Which sleep sensitivity is recommended?

[Vanille]

Which sleep sensitivity setting is recommended? Normal or sensitive?

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity. 

[nippyp]

I'm a new fitbit user and I have my charge set to sensitivity because I already knew I tossed and turned during the night, but wow! Spending 5-4 hours in my bed I get roughly 1-2 hours of restful sleep.

I read a lot of posts about sleeping pills, but I take melatonin (natural supplement) which I haven't taken since using fitbit so tonight I will take the melatonin and see what my schedule is like and then I'll switch it to the normal setting the next day without the melatonin and then try it again with the melatonin.

I'll let you know my results!

P.S. - I'm definitley a person who stays up all night "thinking". I'm finding if I run before I sleep I seem to doze off quicker and a lot easier!

[Jess1112]

I see your post is from a year ago - I hope you have found relief.  I am in a similar boat as this post (regarding my body ignoring multiple medications ) but I'm having trouble with falling asleep. Since I bought the fitbit charge a week ago, I have noticed that my sleep is very restless (even on the days I have no problem falling asleep). I have been begging my doctor to order a sleep study for over a month now, I think his medical assistant is convinced that I need one now that the fitbit is vouching for my restlessness.  She told me today that she was going to try and talk to him for me - hopefully she can convince him!

May I ask, did the fitbit help in the long run?  Hope you are sleeping the way you hope now!  Thanks for listening 🙂

-J

[Journeymanjoe]

If your doctor will not order a sleep study for you then it is time to find
a new doctor!

[jennifersw]

I'm concerned when I read some of these posts about sleep.  I was diagnosed with apnea over 15 years ago and sleep with a CPAP at night.  Taking either over the counter or prescribed medications for sleep long term without determining the underlying problem could be dangerous.  If you are going to the trouble of videoing and counting movements then it would be much simpler to just have a one night sleep study where your brain waves can be measured instead of just your wrist movements (with the flex).  I had a one night sleep study that determined that I was waking up 20 times per hour.  Then I had a second study to set the pressure level for the CPAP machine.  It was quite simple.  As for if you are getting quality sleep or not, I would let how you feel be the best guide, and if concerned see a doctor.  The fitbit only shows arm movements, not actual sleep.

[mab1955]

That's why I had a sleep study. No sleep apena. Severe restless limbs making it difficult to sleep. Waking several times a night No breathing probleems, Sadly peope with epilispey are also known to have sleeping issues. They go hand in hand and lack of sleep can cause more seizures. There are legit reasons for sleep medication.

[MilwaukeeMommy]

Unfortunately a sleep study isn't simple for some people. I tried one, & had so much anxiety I didn't sleep AT ALL the whole night. They finally just sent me home at 4 am. I cried the whole way, & proceeded to sleep almost the whole day at home. It was just too stressful for me. 

[mab1955]

I'm sorry you had such a bad sleep study experience.

I was refering to JenniferSW's post above mine about people taking sleeping aids when they might have sleep apena. Many people have other issues that don't involve sleep apena so a CPAP machine isn't going to help those people.

[mab1955]

I is a shame they sent you home without scheduling a follow up appointment with the doctor that ordered your sleep study. Maybe anxiety is part of your sleeping problems.

[MilwaukeeMommy]

Oh yes, I do take meds for anxiety .... I've had more than one panic attack that has landed me in the hospital. I started a new med about a year ago & it's really helped the anxiety. It's even helped me sleep in the sense that I don't lie awake for hours at night, but my quality of sleep is still horrible. I am a very light sleeper & now that I have a 16 year old who will be getting his license soon, it will only get worse LOL>

[mab1955]

Anxiety is a major part of my sleeping issues also. I have taken every (no exageration) med, over the counter and prescription, and the only thing that allows me to sleep are anti-anxiety drugs mixed with chlondine It is a high blood pressure med that they sometimes use for sleep. Of course it isn't a refeshing sleep but it is better than no sleep.

LOL, I understand about the teenage driving.. I survived that but now I am dealing with a 4 year old, almost 5 year old non-verbal grandson, still in diapers with autism. He keeps me awake at night worrying about his future and worrying about his parents, all the while dealing with some very serious health problems of my own. 

[iubooklover]

Jess, what I found was that the fitbit on sensitive setting fairly accurately reflected the way I felt. On days that I felt rested in the a.m., the fitbit showed usually two periods of uninterrupted sleep. If I woke feeling tired, the Fitbit showed mostly restlessness, with maybe only a very short period of no restlessness.

So it validated what I felt, but I was never able to really determine what factors made the difference. I think that is probably because sleep issues tend to be multi-factorial, as the comments on this thread have demonstrated very well 🙂

I agree with the posters who say that sleep aids, i.e., drugs, are not all that helpful for chronic sleep issues. The main exception is if pain (from arthritis, for example) keeps you awake, then a painkiller/sleep aid combo (I take Tramadol) can be helpful. But if you're needing it every night, then you probably need to be trying some other things.

[iubooklover]

mab, so sorry for what you're going through. Can't offer any suggestions, but sending wishes for peace and healing your way!

[mab1955]

Thank you Recovery Runner.

[jennifersw]

I'm truly sorry that some of you are having such difficulty.  I certainly did not mean to indicate that apnea was the only reason for poor sleep.  Anxiety is a valid reason obviously for taking medications.  I am on a lot of medications myself as a cancer patient and sometimes need to take something for pain to help with sleep.  I simply wanted to point out two things 1. the limitations of the Fitbit.  2. the need to look for cause if this is an ongoing problem for you. 

I did not want to be too lenthy in my post and I can be direct which come across as harsh ast times.  I apologize to those I have offended.

[Jess1112]

Journeymanjoe,

Doc FINALLY ordered a sleep study.  Will be scheduling it tomorrow, hoping to get it done next week!  I was getting really frustrated and was considering going to my primary if he said "no" a third time.  He wasn't my primary doc, hence why I didn't jump on "firing" him.  However, he's been treating me for general insomnia for a year now - I went to him first because of that.

[amazongold]

I have the same issues with staying asleep, although I also have trouble falling asleep.  I have what I call 'monkey brain,' where thoughts are flying around in all directions and I just can't shut it down.  Then, I can't stay asleep because my back and hips hurt whern I am in one position for too long.  So, I change positions often.

On the sensitive setting, it often shows that I had less than 3 hours of sleep in 8+ hours in bed.  On normal, it shows that I have pretty solid sleep, only registering if I get up to go to the bathroom or if I have been turning and flipping a lot.

I have Ambien 10mg and switch that off with Melatonin, Aleve PM, Zzzquil, and many other OTC remedies.  Nothing allows me to stay asleep through the night.  I am a widow, so sleep alone in a cool, dark room.  The cooler, the better!  I'd give anything to be able to sleep 6 to 8 hours straight and wake rested and refreshed.

[Jess1112]

Amazongold,

I also deal with chronic pain.  I have bursitis in my hips, had 2 surgeries a year ago near my collarbone, have nerve damage in both arms, and shoulder/upper back/neck pain.  I bought a Tempur-Pedic mattress per my pain specialists recommendation.  Boy did that make a difference! Yes I still have some nights where I wake up with my hips hurting, but it doesn't radiate into my feet anymore.  Plus, these nights have are nowhere near as often!   Tempur-Pedics are super expensive, my grandmother had to finance it for me so I could make payments on it.  I'm a college student and it's not easy to buy a $2500 bed.   I bought one of the lower ones and it's awesome!  They also make mattress toppers if you can't afford the bed - I was actually considering this option until my grandmother offered to help.  You can only buy them from either a Tempur-Pedic store or on their website, from what Mattress Firm told me.

I recently did a sleep study, found out I have a mild case of sleep apnea.  I am going back in next week to do a second sleep study to see which PAP machine will work for me.  I would have never suspected I have sleep apnea because I don't snore or gasp for air.  Apparently, my breathing slows down (almost stops) when I'm sleeping, and during these moments, I become restless.  I'm really glad I did the study because now I know what's going on and there's hope.  If my sleep gets better, my pain and overall well-being will improve.  Have you talked to your doctor about doing a sleep study?

I recently started Lunesta.  I also took Ambien 10mg.  I was on Ambien for years and it stopped working because the last few years I needed it more than I used to.  So we tried 2 other medications and now Lunesta.  So far it's alright, but it doesn't put me to sleep like Ambien did.  I'm giving it time though.

[amazongold]

Thanks for your reply, Jess. I have a Sleep Number bed with a 4" memory foam topper. It has helped a lot, but I need the articulating bed frame so that I can raise my head and legs. My next bed will be a TempurPedic with the moving frame.


I have arthritis in both hips, and degenerating lumbar discs, and sciatica. I have to change position often because of the pain, which wakes me up. I have been able to keep from using pain meds, except for occasional Aleve.

[retiredrn]

My Dr. suggested Zyrtec. It is, "over the counter" at most drugstores or Costco, Sam's Club,etc. It doesn't contribute to memory problems, like Benedryl and some others. It also helps with minor allergies, in case that is what is causing you to wake frequently. I have had  insomnia problems since childhood, & minor allergies. My sleep has greatly improved since taking it. I take it about 10 PM for a 1030 bedtime. I read for a short while, fall aslep, and sleep well.

My Fitbit tells me.

[ceedee12]

Be careful with the clonazepam - it is from the benzodiazpine family and are really addictive and tough to get off of.