Difficulty sleeping. Had loading doses but having real problems getting any sleep. Any suggestions please?Thank you

[smg1950]

Help with sleep

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

Sorry to read about your sleeping problems.

I found that taking a magnesium supplement helped my sleep.

I'm not a scientist or health professional but I think when B12 treatment starts after a long period of deficiency, there's an increase in amount of red blood cells made.

Some people can experience a drop in potassium levels when B12 treatment starts.

Has your GP checked your potassium and magnesium levels?

I would only take a potassium supplement if a doctor prescribed them as excess potassium can cause health issues.

Some forum members eat potassium rich foods. Technoid started a post recently about potassium rich foods.

Have your folate and ferritin (and other iron tests) been checked?

Have your Vitamin D levels been checked?

[smg1950 in reply to Sleepybunny]

thank you afraid GP is not interested .I take folic acid and eat avocados bananas and coconut water but not too excess.I watched the video but beans would mean I never left the house !

[Technoid in reply to smg1950]

The secret to beans is a pressure cooker or multi-cooker like instant pot. Soaked beans cook in about 20 mins with these handy devices. And no need to watch over during this time either. A small 3L instant pot is under E100. Lentils dont need soaking and are done in about 20 mins just boiled on the hob.

I also find a little extra Magnesium at night to help. But the main trick to sleep is to avoid trying to sleep!

I cannot be sure of this but I seemed to find more than 400mcg of folic acid to cause problems with insomnia for me also, which did improve when I reduced my dosage (my folate was well over range and I had no absorption issues). However, I changed several things at once so its hard to be certain the folic acid was the primary culprit.

[smg1950 in reply to Technoid]

thank you