Falling Asleep While Eating Lunch!

Posted by SusanEllen66 @SusanEllen66, May 1, 2023

Daytime sleepiness for me, is becoming increasingly annoying. Last week I actually fell asleep for a brief few seconds with my fork in my hand over a salad. Actually, it happened more than once in a minute or two. I fought to stay awake, then decided to go lay down. I slept for one hour, got up and realized that I was still tired. I went back to bed and slept an3 hours!
The night before was like any other. I usually get 8-9 hours sleep every night.
I have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, and Vasculitis. Of course these diseases cause fatigue. I have not changed medication recently…
Anyone else with fibromyalgia, or CFS have any similar issues?
Thanks!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.

lasks | @lasks | May 1, 2023

Suggest you be tested for sleep apnea.

Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | May 1, 2023

@susanellen
Welcome to Connect!
You are correct in saying that all your illnesses cause fatigue.
However, Fibromyalgia itself causes poor sleep quality, which can improve with certain specific medications.
I agree with @lasks that you also should be tested for sleep apnea.

calendargirl7 | @calendargirl7 | May 1, 2023

Hi, my mom n I have fibromyalgia and CFS n we are always falling asleep doing things, or eating or talking, watching TV in middle of day, it seems like it never goes away. It's horrible.

Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | May 1, 2023

@SusanEllen66 It must be so difficult and awkward to suddenly fall asleep. I’m so sorry. My niece had that same problem and was eventually diagnosed with narcolepsy, another autoimmune disease.
Have you discussed your symptoms with your rheumatologist?

SusanEllen66 | @SusanEllen66 | May 1, 2023

@becsbuddy thank you. It just occurred last week.
However, I do tend to do the same thing when I’m scrolling through the internet in the evening. All of a sudden I wake up with my finger on a page/product I didn’t notice before. It’s really quick, I actually dream or something for that split second!
When I am scrolling on Amazon or eBay, it can be “dangerous”. I almost bought something once!

I’m going to bring it to the attention of my neurologist. I have nerve damage from the Vasculitis. So we will see.
Thanks

SusanEllen66 | @SusanEllen66 | May 3, 2023

In reply to @SusanEllen66 "@becsbuddy thank you. It just occurred last week. However, I do tend to do the same..." + (show)

@becsbuddy my neurologist is sending me for a sleep study to rule out narcolepsy.
I’m 73 years old so I’m not sure how I fit the profile for it, but my body is pretty strange…

SusanEllen66 | @SusanEllen66 | May 3, 2023

In reply to @lasks "Suggest you be tested for sleep apnea." + (show)

@lasks, @calendargirl7
My neurologist is sending me to do a sleep study. He thinks I might have narcolepsy.

Sleep apnea is a possibility. However, this situation was not about fatigue. I literally fell asleep suddenly with my hand up, holding a fork. I wasn’t sleepy before it happened…

lasks | @lasks | May 3, 2023

In reply to @SusanEllen66 "@lasks, @calendargirl7 My neurologist is sending me to do a sleep study. He thinks I might..." + (show)

Glad you are having a sleep study. Hopefully, your neurologist will find something to help. I’m having a sleep study done the end of June to find a breathing machine to help with my central sleep apnea.

gina5009 | @gina5009 | May 4, 2023

In reply to @lasks "Glad you are having a sleep study. Hopefully, your neurologist will find something to help. I’m..." + (show)

I have had Sleep Apnea for many years. It is very simple to get an Oxygen Machine with a tube that connects directly to the Apnea Hose, thus you receive oxygen all night. no extra hoses of Machines necessary
Gina5009