Light therapy tips for better sleep

Anyone else out there suffering from Delayed sleep phase syndrome?

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marie
joined 9 Jan 2009
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Posted by marie , 03:14 13 January 2009

Hi

I have recently been diagnoised with delayed sleep phase syndrome, I am completely incapable of sleeping before 5am. This makes a 9-5 lifestyle almost impossible. My neurlogist has listed an hour's light therapy every morning as one of the things I can do to try and maintain a 'normal' sleep pattern and wondered if anyone else has used a light box for this condition and if you have, did it help?

Thanks
Stained Glass Lady
joined 5 Dec 2007
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Posted by Stained Glass Lady, 21:39 13 January 2009

I have advanced sleep phase syndrome in the winter months. I feel for you. try the cyricadian rymth site. sorry spelling and mind don't work well this time of year. it might help you.
marie
joined 9 Jan 2009
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Posted by marie , 01:40 14 January 2009

Thanks very much, that's not a site I've heard of so will have a look in while. I'm on a sleep plan to try and 're-set' my bodyclock, I'm having to stay up an hour later each day for two weeks, so I effectivly sleep round the clock - it day four - 10 am - 6pm sleep time and I'm struggling bit style. My light box arrived today though and I think it will help once I'm on a 10pm til 7am pattern of sleep. Advanced can't be much fun either for fitting in, how do you adapt?
Stained Glass Lady
joined 5 Dec 2007
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Posted by Stained Glass Lady, 15:57 14 January 2009

with meds and its not easy.its just in the winter months.
shoi
joined 23 Nov 2006
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Posted by shoi, 21:41 2 February 2009

Marie, don't imagine you can use the light to suddenly change your sleep schedule. What the light does is push your sleep schedule earlier, but only if you use it on or near your natural wake time. For example if you are currently sleeping from 5am to 11am, start by using the light as soon as you wake at 11am, the a couple of days later go for 10:30, next 10:00 and so on.
If you use it 2 or 3 hours before your natural wake time you will actually push your bodyclock in the wrong direction!
Google LIGHT PRC (Phase response curve)

Best of luck

Steve

marie
joined 9 Jan 2009
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Posted by marie , 20:33 4 February 2009

Steve, thanks for the advice, I didnt start using the light until I'd slept my way around the clock by going to bed an hour later each day for two weeks, which was really quite difficult, and I am now using my light at 7am every morning (AND LOVING IT!!) and have been prescribed melatonin supplements to help maintain a normal sleep time, I'm on week three and so far so good, although only started the melatonin this week and still adjusting my dosage to suit me, but at least I havent gone to bed at 5am for nearly three weeks and it's like I'm finally in the land of the living again!!
Thanks again for the advice :-)

sleepyhead
joined 1 Nov 2009
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Posted by sleepyhead, 11:21 1 November 2009

Is there a special doctor I need to see about dsps?
marie
joined 9 Jan 2009
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Posted by marie , 19:02 1 November 2009

Hi sleepyhead, i eventually managed to get my GP to refer to a neurologist who I knew specialised in sleep disorders, not an easy task and it took over a year of my GP saying I was an insomniac before I insisted on being referref to the neurologist - if I'd been told once more I suffered from insomnia I'd have screamed - good luck, hope you can find someone who can help you properly - it really has changed my life.

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