Sleep problem just started, Rozerem helps but is it ok to use long term?

[JohnJ]

Started home hemo (NxStage) in November of 2009. For the past 6 months I've started having problems sleeping AFTER dialysis. I can sleep fine DURING...but after I can't sleep. We dialyze when my wife gets home..about 6:00 PM or so. This gets us done around 9:30 or 10. This way I could get plenty of sleep and get up and go to work (part time, on call) the next day. Suddenly I can't sleep at all after dialysis...which means I can't work. Which also means the whole dialysis thing isn't really worth it. I've tried sleep aids but we all know they are addicting EXCEPT Rozerem. This seems to help but has anyone tried taking this 5 nights a week for months and months?

[noahvale]

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[cattlekid]

I have problems sleeping after NxStage treatment as well.  I find that if I can keep my final BP's up in the 100's systolic at the end of treatment, I'm fine.  If they are in the 90's or 80's, then I either can't fall asleep afterwards or sleep for an hour, then wake up. 

I have found a couple of things that help....I have restless leg syndrome, so I take my Requip about 9:00 PM (bedtime at 11:00).  Then right before bed, I take a light dose of tenzempan (sp?) It's the generic of Restoril.  Even then, if the BP issue becomes a problem, then I'm still up, drugs or no drugs.  Luckily, after about an hour, I can go back to sleep no problem.  Not quite sure why the BP comes into play, maybe it doesn't, but the cause and effect seem to be related.

[amanda100wilson]

John, I have the same problem.  Do my dialysis earlier and I am fine.  Do it just before I go to bed and I find it very difficult to sleep.  Cattlekid, have you been assessed for sleep apnea?  It is very common in dialysis patients and I wonder if low blood,pressure triggers it.  Does your other half tell you that you snore?  If you do, then it may be worth getting an assessment.  I had one a couple of years ago and resisted,using CPAP because I found that it was just too much, what with doing PD at the time too.  I had another test recently. Mi only go to 2 am before they came and put the CPAP on me.  Before that I wasn't sleeping properly and kept waking up, after that,I slep soundly for,the rest of the night.  I am looking forward to getting set up,with it and hopefully my sleep will improve.

[cattlekid]

Hello Amanda, tis is with mtpy CPAP!  I've used CPAP for over 10 years now, just had a sleep study and they adjusted my pressure some but still the problems.

[JohnJ]

Sorry for the delay but work is killing me. (and I love it!)

The problem is worse n days when dialysis starts close to 7. That means I'm not done till 10:30. I can't do much about that because some days my wife doesn't get off until 6.
Meditation has helped but it's hit or miss.

I haven't noticed the B/P angle. I'll have to watch that. But my final B/P are almost never below 100.

No, no sleep apnea problems. I'm in great shape so weight isn't a problem.

I usually don't sleep during dialysis. I watch sports (baseball and basketball) or other stuff I've recorded.

Thanks for all the ideas. You've given me some things to think about.

[amanda100wilson]

Eight is not always a factor with sleep apnea.  It is more common in dialysis patients than the general population.  It can also be caused by anatomical characteristics of the throat and soft palate.