I've spent 12 of the last 15 years getting up at 3am for work. I also have two young children. My husband has asked me to refrain from the comment, "I'm tired." At this point, it's like saying, "I'm breathing."
I'm really starting to get concerned about my six year old son, though. He's just never slept well. His older sister slept through the night at 3 months and never looked back, but Benny still gets up at least once almost every night. Lea sleeps until 7:30 most mornings; Benny spent two years getting up at 5am. He's now sleeping in, usually until at least 6. Whew.
I keep wondering whether Benny's sleep issues are related to type 1 diabetes (he was diagnosed at 23 months).
I've been researching this on and off for years. Most information I find about sleep and diabetes is focused on the risk of developing type 2 if you don't get enough shut eye. There's also lots of research on the risks of nocturnal hypo- or hyperglycemia, of course. But I'm talking about those many nights when that meter flashes 105 and yet he's still waking up.
My endocrinologist – whom I love – tells me there's probably no medical link here. I believe him, but I'd love to hear from other parents of D-kids. Do your kids have trouble sleeping? If they did, did they grow out of it? How about adults with type 1. Is sleep still an issue for you?
(wish we all slept this well!)
My son was diagnosed at 2.5yr. Sleep has never been a problem for him. His older brother (non D) was 6 years old before he slept through the night. Now that my son is in his teen years, I keep waiting for him to wake up through the night at least when he is low but it still doesn’t happen. The only one with sleep issues in our house is Mom who has not slept through the night in over 17 years.
I don’t sleep through the night as good as I would like. I’m a very light sleeper so anything little thing can wake me up. Can this be related to diabetes? I’m really not sure. My mother has struggled with insomnia since before I was born so maybe it’s genetic? I do know that having a CGM interferes with sleep even more. And on one hand it is good to be monitored overnight, catching highs and lows that would otherwise be missed, but on the other hand it can be exhausting. I think it’s natural to wonder if diabetes affects his sleep. I do that with everything!
And how on earth do you get up at 3am for work every day?!?!? That is admirable!!
I have problems sleeping but am unsure if they’re related to T1. Somtimes if my blood sugar is high I wake up to go to the bathroom, or if I have a lot of insulin in my system I have vivid dreams.
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