Celiac Disease - Sleep

Confused.

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:20:32 -0800

So, this is really weird.
Before going gluten-free, I had several friends think I had narcolepsy as I'd frequently fall asleep without warning. It's been over a year since the gluten-free diet and this issue virtually disappeared. On Saturday, I ate a new brand of rice cereal (which I highly suspect of containing gluten) and fell asleep at my computer. I woke up the next day on my floor rather confused. Then, on Sunday I went to bed and I woke up a little before four a.m. because I had to pee sooooo bad. At first, I intended to head back to bed yet I noticed my email (my computer is usually left on) had a copious amount of unread messages - which doesn't make sense given that I had checked it before bed on Sunday and that only my school & parent regularly email me. When I checked the clock, it said it was TUESDAY morning. I must have been asleep for 30+ hours, as I remember feeling as though I should head to bed early on Sunday given that I had a lot to do Monday. (ooops).
Aside from being dizzy, famished, and really confused I'm fine. Although, if I let myself, I could truly go straight back to bed - I'm that tired.

I found a source for CC (no question - wheat crumbs) but could gluten truly have this effect?

How Much Sleep Do We Really Need?!

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:21:10 -0800

... according to some studies only between 6.5 hours and 8 hours.

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,...1812420,00.html

One of the reasons I like to publicize these facts is that I think we can prevent a lot of insomnia and distress just by telling people that short sleep is O.K. We've all been told you ought to sleep 8 hr., but there was never any evidence. A very common problem we see at sleep clinics is people who spend too long in bed. They think they should sleep 8 or 9 hr., so they spend [that amount of time] in bed, with the result that they have trouble falling asleep and wake up a lot during the night. Oddly enough, a lot of the problem [of insomnia] is lying in bed awake, worrying about it. There have been many controlled studies in the U.S., Great Britain and other parts of Europe that show that an insomnia treatment that involves getting out of bed when you're not sleepy and restricting your time in bed actually helps people to sleep more. They get over their fear of the bed. They get over the worry, and become confident that when they go to bed, they will sleep. So spending less time in bed actually makes sleep better. It is in fact a more powerful and effective long-term treatment for insomnia than sleeping pills.

This sounds a lot like a lot of the people here in the forum, including myself. Maybe we're just trying to get too much sleep. If you read the article it also goes on to say that they found that people that lived the longest only got between 6.5 and 8 hours of sleep. It's also interesting to note that they claim that sleeping 8.5 hours could be just as bad for the body as sleeping 5 hours.

I found this to be a pretty interesting read. I'm going to start shooting for only 7-8 hours a night and see how it goes. Let me know what you guys think.

Sudden Insomnia After Going Gluten Free

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:32:06 -0700

I've never had issues with sleep in the past (unless I was particularly stressed about something, then I might lay awake for an hour) but since going gluten free a couple of weeks ago I've been having trouble every single night. I'm having trouble getting to sleep then staying that way (but part of that is my cats who prefer my bedroom for their mischief at night) and I am feeling less rested as a result. Not that I normally feel rested after a night's sleep, even if I get a full night. I attributed that to full time work and school but I hear that celiac can be to blame also.

So what's with with insomnia now that I don't have gluten? Actually I can't say I don't have it.. I *think* I don't have it but I'm just learning that I should get a new toaster and things like that to avoid cross contamination so there could be traces but I'm making a valiant effort.

*yawn*

Success With Valerian Root

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:12:13 -0700

As the topic says, I recently just started Valerian Root because I read here it is very helpful for people with insomnia: http://www.vitacost.com/Healthnotes/Concern/Insomnia.aspx

Anyway, it seems to be working for me. I have used it the past two nights with excellent results. It also seems much safer than melatonin, which is actually a hormone.

Just thought I would spread the word, if you haven't already tried it, I think it is definitely something to consider. Best 4 bucks I ever spent!

Food Clock

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:46:02 -0700

I posted this as a response in another topic but thought it was important enough that it deserved its own topic. Basically one study found that we have something called a food clock where if you do not get enough calories throughout the day, your body will not let you go to sleep. Your body thinks there is a food shortage and essentially tells you that before you go to sleep, you need to find some food.

I just thought this was interesting and very true. I know when I do not eat enough, I can never fall asleep.

I think this could be a large reason why so many Celiacs have trouble falling asleep.

Here is the whole article if you want to take a look: http://www.harvardscience.harvard.edu/anim...ted-clock-brain

It also talks about how to effectively result your body clock. Let me know what you guys think.

Can Undereating Cause Insomnia?

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:38:10 -0700

Can it?

I have noticed that I feel the best when I eat nothing but fruits, vegetables, white rice, and lean meats. So of course, I treat to eat nothing but these, but when I do eat these I can never fall asleep. I usually have to gorge for a couple of hours on junk food before I can fall asleep. I also try to minimize my fat intake as much as possible because I do not seem to be digesting/absorbing it properly still.

I am also usually pretty busy, so it's hard to sit down and eat a big meal. So it's almost like I have to play catchup with calories before I go to sleep.

Could this just be stress related/in my head? Or is this possible? Thanks

Tryptophan, Sleep, Neuropathy & Severe Depression

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:34:36 -0700

Hello everyone,

I am post diagnosis one year and have had major trouble sleeping and resting and also fighting extreme depression. Many nights lie awake and cannot sleep. At the same time of not sleeping, I have been experiencing major neuropathy in my feet, legs, and hands. I did some research on line only to discover Tryptophan. The Tryptophan I take before I go to bed at night (1,000 mg), and then I take 500mg in the morning ALL on an empty stomach. What the Tryptophan does is help to allow you to sleep BUT it also increases the serotonin level in your brain which relieves insomnia and depression. YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS SUPPLEMENT if you are taking any SSRI's or Anti-depressants or anti-anxiety meds. Also check with your Dr or Pharmacist before taking anything like this, but I must say this supplement has been a God send for me as now I sleep and sleep all night, and I am no longer extremely depressed or depressed at all for that matter. Which I am now a much nicer person to be around again. This was a powerful experience for me taking this supplement as I feel it changed my life around. I no longer am experience the neuropathy either, so it has helped with my sleeping, my depression, and my neuropathy. I feel so much better as I am much more focused now and staying on task. This has been truly an amazing thing. Think it is great!

Is Unisom Gluten Free I've Been On It For Over A Year...

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:03:32 -0700

I can't believe I don't know this. I can't find any info on it.

Can someone tell me if it's g/f?

Dreams Of Not Being Able To Eat Anything

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:55:25 -0700

I've been eating gluten-free for nearly 8 months, and I'm very comfortable with it. However, I keep having recurring dreams where I can't eat anything because all I'm able to find are gluten-filled food items.

Sometimes I am in a grocery store, and I go up and down every aisle, thinking, "I can't eat that, I can't eat that..." because the shelves are filled with bread, cookies, cereal, etc. By the time I get to the last aisle, I look into my cart and realize it's empty. Then I'm filled with horror because I think that I'm going to die because I can't find anything to eat.

Other times I dream that I'm going to a restaurant or a B&B and they tell me they have no gluten-free items to feed me with. Then I freak out because I don't know how I'm going to eat.

Please tell me I'm not the only one that has dreams like this! And does anyone have any ideas about how to make them stop?

Night-time Abdominal Pain

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:11:01 -0700

Hi Everyone,

I am a new member. I started following a gluten-free diet about 1 year ago. I seem to have made every classic mistake in dealing with this health issue. First of all, I started a gluten-free diet prior to my small bowel biopsy and blood work therefore I do not have a definitive diagnosis. Also, I have tried to reintroduce gluten a number of times throughout the year with disastrous results.

Just wanted to ask other members if their gluten intolerance symptoms cause them to wake-up from their sleep. I usually fall asleep for an hour or two and then wake-up with pretty awful abdominal pain and bloating. The bloating is often so bad that it presses on my diaphragm and triggers tachycardia. I have had tachycardia since I was 13 years old (due to an extra electrical pathway in my heart). Some nights the pain is already very bad when I go to bed and sleep is just not possible. I have a lot of what I think is pain from my lower bowel (spasms, cramping, bloating, feeling like I've been totally pressurized and may soon blow up). Perhaps the best description may be a feeling that my bowel is partially obstructed. It can be very, very painful.

I am lactose intolerant and have IgE tested allergies to a variety of foods including eggs, barley, beef, pork and so on.

Look forward to hearing if others have any similar experiences. Does your abdominal pain keep you awake at night?

Thanks so much
EJR

Does The Insomnia Get Better?

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:12:59 -0700

One of my very first symptoms when I started getting sick was insomnia. I just developed terrible insomnia, both being unable to fall asleep and waking up early in the morning. I have been using prescription sleep aids for a few months to help. At the beginning of my sickness I also developed depression and anxiety and I believe those were the underlying problems which were causing my sleep problems. (Well, the gluten intolerance was causing the mood problems which were causing the sleep problems I think.)

Anyway, my mood has improved dramatically since I went gluten-free 2 weeks ago. I haven't been depressed 1 day. I have had a little anxiety but I think it is from the gluten withdrawal. It has been getting better and better. My sleep hasn't really improved yet. Sometimes I don't have trouble falling asleep (with 1/4 ambien, probably just for placebo lol) but I still wake up really early and I have a very difficult time going back to sleep. Often I wake up at 5 and am wide awake. Last night I woke up at 2:45 and could only doze off and on a little, but felt awake the whole time. Does this get better?

Anyone Else Not Dream At All?

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:51:04 -0700

I'm an undiagnosed celiac (pretty dang sure!) and before I stopped eating gluten I never dreamed. I mean, I had like 10 dreams over a 4 year period. Everyone says "you were dreaming, you just don't remember" but I don't buy that. Now, even if I don't remember the dream once I wake up, I at least have a feeling that there was a dream; some residual emotion or an inkling that "something happened last night."

Just curious; anyone else have this?

Trouble Staying Asleep

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 09:01:04 -0700

Here is my problem: I have no problem falling asleep, but I always wake up 45 min-1.5 hours later and eat, even if I am not really hungry. I've tried eating, not eating, everything and this always happens. It has been going on for about 2 years. Has anyone dealt with this before?? I am a celiac and have been off wheat/gluten but crave these very items (and sugar) often. I have yet to cave. Any insight?

Occasional Insomnia

Mon, 11 May 2009 06:35:14 -0700

Hey guys,

For the past couple of months I've been dealing with occasional insomnia. It doesn't happen more than once a week, most of the time less. But I've been finding that even though I'm exhausted I can't fall asleep, like my mind won't shut off even though I can't keep my eyes open. It may be from getting glutened, though I'm not entirely sure.
I really don't want to have to take sleep aids. I've heard things like magnesium, protein, calcium can help.
So I'd love some reccomendations - what do you take to aid sleeping and when do you take it?
Thanks in advance

Does Anyone Experience Violent Dreams?

Sun, 10 May 2009 13:26:00 -0700

I am wondering if anyone on this board has experienced violent dreams before going gluten-free or after going gluten-free? Some dreams can be vivid and your remember them and others are just vague. When I say violent, that is exactly what I mean. Sometimes you the dreamer are being violent and other dreams something violent is happening to you.
I really need to know if anyone has ever dealt with this. I am wondering if I am consuming hidden gluten? I recently stopped smoking, can that be it?
Any help or information would be much appreciated.
Thanks =)