Not able to fall asleep at night - just me?

[fatastic]

Hello all. I did a search for this topic and didnt find anything specific - I hope I am not being redundant.
Since beginning Induction almost 2 weeks ago, I have had a rough time falling asleep at night. I used to fall asleep once my head hit the pillow. I understand I have more energy, and I walk everyday and hit the gym when I can. I did this a few years ago and was very successful, but I dont remember the insomnia. Does anyone else have this problem? Has it lasted past induction for anyone? I appreciate your responses.
Glad to be back on this journey to health.

[niko772]

Re: Not able to fall asleep at night - just me?

It's hit and miss for me. I'll sleep really well for a few days and then have issues for a couple of days. On the off days, I'll take a motrin pm and within an hour am sleeping like a baby. One thing I've noticed is that it tends to happen either right before or right after a decent drop in weight, so maybe you can attribute it to your body changing.

[somethings gotta give]

Re: Not able to fall asleep at night - just me?

It happened to me at first, I think it was the excitement of the weight loss and the increased energy, it passed for me hope it does for you as well....

[fatastic]

Re: Not able to fall asleep at night - just me?

Well I hope that is the case niko772! Thanks for both of the inputs. I would rather not have to take something for sleeping. Do you have a hard time waking up with Motrin PM? I already take ibuprofen for body aches, maybe I should replace it with a PM tablet....

[niko772]

Re: Not able to fall asleep at night - just me?

Not at all and I'm pretty sensitive to meds. I have found that I rest better and wake up ready to go.

[ziggy]

Re: Not able to fall asleep at night - just me?

you sleep less while on atkins because it gives more energy

but also if your sleep has gotten really bad i found that by finding the right vitamins it can make a world of differnce i think

[Grant]

Re: Not able to fall asleep at night - just me?

It's the opposite for me. I used to have a sporadic insomnia problem, but I sleep much better now.

[meow]

Re: Not able to fall asleep at night - just me?

In the 2002 version of DANDR, he mentioned that when you are deep in ketosis, it might keep you awake at night. he suggested eating a bit of cheese before bed. Or, just wait it out, it gets normal again in a couple of weeks.
Tylenol pm knocks me out .

[sporty]

Re: Not able to fall asleep at night - just me?

I wish my insomnia started with atkins... I have had severe insomnia for well over a year now (ever since my hystertecomy at the age of 32) and have to take ambien every night just to close my eyes. I am hoping as I drop the weight and get more in shape that I can get off the ambien and just fall asleep on my own. I feel like ambien is a big crutch for me

[msanjelpie]

Re: Not able to fall asleep at night - just me?

I was taking Ambien but it stopped working, so now I take Ambien CR. I have found that Atkins makes my normal insomnia worse... I feel like I want to go go go... just lots of energy and feeling good, and hard to sleep longer than 6 hours without wanting to hop up raring to go...

[chinadoll]

Re: Not able to fall asleep at night - just me?

I find three things affect me.

1) if I exercise too late in the day I seem more wired at night.
2) caffeine never used to bother me at all, but this year I noticed a big change. If you are having anything caffeinated at night try cutting it out, even if you are used to it.
3) If I eat too late in the evening I can't get to sleep

If I get tired in the evening I find that I will sleep better if I head to bed when it hits rather than trying to stay up to my "normal" time. Also a hot bath, not shower, will work wonders in making you sleepy.

[Jenileigh]

Re: Not able to fall asleep at night - just me?

I too experienced light insomnia before Atkins and I can say that while I'm in ketosis it gets very severe. It takes me FOREVER to fall asleep at night. I'm tired but I toss and turn, my mind is whirling and thinking so much.

I have ordered some Melatonin to see if it will help. I'd rather take something natural for going to sleep if possible. However, if I had the money to go to the doctor, I'd definitely be taking Ambien or whatever prescription sleep aid they have. If I can get to sleep I don't mind waking in 6 hours, which is all I can manage period, it doesn't matter if I'm asleep by 10pm or 3am.

[mizski]

Re: Not able to fall asleep at night - just me?

It's the opposite for me. I used to have a sporadic insomnia problem, but I sleep much better now.

Same here. Now I fall asleep as soon as I close my eyes at night it seems. I think it might be because of the lack of starches and not having all that "sludge" in my system and also that I think my sleep apnea is gone which allows me to stay asleep. I'm also getting better with having my water earlier in the day so I don't have to get up at night all the time.

[Aways2Go]

Re: Not able to fall asleep at night - just me?

5-HTP is supposed to be a very good, over the counter, and natural supplement to help induce sleep. Valerian root too, I think. I think you take 50 or 100mg of the 5-HTP right before bedtime, but you would need to look that up or look at the bottle to see. I don't know about the Valerian root. I would think someone at a health food store might have a good idea. I think I also read that if you are taking anti-depressants you should not combine them with 5-HTP. I believe it works by increasing the amount of serotonin in your brain, which I think may also be one of the pathways for how melatonin works.

Something to Google if it interests you.

[Whatsername]

Re: Not able to fall asleep at night - just me?

I have bad insomnia. I take ambien and as Sporty said, I feel like it is a crutch. I couldn't take my ambien tonight and here I am at 2am . I can't connect my insomnia with Atkins though.

My 2 oldest boys have taken melatonin and had good luck with it.