Sleeping at in center.

[chiromac]

I like my center, but it is always loud & bright, so it is hard for me to sleep.  I'm a light sleep, so does anyone have any hints on how to sleep a bit during dialysis.   

[noahvale]

*

[chiromac]

I've been on for a almost 2 years (Started May 2, 2011), I do not think I'm new    But, I will read the article.  I've tried reading, writing, and watching TV, but 4:15 in the chair is to much for me and any extra sleep would be a great help.

[noahvale]

^

[Riki]

I don't sleep in dialysis anymore.  I've trained myself not to, but the unit I'm in is designed to let people sleep if they want to.  Each station has his own overhead light that can be dimmed by half or turned off completely.  There is no internet connection in my unit, but I still take my computer in with me.  I watch television shows that I've downloaded.  I also have my phone so I can keep up with facebook and email.  The best thing is to find what works best for you.  Some in my unit watch tv, or listen to music.  Some read, some text to each other, and some, like myself, watch movies on their computers.

[Speedy1wrc]

I fall asleep easily and can sleep through a hurricane so I don't have an issue.

However, I have tried a pair of noise cancelling heaphones and they get rid of the droning of the machines and lower the volume dramatically of the obnoxiously loud techs who don't seem to notice that people do try to sleep. I found the headphones at Walmart for $49 and they are well worth it.

I used to wear a baseball cap in center and I could tip the brim down to block the light. I was first shift so when I went in the lights were dimmed throughout which was nice. I used to fall asleep pretty quickly to catch a few ZZZ's. I don't know why but when the next shift of tech's came in they would turn all the lights on bright and a few times I did wake up as did mostly everyone else.

I remember one other patient used to bring in a small wash cloth and covered his eyes with it. I suppose that or some of those blinders made of black material that you wear like a mask.

Hope this helps!

[Mr Pink]

Sleeping whilst on dialysis is a bit hit or miss for me. If the tank is low, I sleep like a baby. On most occasions, however, I'm lucky if I doze for half an hour. Of course if there is something decent on television, I'm glued to that. In terms of suggestions to aid sleep, counting sheep comes to mind, although it never worked for me. Maybe read a Jane Austin book... you'll be asleep in no time!

[smcd23]

You can get a cute little eye mask! I can make you one, would you like leopard print or pink lace?  (totally kidding I hope you know about the leopard print and pink lace part) But seriously one of those little sleep masks could be your best friend as would the noise canceling headphones. I have a hard time sleeping when it's light and I got one when I was in college and my roommate would stay up later than me, and my goodness it was a lifesaver! Good luck!

[babycake]

i have been on dialyis for 7yrs
 and i always found it so easy to sleep
wearing your hearing headphones that you use for the tv
 that helps me... i put the tv on for the sound
and i try and sleep the whole 3hours
sometimes that doesnt always happen

[chiromac]

Thanks

[kitkatz]

After 14 years in a dialysis center, I can sleep though a hurricane. Of course the Benadryl and tylenol help, however the noise can be fearsome in center.  I use noise canceling headphones when it all becomes to loud or a machine is constantly beeping.  I will speak up if techs are noisy.  I had a conversation going on over my bed one night this year.  I raised up and shushed them.  They move it off of me.  Sheez!

There are nights when someone codes and noise and lights are on for hours.  That is when the headphones are real handy.  It allows for privacy for everyone around in the emergency.

[noahvale]

^
 

[Riki]

Maybe it's because I'm in Canada, but I haven't seen the high turnover rates that are spoken of in this article.  I've been in the unit I'm at now since New Year's Eve 2008, and in that time I've seen more come into the unit than leave.  Mind you, none of them are techs, as we don't have any.  We just have nurses

[babycake]

i would have to say canada  has differnt standards than oregon

 as for here we have techs and nurses

 we have at least 2 nurses  at times
 or i have actually seen 3 the 3rd one would be the head boss
 but i wont let her touch me sense she made a mistake
by puting me on
 i told her flat out she wasent touching me anymore