27 replies to this topic

[GReilly]

This is my first post, so far so good on the gluten free diet but I'm still getting the hang of it.

Since going gluten free two weeks ago I've had both positive and negative changes in my sleep habits (which have been one of my main concerns). Firstly I've been sleeping more deeply, however I've also been experiencing unusual dreams every night where I am getting in car accidents or being followed by people I need to kill. They're waking me up in a cold sweat and I believe leaving me to be exhaused through out the following day. Has anyone else experienced dreams similar to these? Is there anything that can be done to aleviate these (eat less of something, more of something, vit. etc?) Thanks for your help!

[butterfl8]

I too noticed at first that I began to remember my dreams more when I went gluten free. My dreams didn't disturb me, so I just enjoyed them and went on my way, so to speak. Perhaps you will find that to be the case for you as well, as time goes on. I do take 250 mg magnesium when I go to bed, that helps me drop right off. I do wake up early, usually about 4-5 am most mornings. Then I have coffee!! Best of luck--let us know how you're doing!
-Daisy

[Cranberry]

I too noticed at first that I began to remember my dreams more when I went gluten free. My dreams didn't disturb me, so I just enjoyed them and went on my way, so to speak. Perhaps you will find that to be the case for you as well, as time goes on. I do take 250 mg magnesium when I go to bed, that helps me drop right off. I do wake up early, usually about 4-5 am most mornings. Then I have coffee!! Best of luck--let us know how you're doing!
-Daisy

Magnesium. Thats a good idea. I sometimes have problems dropping off but once im asleep im fine. I have always had weird dreams so I dont blame the diet for it... just my mind

[GReilly]

Yeah, I've always had weird dream but not this consistently. It's a pain but hopefully they start to subside and just become more interesting rather than odd. Magnesium is a good idea, I'll have to try it! Thanks for the suggestions.

[MelissaBe123]

Before I started my gluten free diet, I was tired all day long. I also could never remember my dreams. And now that I have been on it for a few months, things have changed. At first, I wasn't tired at all during the day. Now, I remember my dreams and I am starting to become more tired.

Does anyone have anything like this?

[conniebky]

I sleep much much better than I used to. And I awake at about 5AM. I used to have 2 beers before bed, because I was under the notion that made me sleep better. But I sleep more soundly now. And dreams....notsomuch.

[frogrun]

Dreaming is good; however, excessive dreaming and/or crazy dreams might mean you are in rem rebound...meaning you were deprived for rem and are now getting too much, which can make you feel tired in the morning. I've heard of this happening while people are detoxing from gluten.

[gfreegirlie]

Before I started my gluten free diet, I was tired all day long. I also could never remember my dreams. And now that I have been on it for a few months, things have changed. At first, I wasn't tired at all during the day. Now, I remember my dreams and I am starting to become more tired.

Does anyone have anything like this?

That sounds a lot like what I am going through. I have been on the gluten free diet for a while now but I am the only one in my family with it and I am not close to anyone with it so I haven't been doing it very well; until recently I was still eating things with MSG and maltodextrin in it. I just started to learn more and become more strict with my diet. I have been having crazy dreams everynight. I forget them pretty quickly but I know they are vivid. I wake up pretty alert but then after about 2 hours I start to get sleepy again. By like 10 or 12 hours of being awake I am exhausted already. I used to get B12 shots and then I had to stop so I connected it to that, but I just didn't think the gluten free diet could cause sleeping problems.

[Julz33]

That sounds a lot like what I am going through. I have been on the gluten free diet for a while now but I am the only one in my family with it and I am not close to anyone with it so I haven't been doing it very well; until recently I was still eating things with MSG and maltodextrin in it. I just started to learn more and become more strict with my diet. I have been having crazy dreams everynight. I forget them pretty quickly but I know they are vivid. I wake up pretty alert but then after about 2 hours I start to get sleepy again. By like 10 or 12 hours of being awake I am exhausted already. I used to get B12 shots and then I had to stop so I connected it to that, but I just didn't think the gluten free diet could cause sleeping problems.

I'm newly diagnosed and still learning where the gluten is hiding. I thought I had saw that MSG doesn't have gluten. Are you avoiding it because it does have it, or because you react to it aside from the gluten issue? The list of things to avoid seems to grow and grow everyday.

Thanks

[Aphreal]

I am going through the exact same thing. I am sleeping very deep and wake up more rested now (usually... still detoxing) but my dreams are crazy. For me however, I notice this cycle when there is something big going on. I say going gluten-free is pretty big Wish my dreams were more pleasant but alas, they are pretty crummy. At least I can almost get through the day without having 2 naps now. That is such an improvement over just a few weeks ago where I could have slept all day and all night.

[starrytrekchic]

Low blood sugar could be culprit, especially if you're not replacing the carbs that have been cut from your diet.

Intense and disturbing dreams are frequently caused by low blood sugar--your brain's telling you it can't function right on the fuel it has. The disturbed sleep then leads to exhaustion during the day.

If this is the problem--it's easily solved. Eat something shortly before bed--like a piece of fruit--for several days in a row to see if it resolves.

[cap6]

I have been gluten-free for 5 months and for the past 6 weeks or so I have been having bad dreams at least once a week or more. My spouse has to wake me as I am yelping in my sleep. Usually someone chasing me & I am trying to escape. Also I am so exhausted during the day even after sleeping 9 or 10 hours. I am usually ready for bed around 4:00 - I make myself wait till 9 or so. !! The "Honey are you ready for bed" at 4 in the afternoon gets me The Look! lol

[Gluten_Is_Icky]

Yeah, it's been the same thing for me. Been gluten-free for over a year, but since going gluten-free I feel like I need a lot more sleep than I used to like, 8-10 hours just to function right. A couple of years ago I could go on around 6 hours a night for days at a time and be fine. Now I feel sick and super cranky when I haven't gotten enough sleep. I've been having a lot of bad dreams, especially in the last couple months. Nothing overly stressful seems to have happend so I'm not sure why.

Is there supposed to be a connection between gluten free diets and sleeping? I don't think I've run into it in my research so far..

[cap6]

my iron was low so dr put me on supplements. After 2 months am still really tired but was supposed to be retested for iron count in 3 weeks which I haven't done. We have been traveling in our rv for the past 2 mo so have the test scheduled for as soon as we get home. Maybe the iron is still too low.

[kareng]

my iron was low so dr put me on supplements. After 2 months am still really tired but was supposed to be retested for iron count in 3 weeks which I haven't done. We have been traveling in our rv for the past 2 mo so have the test scheduled for as soon as we get home. Maybe the iron is still too low.

Are you taking B12? That helps the iron work better. Also, you should take the iron without eating 1 hour before & 2 hours after. Especially - coffee, dairy, grains.

I have a B vitamin complex with vit C which also helps the iron. Just take them with lunch, not with iron.