Remedies for Non-24 Sleep-Wake Disorder?

Category: Health and Wellness

Post 1 by contradiction (aww, I always knew my opinion mattered to you!) on Sunday, 01-Nov-2015 1:47:54

I was recently diagnosed with Non-24. Since I am in college, the sleeplessness of a student combined with Non-24's symptoms sincerely messes me up on many different levels. I am now in search of helpful remedies, which can include natural methods, medical marijuana, medications, or anything else anyone has stumbled across.

Additionally, is Hetlioz actually working for people who use it? I've been considering this as an option, but I haven't heard much in the way of opinions about it.

Post 2 by SilverLightning (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Sunday, 01-Nov-2015 2:57:02

I haven't found any solutions other than forcing myself to stay awake past the
point of exhaustion. Though I've never been clinically diagnosed. To be honest I
didn't know we could be diagnosed. If you find anything that works though, let
me know.

Post 3 by Imprecator (The Zone's Spelling Nazi) on Sunday, 01-Nov-2015 4:22:46

Caffeine in the morning and melatonin at night seems to do the trick for me. Also, I have a sun lamp, which helps even if one is blind.

Post 4 by contradiction (aww, I always knew my opinion mattered to you!) on Sunday, 01-Nov-2015 5:30:59

Imp, you are 100% blind, and the simulated light still works?

Post 5 by Imprecator (The Zone's Spelling Nazi) on Sunday, 01-Nov-2015 9:54:50

Yes and yes. Sunlight, and the artificial version thereof, both act on the pinnaeal gland to regulate your body clock.

Post 6 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Sunday, 01-Nov-2015 11:14:10

I take Hetlioz. it works well, but the trick with it is to take this stuff at the same time every night.

Post 7 by forereel (Just posting.) on Sunday, 01-Nov-2015 19:33:56

I don't have the problem, but I wasn't aware doctors now were saying it could be diagnosed.
I thought you either knew you had the problem, or you didn't according to what was happening with you.

Post 8 by ADVOCATOR! (Finally getting on board!) on Monday, 02-Nov-2015 3:29:43

I've just gotten high, and it works.
If Melatonin works, Hetli-whatever it is, will too.

Post 9 by contradiction (aww, I always knew my opinion mattered to you!) on Monday, 02-Nov-2015 4:26:10

I was honestly thinking a good indica might be my best option.

As for Hetlioz, are the side effects as dreadful as I've heard?

Imp, I do not have light perceiving cells in my eyes (I have prosthetics). Have you heard of anyone who can still use a sun lamp in this scenario?

Thanks for your help, guys. I sincerely appreciate it.

Post 10 by Imprecator (The Zone's Spelling Nazi) on Monday, 02-Nov-2015 4:29:35

Don't know. I never tried the other stuff and probably can't afford it. But then I don't really want to be taking another medication on top of my anti-anxiety and anti-depressant.

Post 11 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Monday, 02-Nov-2015 6:49:06

I know of people who swear by sun lamps, even though they don't have light perception. The claim is that the body itself, like the skin, still recognizes the light, prompting chemical changes in the brain. It's said to be like how, even though we're blind, being out in sunlight still helps us get Vitamin D. Again, this is just what I've heard from several totally blind friends, I have never tested it myself. I've considered it, just never done it.

I've also heard of people having good luck with Hetlioz, but I've heard nothing about the side effects. Melatonin helps me, but even at its lowest doses, I still feel kind of hung-over in the morning. Still, I can handle that better than not sleeping at all or for two hours tops. What side effects of Hetlioz have you heard are bad? If it's that hung-over kind of feeling, any sleep medication is going to give you that.

Post 12 by contradiction (aww, I always knew my opinion mattered to you!) on Wednesday, 04-Nov-2015 13:15:46

So, can you actually feel the heat of a sun lamp, Alicia?

Post 13 by Imprecator (The Zone's Spelling Nazi) on Wednesday, 04-Nov-2015 13:32:35

You feel a bit of warmth from it if you move your face really close, but that's all. They might make a soft buzzing noise while they're on, mine does anyway.

Post 14 by rat (star trek rules!) on Wednesday, 04-Nov-2015 14:36:48

I take hetlioz, and have no side effects from it what so ever. Been on it for over a year now, and it works wonders for me.

Post 15 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 04-Nov-2015 19:32:48

The sun lamps I've been around, I was able to feel heat from, but that was years ago. Maybe the new ones don't put off as much heat?

Post 16 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Wednesday, 04-Nov-2015 21:16:34

Just the occasional nightmare for me on Hetlioz, but for the most part, it works well. it all depends on the individual taking the stuff.

as for testing for non-24, ask a sleep specialist to do what is known as actigraphy monitoring. For two weeks or so, you wear a special watch as you go about your normal day-to-day routine. every time you go to sleep and wake up, you press a button to show the sleep medicine doctor who is going to be examining the recording device in that thing, how your sleep pattern looks. If they notice the sleep and wake time shifting around the 24-hour clock, then non-24 is diagnosed.

Post 17 by UniqueOne (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Saturday, 21-Nov-2015 23:05:00

I take hetlioz. It does work and the cideffects do vary from person to person. I had a few odd dreams but nothing else that I can remember. Take it at the same time. If you have trouble with your insurance company you can call the Hetlioz program and they can find you a doctor purscribbing it or help with cost.

Post 18 by ADVOCATOR! (Finally getting on board!) on Sunday, 22-Nov-2015 23:24:57

My insurance is only part of it. With my sensativeness, I'm trying other methods. Not that I think it won't work, but I've been told by Vanda, that I could have UTI's, Resperatory problems, and the nightmares.
And, my doctor says I'm on a lot of meds, anyway. But, Right now, I've got a load on muy plate. And, the infection possibility is too risky. If I have a resistance to anymore antibiotics, I will have to be hospitalized, for each infection. So, I personally chose not to risk it. If things get better, I may change my mind.
But, when I wake up, I just smoke some, and pass back out. Plus, taking a sleeping aide.
However, not everyone is like me, so I say, give the new stuff a try.
Blessings!
Sarah
Happy Thanksgiving!