Has anyone out there had a problem with sleeping since they started low-carbing? Maybe it's coincidence, but since I started on 01/07/02, almost a month ago, I have had a lot of difficulty sleeping, tossing and turning and waking up at all hours of the night............. What is up with this? I'm still able to function during the day. And I'm actually thankful that I don't require a nap after my work day like I used to. But come midnight, I think I really should be feeling a little sleepy?? At 1:00 am I'm certain that I should be sleepy..... Is this unusual?
Thanks for any insight.

Hi there.....

You didn't mention what time you get up, or how many hours of sleep you are getting??? I suspect that you are experiencing the increased energy that comes with LCing. I didn't need as much sleep either for the first few months that I did Atkins, however now that I've started BFL, I definately need my 8 every night.

Marlaine

Hi there! and welcome to the forum. Funny you should mention sleeplessness, as I just read something on that last night. This is from Protein Power:
"Heavy ketosis can cause sleeplessness. If you are producing and releasing a lot of ketones, you may be able to increase your carbohydrates a little, or move ahead to Phase II Intervention." (Phase II = 50 carbs/day instead of 30)
What colour are your Ketostix before bed?

Hope that helps,
Kipling

This happens to me too. Especially if I eat to closely to bed time or if I exercise after 6:00 p.m. Also, if I have not had enough hydration throughout the day. Drink you h20, but make sure you stop a few hours prior to bed or that will wake you up too.

Exercising has also helped me sleep more soundly.

On the other hand, I have found that I don't need as much sleep.

I just get up earlier now.

Drinky Winky
Nighty Nighty
Sleepy creepy
Wakey wakey
Winkle Tinkle
Bladder gladder

Are you taking supplements? Calcium and magnesium especially have soothing, nerve-relaxing properties ... helpful for easing muscle aches and cramps experienced by some during the waking hours and for improving the quality of sleep for others.

Cal-mag can be purchased as a combination supplement ... usually 2:1, ie 333mg calcium to 167mg magnesium. RDA for calcium is 1000mg per day ... many are recommending up to 1500mg. Take 3 pills daily, the third dose in the evening. I think you'll find your sleep improved

Doreen

Are you by any chance taking an ECA stack -- a combination of ephedrine, caffeine, and aspirin (white willow)? Some of the brand names include Metabolite, Hydroxycut or use terms like "thermogenic" or "fat burner". Any of these would definitely be candidates for sleep disturbances.

Allison

Thank you all for your replies.
Marlaine, I get up at 6:30-7:00 am. I've been going to bed at approx 12:00 a.m. without luck. Some nights I wait until 1:00 hoping that I'll be more sleepy. But I'm not. I lie there in frustration for a while, finally drift off and then wake up at the very least 4 times per night. And that's a good night.
Kipling, I don't think it could be the ketosis thing for the one reason that I have not lost more than 1 lb in the past 2 1/2 weeks. My keto sticks are mid to dark pink. Not purple. That's at bedtime and in the a.m.
Terrie, I think you asked about water, I apologize if that's incorrect but I'm afraid if I try to back up to the original replies to my message I'll lose this post. Anyhow, I'm drinking about 70-90 ounces per day. Plenty, I think. And I do stop a while before bedtime.
And as for you Mr. Rustpot, you crack me up! There could be some truth to that poem for most people. But I'm part camel and have never been one to get up in the middle of the night to "tinky tinky", not even with the increased "drinky drinky".
Doreen, I'm taking a multivitamin, only 1/2 faithfully. Do you think 40 mg magnesium and 100 mg calcium are enough, or might this be my problem? I hate to have to buy more "stuff", this diet is getting expensive!! Sorry. That was a whine. Didn't mean for it to slip out.
Allison, that was an interesting note. I was not aware of that. However, I am not taking any of those products. I have an aversion to eating anything other than food. And perhaps my problem is from not taking my multivitamins consistently?
Well, thank you all. Anymore feedback, let me know. I'll be more faithful about my multivitamin and see if that makes a difference. Unless, Doreen, you don't think it contains enough of the Ca and Mg.
Theresa

Theresa: You are very much in ketosis!
Unless you're severely dehydrated they don't get any darker than this! I've been a low-carber for 16 months altogether and I've never gotten one in that range. You're doing great!

If you're experiencing slow "weight" loss with this much response from ketostix, it's not that you aren't losing fat. You are burning fat. You may also be simultaneously adding weight from building muscle with the increase in dietary protein or re-filling hollow bones from past low-fat experiences.

Don't be discouraged. Hang in there. You will be very pleased with the way it all sorts out in the end. The newly added muscle will burn more fat even while you're at rest and make you very trim. Soon you'll find your clothes hang on you even though the scale hasn't moved much.

And the satisfaction that comes from seeing this change will probably help you sleep better at night.

Allison

Theresa, this amount of calcium & magnesium is the RDA for good health regardless of dietary program. Consider it an investment.

While we're on the subject of supplements, it would be good to remember to take those multivites 100% faithfully . During the early weeks of ketosis, you will be - ahem - peeing a lot more as your cells release water and fat, and because you're drinking lots to keep your system flushed. This can lead to your potassium levels getting low .. and is a frequent cause of fatigue, tiredness and headaches during Induction. Your multivite probably has 30mg (or less) potassium in it. You can take potassium as a pill, but the least expensive way to get extra is to use a salt substitute, such as No Salt, NuSalt or Morton's Lite Salt. These contain potassium chloride and you sprinkle on food just as you would use regular table salt.

Hope this helps,

Doreen

An easy source of Potassium is apple cider vinegar. I was recommended to take 15 ml (1 tbsp) stirred into a large glass of water, with meals. I have tried searching the web, but have not discovered how much potassium is in 15ml of vinegar, but it might be worth a try.
The taste has rather a kick to it- like ginger beer.

Doreen, I guess my multivitamin is a little below the RDA recommended amounts for Mg and Ca, huh? Wowee! I will definitely try that and see if it helps. In addition, I will be faithful about the multivitamin. Thanks so much for recommendations. I really appreciate them.

Allison, Thank you, thank you, thank you, for the encouragement! I felt so good reading your post! I didn't realize how much I needed that reassurance. I guess it was bothering me more than I knew that I wasn't losing any weight. And I guess I was uncertain about being in ketosis. So thanks for reassuring me. My first week, when I was really strict, I actually had Keto readings in the purple range. That and a very fast weight loss during that week sorta scared me into increasing my carbs. Now it's time to be a little more strict again. Anyhow, thanks.

Kipling,
I think I'll have to use that vinegar on my salad or something. The thought of drinking vinegar, and even more so, vinegared water turns my queesy stomach. My stomach has been sensitive since the Psyllium concoction I tried drinking last week on a couple of occassions. I love cooked cabbage with vinegar, so I think that will be my best bet. Thanks for the advice. Does it have to be apple cider vinegar?
Tree

AFAIK, yes, it has to be apple cider vinegar. Do a web search, if you like. I found all manner of pill hawkers and apple cider bottlers, all with similar claims of aiding the digestion.

All the best to you!

Kipling

According to our carb counter (Low Carb Tools from the orange menu bar) ... 1 Tbsp cider vingegar has 15mg potassium, and 0.9g carbs

1 cup shredded romaine lettuce has 162.4mg potassium, and 0.4g digestible carbs.



Doreen