Sleep disorders and fatigue management

[VGB88]

I suffer from insomnia, sleep apnea and shift work sleep disorder. As you can imagine my nervous system and brain are fried and I deal with some pretty heavy fatigue.

I also have CPTSD so I'm prescribed venlaflaxine, mirtazapine and prazosin along with 2 other tablets for high blood pressure. And I occasionally get a script for valium from my doctor.

Over the last year I've picked up a rather expensive amphetamine habit. I'm seeing my psychiatrist some time in the next few months to review medication and look at a possible adult diagnosis of ADHD, as my son was diagnosed last year.

I'm wondering if anybody else has had similar issues and how you cope? Both chemical and healthy coping mechanisms are fine.

 

[EasyMoneySnip3r]

Yes, are you taking the correct amount of valium that is prescribed? 
 

Also how bad is your amph habit? 
 

anything over 60 mg has diminishing returns and is dumb its just your brain. 
 

So if your on 200 mg a day ... cut to 100 then 60 and take some rest days

 

[EasyMoneySnip3r]

Also ambien might not be a bad idea but its not REM sleep

 

[VGB88]

Yup I don't go overboard on the valium. 50 5mg tabs usually last a couple of months.

As for the uppers. Roughly 1pt so 100mg on my 12hr shift days and I try not to use on my days off.

I had last week off due to roster changes and didn't use amps at all except for some mdma on Saturday night. Felt extremely refreshed when I came back yesterday and when my dealer packed me a complimentary bowl the gear hit a lot smoother and I didn't wake up feeling scattered today, so the break did me a lot of good.

 

[VGB88]

Also ambien might not be a bad idea but its not REM sleep

My housemate has a script, but hypnotics aren't easy to get in Australia. I bought some zopiclone a while back which helped immensely.

 

[EasyMoneySnip3r]

Yes the off days can be tough also but its part of being normal YOUR not a robot lol on amphs its so hard to connect with other people when your so overly focused on other things 

 

[EasyMoneySnip3r]

My housemate has a script, but hypnotics aren't easy to get in Australia. I bought some zopiclone a while back which helped immensely.

None of these medication help REM sleep

but will put you to sleep 

which is better than no sleep haha

I'm trying to get my doctor to get me on valium 

 

[VGB88]

Yeah gotta keep that balance and practice harm reduction!

They zonk you much like cannabis but unfortunately don't improve the REM quality which sucks. I'm also using melatonin as per my doctors suggestion which helps when I'm sleeping at night but not during the day when I have work that night.

 

[EasyMoneySnip3r]

Yeah gotta keep that balance and practice harm reduction!

They zonk you much like cannabis but unfortunately don't improve the REM quality which sucks. I'm also using melatonin as per my doctors suggestion which helps when I'm sleeping at night but not during the day when I have work that night.

Im not a doctor but you can get things for these days that will help you push through ... low dose   seroquel ... can def help knock you out 

 

[VGB88]

Im not a doctor but you can get things for these days that will help you push through ... low dose   seroquel ... can def help knock you out 

Oh I'm well aware, haha.

Personally not a fan of seroquel. Tried once and it floored me but might not hurt to try again. Currently the only extra I'm using is cannabis until I get my next benzo script.

 

[EasyMoneySnip3r]

Oh I'm well aware, haha.

Personally not a fan of seroquel. Tried once and it floored me but might not hurt to try again. Currently the only extra I'm using is cannabis until I get my next benzo script.

Were you on a higher dose? Higher doses have antipsychotic effects where the lower doses will just sedate you and you wont produce any dopamine and serotonin that will keep you awake

 

[VGB88]

Wasn't prescribed and I can't recall the dose. A mate gave me one tablet to see if it helped. Definitely might be worth looking into. I'll mention sedatives to the psychiatrist since that's the only way to get anything strong, legally at least, here.

 

[EasyMoneySnip3r]

Wasn't prescribed and I can't recall the dose. A mate gave me one tablet to see if it helped. Definitely might be worth looking into. I'll mention sedatives to the psychiatrist since that's the only way to get anything strong, legally at least, here.

I recommend this channel to

you very resourceful 

The overall channel is fantastic 

 

[VGB88]

2 minutes ago, Ayyy7393 said:

I recommend this channel to

you very resourceful 

Awesome I'll check it out! Will help pass the time on night shift.

 

[Drunkensmurf]

Also ambien might not be a bad idea but its not REM sleep

I agree with ambien. It is the only thing that actually makes me feel like I slept. I've tried almost everything. The only bad part is it will make you sleepwalk. I've woke to find messes in the kitchen that I dont remember anything about. And I was told I drove my car once. So now I lock my keys in a lock box. Just dont drink a lot of alcohol when you take it.

 

[VGB88]

I agree with ambien. It is the only thing that actually makes me feel like I slept. I've tried almost everything. The only bad part is it will make you sleepwalk. I've woke to find messes in the kitchen that I dont remember anything about. And I was told I drove my car once. So now I lock my keys in a lock box. Just dont drink a lot of alcohol when you take it.

It doesn't make me sleepwalk, but the only way I can "legally" get anything stronger than melatonin or sleeping antihistamines in Australia is through a psychiatrist and mine keeps rejecting my referrals because I don't qualify for financial hardship because I have a full time job. Never mind the fact I currently don't have a single dollar to my name. This country is fucked.

 

[K_Hole]

Lately, I’ve been having this weird problem where my body acts like it has its own schedule. I’ll be completely exhausted during the day, yawning nonstop and wishing I could take a nap. But the moment I get into bed at night, my brain suddenly decides it’s the perfect time to think about random things, old memories, tomorrow’s plans, random questions, everything. I’ll just stare at the ceiling, switch positions a hundred times, and somehow become more awake the harder I try to sleep. Then, when my alarm goes off in the morning, I feel like I barely rested at all.
Why do you think my body refuses to sleep even when I’m clearly tired?

 

[K_Hole]

Lately, I’ve been having this weird problem where my body acts like it has its own schedule. I’ll be completely exhausted during the day, yawning nonstop and wishing I could take a nap. But the moment I get into bed at night, my brain suddenly decides it’s the perfect time to think about random things, old memories, tomorrow’s plans, random questions, everything. I’ll just stare at the ceiling, switch positions a hundred times, and somehow become more awake the harder I try to sleep. Then, when my alarm goes off in the morning, I feel like I barely rested at all.
Why do you think my body refuses to sleep even when I’m clearly tired?

Anyone else having the same problem, this is what worked really well for me.

Post in thread 'Need Advice'

Jul 29, 2026

Has anyone experienced something similar? I would really appreciate any advice or suggestions that have helped you manage it. Thank you in advance

Yeah, what works for me is putting something on youtube and using the timer so it shuts off after 30 min. I listen to a video on low volume, just loud enough for me to hear but not loud enough to wake me up if I fall asleep before it ends. It helps keep my mind focused on listening rather than thinking. I pick videos that are monotone and somewhat boring. But it has been a game changer in helping me fall asleep quickly because I used to...

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