Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome: Are there others out there?

Posted by AntoniaZ @antoniaz, Apr 9, 2020

So I just found out that what I thought was just a (very) bad habit turns out to have a clinical name: Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome

DSPS is essentially when you go to bed super late (or super early if you think 5 a.m. is a good time to get up) and sleep in embarrasingly late. Like 1 p.m. or even 2 p.m. I have always been an "owl" and not a "lark," even as a child, but now, with COVID-19, what's the rush in waking up?

It's just that, when I am now forcing myself to only drink decaf and setting the alarm at noon, I know something is seriously off kilter. I rarely get out in the daylight and am thinking maybe it's time to get another dog. (I live on the 9th floor now so that's not an easy thing to do.) Our condo gym and, more to the point, my beloved indoor pool are both closed. I have a mini-trampoline but that's not the same as a serious workout.

I sleep like a log BTW and, according to my fancy watch, have very regular sleep patterns throughout.

But seriously, breakfast oatmeal at 3 or 4 in the afternoon? Dinner at 10?

Bet I end up the latest poster on this site. Or are there others out there?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Sleep Health Support Group.

@maggienice

I have sleep delay, Circadian rhythm disorder, Non -24. I stay awake sometimes for 24 to 48 hours and still am not sleepy. I am concerned about what sleep deprivation is doing to my other conditions. I have had this since an infant; it becomes more pronounced as I age. I am 83, have Parkinson's, CKD, fybromalgia, DNA that does not absorb drugs easily, PTSD. I am on the Neuro patch for PD.

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My, but I do sympathize. Sleep deprivation can cause many problems. After I have slept with the help of Xanax, I do not want to drive the next day. I feel alert, but I may not be, so I am very cautious.

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@maggienice

Sleep delay, Circadian R disorder, Non-24. Awake 24 to 48 hours, then sleep up to 24 hrs. Concern: what effect on other conditions PD, CKD, fibromyalgia, PTSD. I am 83, on Neupro patch for PD.

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Hi. I have had sleep issues all my life as well. Sleep deprivation does affect every aspect of my life. I believe I have tried everything from natural alternatives to now being on Valium for my PTSD. There is a brain stimulator on the market now that claims to have 70% success with sleep disorders and depression, but it's not covered by Medicare and is out of my budget. However, I do want to try it and they have a 30-day trial period. Does anyone out there have experience with the brain stimulator?

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@maggienice

Sleep delay, Circadian R disorder, Non-24. Awake 24 to 48 hours, then sleep up to 24 hrs. Concern: what effect on other conditions PD, CKD, fibromyalgia, PTSD. I am 83, on Neupro patch for PD.

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Hi Maggie, I agree with @judithjoy and @lindasmith1222. Sleep problems can affect all aspects of life.

Have you worked with sleep medicine specialists? What approaches have you tried?

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I have DSPS, but since studying up on the subject of sleep and retiring, I have it solved. I go to bed about 2 am and get up at 9:30 or 10. This works out perfectly for me and has improved my sleep quality and quantity.

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I also have DSPS and have tried to adjust my work/life schedule accordingly. However as I get older it's getting worse. Staying up all night and sleeping in the next day is no longer an option. I develop a tolerance for traditional sleep medications. I cannot change my job again.
Could someone give me a better understanding of what Non 24 is and how it differs from DSPD. Are there specific treatments? Thank you.

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I have DSPS (Circadian rhythm disorder) and I don't know if I'm considered on the extreme side. I go to bed around 8:30am-10:30am and wake up 6:00pm-7:30pm. It all started in my teens and progressively got later to where I am now. I have to be on sleep meds to be able to even hold this pattern. I've tried working it forward little by little. I've tried resetting with skipping a night of sleep meds. Nothing seems to stick and I end up where I started. I have hypophosphotasia which makes me have low alp. I'm not sure if this all is just a symptom of something else. Has anyone experienced this with dsps? Has anyone been able to get any normal sleep pattern and have it stick?

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I do sleep like this unintentionally…in fact just today talked with my sleep dr (annual cpap requirement). he told me to download Insomnia Coach. So I’ll see if that app is any good. Currectly, get tired but never go to sleep until 3 to 4 am; then I wake up in 3 hrs, be wide awake! Then I go back after a few tasks and get up at 11 or noon. Dr said to just stay up do not return to bed, stick it out until bedtime to train the brain. It punishes the brain so to not wake up.

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Yes, I was told also that I have this problem. It is not our fault. I know for myself if I get up too early like seven or 8 o’clock in the morning or even 9 o’clock in the morning, it will make me physically sick. So I wake up 11 o’clock 1130 I am nearly 64 and I get to work from home as a certified health and life coach so I don’t have to work outside the home which is a blessing!!! I do think having a good sleep hygiene might help you wake up just a little bit early if you want to do that. Such as getting up 15 minutes earlier a week and then the week after a half an hour before. Your brain will eventually learn this new habit of trying to wake up early. This is what I do with my clients and myself. Lol

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I worked in Healthcare as a career and always chose to work second shift when employed at a hospital

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