumatic event. All the adrenaline was pumping when I got home and I couldn't sleep. It got to 5am the next morning after a bath, 2 sleeping tablets, avoiding all caffiene and devices that I had to phone in for day shift. I'd had 2 hours sleep in 48 hours and there was no way I was safe to drive to work never mind take care of critically unwell patients all day.

To the pp who suggested it's the same as many parents do...its nothing the same. Interestingly the best I've ever slept was after my son was born (who woke hourly until he was 18months) because the hormones from breastfeeding took away my insomnia. Also the vast majority of mothers in the UK get maternity leave for 9 months thankfully. Also for the majority of parents it is a temporary problem (1-2 years) whereas chronic insomnia can be life long. I don't envy your current situation, I know its exhausting when they are up all night especially if you are usually very well rested at night, and I certainly wouldn't say one situation is worse than another but its really really not the same thing at all.

My DD occasionally takes a melatonin. I think it really helps knowing that it’s there as a backup.
I got them after a recommendation on here - through BIOVEA. They seem like an ok company. On Trustpilot their reviews are ok (slow delivery but that’s not product related).

Just in case anyone finds that useful.

@Fruby

Take the day off if you need it.

I’m pregnant at the moment, wake up at 3am everyday and unable to get back to sleep. So infuriating. I have had full blown insomnia for a period a few years ago, managing maximum 3/4 hours broken sleep a night for a year. Wish I’d taken seriously how bad it was for me x

You have probably tried this but just in case you haven’t please stop checking the time when you wake up (as tempting as it is!). Checking the time “programmes” your brain into thinking you are supposed to be awake at that time, making it more likely that you will wake up again at that time the following day. I used to always check the time whenever I woke in the night, how I try my utmost to ignore it. It is hard but it has helped me a bit!

I would do it.
I would not use insomnia as the reason.
People we say you are off because you are tired.

I would. I've done it myself a couple of times. Last time was a few months ago when I hadn't had more than 2hrs sleep each night for about a week as I'd had a lot on my mind. I was honest with my manager about why and she completely understood. Although my job is only on phones, I drive 45 minutes to get there and I was so exhausted that I didn't feel safe to drive.

[quote NdefH81]@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor

But what happens when he comes off it? If can only be used short term… how long can he use safely and then what happens?[/quote]
You can be on it long term as it's not addictive, you can have side effects if you stop suddenly as with many medicines but when he wants to stop taking it he can taper off slowly over a period of weeks/ months. GP is in no hurry to to stop it though and dh has a repeat prescription. He did have two weeks of having a very dry mouth at night but that went and now has no side effects.

Having watched the programme on sleep on BBC2 yesterday evening, it's shocking how much impact insomnia can have on your brain/body (and your ability to function properlyl). If you don't feel fully on the ball, you have every right to phone in sick.

I have insomnia, and I recently tried Nytol. I hadn't bothered with them for years as I assumed that anything over the counter would be ineffective - but no! Gamechanger.

I had this, and when I went into work after yet another horrendous night, I drove into a pillar in the car park. Your judgement and safety is unbelievably impaired and going in isn't worth it.

do it if only to prove to yourself that you can phone in sick without there being terrible consequences- it might help if you are catastrophising.

@Egghead68

I had 3.5 hours sleep last night and have a full clinic of patients today too. Hit the black coffee. You can get through it and will probably sleep better tonight.

3.5 hours of sleep is not the same as none. 3.5 hours is pretty good for me and I can function fine…no sleep is a different ballgame.

I agree with the others. People won't be charitable if you say "insomnia" so say something else. I don't have insomnia however I know how sick I feel if I don't have good sleep. You must be feeling dreadful.

I suffer terribly too, so I very much relate. It's okay to take a one off sick day; your health is paramount. But agree with others - say that you have sickness or something. Hope you get some sleep 💐

Poor you OP. I hope you're sleeping now.

Since PPs have asked about medical help - I've moved from the UK to a city where the hospital has neurologists specialising in sleep disorders. Here's what they've tried for me, medication-wise - maybe some NHS doctors can be persuaded to act if an insomniac comes in with specific suggestions:

Two antidepressants, trazodone and mirtazapine (may be called something else in the UK) and an anti-epileptic called gabapentin. Didn't work for me for various reasons, but apparently do for others.

Then there was a stronger version of the antihistamine also found in over the counter sleep medications, called Nystatin. Didn't help me but again, does others.

The most helpful advice was probably that it is OK to take lots of Valerian, despite the warnings against that I got in health food shops. They tested my liver function and it was fine despite taking 2.7g of valerian concentrate each evening. So I muddle through with valerian, hops, melatonin and occasionally xanax or lormetazepam. Here are my favourite valerian products:

www.amazon.de/Klosterfrau-Baldrian-Forte-600-St/product-reviews/B000HLH47E

www.farmaline.be/apotheek/bestellen/vogel-dormeasan-nachtrust-forte/

Greetings to all you insomniacs out there.

I used to be the same as you.. and i used to call in sick with lack of sleep! They never said anything too me but i used to couple it with my anxieties and depression causing the insomnia which helped i think.... i ised to get about 4- 5 hours soemtimes but since having a baby i realise 4-5 hours isnt so bad 🤣...i realise how frustrating insomnia is though and lack of sleep definitely builds up to feel exhausting

I’ve always been a fairly rubbish sleeper, Finally got kids sleeping but now peri-menopause has kicked in

My daughter isn’t a great sleeper and her consultant has prescribed melatonin which we will try over Easter holidays

It’s really hard. I struggle to stay asleep past 3 o’clock. When I was a teenager my friend worked in a pharmacy and they recommended 1 or 2 sleeping tablets to reset.

I’ve a friend who said HRT has helped so next week when I’m not so tired/busy I’ll go to GP - but I’ve been saying that for months.

But I do get 1 or 2 days a week where I get 7 hours which makes a big difference.
I no longer drink coffee after 11 in the morning and rarely drink alcohol either

@Mummyoflittledragon

I take prescribed melatonin. Unless the rules have change recently, GPs can only prescribe melatonin for the over 50s. If not, a sleep specialist must prescribe them.

My ds ( 15) is prescribed melatonin at 4x 2mg as he doesn't sleep more than 2-3 hours a night. They don't work and the GP won't prescribe anything else.

I have a few times I have narcolepsy. Please get help for your insomnia I only work flexible hours bank so I can choose my own shifts I can't stick to someone else's schedule. Could you move on to agency nursing ?

Maybe try promethazine ? It's over the counter not prescription the ingredient in night nurse its very sedating.

We use it as PRN for some patients and it seems to work.

What was your final decision? I think if you take the day off it might lead to another poor night's sleep if you manage to catch up during the day - creates a vicious circle etc.

However, sometimes we all just need a day. A colleague of mine has taken 25 days off (a teacher!) so you are not even within that realm.

Do what your body needs.

@crystalize

There was a program on BBC last night with Dr Michael Moseley about sleep. Well worth a watch for anyone who suffers with insomnia.

I personally would tell the truth why you need to stay off, people need to understand how debilitating lack of sleep can be.

@crystalize

This. It was an excellent programme. Worth a watch.

I have a job where I see patients as well. I used to be a terrible insomniac but things have improved a lot, although I still have the odd awful night.

The only issue I can see with calling in sick is that next time your brain may go into that loop of, “Last time I got this little sleep i had to cancel my day”.

While I think calling in sick is fine asking for help is also important.

If you are so knackered, dont go in. I have had many days like this for various reasons and it tough. I dont work with people and have taken days off for being too knackered. /I have two jobs so I can swap days if it solves the problem/.
I also use melatonin, I find 1/4 of a 5mg tablet is just fine for me. I can get it over the counter here /not UK/. I also have medication prescribed by a psychiatrist, which includes anxiety medication that is not allowed in the UK, its a equivalent of Xanax. I use it once in a while to break the cycle of not sleeping, and use a very small dose.
I second relaxing all muscles including face muscles before sleep. The face tension is a new thing to me. I also use a magnesium oil to relax the back of my neck and back.
Generally I find I need to work on my anxiety and try to follow a natural biorythm as much as possible.

These books can be useful when tackling the whole sleep problem.

• Sleep Smarter: 21 Essential Strategies to Sleep Your Way to a Better Body, Better Health, and Bigger Success by Shawn Stevenson

-Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker

• The Circadian Code: Lose Weight, Supercharge Your Energy, and Transform Your Health from Morning to Midnight by Satchin Panda

Hope you will be able to catch up with sleep and feel better by Monday. Be kind to yourself! This week has been very hard for many with the change of clock.

I found a low dose of sertraline really helpful for insomnia. I seems to stop the whole anxiety around it so sleep isn’t such a big issue, it also seems to stop the anxiety in the middle of the night, so I do actually get some sleep.

Insomnia isn’t an issue in my life anymore. Insomnia is horrid, it’s an anxiety that you have to face every day. If someone is scared of driving or planes you can just avoid it. Or tackle it with baby steps. You can’t avoid sleeping, which makes it a hard thing to deal with.