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Does Diabetes Affect Sleep?

by hjp
June 19, 2008 5:12 PM
15 Replies
520 Views

I experience regular sleeplessness or waking at 3 AM & not getting back to
sleep. That is a horrible affliction & also a form of torture. Is this
associated to diabetes in any way?

Thanks,
Harry


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From Replies
Gabby
Gabby
Gabby replied June 19, 2008 5:41 PM 

Last edited 2 months ago

I cannot say if it is totally related to diabetes, but I know when my sugar was
not controlled at all, I would have terrible night sweats. I thought it was
menapause, but it turned out to be more. Now that I have things more under
controll (though not completely) I do sleep much better and more comfortably.
Now if I can get my dogs to quit bugging me at 4 AM I will be fine.
I have been reading about Dawn Phenomenon (I have a post in here on it) and it
says that around 3 AM to 11 AM our bodies naturally release stored glucose which
allows us to wake and be ready for our day. Maybe that has something to do with
it?
Sometimes, it's just age...unfortunately, they don't have a pill for that.

 JP
JP
JP replied June 19, 2008 8:23 PM 

Have you been checked for sleep apnea? Although the link is not yet known,
many diabetics have sleep apnea. My doctors figure I've had it all my life as I
was the 'nightmare' girl since I was a little kid and thrashed in my sleep alot.
They say if someone brought a 6 year old in now with those 'issues' they'd be in
a sleep study the next night. That's about the time my blood sugar issues
started too... hmmm My father died from issues related to sleep apnea so they
tested me and I have it too. I have a CPAP machine now and sleep well. Also,
another thing I take is 3 mg of Melatonine an hour before bed. We make this
naturally in our bodies but as we get older (40's and up) we make less and less.
We actually produce it in the dark but with our lifestyles now and all the
florescent lighting we don't make enough. That might be a first step to try.
My son has always had trouble sleeping (another candidate for sleep apnea I
think) He's almost 20 and started taking 3 mg of Melatonine and now sleeps 8
hours in a row for the first time in his life and continues it now. But don't
take more than 3 mg!! You can buy it at any drugstore or Walmart type store and
it's not expensive.

Just a few things that I thought might help.. the melatonine might help,
otherwise talk to your doctor about a sleep study.

Hope you find something that helps because you're right, it is torture not to
sleep..

*Judy

steadb replied June 19, 2008 8:46 PM 

Great comments JP. I just got my Cpap machine today and am anxious to use it
tonight. I was recently diagnosed with Sleep apnea. I am looking forward to
trying the machine.

JP replied June 29, 2008 3:04 PM 

How's the CPAP working for you? It's been 9 days so thought I'd ask.

It takes a little getting used to but now I love it. I sleep straight though
every night. I haven't gotten up even for a bathroom run in almost 3 years..
:)

*Judy (JP)

steadb replied June 30, 2008 6:29 AM 

Thanks, JP.

The CPAP machine has had an immediate positive impact. I am quite surprised how
excited I am bout how I feel. I hope the good feelings continue.

I have more energy late in the day. I don't ache as much in the morning. My
focus is better. Also, I feel like I have increased my lung capacity by
40%...during the day.

I am very happy so far. It took me about 1 week to get comfortable sleeping
with it but now it has the "discomfort" has become less and less of an issue.
Last night, I pretty much sleep very comfortably.

It is a wonderful device.

S

JP replied June 30, 2008 7:32 AM 

Very good news!!! I figured you'd see results soon. Happy Sleeping!

*Judy (JP)

ncnurse1459
ncnurse1459
ncnurse1459 replied June 19, 2008 9:22 PM 

You are all on the money. Diabetics do seem to wake more from sleep. Whether it
be nightime urination (nocturia)or waking from painful neuropathies (feet,
hands, etc). Most diabetics will tell you they seldom have a good night's rest.
There is a difference between sleep and rest. We may sleep 8 hours, but do we
wake feeling rested ? There are studies available in many places that you may
try. I did try a sleep study (and was paid to do it) to find out if I had sleep
apnea, along with diabetes and fibromyalgia. I did not have sleep apnea in my
study, but was found to have restless legs syndrome, which leaves me feeling
like I wrestled all night long. RLS sometimes accompanies diabetics and those
with fibromyalgia. There are meds out there that can help. Lyrica and Cymbalta
work for me. Rest exercises/meditation, relaxation techniques may work for some.
Angie in NC

JP replied June 20, 2008 6:28 AM 

Last edited 2 months ago

Hi,
I also found out in the sleep study I have restless leg syndrome. I didn't
believe them about 'seizure-like leg activity' (this is called something else
but I don't remember) until I made them show me the video and I was shocked.
I take a generic drug for seizures at bedtime now and it has stopped. Clonazapam
- it is used for many things but was initially an anti-seizure medication. My
fibromyalgia symptoms are almost non-existent since I stopped aspartame too.. :)
*Judy (JP)

hjp replied June 29, 2008 10:43 AM 

Hi everybody & thank you for your responses. I didn't realize that anyone had
replied, or I would have sooner.

Yes, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea 2 1/2 months ago. I missed the clinic
appointment & have not the sleep aid device for that.

I have a histroy of night terrors for lack of a better word. That included
severe leg cramping in calves & feet, restless sleep, chronic sleeplessness &
nightmares or disturbing dreams. I often used to hear myself making strange
sounds while in that twilight state between waking & sleep.

Someone told me about sleep paralysis & that accurately describes much of my
sleep history.

Any further comments will be most appreciated.

Harry

JP replied June 29, 2008 3:06 PM 

Last edited about 1 month ago

Hey Harry,
You sound like me with the history of night terrors and nightmares...The machine
will help immensely!!! I haven't had a nightmare in almost 3 years either..
and I had them nightly since I was a kid!!

*Judy

jupton1 replied June 29, 2008 3:24 PM 

I have this happen sometimes,I thought maby it was anxiety or low sugar..This is
a great topic..John

jupton1 replied June 29, 2008 3:26 PM 

Last edited about 1 month ago

JP>>>Be very carfull with Clonazapam it is a benzo and is very addictive.It is
givin for panic attacks also..Read about withdraws..Use caution..John

biscuits983
biscuits983
biscuits983 replied July 5, 2008 9:42 AM 

Last edited about 1 month ago

i have the same problem i think it happens when sugar level drops i find that
1/2 glass of milk and maybe a cookie or cracker helps , also make sure u eat a
snack just prior to going to bed, also i had nose surgery to correct some
problems doc said i don't have apnea just slowed way down (breathing)as i am
sleeping

Cindy Lee
Cindy Lee
Cindy Lee replied July 6, 2008 5:19 AM 

I feel so much better knowing I am not alone with a sleeping problem. I wake
everyday at 4:00 in the silly morning...
after a trip to the bathroom, I am awake for a few hours...I plan to start
walking everyday and to stop eating after 6:00pm.

DiabetesDiva replied July 6, 2008 8:01 PM 

Both my husband and I have sleep apnea and use the C-Pap (so romantic!) and the
results have been amazing. It takes some getting used to and for women it gives
you terrible bedhead. The white noise of the machine helps me to sleep. I do
sleep better if I am eating healthy, also used to have the night sweats if i had
too many carbs. Did you see the program on 60 Minutes about sleep? It affects
your health in a negative way of you don't get enough restful sleep.