Sleep and Diabetes

Debbie Sue · #1 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 01:11 PM

I should say lack of sleep. I have not been sleeping well or soundly since being DX'd back in June. At first it was anxiety keeping me from sleep. That has passed and now I'm not sure what's keeping me from sleeping all night long. I sleep until around 3 or 4 a.m. then toss and turn until 5:30 when the alarm goes off. Is it possibly my meds causing this? Maybe since my BS have almost normalized I'm sleeping lighter? I need some good sleep and I really don't want more meds to have to take. I asked the PA last Monday and she said there is no correlation between my meds and lack of sleep. Help!

fgummett · #2 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 01:21 PM

One possibility is that you are re-adjusting as your sugars are coming back under control. I find when my sugars are high I can barely stay awake but when they are controlled I have more energy. Try not to worry too much about it as that only makes it harder to sleep

What is your BS like when you wake?

princesslinda · #3 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 01:28 PM

Are you taking time to relax before going to bed? I've found if I come home from a stressful day at work, I need time to "unwind." I'll take a hot bath, have a glass of wine and "mellow out." If I don't have any "down-time," I don't sleep as well.

Also, if you're exercising later at night, this may affect your ability to get to sleep as well.

Finally, when you wake up early, get up and start your day, instead of lying there waiting on the alarm to ring. You'll feel better that morning, and will probably be more inclined to sleep longer that night.

I have on occasion taken melatonin or Benadryl to help when lack of sleep has become a problem.

Debbie Sue · #4 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fgummett

One possibility is that you are re-adjusting as your sugars are coming back under control. I find when my sugars are high I can barely stay awake but when they are controlled I have more energy. Try not to worry too much about it as that only makes it harder to sleep

What is your BS like when you wake?

My #'s are usually lower than 120 but not lower than 100 yet. Could I possibly have sleep apnea? DH says I don't snore...

Debbie Sue · #5 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by princesslinda

Are you taking time to relax before going to bed? I've found if I come home from a stressful day at work, I need time to "unwind." I'll take a hot bath, have a glass of wine and "mellow out." If I don't have any "down-time," I don't sleep as well.

Also, if you're exercising later at night, this may affect your ability to get to sleep as well.

Finally, when you wake up early, get up and start your day, instead of lying there waiting on the alarm to ring. You'll feel better that morning, and will probably be more inclined to sleep longer that night.

I have on occasion taken melatonin or Benadryl to help when lack of sleep has become a problem.

I do usually unwind for several hours after dinner. My exercise time is mid afternoon. I have thought about the wine thing, but not comfortable combining it with the meds. I'll try getting up earlier and see if that helps.

adiantum · #6 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 02:27 PM

It could be the Vitamin B if your taking it in the afternoon or evening.
Take it first thing after breakfast & see if that's better

Schlep · #7 (**permalink**) 07-12-2008, 03:38 PM

I don't have an answer for you but I can tell you that I am having the same issues every morning between 3 to 4 am.

The only answer I can give is call me at 3am and we will talk. lol

Debbie Sue · #8 (**permalink**) 07-13-2008, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adiantum

It could be the Vitamin B if your taking it in the afternoon or evening.
Take it first thing after breakfast & see if that's better

I take all meds in the morning and then 100 mg Met in the evening with dinner.

Achilles · #9 (**permalink**) 07-13-2008, 08:31 PM

I'm not sure if this is all in my head or not but I found taking my 1000 mg of Metformin all at once at night made me feel like I had drank coffee or something stimulating. I now split my Met 500 mg in the morning and 500 mg at night after meals. I am on the extended release.

I have only had 2 bad nights of sleep after doing this. I exercise around 6 pm every day and that makes me tired enough by bedtime.

slipperyelm · #10 (**permalink**) 07-13-2008, 10:08 PM

My guess is that initially missing sleep due to anxiety trained you into the habit of poor sleep. I'm thinking it will pass as soon as you can give up and stop worrying about getting back to sleep at 3 a.m.

Wine is what I would do, too, but I sure understand not wanting to try to combine alcohol with any medicines just yet.

Cloudedbrains · #11 (**permalink**) 07-13-2008, 11:44 PM

I am coming upto my 2nd yr anniversary of diagnosis and I am still having issues sleeping BUT I have been told that the massive doses of insulin I need will keep me awake (oral meds did nothing for me bar side-effects)

My body is adjusting to lack of sleep though and I dont notice it as much anymore

Axel Slinger · #12 (**permalink**) 07-14-2008, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Debbie Sue

I have not been sleeping well or soundly since being DX'd back in June.

If you were diagnosed only a month and a half ago I think it could be that your body is still adjusting to your meds. It took me a long time to get used to some of mine. Some of them I still have minor problems with, but there's nothing I can't live with. The worst is I have a upset stomach quite often.

I find one of the best things I can do to make sure I get a good nights sleep is to stop drinking everything about 3 to 4 hours before I go to bed. Otherwise I have to get up to hit the facilities during the night, and then I can't get back to sleep for at least an hour.

Debbie Sue · #13 (**permalink**) 07-14-2008, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Debbie Sue

I take all meds in the morning and then 100 mg Met in the evening with dinner.

That should have been '1000mg' of Metformin with dinner.

davef · #14 (**permalink**) 07-14-2008, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axel Slinger

The worst is I have a upset stomach quite often.

Axel,

If you are on Metformin some people experience stomach if they take the Met before eating. It's best to eat and then take the Metformin. The other thing I found with Metformin is that if I eat a large or fatty/greasy meal it can cause problems.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Debbie Sue

That should have been '1000mg' of Metformin with dinner.

Debbie,

I would tend to agree with the problem being your body needing to get used to your lowering BG numbers. If you are experiencing what Achilles has, perhaps you could split your 1000mg dose, so as to take 500mg with dinner and 500mg before bed (with some cheese or something similar). If you decide to try this, check with your Doctor that he has not problems with doing that, I don't think he will as it's the same daily dose, just split up a little more.

The thing about sleep problems is the more you worry about getting sleep the more difficult it is to sleep a horrible vicious circle. I wouldn't have a problem trying the glass of wine.

art · #15 (**permalink**) 07-14-2008, 06:44 AM

When I was first Dx'd I was on Lanthus and Humalog and couldn't sleep to save my life. 4 hours and bang, wide awake.
Doc gave me Ambien. Frankly didn't work worth a ****. My problem wasn't getting to sleep it was staying asleep.
Changes that to Ambien CR. Really no difference. Went off insulin and onto Metformin. No change in sleep habits. Went of Metformin onto Janumet. Still no change in sleeping behavior.

Here it comes.:
Stopped the Ambien and I'm sleeping like a log. It's not unusual for me to now go 7 or 8 hours and never wake up.
Yippee.

What's your answer? I don't have a clue but Ambien or some other pill may be able to get you on some kind of schedule.
I feel for you. Big time

Art