*Can Sleeping be Abnormal?? ***

[chiquita]

I'd really appreciate some thoughts on this, as it's bothering me! I think maybe I don't sleep normally! When I say that, I don't mean the odd hours, (I'm a night person!) or even the length of the sleep, (I can sleep for 12 solid hours, or just 20 mins!) what I do mean is how deeply I sleep!
I'm a bit peed off as I'm in pain at the mo', last night I rolled onto the radiator in my room while asleep, and didn't feel anything. This morning the skin on my hand had melted, was excruciatingly painful, and I was amazed that it didn't wake me! I've always been a deep sleeper, I never hear storms while asleep, and even slept once with a fire alarm going off four feet above my bed! (One of those 'clang' bell-ringing thingies!) But after watching my hand blister up, then peel, and feeling sorry for myself a bit (!) I wondered if this happens to anyone else here?
Oh, I am on medication which can affect sleep I know, but I remember being really deep in sleep as a youngster.

[brighteyes]

Wow...that didn't wake you? Boy you're a heavy sleeper. Might be the medication. Might want to check with your doctor, if you can sleep through fire alarms and being burnt.

[chiquita]

I'm actually trying to avoid asking the doctor, as its a bit, um, embarrassing I reckon! I don't take sleeping pills, just anti-depressants. They are not supposed to affect your sleep THAT much, are they?

[brighteyes]

Well, might look on the medication and any paper work that came with it, and see if it says anything about drowsiness and not operating heavy machinery. I hope it is just the meds, because if you sleep that deep without them, you're giving your guardian angel a real workout.

[Pete27]

Dont anti-depressants numb your senses/emotions? If so could that be why you didnt wake up?

You may wish to look in to a herbal alternative to treat depression

[seaemelle]

I'm actually trying to avoid asking the doctor, as its a bit, um, embarrassing I reckon! I don't take sleeping pills, just anti-depressants. They are not supposed to affect your sleep THAT much, are they?

You could ring NHS direct 0845 4647

If you tell them what medication you're on and why you're concerned they may be able to give you some advice or information and let you know whether it is something that you should bring to your Doctor's attention.

[sofiag1964]

oh chiquita, girl, what up?? you didn't even wake up!?? well, you have some great advice here already and I like what brighteyes said; you're giving your guardian angel a serious workout!

I hope it sorts out for you soon, baby girl.

[yorkiesauctions]

You could ring NHS direct 0845 4647

If you tell them what medication you're on and why you're concerned they may be able to give you some advice or information and let you know whether it is something that you should bring to your Doctor's attention.

I'd do what is said above, good sound advice.

I'm no expert so take what I say next with a pinch of salt.

I watched a documentary last year about sleeping disorder's which said that doctors now believe the the natural human state is to be asleep. We only wake up when our brain produce's a chemical which switches on a gland, without that chemiical we would always be asleep. While doing research into sleeping sickness doctors found that the amount of the chemical differed greatly from person to person. If your brain produces less of the chemical then it takes you longer to wake up.

I'm not saying that this is your problem Pauline, but you might want to look into it.

Your first port of call should be the NHS Direct though lass.

[chiquita]

Thanks for those suggestions! I think I'll take your advice and ring the NHS helpline, especially after what Frank said about sleeping sickness! It may be a coincidence, but my Grandmother suffered from sleeping sickness many years ago. I'm not sure but I think she died from it. Or something related, as she remained hospitalised until her death.
I'll look into that too. Thanks again!

[emma5721]

sorry to hear about your hand, i burnt my foot the other day taking the curry out of the oven, it was sore and blistery for couple days i know how it feels - re deep sleeping - depends if you have always had it or just since you went on antidepressants...if the latter would imagine its something to do with the drugs
good luck in sorting it
nhs helpline is a good start

as for it being normal in general or not on being a deep sleeper - hope its normal lol cos i slept through the 1987 storms like a log
love my sleep i mean i know im normal lol