Very sleepy, is this normal?

[Podgypig]

Hi. I'm 55 and weigh over 17 stone. I've been using the "second nature" scheme funded by the NHS to try to avoid moving from prediabetic to type 2. I bob up and down the same half stone depending how on plan I am being.

Since January 2021 I have an active job picking and packing in a warehouse, doing 6,000-12,000 steps per day and on my feet for 8 hours. I was hoping the weight would drop off as previously I had a more sedentary job doing only 3000 daily steps at work. instead I just feel more tired and often fight falling asleep as I drive home and do fall asleep on the settee once I do get in.

I also get very sleepy after eating.

I haven't had my bloods done since July 2020 so no idea what my hbA1c is at.

If I cut back my carb intake, eg no sugar in tea, and no bread, fist sized potato, half pouch of pasta or rice meals, I start to lose weight but feel more tired.

Is this a temporary sugar crash or should I try to see my GP again?

 

[Drummer]

You are still eating carbohydrate, and it might be eye opening to try testing after meals to see how high those foods take you.
Replacing the carbs with protein and fat might give you more energy and sort out your sleep patterns so you feel tired and sleep when it is safe to do so.

 

[Inka]

I’d buy a glucose meter if I was you @Podgypig That way you can see if your tiredness corresponds to your blood sugar. You can also use it to test to see how various meals affect you.

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

Hi @Podgypig,

There's really no way of us knowing which it is. It could be the impact of a new work load, diabetes related or something else entirely.

I'd just get it checked with my GP as tiredness is a symptom of other things and if it is diabetes, you'll need to work out a plan to live a healthy life.

 

[Podgypig]

Hi. Thanks everyone. It's so difficult trying to see the GP at the moment, they are only doing phone calls and I am working shifts with no access to my phone.
I do own a glucose monitor i bought last year when diagnosed prediabetic so dug it out and fired it up this morning and was shocked at reading of 9.0 mmol after not eating or drinking for over 12 hours. Have had light breakfast and will check 2 hrs later. Intending to monitor before and after meals and record all food and drink for a week to report back to GP by letter if I can't speak to anyone.

 

[PattiEvans]

That sounds like a good plan you have started Podgypig! I think the results will inform you much better and you may well be surprised.

 

[Inka]

Testing will really give you a picture of what’s going on @Podgypig I’m pleased you found a meter.

 

[Merlin&Ebs]

Hi. I'm 55 and weigh over 17 stone. I've been using the "second nature" scheme funded by the NHS to try to avoid moving from prediabetic to type 2. I bob up and down the same half stone depending how on plan I am being.

Since January 2021 I have an active job picking and packing in a warehouse, doing 6,000-12,000 steps per day and on my feet for 8 hours. I was hoping the weight would drop off as previously I had a more sedentary job doing only 3000 daily steps at work. instead I just feel more tired and often fight falling asleep as I drive home and do fall asleep on the settee once I do get in.

I also get very sleepy after eating.

I haven't had my bloods done since July 2020 so no idea what my hbA1c is at.

If I cut back my carb intake, eg no sugar in tea, and no bread, fist sized potato, half pouch of pasta or rice meals, I start to lose weight but feel more tired.

Is this a temporary sugar crash or should I try to see my GP again?

Hi I hope you don’t mind but how do you sleep I’m type 2 but also have chronic obstructive sleep apnoea I can’t diagnose you but it may be worth mentioning you’re drowsiness to your dr if you are overweight and drowsy while driving then I’d be very concerned before I had my bipap I nearly crashed my my car and had no idea it was because I was waking up 114 times an hour in my sleep (or lack thereof) I was lucky I was in hospital when my o2 dropped to 24 percent I was actually diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after I’d been diagnosed with sleep apnea both are linked to being overweight please be careful when driving

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hope you find the results from your meter helpful @Podgypig

High BG can be associated with tiredness as well as low BG - so it will be interesting to see what you discover.

Many members here use pairs of before and after meal checks, and aim for a rise of no more than 2-3mmol/L between the two.

It can really help you build up a picture of how you react to different foods, so that you can tweak things to develop a menu that you enjoy, and which keeps your BG levels more steady 🙂

 

[BlueArmy]

Hi I hope you don’t mind but how do you sleep I’m type 2 but also have chronic obstructive sleep apnoea I can’t diagnose you but it may be worth mentioning you’re drowsiness to your dr if you are overweight and drowsy while driving then I’d be very concerned before I had my bipap I nearly crashed my my car and had no idea it was because I was waking up 114 times an hour in my sleep (or lack thereof) I was lucky I was in hospital when my o2 dropped to 24 percent I was actually diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after I’d been diagnosed with sleep apnea both are linked to being overweight please be careful when driving

yeah me too, I actually think the sleep apnea brought on the diabetes earlier in my life, although mine was found after diabetes as Inwas still tired after taking meds.

To be fair though, fasting BG of 9 is in the diabetic region, so, I’d go and see the Doctor and get a Hb1AC done if it is constantly like that or higher. BG tends to be higher in the morning though, I always have a higher BG that drops after eating breakfast - tiink its the right course of action to monitor and record it over 2 weeks