carrieanna76

@Jackay, Char and Bluebonnet – wow, it’s really fascinating that so many of us “gluten intolerants” have sleep issues. My insomnia has been so bad that it prevented me from going to grad school and I could only hold a part-time job, so needless to say, I feel for all of you! Thanks so much for your comments and suggestions. Around the same time I went off gluten, I also discovered I’m hypothyroid, as well as melatonin, vitamin d, zinc and b12 deficient, so this might be contributing to the insomnia as well… Just out of curiosity, do any of you have thyroid issues?

Thanks to all of you and sweet dreams!

@Riceguy – thanks for your reply! My naturopath actually prescribed b12 around the same time I went off gluten (along with vitamin d, zinc, and melatonin). happy to hear it works for you and you are sleeping well!

The best thing I found to cure insomnia is vitamin B12. It makes total sense too, because B12 is vital for the production of serotonin and melatonin, amongst other things. These are critical for regulation of sleep/wake cycles, mood, energy production, and lots more. Also, those with Celiac Disease are very often deficient in B12, so there again it makes sense. I find I sleep quite well now, especially if I take the B12 about 30 minutes or so before I go to bed. The one I prefer is a 5mg methylcobalamin sublingual tablet made by Source Naturals.

Other nutrients are also helpful with sleep. For instance, magnesium is known as the calming mineral. And interestingly, people with Celiac Disease often have a deficiency of magnesium too. A co-enzyme B-complex can also be very helpful, as can a multivitamin/mineral, so I'd suggest these as well.

@Kathy – I hate to say anything, because I’m afraid of jinxing myself, but the past few nights I have finally begun to sleep better! I stopped eating gluten in early December, but I have a feeling I let some “hidden” gluten slip into my diet here and there – now I’m pretty diligent at inspecting EVERYTHING that goes in my mouth (soy sauce, salad dressing, anything that is processed), so this may be why I’m seeing changes now. Best of luck to your son! My heart really goes out to him – would love to hear if he finally gets some sleep.


quote name='katco' date='22 January 2010 - 09:11 AM' timestamp='1264180303' post='587992']
Carrie,

I'm wondering if you've seen any improvement in your sleep since you last posted. My son, who has sleep problems, is on day 10 of a Gluten-free Casein-free diet. I know results take a while, but it's hard to be patient!

Kathy
[/quote]

thanks so much for the advice! it's encouraging to hear that it took a while for your sleep to improve. just curious, what thyroid medication are you taking now? i started taking Levoxyl recently and i've heard it's gluten-free, but not 100% positive. i too have the brain fog and a bit of depression - really hoping to feel like a normal person soon...

thanks again and good luck on your gluten-free journey!

carrie

Hi Carrie,

I've had trouble sleeping for years, too. I thought it was just me. I never took any medication for it, but I was tempted sometimes. It wasn't everyday, but at least three times a week. I would go to work a lot with no sleep at all & feel horrible. I also felt a lot of anxiety & brain fog. Now that I've been gluten free for four months. I think it took about a month or more for my insomnia to go away & then I started sleeping so good & I felt so calm. It was wonderful. Then I was getting glutened again two weeks ago & now , of course, along with all the other GI symptoms, I'm having trouble sleeping again. I think it is getting better, but it just takes a while for the body to recover from the gluten. Just make sure you're on a very strict gluten free diet & recheck everything you're taking -vitamins, medication, hand & face lotion. I realized I was getting glutened from my synthriod medication. It was driving me crazy. It was the last item I thought of & as soon as my doctor changed my medicine I started to feel better. But I still having some brain fog & having a hard time falling to sleep. I do listen to soft music & meditation celiac disease's (BelleRuth Naparstek) right before I go to sleep & that does help me a lot. If you think a mediation celiac disease would help you, you might want to try it. You can buy them on (Company Name Removed - They Spammed This Forum and are Banned). I have a few of her celiac disease''s & they helped it really helps me to relax.- not trying to sell you anything, just trying to help.

Hang in there. It'll get better soon.