So this month I am working in the pediatric intensive care unit, and every four days I have a 30 hour shift. Today is my first real day off (I come home after the 30 and sleep until 4 the next morning when I go back). I’m just about sick from being so tired. Besides our normal meds, does anyone have any ideas for supplements or foods that give you energy during a long period of staying awake?
Good news is my insomnia is basically cured this month. After 30 hours awake I could fall asleep in the floor…
Megan, please be sure to ask your physician if you take any supplements, to be sure they won't interact with the drugs you're on.
You might want to consider glucosomine condroitin, as it helps with joint pain from arthritis. COQ10 is something that some of the fibro people take. It supposedly is tied in with our mitochondrial health and one study has shown that our mitochondia are damaged. Both are found in Whole Foods or drug stores, I'm sure. Sometimes a shot of B12 is used for regular non-fibro people who are tired. I have no idea how it would be for a person with fibro. I think your doctor would have some recommendations??
I don't know what else might help with energy but I'm sure there are people on here who use supplements who may be able to help you. You do have my sympathy. I hope like heck that you aren't on your feet for most of those 30 hours of the long shift? At any rate, that is killer stuff, so please take as much rest as you possibly can.
wow that does sound very rough..i wish i had something good to share with you . since i dont i send you all the best for your well being and big HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGS
This is horrible. Don't know why they do that in your industry. Don't know how you do it. So every 4 days how many hours do you sleep right away? Then do you get back on a "normal" schedule until your next 30? Must be tough. As you must know there are meds to keep you going those 30 hours but am sure not good for anyone much less someone with FMS. I have been in the IT field for almost 30 years and there are many times where I have to pull all nighters and continue the next day as a normal day. But nothing scheduled. I know I am sick for days afterwards. Your body wants reach for carbs when you do this I know , but keep them to a minimum, protein shakes if you have access to make them if not some premade ones help. I know for me most herbs or supplements take time to work and work as an adaptogen. Like ginsing, ashwaghanda etc. but you may not want that for the days you need to be "normal". Myself I take B12 shot, I take 1/2 CC cyancobolomin sub-q twice a week. If I were you I may do it 2-3 times during your times of 30 hours. It does help me. You do need a script for B12 injectible but its a pretty harmless supplement and if you don't mind giving yourself sub-q shots not a real biggie. I just told my PC want I wanted and how much and what size needle. It's been harder to get filled at certain pharamices lately and not sure why. Maybe because it is so inexpensive. Protein bars and stay hydrated. Keep your coffee to a limit as well as any caffinated beverages. But a little does help. Not sure what your breaks are during those 30 hours but if you meditate that also helps me to recover for a while. Well now I see a post below on B12 also. Oh well I have tried sub-lingual and they really don't help me. Make sure you can get some fresh air on your breaks also.
I hope you have some quality to life after your 30 hour shift and after your initial rest period. I just got off a crazy work schedule where I had to travel from Detroit to Minn MN every week for 5 months in a row. Left Sunday came back late Thursday evening. That was rough on me. Every weekend was just re-packing and getting ready to fly again. I had no life during the weekends as I completed drained. I have been working at home now since May 1st, I do have to fly to Denver for another client on Sunday but it's only for a week and then I should be able to work from home until the end of October. That's much better but after that I am not sure where I will be. Where ever the work is. But I am pushing my client to allow me to work remote as much as possible. Which is easier these days with so much technology. Plus it saves the client so much in expenses. Been doing this for almost 26 years, no wonder I am divorced twice....lol....