Insomnia

[WillieWundt]

I have been on home dialysis with a NxStage system 2 for about 4 months. I dialyze 4 times a week for about 3 1/2 hours each time. I run my blood volume at 350 and the dialysate at 15. I have terrible insomnia on the days I dialyze. I cannot fall asleep until well into the early morning hours. I tend to be a bit jittery and cannot fall asleep. On days when I do not dialyze, I have no trouble sleeping. Has anyone had a similar problem and have you found a solution to this type of insomnia?

[Angiepkd]

Hi Willie.  I suffered from insomnia while doing home hemo, also.  My doc didn't want to put me on a prescription drug, so he recommended melatonin.  I used it for several months, but it didn't really help much.  Other OTC meds like Tylenol PM worked about the same.  Wish I could give you a recommendation for an easy fix, but I haven't found one.  Even after transplant, I still have trouble falling asleep - jittery, mind racing, restless legs etc.  I am sure you know the drill.  I have tried to follow the rules for good sleep like no caffeine, background noise, warm bath, etc. but to no avail.  Now I pretty much lay in bed and will myself to go to sleep.  Usually works in about an hour. 

[iolaire]

I'm starting to experience insomnia after in center dialysis.  I try to use Tylenol PM but like Angiepkd it has limited effect.  I'm also trying to cut back my pre dialysis coffee (I'm not retaining liquid) and feel it might help to have less than two cups in the 8 - 1 PM stretch (no caffeine otherwise).  I'm doing things like listening to relaxing music on headphones and that helps give my mind something to focus on.  Also I've found that it has not helped to skip napping on dialysis.  So in the end, yes its a problem, sorry don't know of real solutions...

[noahvale]

^

[iolaire]

Full article - http://www.homedialysis.org/life-at-home/articles/to-sleep-perchance-to-dream-with-home-dialysis

On suggestion there:
Take a hot shower or bath before bed.When your body cools off after you get out, it can help you sleep better.
One hot evening I did that and it did help.  I enjoy baths and would do them more often but I'm concerned about doing them since my fistula is not healed after getting off at about 7 PM.  Maybe I'll try that more often and just keep my arm out of the water.