Increased fatigue after eating

Posted by Laura Dropps @ldropps, Sep 30, 2021

It's like everyday is a holiday where I stuff myself and just want to take a nap, only it isn't. I eat a small or normal size meal and I just want to nap. If I need to be focused I won't eat but that's not good either. Anyone else have this?

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Yes, but for me it pre-exists my bout with Covid-19. I believe the cause is that my body diverts oxygen to my digestive system after I eat. I’ve learned to give myself permission to nap for half of my lunch hour. I eat while I watch the noon news and then sit back in a recliner-type position until 1:00. If I actually lie down in bed, I’ll most likely fall asleep for a much longer period of time and then have trouble sleeping through the night. So that’s my experience. I hope sharing it will help you

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Hello Laura, as @strongevergreen mentioned, the feeling can be caused by the body concentrating its energies on digestion. In fact, it even has a name "postprandial nap" - in some societies it is considered normal. Perhaps yours is happening because your body has less energy to spread around while trying to heal from Covid. I also noticed your profile says you also have chronic migraines. Do you take any medication for it? Many meds are known to cause sleepiness, and that may be complicating matters.

One coping suggestion - when I was working, had 2 small children and was constantly sleep-deprived, I often had that feeling at work when I ate even a moderate lunch. I found eating all protein, veggies and a small amount of fruit made me less sleepy than a sandwich or anything with carbs. I eventually avoided all sugar during the workday, and added a half cup of coffee at lunch as well.

Other strategies that can help include staying well-hydrated (helps digestion) and a short walk after eating to help circulation (even just a stroll around the yard.)

I hope you can find an answer that works for you.
Sue

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@strongevergreen

Yes, but for me it pre-exists my bout with Covid-19. I believe the cause is that my body diverts oxygen to my digestive system after I eat. I’ve learned to give myself permission to nap for half of my lunch hour. I eat while I watch the noon news and then sit back in a recliner-type position until 1:00. If I actually lie down in bed, I’ll most likely fall asleep for a much longer period of time and then have trouble sleeping through the night. So that’s my experience. I hope sharing it will help you

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Thank you

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@sueinmn

Hello Laura, as @strongevergreen mentioned, the feeling can be caused by the body concentrating its energies on digestion. In fact, it even has a name "postprandial nap" - in some societies it is considered normal. Perhaps yours is happening because your body has less energy to spread around while trying to heal from Covid. I also noticed your profile says you also have chronic migraines. Do you take any medication for it? Many meds are known to cause sleepiness, and that may be complicating matters.

One coping suggestion - when I was working, had 2 small children and was constantly sleep-deprived, I often had that feeling at work when I ate even a moderate lunch. I found eating all protein, veggies and a small amount of fruit made me less sleepy than a sandwich or anything with carbs. I eventually avoided all sugar during the workday, and added a half cup of coffee at lunch as well.

Other strategies that can help include staying well-hydrated (helps digestion) and a short walk after eating to help circulation (even just a stroll around the yard.)

I hope you can find an answer that works for you.
Sue

Jump to this post

@sueinmn, yes I have medication for my chronic migraines. I'm on Aimovig which is a once a month injection. Otherwise, I have a bunch of rescue medicine when I get a migraine. The rescue meds do make me sleepy and the migraine itself makes me want to lay down.

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