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• May 21, 2013 3:21 a.m.

  I have had insomnia most of my life. My Mother used to say that when she was pregnant with me I would become very active when she was trying to go to sleep at night. She said that once my Dad said,"why did you poke me in the back?" and she said she didn't do it the baby did. He could not believe it.She told him to put his hand on her belly and wait a minute. she said that he said,"Well I'll be damned, that kid is strong." Well as I get older, the lack of sleep problem has gotten worse.I have long periods where I get three to four hours of sleep a night, and there are times when I go up to three days with no sleep at all. during these times my glucose levels go crazy.Some times they bottom out because I forget to eat. And then when I do eat, I tend to over do it because I'm starving. Then my sugar level goes way up. I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea, and put on a c-pap system that Iam trying very hard to adapt to. My insurans co. says I am not being compliant to thier rules. They say you need to use it a certain number of hours per night. If I could make that happen, I probably wouldn't need the damn thing. 05-21-13, four twenty AM.

  - Pat

• April 10, 2013 1:39 a.m.

  I sleep dreadfully. I no longer sleep in my bedroom because of disturbing my husband. I get very deeply depressed and have an overwhelming feeling. Everything is too heavy. IBS, Asthma, Diabetes T2 and a very acid body..stomach trouble and reflux. Nothing can e done. During bouts of long term sleeplessness i've tried everything. Pills make everything worse..because of the ripple effect on my gut and stomach. I fight to manage. I also have bladder problems..but my urologist says i need to re train my bladder. The lady who was asking about going to urinate several times at night. .. When you wake up, tell yourself NO...and o back to sleep. Its difficult at first, but I have cut my visits to the toilet down to three, and hope to get t even less. The bladder shrinks...and it can be stretched by waiting until you cant wait. Sleep affects Diabetes a lt...Diabetes affects sleep a lot. Life is tough. If I wasn't a Buddhist who believes in challenging my circumstances, I would ave give up years ago. Life is tough. But some have it much much tougher.

  - Willow

• March 28, 2013 6:39 p.m.

  i have read. now iam suffering health problem(sever hand allergic reaction) due to lack of sleep. thank you for your kind information.

  - vinay

• March 17, 2013 10:20 p.m.

  Lack of sleep definitely effects my diabetes control for several reasons. One reason is the tendency to wander to the kitchen when bored and staying awake allows hunger to take over when your "concious you" would be more likely to say no.

  - Ann

• February 20, 2013 6:49 p.m.

  I recently was diagnosed with sleep apnea. I believe that my wake ups to urinate were really apnea events - as I rarely wakeup to urinate after 2 weeks on CPAP machine. I also now have dreams - so am getting some REM sleep. - I am a Type 2 controlled by diet

  - bee

• February 1, 2013 7:22 p.m.

  To Lindy, who posted in Oct. 2012. My significant other used to have problems with random hi/low's overnight, which woke him up as well. His Dr. suggested he try using the Lantus in the morning, instead of at night, and maintain his daytime bolus, as usual(normal). This change has helped tremendously, and it is now a RARE occurrence, that he wakes in the middle of the night from hi/low glucose level swings. Something to inquire of your Dr. about.

  - Susan

• December 6, 2012 12:35 p.m.

  Thank you for your article. Am wondering why I still wake up to urinate 3 to 5 times a night, even though my A1-C is now 5.9. (I could understand it back when my A1-C was a horrible 15.9!) Any more ideas for a woman of 64 with Type 2 diabetes? Thanks!

  - Linda

• October 11, 2012 11:13 a.m.

  I'm 45 years old and have been type 1 for 34 years. I watch my diet and blood sugars carefully. I'm currently on Lantus (at night/basal) and Humalog (bolus). Total I take about 25 units a day combined. I walk (brisk) 4 miles a day which is a little over an hour. I can't get a full night's sleep due to 3am blood sugar checks and random overnight his/lows. I am glad these still wake me up, but how in the world do I get a good night's sleep? I have no problem going to sleep at night, I'm usually exhausted.

  - Lindy

• September 7, 2012 4:30 p.m.

  I've had type2 diabetes for about 4 years (just had 76th b-day). I've been a late nighter for years -- 12/1 o'clock, but always fell asleep quickly. Now I go to bed tired/sleepy, but as soon as I lay down, I'm wide awake and my mind dredges up a whirlwind of thoughts. I don't use the computer late, but I do read, listen to orchestral music..no help. I get up, lay down, sometimes I'm awake most of the night and finally go to sleep anywhere from 3 to 9 am. I don't want the meds. Also had instances with a bathroom call (I now watch how late I finish my water/tea, etc. or I just wake up after an hour or so for no reason and cannot go back to sleep. Sometimes I give up around 4-5, have my oatmeal and coffee, start my day and then sleep 2/6 hours later in the morning. I'd love some ideas.

  - Mary

• August 20, 2012 11:10 a.m.

  Unfortunately the foods that are good for you cost more (fresh fruits and vegetables). I would suggest you watch the portion sizes and try to eat a specific amount of calories each day to maintain or lose weight. Also, eat three meals a day and avoid snacks between meals. Check your local food shelf, they often have fresh produce available this time of year.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• August 17, 2012 2:07 a.m.

  I have alot of stressful things happening in my life right now: divorce hearing un Aug 27th, knee surgery on 26 of sept, having diffulties controlling my type 2 diabeties. Not working so money is an issue, buying proper foods is out of my control. pain is constant, help me please !

  - Laurielynne

• April 27, 2012 10:00 a.m.

  Iam diabetic.I have my sugars under control. The Dr. prscribed an ambein genetic....I took for a long time and probably became addicted. I am trying with little success to do with out pills. I seem to be able to get 'some' sleep in front of TV. The ringing in my ears i;s annoying.

  - Marianne

• October 26, 2011 1:45 a.m.

  For the lady left a comment back in March about the urination. I have been a diabetic since birth and I am now 19. Frequent or inconvenient urination is quite common with high blood sugars. I can't count how many times I have had nature call me at 3am. A good thing I have taken from this blog is to watch what I eat and drink before bed. It has done wonders for my blood glucose and my sleeping pattern.

  - Nancy

• August 11, 2011 8:43 p.m.

  I just blogged (for my first time ever, anywhere) about sleep and diabetes and the read the comments below and have a question about what "Mally" said in December. She said "give it a rest" - trying to make a connection b/t sleeplessness and diabetes - ACK, now I am confused as just this week I read about a study that is linking sleeplessness and diabetes, and how the treatment may helf forestall alzheimers. However, i mostly want to know what to do about this sleeping thing. I take Ambien, but can't go on taking that forever, can I? As I said earlier, my doc says I am depressed and wants to throw me on Prozac, but I am refusing. I also have ADHD and am on speed, which helps lift my mood. I'm sort of a wreck, I guess, and I don't know how much longer I can take this...

  - Tara

• August 11, 2011 8:33 p.m.

  I have had diabetes for 40 years now, and I have a lot of trouble sleeping. My Dr. says i am depressed, but i have read that diabetes can affect sleeping patterns - as well as sleeping can affect diabetes control. Does anyone have any information on this? I don't want to go on anti-depressants if the reason I can't sleep is diabetes.

  - Tara

• July 12, 2011 11:40 a.m.

  Type II Diabetes- What a complicated mess! Diet, exercise, hydration, sleep-- The most important combinations to have if you want to live a fruitful life. I was diagnosed with type II a year ago and took drugs for 3 months. I was so annoyed about my lack of personal responsibility about the issue that I stopped eating and lost a lot of weight. I currently do not take any drugs- was even able to stop the Allopurinal that I was taking for gout. After 1 year my blood pressure, glycemic levels, cholesteral etc. are normal and I still have certain diabetic characteristics that I hope will dissipate within the next year or so. I have found that when I do not exercise- my glycemic levels go up. I have found that when I do not get good sleep- my glycemic levels go up. I think that everyone's body has a certain metabolic balance that must be attained, especially when there are factors occuring, such as diabetes (type II). Is type II curable? I think the jury is still out on that one! But I feel that because my glycemic levels are normal, I will develop less diabetic issues in my future. Most people appear to have the most difficulty getting the diet correct. In America, we are not that knowledgeable about how food affects our bodies. I think that is a bigger issue than the sleep one. I think that sleep is a contributor to how our body functions metabolically- SLEEP MUST AFFECT DIABETES TOO

  - Schatzy

• May 24, 2011 12:07 a.m.

  My father has suffered with type 2 diabetes for years now & it is complicated by his heart condition. Every time his doctor prescribes him a new drug for something it seems to react with something else he's on & needs more drugs to help overcome the side effects. His whole dining table is covered with meds that he has to take each day. I've been slowly trying to get him to drop some drugs cause he is now so medicated there are times when he seems a stranger in his own body. His doctor has told him to get some exercise each day which is hard due to his neuropathy in his feet. The local pharmacist gave him a pair of some type of diabetic sock which have helped him to sleep better at night. Yesterday he went walking to the shops and it helped improve the circulation so its a small improvement today. I'm planning on taking him out later after his tea.

  - Eileen

• March 31, 2011 9:36 p.m.

  I have a problem. During the wake up time, especially during the last half hour of the sleep before I wake up I get burning sensation in my bladder and I feel heavily loaded in my head and the whole body is restless till I empty my bladder but with in few minutes after urination, i feel normal. This does occur during day time also if I take a nap, but not that accute. My PSA levels are normal. I am 65 and take metformin 1gm -1500mg/ day and amaryl 1 mg before meals with vitamin B supplements. I have been a diabetic from the age of 46

  - Lakshmipathi

• January 11, 2011 2:49 p.m.

  My question/concern is with CPAP supplies/machines. My machines double blinks all night long. Is this normal? I have a Resperonics M-series w/ humidification.

  - Tom

• January 4, 2011 5:13 p.m.

  No question there is a connection in my case - lack of sleep means I eat more to get the energy to keep going. Factors in sleep loss for me are an ill husband as well as difficulty shutting down. Very dependent on bedtime reading!

  - Kate

• December 12, 2010 6:35 a.m.

  I found tiredness to be one of the worst side effects of Type 2. Since retiring I allow myself to have afternoon naps every day. That really helps as sleep apnoea and bladder control problems prevent long hours of sleeping at night in any case. For those with leg cramps my chiro suggests magnesium....it helped within a few days.

  - Ellen

• December 11, 2010 1:37 p.m.

  i have the opposite problem. i have ideopathic hypersominia where i can sleep for 2-3 days - waking to go bathroom and feed pets. also i do not get into deep rem sleep so i am just a tired whenever i wake up as i was when i went to sleep. normal night sleep 10 - 12hrs. serious problem staying on a strict schedule

  - brimm

• December 9, 2010 10:14 p.m.

  I feel much better with a good night's sleep. It may make a difference in my blood sugar and it definitely helps with my general attitude towards eating right. I seem to have frequent leg cramps that will interrupt sleep, I don't know if it's related to my T2. Regular exercise helps and my doctor prescribed Flexeril, a muscle relaxer. I only take it when I've had several bad nights in a row.

  - Carol

• December 8, 2010 7:12 p.m.

  Having diabetes and Restless Leg Syndrome are not a good combination when it causes sleep loss. I do take meds for RLS but sometimes it still wakes me up. Then I have to get up for a couple of hours. Life is challenging.

  - Ferne

• December 8, 2010 6:22 p.m.

  Marie, You need to see a vascular specialist. Blood is not flowing to and from the foot due to veins destruction and/or peripheral artery disease (clogged arteries) from having too much sugar in the blood, diabetes. The vascular doctor can reconstruct the veins, if practical, using cadaver's veins and unclogged the arteries. You will loose a foot if you don't do this immediately. Skip any offer to do an angioplasty and go for the vascular surgery.

  - mally