Improving sleep

ianRugzo

Member
Messages
17
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Thank you Lamont D. I think I must be different though as I can't go without food. My symptoms come on, headache, cold hands, brain fog, stomach churning, in fact I wake up like that every day without fail. I eat some toast with peanut butter and an hour or so later another slice with egg and spinach and the symptoms stop. As long as I don't leave it more than 2-3 hours to eat through the day I am fine, but it's the night time that I can't sort out. Amazingly last night I did sleep well, I had a small balanced meal at 6 , one oatcake and some coconut milk around 8 and went to bed at 10.30. I woke at 6 feeling rough as usual but I try not to eat before 7. It is good to know other people understand what it's like, I feel so isolated, my friends and family try to understand but they don't really.

Seems a lot like what i am going through now. How do you deal with it?
 

Lamont D

Oracle
Messages
15,793
Type of diabetes
Reactive hypoglycemia
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
Seems a lot like what i am going through now. How do you deal with it?
Sleep deprivation and other symptoms decrease when you get control of your blood levels. It is the control of not having high glucose levels and high insulin resistance that helps with sleep.
Do you get the vivid dreams?
 
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62Rose

Well-Known Member
Messages
93
Type of diabetes
Don't have diabetes
Thank you for everyone's help. I thought I'd share that I have taken on board a lot of the advice offered and am getting to grips with this new lifestyle.
In the past three weeks I have lost 6lbs and had more energy than before. For the past few nights I have not woken up sweating, even in this heat (although it's a different when I do).
I've stopped eating carbs in rice, pasta, potatoes, flour etc, increased my above ground veg, oils and fats. I have had to add salt to my meals as I find I get cramp in my legs some nights. I have discovered new recipes for food I didn't know existed, I eat treats like chocolate fudge and iced coconut cream. I think my brain is less fuzzy too!!!
I am now a sugar, carb, dairy free eater and I am starting to enjoy food and life a bit more!
 
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Lamont D

Oracle
Messages
15,793
Type of diabetes
Reactive hypoglycemia
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
Wow! That's brilliant!
Well done!
The realisation that there is a different diet that actually works, especially when you have the symptoms that us RH ers have!

So glad for you.

Keep in touch with your progress.

Best wishes
 

62Rose

Well-Known Member
Messages
93
Type of diabetes
Don't have diabetes
Does anyone have any experience of a good Endocrinologist in the SE London area please? I have finally received my appointment letter and can choose from a number of different hospitals including Kings and St Thomas as well as those more local. I can travel and am wondering if a London based teaching hospital would be best?
 

62Rose

Well-Known Member
Messages
93
Type of diabetes
Don't have diabetes
Sleep deprivation and other symptoms decrease when you get control of your blood levels. It is the control of not having high glucose levels and high insulin resistance that helps with sleep.
Do you get the vivid dreams?

No not really, it was the sweating that was the problem.
 
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Lamont D

Oracle
Messages
15,793
Type of diabetes
Reactive hypoglycemia
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
Does anyone have any experience of a good Endocrinologist in the SE London area please? I have finally received my appointment letter and can choose from a number of different hospitals including Kings and St Thomas as well as those more local. I can travel and am wondering if a London based teaching hospital would be best?

You should be able to read about the endocrinologist specialists on the hospital websites. It would be advisable to find an endocrinologist who has experience in metabolic conditions.

Wrong end of the country for me.

I think I read an article about a Cambridgeshire hospital that has a specialist endocrinologist in metabolic conditions.
No not really, it was the sweating that was the problem.

No worries, how are you coping so far?
Best wishes.
 

ianRugzo

Member
Messages
17
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Thank you for everyone's help. I thought I'd share that I have taken on board a lot of the advice offered and am getting to grips with this new lifestyle.
In the past three weeks I have lost 6lbs and had more energy than before. For the past few nights I have not woken up sweating, even in this heat (although it's a different when I do).
I've stopped eating carbs in rice, pasta, potatoes, flour etc, increased my above ground veg, oils and fats. I have had to add salt to my meals as I find I get cramp in my legs some nights. I have discovered new recipes for food I didn't know existed, I eat treats like chocolate fudge and iced coconut cream. I think my brain is less fuzzy too!!!
I am now a sugar, carb, dairy free eater and I am starting to enjoy food and life a bit more!

Thanks for sharing!!
 

62Rose

Well-Known Member
Messages
93
Type of diabetes
Don't have diabetes
Does anyone else get this eating LCHF? I'm still waking with severe cramp in my legs most nights. Do I just need to keep increasing my salt intake or am I missing something else? I take a good quality multi vitamin and iodine and vitamin D already.
 

62Rose

Well-Known Member
Messages
93
Type of diabetes
Don't have diabetes
Also two nights ago I had the most odd feeling in my feet, twice through the night it woke me, they felt heavy and painful, not tingling , it is a bit difficult to describe, but I felt odd too when I woke up, my heart was racing but I don't think I was sweating as I used to. Is this related in some way, maybe others have had similar?
 

Lamont D

Oracle
Messages
15,793
Type of diabetes
Reactive hypoglycemia
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
Does anyone else get this eating LCHF? I'm still waking with severe cramp in my legs most nights. Do I just need to keep increasing my salt intake or am I missing something else? I take a good quality multi vitamin and iodine and vitamin D already.
Also two nights ago I had the most odd feeling in my feet, twice through the night it woke me, they felt heavy and painful, not tingling , it is a bit difficult to describe, but I felt odd too when I woke up, my heart was racing but I don't think I was sweating as I used to. Is this related in some way, maybe others have had similar?

Yes, it's all related, symptoms differ for each of us, do you take statin s?
And it could be the salt, or it could be a touch of your body adjusting to a lower level of carbs, or it could be you need a bit more saturated fat.
I'm only guessing, you need to try each or avoid some other food.

The night/morning could be a hypo during the sleep, did you test?

Hope you feel better soon.
 

62Rose

Well-Known Member
Messages
93
Type of diabetes
Don't have diabetes
Thank you for your thoughts. I don't take statins. Just seen my GP (as I have been coming off pregabalin, feeling fine !!) she thinks it may be adjusting to the lack of carbs. But mentioned the importance of stretches & fluids too.
Going to start by concentrating on upping fluids, although I drink quite a lot of water as a rule and I do stretches most days anyway.
I really can't believe the difference in how I feel after starting the LC HF , last night I slept 5 hours and then 4 hours without sweating!!! I wasn't even that hungry when I eventually got up.
So grateful to those on the forum offering advice and support it has helped so much.
 
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62Rose

Well-Known Member
Messages
93
Type of diabetes
Don't have diabetes
I'm not sure if there is a better place to share this but I discovered two new things in the supermarket lately which have I have added to my diet and feel quite exited by!!
Koko have started making an unsweetened coconut drink, I has been finding their original and light versions too sweet, Available in Waitrose. Sainsbury's have started selling Califia Farms Unsweetened Black and White Coldbrew Coffee made with almond milk and dairy free, pricey but nice!
 

62Rose

Well-Known Member
Messages
93
Type of diabetes
Don't have diabetes
I have been low carb for a few months now and on the whole was a lot better, including losing 11lbs in weight, so am really pleased I tried it, but lately I seemed to have gone backwards, waking in the night more and sweating, particularly about 15 mins and every 15 mins or so after that, after eating anything? Anyone else had this?
Finally had an endo appt last week but am dismayed as they have suggested another fast, 48 hours, to see what my sugars are doing in the night, unless I get symptoms then I can stop early. After my last experience I really can't face it. I have been monitoring my sugar levels for a couple of days and have been shocked as they are quite different to a couple of months ago. Last night I was 8 before bed and this morning I was 6.00 when I woke and 8 1.30 mins after a low carb breakfast? Should I be concerned? Am I testing at the right time?
 

Lamont D

Oracle
Messages
15,793
Type of diabetes
Reactive hypoglycemia
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
I have been low carb for a few months now and on the whole was a lot better, including losing 11lbs in weight, so am really pleased I tried it, but lately I seemed to have gone backwards, waking in the night more and sweating, particularly about 15 mins and every 15 mins or so after that, after eating anything? Anyone else had this?
Finally had an endo appt last week but am dismayed as they have suggested another fast, 48 hours, to see what my sugars are doing in the night, unless I get symptoms then I can stop early. After my last experience I really can't face it. I have been monitoring my sugar levels for a couple of days and have been shocked as they are quite different to a couple of months ago. Last night I was 8 before bed and this morning I was 6.00 when I woke and 8 1.30 mins after a low carb breakfast? Should I be concerned? Am I testing at the right time?
Hi, Rose.
I'm thinking something else other than the RH is going on but only tests like the 48 hrs fasting will get you there.
Knowing is always better than not!
Testing is what you want to discover what is going on. Without it you probably wouldn't have picked up the disparity in readings.
Until you know how your blood glucose levels are giving you those readings it's impossible to advise how to proceed because if you are very low carb then your readings should have stabilised in or near normal levels.
Please take the tests and keep using your glucometer to record your levels in your food diary.
There are many types of hypoglycaemia, not just RH. And only tests can give you a proper diagnosis.
Keep posting and asking.

Best wishes.
 

62Rose

Well-Known Member
Messages
93
Type of diabetes
Don't have diabetes
Thanks Lamont I wondered if it was RH after all? Anyway as you say I'll keep testing to take the results in next appt and still eat low carb because it might still help and I'm getting to quite like the energy and life style change!!!
I just had a call from St Thomas' this afternoon and am booked for another 5 hour glucose tolerance test on Sept 5 so that's encouraging, maybe the results of that will mean I don't need to do the long fast, I really can't face it. When I don't eat I feel so ill, this afternoon I only ate a couple of nuts and a few pieces of celery and red pepper, just an hour later I was struggling to think straight and getting the headache I so often experience if I don't eat sensibly. I had friends round and we were chatting, I wasn't focussed on food or worried but suddenly it clicked I hadn't eaten enough. The last glucose test I had was at least three years ago and to be honest in all this time I've not been right, but I had been better since low carbing though.
Thanks for listening, it really helps to talk to someone who gets what it feels like and understands the struggle it all is.
 

Lamont D

Oracle
Messages
15,793
Type of diabetes
Reactive hypoglycemia
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
Thanks Lamont I wondered if it was RH after all? Anyway as you say I'll keep testing to take the results in next appt and still eat low carb because it might still help and I'm getting to quite like the energy and life style change!!!
I just had a call from St Thomas' this afternoon and am booked for another 5 hour glucose tolerance test on Sept 5 so that's encouraging, maybe the results of that will mean I don't need to do the long fast, I really can't face it. When I don't eat I feel so ill, this afternoon I only ate a couple of nuts and a few pieces of celery and red pepper, just an hour later I was struggling to think straight and getting the headache I so often experience if I don't eat sensibly. I had friends round and we were chatting, I wasn't focussed on food or worried but suddenly it clicked I hadn't eaten enough. The last glucose test I had was at least three years ago and to be honest in all this time I've not been right, but I had been better since low carbing though.
Thanks for listening, it really helps to talk to someone who gets what it feels like and understands the struggle it all is.
Yes, eating low carb will not only work for blood glucose issues but has effect on most endocrine conditions if you get your balance of foods right.
It might still be RH, but another type of with another condition as most hormonal imbalances will cause the symptoms.
It is a minefield to know what to do when not diagnosed. The body adapts but some times is fooled by the brain for needing glucose, hence the signals you are having which is symptomatic of RH.
Even after diagnosis, being aware of what is your intolerance and susceptibility to some foods will help you. Knowledge is the key to being healthy.
My issues with food intolerance has given me my recipe of intermittent fasting and very low carbing, has enabled me to get fitter. Even just walking more at a sedate pace will help with blood levels.
I enjoy fasting, it was critical in my diagnosis and showed me that my body is not dependent on eating all the time, every day three, four times a day and even more if my doctors and dieticians had their way.
Eating every three hours is doable, but it has to be really small meals or a bite or two of food. It's not right. We can adapt to eat when we want to. Not our brains telling us because of our blood glucose levels.
I recognise that fasting for some is impossible, but having that fasting test with the eOGTT. Will give your specialist the tools to give you a diagnosis. We are designed to fast. Also your c-peptide and insulin levels test should be done. Ask what tests are being done and ask for a print out. A full blood panel should be done!
It will eliminate or confirm what your pancreas is doing, why the excess insulin, and the fluctuations in blood levels.

Let us know how you get on.

Best wishes and good luck for your tests.
 

62Rose

Well-Known Member
Messages
93
Type of diabetes
Don't have diabetes
Just back from the hospital and the OGTT. Went to 8.7 after 2 hours 3.8 after 4 hours down to 3.1 by the end of the 5 hours. Felt rubbish, had a headache and was sweating during the last hour or so but glad it's done now. Returned home to clinic letter with these results from 2 weeks ago. TSH: 1.35, Free T4: 16.5, Calcium: 2.31, HbA1c: 5.3%, Glucose: 4.7, Cortisol(Random): 253, ACTH: 14
Just wondering if anything looks wrong, I know some are ok but wasn't sure about the calcium and (Random) Cortisol? In the letter he is still talking about the 48 hour fast but I haven't got a date yet.
A week ago my fasting level in the morning was regularly above 6 whereas before in May it was around 5 and that is despite eating low carb now for a couple of months and being 12 lbs lighter!! Can't wait for some conclusions and to know how to deal with it in the best way. Sleeping still regularly interrupted with the occasional 4-5 hour stretch if I'm lucky. The grogginess and headaches in the morning have returned too which is not helping either.
I did ask about c-peptide and insulin levels and they were being looked at today which is good.
Thanks again for any thoughts.
 
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