Switching up sleep

I know it's really important to a) keep a regular sleep schedule and b) not be a third shifter, but because of work I have no choice.

Anyway, I am a nurse who works a 12 hour night shift. Because I am just coming off of my (day shift) orientation, I have 6 days off before my first night shift and am slowly but surely switching myself over to being awake at night. I have what I believe to be a solid med regimen and my moods have been pretty stable for several months. However, this past week, before my sleep switch, I was moody and sad. I chalked it up to hormones. Then this weekend, during the sleep switch, I have been moody. Just up and down. Not incredibly bad either way, but I've been a little, I don't know, bonkers with one of my friends. Nothing he hasn't seen before, but I think it's made him pull away while I ride out this little episode.

Question is, do you guys think it's because I'm switching up my sleep or...? I have worked third shift for a long time (prior to this orientation) and once I switch over to sleeping during the day regularly, I'm usually fine. I just don't remember how that switch usually goes.

Sleep is critical for me, and it has to be at night. I used to do consulting work where I'd be getting up at all hours of the night to catch flights, and ended up manic....or more accurately, batshlt crazy.

People are different, though. Best of luck to you as you switch your schedule.

First off, kudos to you for being a nurse and being there for your patients during third shift. It sounds like you have been taking the right steps to get used to a new schedule. A new sleep schedule is tough on anyone- I don't think there's anything wrong with giving your friends a heads-up about the schedule change.

Based on the information you provided, it's too early to tell. Even a non bi-polar person would most likely need about a good 2-3 weeks to get adjusted to a 3rd shift schedule.

Keep us posted on how you're doing

Thanks for the responses. The worst thing is that I tend to get migraines when I throw my sleep schedule off. I know they are coming, I have meds, doesn't make it better. I have one right now. Coffee and migraine meds are helping a lot, though.

I will probably try to get off of this shift at some point, soon. I thrived on it in my 20's but now in my late 30's, I'm getting too old for it.

I know my sleep schedule is extremely important to me, so I'm guessing it pretty similar for you. I do get cranky and moody when it is off, so I think how you feel may be related to that. But it takes a while for the body to adjust to something so important, so I hope the switch isn't too painful for you. Please take care of yourself and good luck!

Ugh, I have been cranky. I have noticed that especially today...moody cranky. Like, I'm happy under it all, but I just picked a fight with my guy friend again. I told him last night that I think the sleep is messing with my moods. And even though I got frustrated I am trying to put it into perspective and say, "This is my issue, not yours," and walk away from the conversation...talking about anything when I feel "off" isn't productive. I think he gets it. Point is, I think it is affecting me. I am happy, but easily set off. Hopefully that doesn't last long.

[quote=graystreet;5535520]Thanks for the responses. The worst thing is that I tend to get migraines when I throw my sleep schedule off. I know they are coming, I have meds, doesn't make it better. I have one right now. Coffee and migraine meds are helping a lot, though.

I will probably try to get off of this shift at some point, soon. I thrived on it in my 20's but now in my late 30's, I'm getting too old for it.[/quot
Yep, when i was younger,i worked night shift for 15 yrs..but i got to the point that i couldn't sleep more than 2 hrs straight..then up for 2-3hrs then sleep,etc.i loved working it and the people but my body didn't. Also for me,less sleep meant more anxiety,more paranoid/worrying,more hypomania..again,whn i was younger,did not trigger me but since older even though on same meds for 18yrs...certain things might trigger me/have to be more careful.
But it sounds like you are approaching it very logically with a plan-kudos to you

I have done all kinds of crazy shifts over the years ... but not now ... no way I could function doing that ... headaches... yes yes yes ... unbelieveable headaches ... sorry your having to adjust to this ...

Thanks again. It is a HUGE hospital and there will be day shift blocks which open up even on my unit at some point. I just don't have a lot of seniority, yet. I am a pretty good day sleeper, once I get firmly on that schedule (and I stay on it, even on my days off) so that's a plus.

I mean, my med schedule is also a bit messed up. And I am feeling even more...off...tonight and it helps to talk about it, to remind myself that this is my brain chemistry and this is temporary, not permanent.

I would think that would be pretty difficult to go through considering the difference between day meds and night meds. I'm so sorry you have to go through this transition.

I kinda lost my ish on my friend last night. He's pretty understanding but I snapped hard at him over text and, while he is never mean and I've never seen him angry, he put me in my place pretty definitively (probably because he is rarely stern or angry). One stern text in reply to a little moody tantrum was all it took I told him that maybe it was a good idea to give me a little space and time to get acclimated to this switch so I didn't hurt our friendship over something as inane as switching to third shift. Even before I snapped, I told him I could have pretty much argued and/or cried about anything. I still feel that way. No bueno.

So I think maybe this triggered some hypomania. I feel wired and sick to my stomach all at the same time.

Having a really hard time staying up past 5am though, and I work until 730am tomorrow. Ugh. I need my body/brain to get with the program.

Sorry to bump this thread, I am just awake and have no one to talk to (especially since my friend, whom I know is also awake, doesn't seem to be ready to text me back at this time )