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Extreme lethargy

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EllieImp

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hello,

Ever since about the age of 16 I've been a very tired person and no matter how much sleep I get I never feel fully awake. I've asked GPs over the years and they just say it's because my diabetes isn't particularly well controlled (but I'm really working on this.)
The last week or so, thoug, it's gotten worse and I could easily sleep for 12 hours a day if I let myself. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it diabetes related or should I be more concerned about something else?
It's quite upsetting and have no idea who I can ask for some proper help.

Thank You
 
Hi EllieImp, welcome to the forum 🙂 How long have you been diagnosed, and what are your levels normally? High levels will certainly make you very lethargic. Have you been tested for hypothyroidism? I believe this can also make you tired and is commonly associated with Type 1 diabetes as it is also an autoimmune disease. What insulin regime are you on? Sorry for all the questions, but it helps people to know so they can make some suggestions you might like to follow up on 🙂
 
Hi,

I've been diabetic for 14 years and my sugars have been a bit erratic for the past few years. I'm mostly between six and fourteen, though, which I know is quite a gap! I'm also following DAFNE so I'm on Novorapid and I'm about to switch from Levemir to Lantus.
I have been tested for thyroid problems in the past and it was all fine but I'm not sure when I was last tested. I always assume that they test everything when they do my bloods.
 
EllieImp said:
I always assume that they test everything when they do my bloods.
Click to expand...

So did I, but had to request a thyroid test...................

Your tiredness could be related, but when your readings are in range, do you still feel lethargic........

your doctors brushing it off as down to the diabetes is nonsense...........other checks should be carried out.........

What was your last HbA1c?

What does a normal day involve for you?

Oh yeah, Welcome to the Forum....................🙂
 
I agree, it's nonsense to suggest that any problems are attributable to your diabetes without following up other possibilities. I sometimes feel lethargic, but not most of the time, so diabetes isn't bound to result in tiredness. I probably would feel tired if levels were in the mid-teens though, so would accept that possibility.

We suggest to a lot of people that they start a food, insulin and blood test diary so that they can determine possible patterns of fluctuating levels - also great for discussing with a DSN or dietician.

Depression can also make you feel very tired and is often associated with people who have long-term conditions to cope with, so this might be another avenue you could explore with your doctor.
 
Hi Ellie. Welcome. 🙂

Has anyone suggested sleep apnoea or interrupted sleep patterns to you as a possible cause of tiredness ?

As said, the high BGs could be causing some of it but hopefully you can eliminate those for many health reasons. If we can be of any help with advice or encouragement, shout up.🙂

Rob
 
Thank you all, you've all been really helpful!
I think I'll start tracking what I'm eating, my sugars and how tired I am. I have to see my GP about a new prescription anyway so will probably flag it up again.
Thanks, again!
 
EllieImp said:
Thank you all, you've all been really helpful!
I think I'll start tracking what I'm eating, my sugars and how tired I am. I have to see my GP about a new prescription anyway so will probably flag it up again.
Thanks, again!
Click to expand...

Great stuff Ellie, let us know how you get on 🙂
 
Hello Ellie and welcome to the forum.

Diabetes can make you feel lethargic but it is not the only thing. You say you have been particularly bad in the last week - is there any chance that you have had a virus recently - sometimes you can feel really tired after that.

As others have mentioned there are many causes of lethargy - so it should not be assumed that your diabetes is the cause. It may be but it may not. If you are not happy speak to your Dr again - and ask if they can rule out other reasons why you may be so tired.
 
Hi Ellie and welcome please let us know how things go
 
Hope you get some answers Ellie...being tired can end up impacting on your life in a big way so hope it's sorted quickly 🙂 Let us know how you get on.
 
Hi Ellie, I have had the same problems ever since being diagnosed 8 years ago, i sleep a lot and get exhausted easily. In general I get told that it is psychological due to stress and depression or due to my diabetes. My diabetes is now much better and I still feel rubbish. It is worth pushing as much as you can to get tested for everything. Thyroid is an obvious one, cortisol levels perhaps. Try to get a list of what you have actually been tested for so that you at least know what it isn't.
 
I have been a tad ill this week but it was just headachey, nothing major. I've felt so much better today and didn't feel tired at all after a bit of a lie in so maybe things just seemed amplified this week. I'm still going to track it, though, just to see if there are any patterns.

Thanks, again, everyone!
 
Some but not all obviously, have problems with analogue insulin's.
One of the side effects is being very tired. This might be something worth looking into. Perhaps consider having a change of insulin to non analogue as in human or animal insulin and see what happens.
PS. Welcome to the forum. 🙂
 
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