Intense hunger in the middle of the night...

[kja1971]

Off and on for the last several months, I keep waking up ravenously hungry in the middle of the night around 1-3 AM or waking up very early (5 - 6 AM) starving. The hunger is so intense that I cannot sleep unless I get up to eat something.  It's a hunger feeling unlike any I normally feel when hungry. Once I eat, I go back to bed and take forever to finally doze off.

Even if I try to eat something prior to bedtime (usually around 10-10:30), it doesnt matter.

I'm a 36 year-old male in good health.

[mobilemama]

Oh this sounds too familiar! I've been taking clonozapam 0.5 mg @ HS for RLS. 3 years ago my hubby was diagnosed with NHLymphoma Stage IV. 6 rounds of RCHOP, in remission for 2 years. April 1012 he started 3 rounds of chemo again, stopped for the summer and is now debating whether or not to do anymore chemo. A BMT is not offered (he is 70), radioimmune therapy may have a 2-3 year 25% positive outcome.

Stress - yes!! I have gained 30 lbs in the past 3 years and hate it. Yet every night I am up grazing knowing I am adding to the pounds. Mentally I can see that I am nourishing myself with food as I am depleted emotionally giving everything I have to my hubby. As an RN this is driving me absolutely nuts as I've been able to maintain excellent health and eating habits until 3 years ago.

I've even thought about not eating much during the day & let my night caloric intake count for 24 hours of calories. Not a good solution, I know.

May be time to increase the clonozapam?

[maevonnie]

Getting to sleep can be such a pain sometimes! My mother, who is a veterinarian never let us count sheep, so we had to count flowers. That never really worked. What works the best for me is reading a really boring book, or watching a really boring movie. Boring = sleepy. :)

[Suri123]

Hi, Relax! I do understand how you might be going through the hard time. Do you feel your symptoms are increasing by time? How frequently are you are been followed up by your attending physician. You need to discuss if a medicine is not helping you relieve your symptoms so that a alternate drug is prescribed. Go to sleep little early and try out for exercise, gentle massage and warm bath before sleep. Do keep up your Gastroenterologist consultation and a re-examination by a Neurophysician to update your medicines. You need to be relaxed and stress free. Keep patience, I hope you will do well. Keep updating on your visits. Take care.

[wcpainter]

Good Afternoon,
I have what I call Restless Body Syndrome.
I kinda saythat it's a takeoff of RLS.which evolved to RBS
This twitchy uncontrolable movement that causes us to have to move.
It is a maddening, unrelenting untill it strikes all the nerves at once ( or maybe not, I don't know)
It stikes in the shoulders, long arms, hands, buttocks, legs and feet.
I currently am taking mirapex, used to take risperdal.
I also take 1 clonozapam.to sleep.
The mirapex is not working 3p 1x day
As I sit here now, my mental state is shuttung down, my fingres
fumblings on the keyboard with my arms wanting to fly off
my legs are conducting their own dance under the desk.
Actually by the time I read the above helpful advice, I had already taken my meds.
So I am signing off at so and so time, I'm gonna beat this "syndrome" if it kills me.
A corner to stand and sleep in might work.
complete lack of disturbace...
One last note... the possiblity of tolerance of medications?
BYE     wcpainter----
woke up my mom, she says I ruined it by staying up too late, I won't be good for anything this next day....s'not like that all, I know things need to done and I will make it so. A little ata time...

wcpainter

[Suri123]

Hi, hope you are feeling better than before. Are you planning for a doctor’s consultation? As your doctor feels, it may be better to seek advise from a endocrinologist to rule out a metabolic disorder. It is better if you can recheck your blood sugar once again now. Are you facing any sleep disturbance now? Is there any change in your weight like a gain or loss over last 2-3 months? Usually this sleep-related eating disorder seen while sufferers wake up during the night to eat, and can occur during sleepwalking. You can ask your doctor for a Polysomnogram test. Stress relief drugs and relaxation techniques may be helpful. Avoid very late night meal; avoid alcohol and sleeping pills as it may further worsen the condition. Keep sharing about your feedback. Take care.

[BUCKSREWL]

HI THERE. I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING WITH WHAT I GOT DIAGNOSED WITH "NES", NIGHT EATING SYNDROME YEARS AGO.
FOR YEARS, I THOUGHT I WAS JUST NUTS. I DIDNT SHARE THIS WITH ANYONE. I WILL WAKE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND JUST EAT, HALF THE TIME NOT EVEN REMEMBERING THE NEXT MORNING,UNTIL I SEEN WRAPPERS OR A HALF DRANK GLASS OF MILK BESIDE MY BED... AND IT WAS USUALLY THINGS LIKE DOUGHNUTS, COOKIES, ETC. THINGS I NORMALLY DONT EVEN LIKE DURING THE DAY. ??
I STILL SUFFER WITH THIS PROBLEM, NEVER FOUND ANY RELIEF. DID FIND A COUPLE PEERS ONLINE THAT I TALKED TO, BUT NEVER ANY FIX.
MY DR NEVER EVEN HEARD OF IT.
IF YOU FIND ANYTHING OUT, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.
GOOD LUCK...

[Suri123]

Hi, well you can also rule out any possibility from endocrine cause. Are you noticing any possible weight changes recently, do you suffer any stress due to personal reasons. Is there any family history of similar nature. Have more of fibrous diet in dinner and lots of liquids. Continue Ambien as its helping you sleep. Also do stretches causually, hot shower and listen to soft music before going to bed. Take care and keep updating. Bye.

[kja1971]

I had testing for diabetes and thyroid problems last week and both came back negative. My GP is setting me up an appointment with an endocrinologist. He spoke with a gastroenterologist about me and there is not pathology he knew of for my symptoms. He suspects my metabolism is getting jacked up during the night for some reason. Thus, the reason for seeing an endo.

In the mean time, I'm on zilpodem (generic Ambien). It is helping me sleep some, but not all night. I still wake up very hungry during the night.

[Suri123]

Hi, How are you feeling now, hope might have got better. Keep posting about the progress. Bye.

[Suri123]

Hi, how lod are you, since when you are facing this problem. It is better to get checked for diabetes. Visit your doctor to get evaluated. Take  care.

[dreamer1973]

nocturnal eating syndrome”, in which patients remember what they ate at night, and are often unable to get back to sleep. The disorder is often accompanied by sleepwalking, periodic sleep movements, and eating disorders.
The literature reports successful treatment of this and related disorders with Clonazepam, Dopaminergic agents, and anti-depressants
SOURCE: R. Benca and R. Casper. “Eating and Disorders” in Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company, 2001; Chapter 98.
I'm not a doc but this sounds like it...