I've had this problem all my life. I do get tired and sleepy at night, but don't want to "give in" and go to bed. Eventually I do and, even if I sleep 8-9 hours, it is hard to wake up (6 hours is out of the question). Sometimes I check my two alarm clocks because I don't remember they went off. Other times I hear them, but don't even bother turning them off.

Fortunately I have a flexible schedule and have had people wake me up for important appointments.

I take Concerta twice a day for ADHD. Last night I took a small amount (18mg) when I was already in bed. I noticed I dreamed a lot and spontaneously woke up 7 hours later - but still decided to stay in bed for one more hour (after taking my morning Concerta). Normally I cannot even reach for the Concerta and the glass of water next to my bed - when I do, I wake up a couple of hours later feeling pretty good. Today I had an easy going morning, not the re-entry experience I usually have every day, coming back to this world.


I'm going to repeat the experiment tonight. My concern is about the quality of sleep under Concerta. I'm trying to fight possible theta wave intrussions in the morning (the long-acting-sustained release of Concerta seems to make sense here), which presumably interfere with my waking up, but I would want to have a good overall quality of sleep (proper time at the different sleep stages).

My psychiatrist just told me that many people take a small dose of stimulant to sleep better (he is not very dogmatic and trusts my judgment), but I'll bring it up when I see him again. In my case, I want the stimulant to wake up better!

Do you have any knowledge/experience to share?

Non ADD but have had this same problem of getting up all my life. I have noticed that I need about an hour or so to come to full conciousness, so I like to TRY to go to bed early enough that I wake up naturally around 7ish and then I can wake up for an hour till 8 and get up and ready for 9.

Well, that's my goal. I sometimes wish I lived with someone, my best success with routinely getting up on time has been then.

I hope you find the "secret" to it all!

crime scene

Snappy, I feel your frustration, man, do I ever! I can respond the alarm and what you mentioned is what works for me too. I set the stupid thing to jangle me out of bed, stumble to cabinet, take the Concerta and go back to bed...most days.

Otherwise I still wake up in the fog, bigtime. I am like you, forget a small period of sleep, just straight-up will not work for me.

Hi...I really understand what you are experiencing.

Morning sleep seems so much more restorative to me...if that makes sense to anyone. I've suffered with insomnia all my life and falling to sleep at night is always a struggle. Sometimes, the more tired I am the harder it is to sleep. However I can turn off the alarm and fall asleep in the morning with the sun blaring in the window.

I fall asleep shortly after I take my meds, like other members have posted they do as well. My MD is shocked that a stim can make me sleepy, Wish I had energy first thing in the AM. When you start the day tired and apathetic you never catch-up. Day after day, always behind schedule and struggling takes it's tool in the form of Depresson for me. And this coming from someone who is improving! Med dosage adjustment coming at next appt!

Addeline

Thanks for your feedback, keep it coming.

Here's mine:

Took Concerta at midnight, when I was sleepy and in bed. Fell asleep around 1230 and spontaneously woke up at 600. Reached for my water and pills and stayed in bed only 15 minutes - I was really ready to get up when I woke up.

It seems that I only slept 5.5 hours and I dreamt a lot. I want to sleep 8 hours, but will probably try again tonight. Let's see if I feel tired today.

I have not even had my coffee and I'm writing this!

I don't know if what is helping me wake up is precisely the extended (and sustained) nature of the release mechanism in Concerta and wonder how a short acting dose (methylphenidate) at bedtime will work - I might try this as well.

Please give me more feedback; I'll do the same tomorrow.

Snappy

I felt tired all day yesterday, perhaps because I slept only 5.5 hours, but the quality of sleep could be another reason.

At bedtime last night, instead of taking a small dose of Concerta, I took some IR methylphenidate. I slept very well (perhaps because I was tired and sleepy). Slept from 1230 to 900: 8.5 hours. Woke up spontaneously (I did ignore or didn't hear the two alrams at 700 and 800), but did not sleep eccessively. I took my morning Concerta, but was not feeling confused and sleepy when I got out of bed.

I'll probably repeat the small dose of IR methylphenidate tonight (since I'm not tired today and slept enough last nigth), to evaluate how I sleep. Later on, I'll probably try Concerta before bed again and compare.

I still think that it gets harder for me to wake up after 6 or 7 hours of sleep, but if I don't sleep 7 or 8 hours, I feel tired. Ideally I should have a nurse come into my room after I've been asleep for, say, 6.5 hours, and make me take my early morning Concerta. Then I'll wake up around an hour later.

Easy, put your clock on the other side of the room so you have to get out of bef to rurn it off. Works for me

Wellbutrin helped me tremendously in this area. I would take 150mg SR in the morning with my adderall xr next to my bed. I take the other 150 at bedtime. It doesn't matter what time I take it. I still go to sleep. I wake up more like a normal person. I still take my adderall as soon as I wake up but within 20 minutes I'm ready to get on with the day.

The very first two weeks on wellbutrin were heaven for me though. I would pop awake at sunrise just like a kid on christmas morning. I always open my curtains at night so that the sunshine will help force me out of bed. But just like everything else my body figures out what I'm up to and makes adjustments so that popping awake thing doesn't last.

txs for the responses Foot and Board,

I've been known to ignore a loud alarm far from my bed (if I hear it) because the noise is preferable to getting up to turn it off. I've been thinking of a device that is placed under the matress and vibrates at the time for which you set it. But I'm afraid that I will find the vibration pleasurable and fall into deeper sleep!

I'll try leaving the shades open at night, but light has never been a problem for me to fall asleep and has never bothered me in the morning. Perhaps it can help the body chemistry (reduce melatonin production). I do have a special bright light and melatonin pills, which I used in the past to reset my body clock (I think I have delayed phase sleep syndrome). The problem is that as soon as I stop using "the system," I fall back into my old routine.

Well, today I was not tired or sleepy- I don't know if it is due to sleeping 8.5 hours or to just taking short acting methylphenidate (rather than Concerta). I'll take a small amount of IR MTP to sleep tonight and tomorrow night I'll probably try again some Concerta to sleep. I hope to come up with what works for me by the end of the week end.

Snappy.

I took a small amount of short acting methylphenidate before bed last night. I slept well, but spontaneously woke up 6 hours later - two hours before the alarm was set to go off. I want to sleep 8 hours!

I did not feel tired today either. I have decided to repeat the same thing tonight because I have a 9-4 seminar tomorrrow and don't want to risk taking Concerta (long acting) and not sleeping well. I plan to do the latter Saturday night.

On Monday, I'll call my doc for my refill and I need to decide if I want Concerta or a shorter acting methylphenidate. I've never been officially on the latter. What I do to get IR is that I suck on Concerta tablets (the coating is instant release-22% of the total dosage of the tablet) and not swallow the tablet.

I kind of like the idea of being in control by tweaking my dose to meet my specific and changing needs. This is what an insulin-dependent diabetic does with his insulin. It's a shame my doc never started me on IR adderall and methylphenidate - I believe this is a better way to start so that later the long acting medication can be tried.

update.

Well, I have continued taking small dosages of methylphenidate at bedtime and I tend to remember dreaming more and wake up about 7 hours later without difficulty. I'm not feeling tired and wake up with a relatively clear mind - I do still take my coffee.

I'm still to try for the second time an extended release dosage at bed time to see if it makes a difference. I don't know how this would work with amphetamine, but might eventually try it. I could also ask my doc to give me amphetamine or dextro (which I still want to try) for the day and methylphenidate to sleep.

The bottom line is that when I take methylphenidate to sleep, I don't seem to go to another world from where it is very hard to return upon trying to awaken. My parents used to tell me when I was a child that I had difficult awakenings and generally (except my mother who is propapbly ADD, but is in denial) they would avoid talking to me and overwhelming me until a few minutes after I had my coffee.

I hope someone is benefitting from my postings, even if I don't get feedback.

Happy dreams.

Snappy.

Easy, put your clock on the other side of the room so you have to get out of bef to rurn it off. Works for me
This failed for me. I was working shift work and getting up at some silly hour like 12:30am. One night I managed to get up, turn off my alarm, and go back to bed, all without waking up. I've never been one to sleep walk, but I guess my sub-conscious decided that it really was a silly time to get up, even if it was for work! :rolleyes:

This failed for me. I was working shift work and getting up at some silly hour like 12:30am. One night I managed to get up, turn off my alarm, and go back to bed, all without waking up. I've never been one to sleep walk, but I guess my sub-conscious decided that it really was a silly time to get up, even if it was for work! :rolleyes:Heh, sounds a lot like that old and very lame advice to set all your clocks 10 minutes fast :rolleyes:...um, OK, I have ADD but I can easily remember I have 10 minutes to goof off no matter what the clocks say.

I also have a terrible time getting up in the morning. It's a combination of me not being able to fall asleep right away at night when I get into bed and also when I do wake up in the morning i sit there and daydream for at least an hour. I think my body needs at least 8-9 hours of sleep to even function for the next day. i know that certain people only need 5 or 6 ours of sleep, but I"m not that lucky ;) I'm still trying to work out a system. It's very frustrating to not get up until 11 or 12 and feeling like I've waisted the whole day.:(

Hi snappy cloudy thanks for the posts. Sorry so late with the feedback. This has worked for me too in the past. As I cannot seem to stay asleep at night these days, I am going to give it another go. I have used full dose in the past before bed.(you think its best that the dose be low at night?)

Here is something else I have found....which also kinda makes sense. So regular dose before bed and then only needed half dose in the AM and it was enough. It would make sense I guess that a well rested brain would respond to less meds . But all other doses were at full. I tried halfs and then boosted.

Will try to optimise again.

Boots

boots,

Everyone is different. My problem is not waking up during the night or even falling asleep (although sometimes I'm sleepy and tired and I refuse to go to bed). The problem is waking up.

I think if I take too much before bed, I won't sleep at all or won't sleep well. If I were you, I would start low and take it from there.

OK. I took 14 mg of Concerta (a tablet without the 4 mg coating) to sleep.
I dreamt a lot once again and woke up 7.5 hours later without effort and without an alarm. I feel my head clear and I'm not tired.

I still need to find research of stimulants on sleep architecture. I probably will ask my doc to give me (to sleep) Ritalin LA or Metadate CD because I can control the dosage (by taking less and tweeking it) and because they are not as long acting as Concerta.

I just took my regular 72 mg of Concerta to start the day.

Snappy.

Great thread...

I've had problems getting up my whole life - I mean staying in bed till the afternoon on weekends. When I started on Concerta, mornings became much easier. I don't have that groggy-hung-over feeling. My problem is that lately I've had trouble getting to sleep at night. It's weird, I'll nod off watching TV in the living room with my wife at 8-9PM. But when I get into bed at 10 I can't fall asleep until like 2 AM. This is really getting annoying. Where I felt great initially on Concerta now I'm tired during the day cause I can't get to sleep. Been taking it about 2 months now. Other than the sleep problems I have no other issues with it and would love to get this sorted out. I've tried taking a glass of milk and that seems to help a little. I really hope this will pass. Has this improved for you?

Zoneout,

When I started taking (Adderall, Concerta, Metadate CD) stimulants, I used to have some problems getting sleepy at night. They initially made my awakening in the morning easier.

Once I got used to them, I did not have the problem of not getting sleepy at bedtime, but they stopped helping me to get out of bed in the morning. Adderall caused the most problems (for me) in getting to sleep, but was the most useful in getting up.

As you can realize, I am now taking Concerta to sleep and makes me wake up naturally in the morning.

SnappyCloud,
Radio Shack has (at least they used to) alarm clocks designed for deaf people that will "shake" your bed. They don't carry them in their stores but they can special order them. I don't know how much they cost but you might look into it, worst-comes-to-worst you could always return it and get your money back.
–Newguy

NewGuy,

thanks, my fear is that the "shaking" might be pleasant and I will enter into a deeper sleep. I'll probably give them a try.

Update:

I took a small dosage of Concerta at 10pm-bedtime (14mg-this is what you get from an 18 mg capsule after you dissolve the outer cover by running water from the fawcet for a few seconds).

Once again, I dreamt a lot an by 600 woke up spontaneoulsy. I decided to stay in bed and eventually went back to sleep until 9am. I noticed I was able to go to the deeper sleep I usually associate with not being able to wake up. However, I had no trouble deciding to get out of bed at 9am.

Since I slept 8 hours plus the optional (by choice) 3 hours, I am totally rested and awake. Upon getting out of bed (instead of 1-2 hours before), I took my Concerta, but decided to take 36mg instead of 54mg.

I'm going to assess how the day goes. This relates to what a previous poster mentioned regarding needing a lower dosage if one is rested after a good sleep, plus the fact that there might be some medicine still in my bloodstram due to the extended release from the Concerta I took 11 hours ago.

I'm beginning to believe that, for me, it might be better to take two lower dosages during the day (for example 36 and 18), plus a still lower one at bedtime.

Will keep you posted!

Good stuff snappycloud. I'm thinking of trying that stimulant-at-bedtime thing. I think by 10PM all the concerta wears off and there goes my ADD-mind spinning out of control about everything and anything. Let us know how it goes and thanks....

Zoneout,

Ideally you want to get your doctor's approval and, even better, an Rx for a small dosage of methylphenidate IR. I would not recommend to others taking Concerta (extended release) before trying IR first - you may be up all night!

Zoneout,

Ideally you want to get your doctor's approval and, even better, an Rx for a small dosage of methylphenidate IR. I would not recommend to others taking Concerta (extended release) before trying IR first - you may be up all night!
Right, yes I was thinking of a small dose of IR - not Concerta. Just enough to shut off the incessant "chatter" in my mind as I lay in bed. I have to put the radio on under my pillow in order to "focus" my mind on something and eventually fall asleep otherwise I lay there analyzing and worrying about every thought that flows endlessly into my mind.

This is a really good thread.

I have always had a heck of a time waking up at a reasonable hour of the morning. (Delayed circadian rhythm). I just started on stimulants (Adderall IR, now XR) 2 weeks ago. So far, no real change other than at times having a restless/disturbed sleep for a couple hours around 3am. I wake up lightly sweaty/feverish, and agitated, then toss and turn/drift in and out for about 2 hours till I feel better. Maybe it was just the IR Barr tabs, but we'll see now that I'm on the XR. I noticed that when the meds wore off in the evening, and before I was on meds, that I treated sleep just like a house chore or something else that wasn't super important and I'd just put it off until 2 in the morning when I was really tired. I have been going to sleep a little earlier (midnight or so) since I started the meds.

I was thinking of trying the lightbox thing too.

Condensr,

Yeah, this thread is the ****.

I've always had problems in the AM since I can remember (took kindergarten in the afternoon cause of it). There is a chapter on it in "Delivered from Distraction" so it is one of the problems associated with many ADDers. My dad used to tell me that I was sleeping my life away.

Just want to let you know that when I started on too high a dose of concerta I went thru the "restless/disturbed sleep for a couple hours around 3am thing - then wake up lightly sweaty/feverish, and agitated". After I backed the dose down a bit those problems went away. How did you start your dosing? It is wise to start at the lowest level and go up a notch once a week until you start to get side effects like you mentioned then go back down a notch to where the side effects go away.

But the Concerta has REALLY helped with getting out of bed in the AM - it is just SO MUCH EASIER. For a while I didn't even need an alarm clock - I was getting up naturally at 6:30 every day. My only problem now is falling asleep at night. Once I get that sorted out I'll be HAPPY.

Good Luck...

I'm still taking a small dosage of either IR methylphenidate or Concerta at bedtime and it is helping me wake up in the morning. It also seems to make me get sleepy earlier in the evening - could be because I don't oversleep, hence I wake up earlier. I don't know...

I started at 10mg AM, then added an am +4hr 10mg, then am +8hr 10mg. The +8hr 10mg was too much for sure.. Only way I could really go to a lower dose is a 5mg dose, and that didn't really do much for symptom control..

Hmm..

Sleep and rest have been big issues for me.

My moring arousal problems have gotten better. I also have Fibro which messes up sleep. I take 50mg of trazodone a night. It really helps. (As long as I don't take SSRI's with it.)

My 23 year old daughter really had a tough time with this. It took 2 very loud alarms. She was an extremely restless sleeper-so she may not have gotten REM sleep. She could sleep for countless hours and still not wake up easily.

Remember, not everything is related to ADD-that is an easy trap-and we might miss something more serious. Docs fall into this too.

Suggestions:

Check for drug interactions-that was one of mine.


Get a progressive alarm clock. Hammacher Schlemmer has one. Don't know if it is OK to link to a shopping site. I love mine, it wakes me up gradually instead of all of a sudden. It starts with a low level of light which increases, then a choice of nature sounds that increase gradually. It is a 30 minute sequence that ends with a beep, beep alarm going off. It also has 8 minute snooze-I add in time for 2-3 of those. Now, I don't dread the waking up to the sudden radio/alarm thing. Plus I back it up with a clock radio set to my favorite radio station-it goes off at the end of the progressive clock's sequence. I usually get to work early.


Trouble getting to sleep?-get some relaxing, restful music to play-you could have several play lists and play them every night. It will program neural pathways in your brain by increasing your dendrites which will send better messages to your brain better for sleep. Keep it low preferrably instrumental so you don't get caught up in the words. It occupies part of your brain-eliminating some of the swirling thought ADD thing. Establish a bedtime routine (I used to rebel at this). It psychologically prepares you to relax and sleep, perchance to dream. CD player, iPOD, computer, or those digital music stations on cable are options.


See what your real sleep need is. This works best if you have a week or so to try it.


Choose a bedtime that works for you,
set no alarms
go to sleep
wake up naturally
How many hours did you sleep.

This is mostly likely your optimal sleep need. Mine is about 7-7.5 hours.





If you sleep problems are having a negative impact on your life, get a referral to a sleep center. I know some people it has really helped-not just those with ADD.
Teens need up to 10 hours a night. At the beginning of the 1900's, Americans averaged 9.6 hours of sleep a night. Now we are down to a little over 6 (can't remember the source.) Most people do not get enough sleep.

:soapbox: I find sleep to be essential to managing my ADD. I really have to fight my love of staying up late when I have to get up for work the next day. The house is so quiet a 3am. But, I have a lot of those negative thoughts then too. The benefits of getting enough sleep?

Better focus,
less irritability,
Function well at work
I get more done,
less fibro pain.
Enjoy my family more
Fewer negative thoughts.
I am happier and healthier, thanks Benjamin Franklin-probable ADDer.
I am more creative and more productive
A lot less negative self-talk
My DH is much happier when I go to bed when he does, if you know what I mean;) .
The benefits really outweigh staying up late. My daughter discovered the same thing. Plus she has a 1 year-old-put him on a schedule-and she has major ADD.:D


Hope these thoughts lead to a solution or improvement for you. I look forward to other member's suggestions.:)

My problem is not waking up during the night or even falling asleep (although sometimes I'm sleepy and tired and I refuse to go to bed). The problem is waking up.
Hi SnappyCloud! :)
I felt compelled to post here because for all of my life I have had a terrible time waking up and getting out of bed, and I wanted to share some of my idea's and experiences with you! This may get a little long so bare with me if you can, Ok? :)

Anyway, 15-20 years ago I bought one of those "Sun" alarm clocks that start off really dim 30 mins before the alarm is suppose to go off and then progressively gets brighter and brighter until the alarm goes off! I highly recommend buying one of these "Sun" alarm clocks even if you don't have a difficult time getting and waking up! Both of my significant others loved my "Sun" alarm clock too, and both of them were "Morning people" that wake up (Wide awake) feeling wonderful and are ready to take on the world! As for me, I have never felt wonderful when I wake up!

The only negative thing I have found about the "Sun" Alarm clocks is that the light getting brighter and brighter tends to want to wake up a sleeping partner too! LOL :D But generally it's not really all that bothersome for the other person.

Oh, and my "Sun" alarm clock although it was rather expensive when I bought it 15-20 years ago still works perfectly and still has the same light bulb in it from when I bought it long ago! I guess since it starts off so dim and gradually gets brighter this puts less strain on the bulb or something for it to have lasted this long! Well, and I guess 30 minutes of light (only) every day probably also made the bulb last this long. I'm amazed it's lasted this long! I believe it's a halogen bulb. The lamp also has a huge 12 volt transformer it uses.

Anyway, we really love our "Sun" alarm clock as you can tell! It has really helped me wake over the years, especially whenever I have worked different shifts over the years. If this one quits, I'll definitely be purchasing another one, no matter what it costs. It's that important to us! :)

Ok, the other thing I wanted to mention was that 5 seeks ago I started taking Strattera. I had taken it before along with my Adderall, just to try it for 4 weeks to see if it would work. However, the first time I ran out, and it took me a couple of months before I finally started taking it again! And this time I am only taking the Strattera, (No Adderall) because my doctor wanted me to judge it's effectiveness (By itself) this time!

Anyway, both the first time that I took it (for 4 weeks) and this last time (Now at week 5) when I wake up, I am wide awake! And I don't mean a little awake, I mean "WIDE WIDE AWAKE"! LOL :D It's almost as if I sleep walk out to the kitchen and drink a whole pot of coffee, go back to bed, and then wake up when the alarm clock goes off wide awake! This waking effect I get from the Strattera is absolutely amazing to me! I'm starting to think that I just may turn into a "morning person" after all! LOL :D

Just as a quick side note:
As I said earlier I'm on my 5 week! The first 3 weeks I took 40 mg and the 2nd 3 weeks I've taken 60 mg. The first time I took Strattera I started at 8 mg for 2 weeks, and I was suppose to take 16 mg for the 2nd 2 weeks, but I only took 16 mg for 1 week and I took 32 mg for 3 days before I finally ran out.

As I said, this time I started off with 40 mg! I wouldn't recommend starting at 40 mg though. Especially if you have had any co-morbid Anxiety issues ever. Because Strattera is a (SNRI) Selective Nor-epinephrine Re-uptake Inhibitor, Nor-epinephrine (Or Adrenalin) starting it at the higher dose tends to kick in that feeling of "Fight or Flight" which to me felt like I might be having an Anxiety attack! (When I started at 40 mg this time) I didn't feel anxious when I started at 8 mg, went to 16 mg and then 32 mg of the Strattera. Well, maybe a little bit, but it was mild enough that it didn't bother me much! But the 40 mg ride was rough for 2 weeks solid! And if I hadn't taken it for almost a month the first time I might very well have stopped taking it all together.

Ok, back on track! :)
If you haven't ever tried Strattera, you might wanna give it a go! I'm pretty pleased so far, but I'm still climbing up in dose and will likely go up further in dose. My mind is clearer than it's ever been in my life. I wake up wide-awake! Heck, I can even focus on my dreams better! But alas, since I haven't yet reached my personal therapeutic dose, I can't yet say with 100% accuracy that it will work for me concentration-wise! Either way, when I get there I'll be posting in the Strattera section my own personal results with the Strattera.

But, I wanted to at least share with you my experience with waking up on Strattera! That part is amazing to me and may help you as well! Check out the Strattera section, others have had the same experience with waking up as I have.

Anyway, good luck waking up! LOL :D :) :)

Peace,

Eek,

Interesting post - thanks. I also NEVER felt good waking up even after 12 hours of sleep.

Yeah, I didn't realize how much of a morning problem I had until I got married and watched my wife get up WIDE AWAKE with NO transitional sleep to wake sluggishness, She wakes up like turning on a switch. I on the other hand am an absolute Zombie in the AM. I can hit the snooze button 50 times and still sleepwalk around for an hour until I drink coffee and take a shower. But now the Concerta takes 30 minutes to kick in so I can get going better.

I think I might try the sunlamp thing. Any brand that you would advise?

I'm curious about Strattera but I have anxiety issues (fight or flight feelings all the time) so maybe I oughta stick with Concerta.

Sleep and rest have been big issues for me.

My moring arousal problems have gotten better. I also have Fibro which messes up sleep. I take 50mg of trazodone a night. It really helps. (As long as I don't take SSRI's with it.)

My 23 year old daughter really had a tough time with this. It took 2 very loud alarms. She was an extremely restless sleeper-so she may not have gotten REM sleep. She could sleep for countless hours and still not wake up easily.

Remember, not everything is related to ADD-that is an easy trap-and we might miss something more serious. Docs fall into this too.

Suggestions:

Check for drug interactions-that was one of mine.


Get a progressive alarm clock. Hammacher Schlemmer has one. Don't know if it is OK to link to a shopping site. I love mine, it wakes me up gradually instead of all of a sudden. It starts with a low level of light which increases, then a choice of nature sounds that increase gradually. It is a 30 minute sequence that ends with a beep, beep alarm going off. It also has 8 minute snooze-I add in time for 2-3 of those. Now, I don't dread the waking up to the sudden radio/alarm thing. Plus I back it up with a clock radio set to my favorite radio station-it goes off at the end of the progressive clock's sequence. I usually get to work early.


Trouble getting to sleep?-get some relaxing, restful music to play-you could have several play lists and play them every night. It will program neural pathways in your brain by increasing your dendrites which will send better messages to your brain better for sleep. Keep it low preferrably instrumental so you don't get caught up in the words. It occupies part of your brain-eliminating some of the swirling thought ADD thing. Establish a bedtime routine (I used to rebel at this). It psychologically prepares you to relax and sleep, perchance to dream. CD player, iPOD, computer, or those digital music stations on cable are options.


See what your real sleep need is. This works best if you have a week or so to try it.


Choose a bedtime that works for you,
set no alarms
go to sleep
wake up naturally
How many hours did you sleep.

This is mostly likely your optimal sleep need. Mine is about 7-7.5 hours.






If you sleep problems are having a negative impact on your life, get a referral to a sleep center. I know some people it has really helped-not just those with ADD.
Teens need up to 10 hours a night. At the beginning of the 1900's, Americans averaged 9.6 hours of sleep a night. Now we are down to a little over 6 (can't remember the source.) Most people do not get enough sleep.

:soapbox: I find sleep to be essential to managing my ADD. I really have to fight my love of staying up late when I have to get up for work the next day. The house is so quiet a 3am. But, I have a lot of those negative thoughts then too. The benefits of getting enough sleep?

Better focus,
less irritability,
Function well at work
I get more done,
less fibro pain.
Enjoy my family more
Fewer negative thoughts.
I am happier and healthier, thanks Benjamin Franklin-probable ADDer.
I am more creative and more productive
A lot less negative self-talk
My DH is much happier when I go to bed when he does, if you know what I mean;) .
The benefits really outweigh staying up late. My daughter discovered the same thing. Plus she has a 1 year-old-put him on a schedule-and she has major ADD.:D


Hope these thoughts lead to a solution or improvement for you. I look forward to other member's suggestions.:)
Radekker,

What an AWESOME post! :) Should qualify for a sticky I think. I'll look at the HS site for the sunlamp. But I wanted to ask you since you mentioned Fibro what your feeling is on the relation between Fibro and ADD is. Some people think there is some relationship and have the ADD drugs helped your Fibro issues? Sorry to change the subject a bit but my sister has severe ADD and Fibro/CFS and nothing she has tried is working. (If you want to send me a private note that's fine or answer in another thread that's fine too) THANKS again for the sleep tips...;)

Zoneout

Seek,
Thanks so much for your post.

I only took Stratera for about a week, right after diadnosis. I asked my doc for it because of the commercial (how silly...) and to avoid having to get a new script every month.

He started me at 40mg, but I did not follow his advice. I started at 20mg, killed my appetite (good) and made me sleepy. I do remember waking up in the morning with no trouble! Adderall XR did the same to me, at least initially. Anyway, I spent a few days at home and took naps (something I never do) and was able to listen to techno music while on the computer - music usually drives me nuts.

I knew this is probably unexpected, but Strattera increased the intensity of sexual pleasure, although it did not necessarilly improved my libido.

When I went to have my script filled, I realized my insurance required a "step therapy" - I had to try a preferred med, like Adderall XR, before they would cover Strattera. I started with Adderall and have swithched back and forth methylphenidate. I never considered Strattera again, perhaps I should. I do want to try dextroamphetamine. I have (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) GAD.

Will keep posting. Please come back soon!

Eek,

I think I might try the sunlamp thing. Any brand that you would advise?

I'm curious about Strattera but I have anxiety issues (fight or flight feelings all the time) so maybe I oughta stick with Concerta.
Eek it's a mouse! LMAO :D That's always make me laugh when people read my name that way! It always make me think "Eek it's a mouse!" LMAO :D
Anyway Zone, you can call me Seek, ok? :)

Ok back on track! I haven't seen any Sun clocks lately, but just like the one Radekker suggested, I found mine in one of those specialty item magazines that always have lots of cool electronic devices in them. I don't remember which one anymore!

One last quick note regarding the anxiety issues I mentioned! I didn't mean to make it sound like anyone that has ever had Anxiety should Not take Strattera! I've had anxiety problems myself thru the years! I only wanted to make sure that people like me who have had anxiety problems should "Start Low, and Go Slow!" In other words, start at a very low dose of Strattera and go slow (Take a few weeks) before increasing the Strattera!

Actually, it usually only takes me about 1 week at each dose level, by then the mild anxiousness I feel subsides and I become much more calmer than I ever was before taking the Strattera!

I'm sorry I'm explaining this so poorly today! I worked the night shift last night and I still haven't been to bed yet, so my mind is no longer functioning very well! I need some sleep!

Anyway, good luck and ILCUL8R ! :)

I knew this is probably unexpected, but Strattera increased the intensity of sexual pleasure, although it did not necessarily improved my libido.
Hey SnappyCloud me too! Yeehaw!! :D

I wasn't going to bring it up because your thread is about waking up, but yes Orgasm intensity increased, and the ability to have an orgasm became much easier too! In fact, everything seems more pleasurable to me! Even my cats rubbing on my leg now gives me goosebumps! Watching "Leave it to Beaver" gives me goosebumps too! LMAO :D It's true!!! LOL I seem to get goosebumps all the time when I take Strattera! I wonder if that's the dopamine that gives us those goosebumps! They're the same kind of goosebumps I got taking Adderall! You know, that itchy head thing, right?? Only the Strattera gives me those goosebumps all over my body for silly reasons like my cat rubbing on my leg! LOL :D

The only other medication I have ever taken that increased the intensity of sexual pleasure was wellbutrin! However, I had to stop taking the wellbutrin because it made me abnormally angry! So, I would imagine that Strattera could possibly make some people angry as well! However, the Strattera didn't and hasn't made me angry yet! So I'm pretty happy about that!

You know what SnappyCloud??? It sounds like your ADD is very much like mine! You might want to reconsider taking Strattera!

My biggest complaint about the Strattera is that it takes so long to get up to a proper therapeutic dose level! That and each time I increase the dose, for the next week I am sleepy! Oh and a little sweating also that first week! Other than those things, and some mild anxiousness which I mentioned in my previous post, every bad side effect has been mild!

But that waking up "Wide-awake" thang, and the orgasm thang, and the goosebumps thang, make those little side effects worth going thru! :) Well just as long as they keep disappearing after a while! :)

Peace,

Last night I took 8mg methylphenidate IR at bedtime and slept well. This morning took a lower than usual dosage of Concerta and feel not quite clear headed. It seems that unless I take a long acting formulation at bet time, I should not lower the morning dosage.

One concern I have is about the objective quality of my sleep, not the subjective one. I am considering asking my sleep medicine doctor about what I'm doing (stim at bedtime) and perhaps having a sleep study (I have sleep apnea and use cpap) under the effects of bedtime methylphenidate.

Does any of you know the effects of methylphenidate or amphetamine on sleep architecture?

Seek: I am currently taking Lexapro and wonder if my doc will give me Strattera in addition, or instead of it. He won't give me Wellbutrin because of the anxiety issue.

Also wonder if he'll let me take Strattera while I keep taking some methylphenidate. I have a friend who takes Concerta in the AM and Strattera at bedtime - his problem was that he had difficulty falling asleep, but he acknowledged the other day that his relatives used to bang on his bedroom door to try to wake him up. Strattera apparently was to address those issues.

I've read a lot of bad things about Strattera in the forums. I might check it out further. Let me know if you post anything about it under the appropriate forum.

Snappy.

Hiya Seek,

Got it right this time I hope! :p

I wonder if that's the dopamine that gives us those goosebumps! They're the same kind of goosebumps I got taking Adderall! You know, that itchy head thing, right??
I can't believe somebody else knows about the itchy head thing!! I thought it was just me. It kinda feels like magic fingers giving me a brain massage. I love that feeling. AAAHHHhhh...;)

Here are some "Sun/Sunrise" Alarm clocks that I found on the web. I can't vouch for any of them since I have no idea how well any of them are made, or how well they function!

My "Sunrise Alarm Clock" is made by "BioBrite", My Alarm Clock is more like a small table lamp with a clock and a very very bright light in it! It's really really old! Here's a link to my alarm clock --> http://www.naturestapestry.com/analogsun.html
If you read about my clock, mine was the one that was "Older that 1996" that is no longer made and you can't even get bulbs for it anymore from GioBright! LOL :D

Therefore, out of all these alarms I kind of like the "verilux" alarm clock the best since it really is a table lamp, and because it has some interesting other features too, but it's also the most expensive alarm here! However the other alarms here may work just as well, but I really have no idea!

I left one alarm out, called the "Soleil Sun Alarm Clock", because I read some bad reviews on Amazon about it. However the "Soleil" seems to be all over the Internet for some reason! Oh & lastly, I also found the Hammacher Schlemmer clock that Radekker mentioned too.

Anyway, below are the links to the ones I found!

http://www.bestnaturallight.com/verilux_rise_and_shine.htm

http://www.biobrite.com/products.php?category=SunRise%20Clocks

http://www.hammacher.com/publish/70460.asp

http://www.toolsforwellness.com/51085.html

http://www.naturestapestry.com/dawnsimulator.html

http://www.brucemedical.com/bb8853.html

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002TISOE/102-8290515-8097747?v=glance&n=172282

Peace :)

Interesting. The bright light I used before to "reset" my circadiam cycle is listed on the biobrite website.

I should start using it again for thirty minutes, while I have coffee and get on my computer right after I wake up - I'm going to put it on my desk so I don't forget.

It was useful, combined with melatonin in the evening, to adjust my sleeping schedule to that of society. Once I stopped using it, however, I returned to being a night person.

Well, I'm a night person too, but I can't help it much because I'm currently working the night shift! LOL :D

Those clocks are all pricey, that's for sure!
However as I said earlier, not only do I love the clock, but both of my significant others have loved the clock as well.

I'm thinking about getting a new clock, because my clock is around 15-20 years old and the electronic buttons are getting a little flaky now.

I'll probably buy either another "BioBrite Alarm Clock", or that "Verilux Alarm Clock"!

Let me know (PM me) if you buy anything Snappy, and I'll do the same too, ok?? :)

Seek,

The Varilux rocks! I'll let you know if I buy anything in the future - I'm broke now!
Please let me know what you end up doing.

Thanks,
Snappy

Update:

I have stopped experimenting with bedtime methylphenidate for now. I am naturally waking up 6-7 hours after I go to sleep.

Wether I take methylphenidate at bedtime or not, I seem to be getting unfocused and sleepy throughout the day - something I had attributed to bad quality of sleep when I took methylphenidate at bedtime.

I am now clueless as to why I'm getting the relaxation paradoxical effect after months of use.

Will keep you posted.

Snappycloud, I'm going thru the same thing. Not as focused and sleepier throughout the day after about 2 months of use. My initial thought was that my body somehow adjusted to the dose I was on and I might have to kick the Concerta up a notch. Has anyone else found that they have to continually fine tune their dose or have they been stable throughout on the same dose?

Seek,

The Varilux rocks! I'll let you know if I buy anything in the future - I'm broke now!
Please let me know what you end up doing.

Thanks,
SnappyI'll more than likely just wait until the light bulb burns out before I purchase a new sunrise clock! Unless it stops functioning properly!

I sure do like that Varilux alot. I would probably get the Varilux if I were to purchase one today!

Went to my GREAT pdoc today. Told him that once the Concerta wears off about 6 PM it's downhill from there - especially getting to sleep. Mind won't shut off - feels like it's channel surfing. He put me on 10mg ritalin in the evening. Day 1 is great. I hope this doesn't conk out in a few weeks.

Hi, I'm new to the forums here.
My main problem with waking up is that I sleep through pretty much anything. (I've always been like it, I'm not on meds or anything). I really need an alarm that pours a bucket of water over your head :eek: , but as I haven't heard of these being on the market yet, I'm looking into the sunlight alarms and the shaking ones.
Has anyone here tried the vibrating alarm clocks? Any success with these?
With the light alarms, are these very bright? Do they work for very deep sleepers?

fippl

I wonder if there are any ADDers that are morning people. Anyone out there wake up then go jogging and feel great in the AM. I was never able to exercise in the AM - only the PM.

I doubt the morning people even read posts on this forum, but it would be an interesting poll to take in the General... or Chit-Chat area.:)

I usually have this problem, I find having a set sleep pattern helps.
I go to sleepat 2:00AM and I get up at 7:00AM, if i go to bed or get up any later then I'll probably sleep well into the afternoon.

Maybe you should find a sleep pattern that works for you and stick to it like I do.

(Remember that more sleep isn't neccesarily better, I find the longer I sleep the harder it is to wake up)

I heard on the radio that there is a new alarm that costs about £10 and when it goes off it fires a mini helicopter in the air. To turn the alarm off you have to rush around your bedroom and try find it. I'll try find the site that sells it and get back to ya

I heard on the radio that there is a new alarm that costs about £10 and when it goes off it fires a mini helicopter in the air. To turn the alarm off you have to rush around your bedroom and try find it. I'll try find the site that sells it and get back to ya
I'd smash this with a hammer after the first helicopter chase.

I have two alarm clocks that I usually set. One of them is far enough away that I have to get out of bed to dismiss it.

I have the same problem, I would sleep all day if I could.:( :eek: I am envious of people that can wake up without alarm clocks. You people suck! Just kidding:)

I think with the depression symptoms I experience I don't have problems sleeping anywhere anytime. I also have problems getting out of bed in the morning. I decided that I need to get a coffee pot with a timer on it so it goes on at about 7am. I miss adderall even if I only got 4 hours of sleep the night before I would take it and be up for the day. Over time though I seriously hurt my health because I wouldn't sleep at night there were always more interesting things to do and at times like this where I'm depressed and unmedicated it feels like I'm sleeping my life away and on medication I want it to feel the exact opposite. I guess I cannot find happy medium anywhere. I'm either sleeping my life away or too full of life to sleep. I think I just need to make the morning a more happy time. Right now it's kind of like hurry up rush get dressed go to class. It would be nice to have time to read the paper or have some little moring ritual that didn't cause me serious anxiety like getting ready for school does.

I have similar problems: can't wake up in the morning and feel sleepy all day. I'm on 10 mg of lexapro and 10mg of Focalin. I actually went to a sleep center for this problem and they diagnosed me with severe bruxism and periodic limb movement. The person there told me that this was being exacerbated by the simulants/SSRI, but I don't think I can give them up because they do a lot of good. He also recommended that I take 1 mg of klonopin every night. Apparently it's supposed to help ease the symptoms of PLM. However, although I end up sleeping through the night without waking up, I still feel horrifically groggy in the morning so am not quite sure it's worth it. Also, isn't it supposed to be very habit forming? Anyone else have any experience with this?

I wonder if there are any ADDers that are morning people. Anyone out there wake up then go jogging and feel great in the AM. I was never able to exercise in the AM - only the PM.Strattera will make you wake up at like 5-6 AM in the morning and when you wake up you usually feel like you're 'good to go' - that is, no grogginess or anything.

It's the strangest thing, because with stimulants, it's the exact opposite - you wake up and have to take a stimulant to get you 'going'. (I do anyway).

But with Strattera, when you wake up, you're ready to start the day;)

Strattera will make you wake up at like 5-6 AM in the morning and when you wake up you usually feel like you're 'good to go' - that is, no grogginess or anything.

It's the strangest thing, because with stimulants, it's the exact opposite - you wake up and have to take a stimulant to get you 'going'. (I do anyway).

But with Strattera, when you wake up, you're ready to start the day;)

I have another take on this... It is more likey your body is set to a time clock of 5-6 am not the straterra waking you up.

I am on straterra and teke it in the mornings and if at all, it makes me tired after thirty minutes taking it.

When I get up I do feel like the get up and go and clear headed, but after the meds I feel tired. Does anyone else feel like this