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Sleep Issues...normal?

CeliacAlli

By CeliacAlli
in Related Issues & Disorders

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CeliacAlli Apprentice
CeliacAlli
Posted

I have issues with sleep. Sometimes I can't fall asleep til' 3 am. and sometimes I go to bed at 7 pm. But even I feel like I got the same amount of sleep and that amount is far from enough. I never want to get up because my mind is so sleepy, and I am constantly exhausted from doing nothing! I am a teenager too and it's normal to sleep alot but people my age feel rested after sleeping...Suggestions...Why?...and has it happened to you?

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darlindeb25 Collaborator
darlindeb25
Posted

Have you told your doctor about this? Have you done a sleep study? It seems more and more people are suffering from sleep apnea.

I didn't realize I had a "real" sleep problem. Then my neuro diagnosed me with sleep apnea, I did a sleep study, and now I know I do have it.

A few weeks ago, in another forum, my friend Al bumped an old thread up and in it they asked what had changed for us physically since going gluten free. This thread was 4 yrs ago, and I said many things had improved, but I still was having sleep problems. I do not even remember saying that, yet it's obvious that I had sleep apnea even then.

If you haven't yet, talk to your doctor about this and see what he/she says.

ohsotired Enthusiast
ohsotired
Posted

Alli - I can totally relate. I can sleep for 6 hours or 16 (and the 16 seems to be more and more often) and still feel like I haven't slept for a week when I wake up. It's recently come to my attention by my dear sweet husband, that sometimes when I'm sleeping - I stop breathing.

I found this out when he physically shook me awake at 4am one day last week. I'll be seeking a sleep study ASAP.

GFinDC Veteran
GFinDC
Posted

Hi Alli,

I've had sleep problems for years. I got much better though after going gluten-free and was able to sleep kind of normally. I think to some extent not sleeping can be caused by the general disruption of the body due to fighting off gluten or other food intolerances. In my case I do have a specific reaction to gluten related to sleep due to my thyroid acting up. I get glutened and I can't sleep. The thyroid goes into overdrive and that's it for any sleep. I have a reaction to either sulfites or yeast now too, although I am not sure which. Anyway, if you are sure you are gluten-free, then I suggest you think about other foods that might be affecting your sleep. It could be you have another food issue that is causing problems.

mirabella Apprentice
mirabella
Posted

Hey there,

My dr. just told me that celiac and thyroidism are common together because of not being able to absorb nutrients.

Mine came back hyperthyroidism, which is due to not enough iodine. Falling asleep takes forever. I also get up and down several times a nite because I am starving. Thank goodness for fresh vegies and fruit.

Its exhausting sometimes.

lsmall05 Newbie
lsmall05
Posted

Definitely consult your doc!

Sometimes its hard for your doctor to know what to do for Celiac, but ask if he can order bloodwork. We ALL hate bloodwork, but you sleep and/or lack of energy problems could easily be a vitamin or mineral deficiency. Anyone that has absorption issues should be on some vitamin supplements! Your doctor should be able to take a look at bloodwork of your B's C's and K to see if you are running low.

I drink more Gatorade since I have low Potassium! easy fix!

  • 1 month later...
missy'smom Collaborator
missy'smom
Posted

You should ask about your adrenal gland function. My sister had the problem that you described and her adrenal gland wasn't functioning correctly, which is common with Celiac, and once she started treatment, which in her case was some special supplements, her sleep started falling back into normal patterns. From what I understand the adrenal gland releases hormones that tell your body when it's time to sleep and wake up.

I don't eat after dinner now and find that I sleep better. If I eat an evening snack, I think my body is digesting all night and that keeps me from getting better sleep.

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heiko.d.26 Newbie
heiko.d.26
Posted

Sleep is really important and therefore sleeping issues shouldn't be taken lightly but you should definitely consult a doctor.

A good friend of mine also suffering from celiac disease had also big trouble with sleeping and basically he would wander around the house all night. At first he didn't want to get himself any help, but I could persuade him to go and see a doctor who could really help him in the end.

Fortunately I don't have sleeping problems!

Josh Parker Newbie
Josh Parker
Posted
I have issues with sleep. Sometimes I can't fall asleep til' 3 am. and sometimes I go to bed at 7 pm. But even I feel like I got the same amount of sleep and that amount is far from enough. I never want to get up because my mind is so sleepy, and I am constantly exhausted from doing nothing! I am a teenager too and it's normal to sleep alot but people my age feel rested after sleeping...Suggestions...Why?...and has it happened to you?

Insomnia is normal with celiac. I usually get on the internet and eat something in front of my computer. The worst thing that you can do is lay there frustrated, staring at the ceiling. Sometimes the DH that is associated with celiac will keep me awake. In extreme cases, I will get up and go to Waffle House or the grocery store. When I come back, I usually go right back to sleep. Reading in bed is a good way to confront the frustration with insomnia, and get back to sleep if you don't want your roommates to think that you are crazy for going to the grocery store at 3am.

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    • catnapt
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By catnapt · Posted

      after several years of issues with a para-gland issue, my endo has decided it's a good idea for me to be tested for celiac disease. I am 70 yrs old and stunned to learn that you can get celiac this late in life. I have just gradually stopped eating most foods that contain gluten over the past several years- they just make me feel ill- although I attributed it to other things like bread spiking blood sugar- or to the things I ate *with* the bread or crackers etc   I went to a party in Nov and ate a LOT of a vegan roast made with vital wheat gluten- as well as stuffing, rolls and pie crust... and OMG I was so sick! the pain, the bloating, the gas, the nausea... I didn't think it would ever end (but it did) and I was ready to go the ER but it finally subsided.   I mentioned this to my endo and now she wants me to be tested for celiac after 2 weeks of being on gluten foods. She has kind of flip flopped on how much gluten I should eat, telling me that if the symptoms are severe I can stop. I am eating 2-3 thin slices of bread per day (or english muffins) and wow- it does make me feel awful. But not as bad as when I ate that massive amnt of vital wheat gluten. so I will continue on if I have to... but what bothers me is - if it IS celiac, it seems stupid for lack of a better word, to intentionally cause more damage to my body... but I am also worried, on the other hand, that this is not a long enough challenge to make the blood work results valid.   can you give me any insight into this please?   thank you
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