• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Lack of sleep ... zzzzzzzzz

Elaine p

Elaine p

Well-Known Member
Messages
98
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Diabetes
is not being able to sleep and poor quality sleep connected to diabetes, do you think? So many people on here seem to have this complaint. Thanks x
 
Personally, I find high or low BG can make it difficult to sleep.
If my BG is in range, I sleep as well as I did before diabetes.

This can become a spiral of insomnia - if you are not getting enough sleep due to high BG, you can get stress which will push BG up which means a higher BG which means harder to sleep which means more stress which means ...
 
Since getting my blood sugars under control I now sleep through the night usually 6-8 hours without waking up for a wee.
Unfortunately the cat and dog don't usually manage the same and recently the cat has been wanting to go out at 4.30 am!
So my tip for a decent nights sleep... good blood sugar control and no animals.
 
I discovered that my insomnia was due to magnesium deficiency, which is widespread in the general population (but may be more widespread in the low carb community), whether they have diabetes, or not
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180226122548.htm

I found that Magnesium Oil solved the problem the first night I used it. Now I use it every night.
 
Brunneria said:
I discovered that my insomnia was due to magnesium deficiency, which is widespread in the general population (but may be more widespread in the low carb community), whether they have diabetes, or not
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180226122548.htm

I found that Magnesium Oil solved the problem the first night I used it. Now I use it every night.
Click to expand...
I’ve just read that report and it was a light bulb moment, today I have been told i’m Vit d deficient. Do you know if magnesium oil is available in Boots or more specialised health food shops as I will definitely be giving it a go. Thanks for advice, it’s really helpful x
 
helensaramay said:
Personally, I find high or low BG can make it difficult to sleep.
If my BG is in range, I sleep as well as I did before diabetes.

This can become a spiral of insomnia - if you are not getting enough sleep due to high BG, you can get stress which will push BG up which means a higher BG which means harder to sleep which means more stress which means ...
Click to expand...
Insomnia is definitely a spiral. I’m struggling through each day and fighting an afternoon nap hoping that I can sleep better at night, but I just lay there wide awake with random thoughts swirling round my head. x
 
Magnesium oil is made by Better You and can be purchased online or from Holland and Barrett.
 
I've suffered on and off with insomnia for 38 of my 38 years haha! One thing that really helped me is that I set myself a time (2am), and if I'm not asleep by that time, I get up and read or do something other than lie in bed mulling over things. I listen to The Archers Omnibus podcast, and that is a very good sedative!! Usually if I can get away from the mindless chatter of my brain, and from the frustration of lying there not sleeping, I do actually get some sleep.
Before being diagnosed with diabetes it was far worse than it is now, and if my levels are too high for a while, the insomnia will kick in... which I find ironic considering high levels make you tired!
It's really important to not let the lack of sleep get to you, but to realise that sleep will come eventually.
 
luceeloo said:
I've suffered on and off with insomnia for 38 of my 38 years haha! One thing that really helped me is that I set myself a time (2am), and if I'm not asleep by that time, I get up and read or do something other than lie in bed mulling over things. I listen to The Archers Omnibus podcast, and that is a very good sedative!! Usually if I can get away from the mindless chatter of my brain, and from the frustration of lying there not sleeping, I do actually get some sleep.
Before being diagnosed with diabetes it was far worse than it is now, and if my levels are too high for a while, the insomnia will kick in... which I find ironic considering high levels make you tired!
It's really important to not let the lack of sleep get to you, but to realise that sleep will come eventually.
Click to expand...
Thanks, some good advice. It’s easy to become obsessive over how much sleep you’re not getting x Although i’m not sure about the Archers!
 
Last edited:
Sorry you’re suffering with insomnia @Elaine p - I’ve suffered since the age of 13, so a good 20yrs now and all that before being diabetic so I sympathise entirely!! A great nights sleep for me is 4 hours of intermittent sleep- think my body has just become accustomed to being forever tired. @luceeloo is right - sleep will come eventually - I call them my crash and burn days, as when I want to stay awake I physically can’t and sleep for 12hrs straight. I’ve never seen magnesium oil suggested before so am thrilled to have found this thread as even after this long I’m up for trying new ideas. Hope it works for you, or that you find something that does! :)
 
Emma_369 said:
Sorry you’re suffering with insomnia @Elaine p - I’ve suffered since the age of 13, so a good 20yrs now and all that before being diabetic so I sympathise entirely!! A great nights sleep for me is 4 hours of intermittent sleep- think my body has just become accustomed to being forever tired. @luceeloo is right - sleep will come eventually - I call them my crash and burn days, as when I want to stay awake I physically can’t and sleep for 12hrs straight. I’ve never seen magnesium oil suggested before so am thrilled to have found this thread as even after this long I’m up for trying new ideas. Hope it works for you, or that you find something that does! :)
Click to expand...
Thanks, yes, any new advice is worth trying. Hope it help you too x
 
Elaine p said:
I’ve just read that report and it was a light bulb moment, today I have been told i’m Vit d deficient. Do you know if magnesium oil is available in Boots or more specialised health food shops as I will definitely be giving it a go. Thanks for advice, it’s really helpful x
Click to expand...
No worries! My experience of Mag Oil has been so brilliant that I am glad to spread the word! :D

If you google ‘Ancient Minerals magnesium oil’. You will find a good site with lots of info. It also sells the oil, but it is pricey. I buy from amazon where I can do some good price and dose comparisons.

You could check the Boots website to see if they stock it. And I know Holland and Barrett have it, But don’t get the h&b own brand version. Nowhere on the packaging does it state the dosage!
 
For me it was sleep apnoea and restless legs syndrome (RLS). And the RLS wold waken my wife so I was in double trouble.
CPAP (continuous positive airways pressure) and medication led to better sleep and marital harmony.
The other thing is something called early morning wakening, which can be a symptom of depression. Something to talk with a doctor about!!!
 
Back
Top