false Problems sleeping?

[CoramDeo 39]

Did anyone have any issues with sleep? I'm about 7 weeks out, and rarely am sleeping more than 5-6 hours at a time.

[GradyCat 3,695]

I've always had problems sleeping, so I can't really relate it to being surgery-related. I know I got NO sleep while in the hospital because there was always somebody coming into the room doing something and then when I first got home I was up at odd hours in the middle of the morning. But I eventually got back to sleeping regular hours.

[AZhiker 2,252]

My sleep pattern has also changed - from 7 hrs/night to 5 hrs. This happened as I was losing weight rapidly and even more as I started Intermittant Fasting. I also found that I had so much extra energy that I felt like the Energizer Bunny on steroids. I had my thyroid checked - twice, and it was OK. From what I have read, rapid weight loss, or any situation (like IF) that results in ketones causes the release of adrenaline and cortisol. These can cause a LOT of energy and also insomnia.

I just couldn't get my mind to settle down at night, so I would go to bed way too late, and then wake up several times, wondering if it was time to get up. I had plenty of energy during the day. I talked to my PCP and sleep doctors about it, but their answer was medication or supplements, which I am not going to take. As my weight has stabilized, I am getting sleepy again earlier in the evening and am actually getting more hours of sleep, and staying asleep during the night now. So in my case, I truly believe the insomnia was from metabolic changes related to the weight loss and fasting state each day.

My suggestion is to try your best to establish a sleepy time pattern in the evening - a couple of hours before bedtime, do the same routine every evening to get your brain into the sleep mode. IE: no devices or TV an hour before (read a book), no lights on once you go to bed, drink warm cammomile tea a couple of hours before, get your PJs on, etc, etc. Establish a pattern that tells your brain it is time for bed.

[CoramDeo 39]

@AZHiker how are you managing to IF? Or was it a good chunk of time out from your surgery? I'm finding it rough just to get my Protein and fluids completely yet, 7 weeks out

[AZhiker 2,252]

No, you cannot IF right out of the gate. You need to wait at LEAST 6 months or longer. Let your plan work for you at this point. When you are very close to goal and get stuck for a couple of weeks, then that is the time to maybe add some IF tools. I LOVE IF, however, I cannot do it daily while training for athletic events. I simply cannot eat enough calories within a limited window. So I will fast 24 hours 1 day a week instead. That still gives me the benefits of fasting, without the daily caloric restriction and resultant weight loss. (Believe it or not, weight loss can actually become something of a problem once you reach a healthy goal!)