Hacker News Reader

Comment by jimmywetnips | Hacker News Reader

I am incredibly envious of people who have good or even average sleep. For some reason the last year or so I haven't been able to sleep well if I drink too much water. You know, that thing that we all need to survive daily? It's super messed up and every specialist I see waives it off.

I also get really bad sleep anxiety/water anxiety. And you're right, articles like these are only good for scaring normal people who fight their own bodies from sleeping. They're pointless for people whose bodies are fighting them and can only generate more stress.

View on HN

Most sleep specialists are "sleep apnea specialists" in my experience. Can be useful if you have that, but was of limited use during my issues. I had to find my own way.

Best of luck. Not sleeping sucks. And I totally agree, all these articles do for those with sleep issues is add more stress. Very few people choose not to sleep.

I also agree. People really underrate quality sleep.

> Most sleep specialists are "sleep apnea specialists" in my experience

I've been working with a sleep specialist recently and the thought did occur to me that she's more like a CPAP machine seller than anything.

Then again.. this thing has been improving my sleep I suppose. When the mask doesn't leak air or have any other issues.

Ugh, I've been getting that sense over the last few months but I was holding out hope maybe I could find one that wasn't. The whole specialty medicine thing in the US is another awesome thing to navigate :)

If it makes you feel any better, its the same outside the US as well.

Agree. I've seen multiple. They we're salesmen for their favorite device.

I had a primary care doctor insist that I needed to see a sleep specialist about possible apnea, even though I told him that I wasn’t tired or having trouble sleeping. I went through with it because I was curious if the specialist would have any additional insight, but nope, it was just checking for apnea and sending me on my way.

I had no apnea, by the way. :P

That could be linked to electrolyte balance. Depending on your water source, if it's too low in minerals it can flush out your system causing something like hyponatremia (low sodium), which can cause sleep issues.

I had similar problems when I used a Brita filter with a ketogenic diet, switching back to regular tap water fixed it. :)

Have you tried hitting the gym? Since I myself started running 30minutes in the treadmill every other day (so not even everyday!) I sleep like a baby.

Have you tried adding an electrolyte mix to your water? Possible that you're drinking too much water and leaching salts.

I agree, and magnesium is a key one. I certainly find I become sleepier easier if I use magnesium bisglycinate (or any magnesium really, but the bisglycinate is absorbed better and hence has no effect on my bowels!:) Coffee not only provides a stimulant but also prevents magnesium being absorbed well[1], so if you like coffee it's worth taking some.

[1] https://www.livestrong.com/article/447467-can-coffee-deplete...

I also take magnesium bisglycinate, usually at night [1].

I recommend everyone does their research on magnesium deficiency. Supposedly the vast majority of the nation is low in magnesium due to soil quality depletion. Vegetables these days just aren't packing the same punch that they once did.

https://www.thorne.com/products/dp/magnesium-bisglycinate

https://drinklmnt.com has worked wonders for me. https://drinklmnt.com/huberman for a discount (no affiliation but has been very good for me).

As a parallel connector noted, electrolytes- Gatorade powder, either regular or sugar free. If you use the grape with soda water it makes a pretty nice grape soda.

I'd also ask about a benzo or other chemical help.

I am not a doctor and this is something to ask a doctor about, but Amitriptiline has been great for improving my sleep (as a side effect of the main reason) but it is also mild in terms of side effects (mood, next day drowsiness are minimal) and generically available too. YMMV of course.

I think I’m the same. If I drink too much water I can’t sleep now. I realized that when I overdrink water to avoid the hangover.

Lack of sleep also affects my stress/anxiety levels.

As others said Magnesium is key as well as Potassium and Vitamin D! Electrolytes/D3 during the day and magnesium before bed. Does absolute wonders.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com