Keto - Sleep ?

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joey4014
joey4014 Posts: 159 Member
edited February 2016 in Social Groups
I've been Keto for about two months now and I'm lovin' it. But. 3:00am on the dot. Every single night. I wake up and have trouble getting back to sleep.
I've tried supplementing magnesium, drinking bouillon broth, liver detox,...
Last night I even had 13 Carb grams of boiled potato. I'll try anything as long as I can stay <30g/carbs.
To be fair, it's not just Keto, anytime I drop calories and start losing weight it affects me sleep.
I would like to hear any experiences from those that have been able to hack their sleep.

Replies

  • KarlaYP
    KarlaYP Posts: 4,439 Member
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    I did this too! For a few months after beginning this woe I would wake at 3and not go back to sleep. I took it as having more energy, until I didn't. The lack of sleep began to take a toll on me! I purposely began tracking sodium, making sure to get the recommended 3000-5000mg a day. Once I was consistent, every day, I began to sleep more. I found that I can't eat enough food to get that amount everyday, so I use sodium tablets that I bought from Amazon to supplement. I can tell if I forget because sleep will be interrupted if I don't remember!

    I began keto last March, and was reluctant to add sodium. It wasn't until October that I finally did what was needed to correct the problem. I let way too much time go by before accepting the sodium recommendations for myself!
  • SamandaIndia
    SamandaIndia Posts: 1,577 Member
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    Any changes to caffiene?
  • auntstephie321
    auntstephie321 Posts: 3,586 Member
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    I had issues with that in the beginning but now it's the opposite. Not sure why it changed but I think the insomnia thing is something that passes.
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
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    Yuck. That wouldn't be fun.

    I find I need a bit less sleep now that I am healthier, but I am lucky in that I have never had to deal with early waking.

    Have you tried melatonin at bed. It seems to help my husband and one son. We also have a homeopathic remedy called Calm Forte by Hyland's. http://www.calmsforte.com/home/ It seems to help them settle back to sleep faster.

    Good luck.
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
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    Look into a supplement called GABA
  • joey4014
    joey4014 Posts: 159 Member
    edited February 2016
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    Thanks everybody for all the great advice; much appreciated.
    I'm going to take the next couple of days to research what I feel is the best plan for optimum health.
  • CMYKRGB
    CMYKRGB Posts: 213 Member
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    I wake up at 2:30 am every day. It's driving me crazy.
  • Phrick
    Phrick Posts: 2,765 Member
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    I have struggled with insomnia for YEARS, well before starting this WOE - there was a point where I was getting less than 3 hours a night - fortunately we were able to take advantage of NeurOptimal Neurfeedback from a place fairly close to home and got me up to ~6 hours a night which lasted for a while..

    but my POINT is, I did notice that it began to slide down again when we started LC back last May. And the lower and lower I moved my carbs, the worse it got, until I was going to bed at 8:00 and waking at 3, 3:30 - then even worse when I moved to Keto (I would uncontrollably pass out in the recliner at 5:45 and wake up "for the day" before midnight.)

    I was diagnosed with a circadian rhythm disorder just last week (Feb 25), and actually the insomnia specialist we saw said it had less to do with carb intake (although it does play a roll to a small extent he said) and more about unconscious conditioning. We spent over an hour meeting and talking about ways to reverse it, and he gave me a 5-page, 15-point printout of the best tips that we can try (and some non-negotiable, must-do changes too). Already since then I've had two 8+ hour nights in a row (last night and the night before)! Now, granted, I still got up at 2:30 this morning but I slept soundly with only a few minor wakes for 7h 55m last night. Our first step is to get the number of hours sorted so that I can then be alert and awake enough to start moving back my sleep window, and I have great hope that it will work.

    I don't see any copyright/do not distribute type warnings on the printout he gave me so I'd be happy to have my husband help me scan it later (I have no clue how on our new printer lol), and share it with anyone who would like to see the points, if that's ok @Dragonwolf , @baconslave , other mods?
  • baconslave
    baconslave Posts: 6,956 Member
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    Phrick wrote: »
    I have struggled with insomnia for YEARS, well before starting this WOE - there was a point where I was getting less than 3 hours a night - fortunately we were able to take advantage of NeurOptimal Neurfeedback from a place fairly close to home and got me up to ~6 hours a night which lasted for a while..

    but my POINT is, I did notice that it began to slide down again when we started LC back last May. And the lower and lower I moved my carbs, the worse it got, until I was going to bed at 8:00 and waking at 3, 3:30 - then even worse when I moved to Keto (I would uncontrollably pass out in the recliner at 5:45 and wake up "for the day" before midnight.)

    I was diagnosed with a circadian rhythm disorder just last week (Feb 25), and actually the insomnia specialist we saw said it had less to do with carb intake (although it does play a roll to a small extent he said) and more about unconscious conditioning. We spent over an hour meeting and talking about ways to reverse it, and he gave me a 5-page, 15-point printout of the best tips that we can try (and some non-negotiable, must-do changes too). Already since then I've had two 8+ hour nights in a row (last night and the night before)! Now, granted, I still got up at 2:30 this morning but I slept soundly with only a few minor wakes for 7h 55m last night. Our first step is to get the number of hours sorted so that I can then be alert and awake enough to start moving back my sleep window, and I have great hope that it will work.

    I don't see any copyright/do not distribute type warnings on the printout he gave me so I'd be happy to have my husband help me scan it later (I have no clue how on our new printer lol), and share it with anyone who would like to see the points, if that's ok @Dragonwolf , @baconslave , other mods?

    If there are no copyright warnings. And you obviously aren't trying to sell anything. I think it's ok. Whut you other mods think?


  • KimmieSue2011
    KimmieSue2011 Posts: 117 Member
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    I have never had sleep problems but since going low carb have also awakened at 3 or 4 am wide awake. When hubby is traveling, I will try a meditation app (Calm it's called) or read. I just bought magnesium to try tonight. I feel okay during the day but come 7:30 or 8 pm I'm absolutely exhausted. I thought it was just pre menopausal symptoms starting -- did not connect it to diet change until I saw this thread. Tonight in addition to eating my greek yogurt for an evening snack, I'm going to put some steel cut oats in it, maybe that will help.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
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    baconslave wrote: »
    Phrick wrote: »
    I have struggled with insomnia for YEARS, well before starting this WOE - there was a point where I was getting less than 3 hours a night - fortunately we were able to take advantage of NeurOptimal Neurfeedback from a place fairly close to home and got me up to ~6 hours a night which lasted for a while..

    but my POINT is, I did notice that it began to slide down again when we started LC back last May. And the lower and lower I moved my carbs, the worse it got, until I was going to bed at 8:00 and waking at 3, 3:30 - then even worse when I moved to Keto (I would uncontrollably pass out in the recliner at 5:45 and wake up "for the day" before midnight.)

    I was diagnosed with a circadian rhythm disorder just last week (Feb 25), and actually the insomnia specialist we saw said it had less to do with carb intake (although it does play a roll to a small extent he said) and more about unconscious conditioning. We spent over an hour meeting and talking about ways to reverse it, and he gave me a 5-page, 15-point printout of the best tips that we can try (and some non-negotiable, must-do changes too). Already since then I've had two 8+ hour nights in a row (last night and the night before)! Now, granted, I still got up at 2:30 this morning but I slept soundly with only a few minor wakes for 7h 55m last night. Our first step is to get the number of hours sorted so that I can then be alert and awake enough to start moving back my sleep window, and I have great hope that it will work.

    I don't see any copyright/do not distribute type warnings on the printout he gave me so I'd be happy to have my husband help me scan it later (I have no clue how on our new printer lol), and share it with anyone who would like to see the points, if that's ok @Dragonwolf , @baconslave , other mods?

    If there are no copyright warnings. And you obviously aren't trying to sell anything. I think it's ok. Whut you other mods think?


    Seems okay to me too.
  • chaoticdreams
    chaoticdreams Posts: 447 Member
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    I can't blame low carb on my sleep issues. I've always woken up at 3 am for the last decade or more at least 3 out of 4 weeks of the month. Sometimes I drift back off, most times I am wide awake with severe anxiety. I wish I knew a solution, would love to see a scan of that Phrick. I've tried magnesium, more exercise, less exercise, no caffeine, tea, antidepressants, unisom, nyquil, benadryl....... Nothing helps that doesn't end up zombifying me the next morning. Melatonin didn't help and gave me weird headaches. I'm always tired. Always fatigued. Most days I ignore it and work out anyhow, some days I just can't. I used to stay up to 11 or 12, now I am fast asleep at 9. Fitbit says I'm restless all night and on average get about 3 hours if that. :( My husband worries about me, my job suffers....... I've taken sleep tests and don't have sleep apnea. My Dr., in fact all my Dr.'s just ignore it. Insurance won't pay for most prescription sleep aids, not that I want to risk taking them. Honestly, I'm at my wits end. I tend to think it's hormonal honestly, but not sure how to fix it if that is the case. My mother suffers the same way.

    I'm just learning to live with it. /sigh
  • Phrick
    Phrick Posts: 2,765 Member
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    baconslave wrote: »

    If there are no copyright warnings. And you obviously aren't trying to sell anything. I think it's ok. Whut you other mods think?


    Seems okay to me too.

    alright, I didn't get it scanned yesterday but will today :)
  • klkateri
    klkateri Posts: 432 Member
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    I get to bed around 11pm and my alarm goes off at 7:15 for work. But for the past week or so, I've been waking up at 6:30 and not getting to sleep till about 11:30 or 12am even but I feel fully rested in the morning. I also notice I'm, for the most part sleeping very well through the night... I'm not up and down, tossing and turning all night like previously.

    I did notice that within a couple weeks of starting Keto that I was sleeping better. This sleeping less thing is new though. I never thought it could be a Keto side effect. I hope it lasts!! I definitely have increased energy so I'll take that!
  • apple852hk
    apple852hk Posts: 210 Member
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    Phrick wrote: »
    I have struggled with insomnia for YEARS, well before starting this WOE - there was a point where I was getting less than 3 hours a night - fortunately we were able to take advantage of NeurOptimal Neurfeedback from a place fairly close to home and got me up to ~6 hours a night which lasted for a while..

    but my POINT is, I did notice that it began to slide down again when we started LC back last May. And the lower and lower I moved my carbs, the worse it got, until I was going to bed at 8:00 and waking at 3, 3:30 - then even worse when I moved to Keto (I would uncontrollably pass out in the recliner at 5:45 and wake up "for the day" before midnight.)

    I was diagnosed with a circadian rhythm disorder just last week (Feb 25), and actually the insomnia specialist we saw said it had less to do with carb intake (although it does play a roll to a small extent he said) and more about unconscious conditioning. We spent over an hour meeting and talking about ways to reverse it, and he gave me a 5-page, 15-point printout of the best tips that we can try (and some non-negotiable, must-do changes too). Already since then I've had two 8+ hour nights in a row (last night and the night before)! Now, granted, I still got up at 2:30 this morning but I slept soundly with only a few minor wakes for 7h 55m last night. Our first step is to get the number of hours sorted so that I can then be alert and awake enough to start moving back my sleep window, and I have great hope that it will work.

    I don't see any copyright/do not distribute type warnings on the printout he gave me so I'd be happy to have my husband help me scan it later (I have no clue how on our new printer lol), and share it with anyone who would like to see the points, if that's ok @Dragonwolf , @baconslave , other mods?

    Please can you share the sleeping routine points with me?
  • GammieLCHF
    GammieLCHF Posts: 139 Member
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    Try taking melatonin?
  • tcunbeliever
    tcunbeliever Posts: 8,219 Member
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    Maybe magnesium too, your body can't uptake melatonin without sufficient magnesium.
  • macchiatto
    macchiatto Posts: 2,890 Member
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    I've had sleep issues but they started about 3 months before I started eating keto so I'm not sure if they're linked or if the keto/LC played into the insomnia lasting so long. (I've had it off and on since I was 8 but until 2016, it had never lasted more than a few months at a time.) I do now take magnesium at night and I think that helps. I also take benadryl and for a long time I took melatonin every night as well but was able to wean off of that.
  • Dragonwolf
    Dragonwolf Posts: 5,600 Member
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    baconslave wrote: »
    Phrick wrote: »
    I have struggled with insomnia for YEARS, well before starting this WOE - there was a point where I was getting less than 3 hours a night - fortunately we were able to take advantage of NeurOptimal Neurfeedback from a place fairly close to home and got me up to ~6 hours a night which lasted for a while..

    but my POINT is, I did notice that it began to slide down again when we started LC back last May. And the lower and lower I moved my carbs, the worse it got, until I was going to bed at 8:00 and waking at 3, 3:30 - then even worse when I moved to Keto (I would uncontrollably pass out in the recliner at 5:45 and wake up "for the day" before midnight.)

    I was diagnosed with a circadian rhythm disorder just last week (Feb 25), and actually the insomnia specialist we saw said it had less to do with carb intake (although it does play a roll to a small extent he said) and more about unconscious conditioning. We spent over an hour meeting and talking about ways to reverse it, and he gave me a 5-page, 15-point printout of the best tips that we can try (and some non-negotiable, must-do changes too). Already since then I've had two 8+ hour nights in a row (last night and the night before)! Now, granted, I still got up at 2:30 this morning but I slept soundly with only a few minor wakes for 7h 55m last night. Our first step is to get the number of hours sorted so that I can then be alert and awake enough to start moving back my sleep window, and I have great hope that it will work.

    I don't see any copyright/do not distribute type warnings on the printout he gave me so I'd be happy to have my husband help me scan it later (I have no clue how on our new printer lol), and share it with anyone who would like to see the points, if that's ok @Dragonwolf , @baconslave , other mods?

    If there are no copyright warnings. And you obviously aren't trying to sell anything. I think it's ok. Whut you other mods think?


    Seems okay to me too.

    Same
  • canadjineh
    canadjineh Posts: 5,396 Member
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    Just looking at the dates... Phrick was on this thread 3 years ago now, hopefully she will come back and share the info, but wasn't sure if anyone noticed.