# Sleep is supposed to be restful...right? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 6, 2000, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-is-supposed-to-be-restful-right/32254 "2000-09-06T18:03:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![struuter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@struuter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/struuter)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2000, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-is-supposed-to-be-restful-right/32254/21 "2000-09-06T20:22:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ENugent \* > \*\*struuter, do you by any chance take an SSRI like Prozac? Many of them cause “quality of sleep” problems, even if you’re getting enough hours, and the problem can arise even after you’ve been taking it for years. There are other medicines that can alleviate this effect, like Trazodone. \*\* Resident moron asks, what is SSRI? I am medicated for epilepsy, but that doesn’t seem to be a problem. Not something my neurologist has ever mentioned. I’ll have to inquire about my meds to see if that might be that problem. Thanks everybody. You all are so informative and helpful. struuter ---
**Author:** ![fierra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58956e/32.png) [@fierra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fierra)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2000, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-is-supposed-to-be-restful-right/32254/22 "2000-09-06T20:32:45Z")
well, I don’t have kids. So it must be the worry thing. Xizor, you did say I was invited to the island too, didn’t you? ---
**Author:** ![Engineer\_Don](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e95f7d/32.png) [@Engineer\_Don](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Engineer_Don)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2000, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-is-supposed-to-be-restful-right/32254/23 "2000-09-06T20:35:23Z")
I struggled with the sleep apnea thing for about 2 years before I got a CPAP. I was “sleeping” 8 to 9 hours every night, and then falling asleep at my desk in the afternoon. I would take 2 hour naps on weekends, and I was still tired all the time. I go diagnosed with apnea due to being overweight, plus I have always snored (3 different surgeries to try and correct resulted in nothing!) really bad. The sleep test showed I was getting no REM, and was waking up an average of 70 times an hour. The CPAP changed my life. I now sleep maybe 6 hours a night, and I feel so rested it is unbelievable. I don’t want to nap, I don’t get tired after lunch, I don’t snore, I am getting lots of exercise (partly 'cause I am not so tired) which also helps me sleep sounder and I am feeling much, much better. My wife sleeps better too. I have more time to get stuff done both at work and around the house. I have more time to play with my kids, and I am not as cranky as I used to be. Go to a doctor. Find out what is causing you not sleep. They do studies now. They can help. Everyone needs good sleep to function. It will help you and your partner / family / group physically, mentally, and emotionally. REM sleep is good and worth pursuing. Sleep deprivation is wildly bad. I don’t know why people just skip drugs and force themselves to stay awake for a long time. You can halucinate, you feel sick, you are irritable, and your behaviour can be wildly unpredicatble. College students save your cash (and reduce the risk of getting arrested)! Just get together with friends and a whole lot of coffee. If someone gets sleepy or lays down kick them 'til they get up. Eventually the full effects of sleep deprivation will kick in and you will experience a truly altered state. Coming off of it only requires sleep. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2000, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-is-supposed-to-be-restful-right/32254/24 "2000-09-06T20:50:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by fierra \* > \*\*Xizor, you did say I was invited to the island too, didn’t you? \*\* You betcha, just don’t be the last one into the lagoon 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![struuter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@struuter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/struuter)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2000, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-is-supposed-to-be-restful-right/32254/25 "2000-09-06T20:55:06Z")
Don, thank you so very much for you sincere concern. I am going to call my doctor. But maybe I should explain. I do sleep. I dream every night. It’s not necessarily that I have trouble sleeping. It’s just that the sleep seems to take more out of me than do good. I sure will take your advice. First, I’ll give my neurologist a call and look into that aspect of it. Then my GP. You’ve been so kind to take the time to offer your help. I do so appreciate it. struuter ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2000, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-is-supposed-to-be-restful-right/32254/26 "2000-09-06T22:55:11Z")
struuter: what are you taking for epilepsy? I’ve been taking seizure meds since I was 16, and they’ve never affected my sleep in any way (I’m 33 now, BTW, and I’ve taking many different meds over the years, but I know there’s new ones that I haven’t taken that may have an effect on sleep). I’m more inclined to go with either stress or apnea. My husband has apnea too, and has a CPAP machine. But stress can most definitely affect the way you sleep. If you’re actually dreaming every night, the odds on you having apnea are definitely lower–with apnea, you rarely actually get to REM cycle sleep. But it’s not always that severe, either. I’d definitely talk to your neurologist first, then the GP. A sleep study just might be a good idea. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![fierra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58956e/32.png) [@fierra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fierra)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2000, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-is-supposed-to-be-restful-right/32254/27 "2000-09-07T00:54:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by xizor \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by fierra \* > > \*\*Xizor, you did say I was invited to the island too, didn’t you? \*\* > > You betcha, just don’t be the last one into the lagoon 🙂 \*\* The one with the clothes at the side? I don’t see anyone around, maybe I should put them somewhere for safe keeping… oh hi, xizor, there you are! Are these yours? Oh, yes, so they are… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-is-supposed-to-be-restful-right/32254.md?page=1)