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Falling asleep after lunch

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sololite

sololite

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 3c
Happy New Year everyone!

I was wondering if anyone has experienced the same cycle of sleepiness I've been experiencing this past couple of months.

I know we are living in strange times and maybe its an age thing (61) or maybe its because there is less daylight around this time of year but I am noticing that I am waking early (6 ish) sleeping in more till (8 when I am usually prowling around at 7) and going to bed just after 10. Could it be a diabetes thing? (I am 4 years into my LADA diagnosis)

I am just about fine with the above but the biggest change is that after lunch (around 1) I put my feet up and will drop off easily for 30-60 mins. Thankfully I am retired and not dropping off at work but would appreciate some words of wisdom/reassurance/ways to combat it please.

Is this common amongst diabetics or am I just naturally slowing down ?

Best regards,

Chris
 
It could be a number if things. Others will be along soon with more ideas.
When I am unusually tired I test my BGs just in case. As I find I can get tired if hypo or hyper.

Could you be Anaemic.
 
I've been falling asleep after lunch since I was 15, whether I ate lunch or not. Hideous. :(
 
Rule out any underlying cause by check at Dr's, if all ok just accept that nap is what your body needs.
 
Perhaps ask your GP for a thyroid function test if it hasn't already been done.
 
I was like this before i got my Bgs down. I was also found to have underactive thyroid so like Pumper_Sue mentions may be worth getting your GP to check your Iron levels and Thyroid function.
 
You don't mention what your BG levels are like or what you are eating for lunch?? Dropping off to sleep after a meal is often associated with high BG levels.
Are you on a basal/bolus insulin regime or a mixed insulin? Just wondering if your levels are going high at lunchtime due to an inappropriate/old fashioned insulin regime.
 
rebrascora said:
You don't mention what your BG levels are like or what you are eating for lunch?? Dropping off to sleep after a meal is often associated with high BG levels.
Are you on a basal/bolus insulin regime or a mixed insulin? Just wondering if your levels are going high at lunchtime due to an inappropriate/old fashioned insulin regime.
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Thanks. Early on in my journey my consultant said I might feel tired after meals but didn't explain why. I am on novorapid at mealtimes and regularly go high after meals but bring it down with exercise if very high or leave it to come back down by itself. My control isn't all it should be but my diabetic team aren't alarmed when reviewing my libre graphs.

Keen to understand why going high after lunch induces sleepiness if anyone can explain please.

Regards

Chris
 
Hi again Chris

Sleepiness is just a common symptom of a hyper in the same way that hypos induce other symptoms like heart racing or tingly lips or distorted vision.

Are you also on a long acting basal insulin that you take once or twice a day as well as the NovoRapid with meals?

When do you inject the NR? Before you eat, when you eat or after you eat and if before or after, how long?

What do you consider high or very high BG levels? Just trying to get an idea of how your BG is varying. Large peaks and troughs are not good for your body so there are strategies you can use to iron them out a bit, like increasing the time between injecting the NR and eating, by small increments until you find the optimum time when insulin and glucose from your food both hit the blood stream at the same time.

Changing what you eat for lunch would help prevent such high spikes in your levels but it sounds like you may not have been taught to carb count.... Have you been diagnosed long?

What sort of exercise are you doing to bring levels down when they are very high.... Hopefully not high intensity, as working your body hard with very high levels is not a good policy.... a nice long walk on the other hand is ideal along with drinking plenty of water to flush it out.... but since you have insulin, a correction dose is also possible.

It sounds like you may not be getting much support and guidance with your diabetes management although good that you have Libre. What sort of Time in Range % are you getting?
 
I’m on Novarapid and can fall asleep after a fairly substantial meal whatever the time. After lunch a brisk walk in fresh air helps to liven me (and my dog) up. I’m 70 and can have disturbed nights but then I fight off the dozzies in the hope I’ll have a better night. It sounds silly but I find there’s usually a full moon on the nights that I can’t sleep!
 
I can fall asleep after lunch any day of the week if I sit down. I also have to set my alarm for an hour as I know I will fall asleep and could be there for a couple of hours. However if I have things to do I can keep active all day and not feel tired. I think I should have been born in Spain because it think it’s just a siesta I need. Best err on the side of caution though and run things past your GP
 
Regardless of the diabetes or not, a carb laden meal can make one fall asleep. Think of the traditional image of folks dozing on the sofa after a good lunch.
It’s more pronounced for us blessed with visitations from the diabetes fairy because were more sensitive to changes in BG levels but I know that if I feel tired after a meal then I’ve overdone it on the carbs.
 
Annemarie said:
I’m on Novarapid and can fall asleep after a fairly substantial meal whatever the time. After lunch a brisk walk in fresh air helps to liven me (and my dog) up. I’m 70 and can have disturbed nights but then I fight off the dozzies in the hope I’ll have a better night. It sounds silly but I find there’s usually a full moon on the nights that I can’t sleep!
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Not so silly, I have been told by various care homes that on a full moon some residents go bonkers and do not sleep which makes it hard work for the staff.
 
I find both high and low BG can make me feel drowsy. As can a large meal with perfect in-range BG. Or just sitting down on the sofa after a really busy week.

Basically I can fancy a snooze any time! 😛
 
Thanks for all the advice and interest people . Its nice to know Its not unusual . I am getting great support from my Diabetes team, following it is another matter! There are so many variables to consider and little time to conduct a full clinical trial on myself to pinpoint the circumstances that trigger sleepiness. At least I can rule out alcohol as I am doing dry January. My gut feel is to try and stay active after lunch and not be tempted to slump on the sofa and drift off to Radio 4 especially as I am getting a lot of sleep at night.

Thanks once again and take care everyone.
everydayupsanddowns said:
I find both high and low BG can make me feel drowsy. As can a large meal with perfect in-range BG. Or just sitting down on the sofa after a really busy week.

Basically I can fancy a snooze any time! 😛
Click to expand...
 
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