[Blindtlk] ernestly seeking advice about sleep irregularities

[Robert J Smith]

Hi all.  I am a person who is totally blind with prosthetic eyes.  You 
will see why I mention this right at the beginning later in this message. 
I am ernestly seeking advice from other totally blind persons who suffer, 
or have suffered from sleep irregularities.  I take Melatonin which helps 
the problem somewhat but it could be better.  Without Melatonin, I would 
sleep for two maybe three hours per night, wake up, and stay awake the 
rest of the night.  With Melatonin, I sleep about five hours a night but 
still get sleepy sometimes during the day.  Any ideas as to how I can 
improve my alertness during the entire day?  Cafinated coffee doesn't do 
it.  I can sit and yawn and get drowsy while drinking it.  I take one 
Melatonin tablet at night.  Should I possibly take two?  Should I take 
something to keep me alert during the day instead of focusing on the 
night?  I am open to all suggestions!  Of course I know that nobody can 
prescribe anything on this list.  I have heard that blind persons who have 
no light perception have been known to have sleep irregularity problems. 
This seems to follow with me because when I was a kid I had light 
perception.  I would sit in front of a lamp in my bedroom when doing my 
homework first to be just like my sighted younger brother when he did his 
homework, second because I liked actually seeing something since I had 
both real eyes at that point.  When I was a kid, I did not have sleep and 
alertness troubles. 

Thanks much in advance,

Robert Smith

This is a PRIVATE message. If you are not the intended recipient, please 
delete without copying and kindly advise us by e-mail of the mistake in 
delivery. 
NOTE: Regardless of content, this e-mail shall not operate to bind CSC to 
any order or other contract unless pursuant to explicit written agreement 
or government initiative expressly permitting the use of e-mail for such 
purpose.