Thursday, February 25, 2010

I might as well not sleep at all....

Question
Hi there!



I am 17 years old, going to school and working, but it's hard becuase I can never get a good nights sleep. My whole life I have been practically nocturnal staying up late and needing next to no sleep, but right now I can never function because I am always so tired. I fall alseep almost everyday after school, and then still get tired enough to hit the hay early without doing anything that would make me tired at all! I sometimes have trouble falling asleep, although I am dead tired, and I can NEVER get myself out of bed in the morning. I don't know why I am so tired all the time, and why I need so much sleep. It doesn't benefit me a lot anyway, becuase no matter how much I sleep I am always tired afterwards. Is something wrong with me? Could it be just stress? What can I do to get a good nights sleep for once? I would appreciate any advice you can give me. Thanks!


Answer
although most l7 yr olds dont like doctors.I strongly suggest you go to your physician and at least get a blood test.to rule out any mono, or basic anemia.Thats first.2nd.understand im not a physician but i started out the same as you which is why Im concerned.Dont use no alcohol, coke,pepsi,chocolate tea coffee at least 3 hours before you sleep as they all have caffeine in them which will keep you twisting and turning or not getting a good night sleep.  Next try to go to bed the same time each night,and put your alarm on the other side of the room where you would have to get out of bed to shut it off.if after the blood tests are normal, and you do all the rest if this persist then i would suggest a sleep center to see if you have a sleep disorder.I suffer from narcolepsy, and was l7 im now 47.  If you notice during sports or gym you tend to sort of feel limp for a second then this indeed would indicate narcolepsy and a symptom called cataplexy which most teenagers start out.if you find yourself getting seconds of muscle weakness during emotion,laughing,crying,surprise,then i would definitely seek a sleep center now,but if not first make sure its not just lack of iron or anemia which can be fixed with just vitamins.let me know if i can be  of further help.good luck,feel free to ask anything.Karel