anyone have circadian cycle sleep trouble (DSPS) but not SAD?

Hi all,

I appreciate the warm welcome I received to my posts last week. I have been going along now for about 9 days with my new Alaskan Northern Lightbox (10,000 lux), using it for at least 15 (up to 30) minutes every morning.

The most predominant effect I have noticed is that I actually feel REALLY SLEEPY in the evenings now, kind of like a normal person should. I get up around 6:30, and I've been getting very tired by about 9pm or so, hence I've been able to get to bed and sleep by 10:30 or so.

This is a DRASTIC difference for me. I have not been diagnosed with anything but my doctor has sent me to have a sleep study, which I have on Jan 29. She believes I may have a circadian cycle problem, possibly Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome. I have always, since childhood, had difficulty falling asleep at night until very late at night (well, morning)- in fact, no matter how exhausted I am all day, I get strangely energized in the evenings, preventing me from falling asleep. Of course, this makes it utterly painful get up and then function during the days without feeling like I am a zombie.

The lightbox - in just over a week - seems to be helping something in my body readjust, so that I actually WANT to go to bed, much like a normal person. This is wonderful!

I would love to have a chance to compare stories and discuss with someone with similar problems. I realize most everyone on here has SAD, but I thought maybe someone suffers from what I seem to.

Today is the first day I have "slept in" - pretty late - till 10:30. I still used the box, and I hope it does not keep me up later. I believe I am to try to keep to a fairly strict wake/sleep schedule if I am to have chance to correct/change my circadian cycle. We shall see!

At any rate, thanks again to all for the welcome to the forum. I do hope to find someone else who has similar problems to me - it's always helpful to compare stories!

Have a wonderful Saturday everyone,

Have a look at the Lumie 'Further Information' page - there are a couple of links there that might be useful.

sorry I can't help sleepyclaire I am opposite to you advanced circadian so I am of no help.