Sleeping Pills

[Brenda F.]

I have known that I have may have Celiac disease for years but have not really been sure.  Recently, I fainted and ended up in emergency diagnosed as dehydrated and low iron.  My family doctor sent me for blood tests and I was conformed as having Celiac.  I have been trying to research Gluten Free Foods and medications.  Because I am an Insomniac I have been taking Zopiclone for years (2 (7.5) pills a night).  I have discovered that there is Gluten in Zopiclone and am looking for an alternative medication.  Does anyone one have any suggestions.  It takes me 1-3 hours to fall asleep even when taking the pills so I need something strong.  I appreciate any suggestions.  Thank you, Brenda F. (76 yrs old)

[trents]

Brenda, welcome to the forum! That's going to be challenging. Not as much from the gluten standpoint but from the age standpoint as physicians are reluctant to prescribe many common sleep meds like ambien to us who have quite a few candles on our birthday cakes. I'm 73. They are afraid we will get up to go potty in the middle of the night and fall.

Having said all that, your insomnia problem could be related to nutritional deficiencies as much as anything else. All of our nutrition is absorbed through the lining of the small bowel and that the area of the intestinal track that is damaged by celiac disease. If you have been living with undiagnosed celiac disease for many years it is likely you have developed vitamin and mineral deficiencies through malabsorption . . . and not just iron levels.

We commonly recommend to newly diagnosed celiacs on this forum that they invest in some high potency gluten free supplements to aid in healing and recovery. B-complex, D3, Magnesium glycinate, zinc and in your case, iron.

Edited June 14, 2024 by trents

[Brenda F.]

Thanks for your quick reply!  I am currently taking Vitamin B12 & B2.  Also take Magnesium Citrate.  I've taken an Iron supplement but my iron levels are even lower than before I took them so I'm not absorbing iron for sure.  I also have been diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome and it causes me to suffer from extreme dry eyes which is quite debilitating for me as I can barely open my eyes from about 4 - 5pm.  I've had several different, very expensive, treatments but none have helped.  I do take a Vitamin D3 supplement and Theoloz Gel drops which don't help much.  I think I will just have to live with it as there doesn't seem to be much that helps me.  I will talk to my doctor about the vitamins and see what he might suggest as to what strength to use.  Instead of calling them the Golden Years, I call them the Rusty Years.  Thanks again.

[trents]

About three years ago I developed a cornea tear from dry eyes. I would wake up in the middle of the night and my eyelids would be stuck to my eyeball. Had to have a surgical repair. Now I use an ophthamalic salve in my eyes when I go to bed for lubrication and Theratears when I get up in the morning.

Have you been evaluated for pernicious anemia?

[Scott Adams]

You can search this site for prescriptions medications, but will need to know the manufacturer/maker if there is more than one, especially if you use a generic version of the medication:

To see the ingredients you will need to click on the correct version of the medication and maker in the results, then scroll down to "Ingredients and Appearance" and click it, and then look at "Inactive Ingredients," as any gluten ingredients would likely appear there, rather than in the Active Ingredients area.

• https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/ 

 

[knitty kitty]

Welcome to the forum, @Brenda F.,

I've had insomnia.  I take Passion Flower extract.  Passion Flower lowers histamine levels.  Histamine is released as part of the inflammation due to Celiac Disease.  Lowering the histamine level with Passion Flower allows for sleep without feeling groggy in the morning.  

Tryptophan, a form of Niacin Vitamin B 3, also helps promote sleep.  

The eight essential B vitamins work better when taken all together.  Just taking one or two B vitamins can unbalance the others.  Try taking a B Complex supplement in addition to the B12 and Riboflavin B 2.  

Benfotiamine, a form of Thiamine Vitamin B1, is helpful in healing the digestive tract. 

Talk to your doctor and nutritionist about supplementing with vitamins and minerals while you are healing.

Hope this helps!

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8451766/

[Brenda F.]

Hi Knitty Kitty,  sounds like very good advice and I will definitely look into it!  Thanks very much, Brenda

[knitty kitty]

@Brenda F.,

I've found that taking Flaxseed oil supplements help with my dry eye symptoms and Sjogren's Syndrome.  

Omega Threes and Omega Sizes are not absorbed well from our diet in Celiac Disease.  Omega Threes and Sixes are very important in eye health as they keep the eyes from drying out.  

Flaxseed oil, Sunflower seed oil, and Oil of Evening Primrose supplements help immensely. 

[Scott Adams]

On 6/15/2024 at 11:44 AM, knitty kitty said:

Tryptophan, a form of Niacin Vitamin B 3, also helps promote sleep.  

I just want to clarify that tryptophan is not a form of niacin (Vitamin B3). However, it is an essential amino acid that can be converted into niacin in the body through a biochemical process. This conversion helps contribute to the body's niacin levels, although it is not a direct source of Vitamin B3 itself.

[Brenda F.]

Thanks!