Sleep trouble

(Arasi Maran) #1

I have been on and off Ketogenic diet since July 2017. Whenever, I am in Ketosis - I have trouble sleeping and have headaches throughout the night - the Headaches are gone when I wake up - but I would like to get a better quality of sleep. I have tried Magnesium Oxide at bedtime - made no difference. Melatonin gives me vivid dreams - but I do use it as it is better than waking up after 4-5 hrs of sleep - Any advise??
Sleep does get better when I am not in ketosis.
TIA

#2

I have had dreadful trouble sleeping lately. I was off keto for a couple of weeks though and am putting it down to reacclimatising. It coincided with high blood ketones for me and my body does not seem to like them at that level - I have noticed this before. I got a better night last night as my ketones came down a bit. A few things to try…

  • salt - take a good teaspoon of good quality salt spread out over each day
  • magnesium - oxide is the least impactful. Try glycinate or malate.
  • are you rested after 4-5 hours? Many people find they need less sleep although I would say 4-5 is still too short regardless.

The above should help with headaches too. In fact, might even be part of the reason you re getting them - ie not enough salt and mag.

#3

I use a combo of

Melatonin (I use 3mg, more than that and I get the hangover)
Magnesium Citrate
Pharma GABA

That combo is what was recommended by a Doc that has a sleep cocktail he developed, heard it on a podcast a while back, it’s done real good for me. I orignally started without the Pharma GABA but that seems to be the key.

(Arasi Maran) #4

Pharma GABA?? Gabapentin?

(Michael ) #5

It sounds like you’re not hydrated. Do you take salt and lots of water? In the absence of insulin, the kidneys dump electrolytes and fluid. Magnesium is one piece of the puzzle, but salt and potassium are vert necessary. I’m not saying to empty a salt shaker in your lunch, but you could try adding a few teaspoons and see if it helps. I like the pink Himalayan salt

#6

Besides the electrolytes, you could also be experiencing reactive hypoglycemia (a form of insulin resistance). Eating a little complex carbohydrate before bed may help. Skip carbs the rest of the day to lessen insulin resistance over time. I’d talk to a physician about the possibility of reactive hypoglycemia though!

(Troy) #7

Some take it in the Morning or before meals
Still great.

For me, ACV w fresh lemon and some cinnnamon helps
Right b4 bed
And another option. Herbal tea w fresh lemon and fresh ginger
Sweeten either w stevia if needed.

#8

@Arasi_Maran No, it stands for Gamma-amniobutyric Acid. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that calms. Some people use it to calm anxiety, others to calm the nervous system.

#9

I wouldn’t take GABA or anything that induces it until reactive hypoglycemia is ruled out.

GABA prevents the secretion of glucagon. Glucagon signals the liver to make glucose. If someone has hypoglycemia, taking GABA could be dangerous.

(Richard Hanson) #10

I also had some issues with sleep, but I now find that I just don’t need as much sleep as I did before when I would go to bed each evening with elevated sugar levels. I have also given up afternoon sugar naps.

Early on, I had one horrible night and I had a hard time functioning at work, I went home early. After that, I took supplements for about two months, but what I think helped the most was just going to bed each night at the same time even if I was not sleepy, usually 11, and getting up at the same time 5:30, even on the weekends. If I could not fall asleep I would just read. If I wake up in the middle of the night then I might spend some time on this forum and then snooze on the couch until morning.

It is time for bed now and this is me wishing you a good nights rest.

Keto for Life!

Warmest Regards,
Richard

#11

Ironically I am reading this in the early hours after very little sleep!

(Richard Hanson) #12

Fitbit says I fell asleap as 12:09 AM, woke up at 5:00 AM and was awake for 29 min during the night. I slept for 4 hours and 22 min last night, 3 hours 30 mins the night before, and almost 6 hours the night before that. This is typical for me after 6 months of keto but I am having no problem functioning during the day.

Time for some keto java!

Keto for Life!

Warmest Regards,
Richard

#13

No, not a pharmaceutical. OTC, many people use it for stress relief and in place of anxiety meds. Calms the brain down.

(Arasi Maran) #14

Yes - definitely rested. But the sleep quality after 2 or 3 am is filled with vivid dreams - I am almost seeing a full movie in my head.

(Ethan) #15

How much melatonin do you take? I am EXTREMELY sensitive to it. If I eat even half of a 3mg pill, I have insane vivid dreams that can scare me awake during the night. To sleep well, I take 1/8 to 1/4 of a 3 mg melatonin pill, and that works great.