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OTC sleep aids


Posted by Ernie on March 14, 1999 at 00:43:55:

My shift arrangement is a bit unusual: I primarily work days
but every six months I roll into a week of nights followed by a week of swings. This rotation is not bad sleepwise and is of a short enough duration so I can tough it out. However, I can roll back to nights, twelve hour shifts at six days a week, at a moments notice when trouble strikes, which means work that schedule untill the job is done. It is these stretches,(which can last up to 3 months) planned or otherwise, that are hard to deal with. In this rotation, factoring in the rest of my daily duties my sleep "window" is very specific. Frequently I can get to sleep but wake up in an hour or so and sleep fitfully there after. Recently, I have had success countering this problem using over-the-counter sleep aids (Somonex, etc.) in the short duration and at 1/2 dosage. My questions lie with the effects of using these aids in the longer term. Will there effects wear off? Are there any physical side effects or possible dangers I would be exposing myself to? Can anyone list a web site that my answer these questions or share some personal experiences?

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