Uncontrollable need to sleep

[AnonYonimousBird]

I am fit and well, I eat properly, am active, and generally sleep well at night for a good 7-8 hours.

However, in recent weeks on a number of occasions (not every day but maybe 2 or 3 times a week) I have had an almost uncontrollable need to sit down and nap in the middle of the day. I know it sounds silly, you are thinking lazy cow or whatever, but it is almost painful and overwhelming.

Sometimes I sit down to do something else and within a couple of minutes I simply must close my eyes. It happened yesterday, and again today. I don't think I sleep for long - maybe 15-20 minutes but I simply can't stop it happening and today, for instance, I was home alone with the children. They were happily playing in the garden and were absolutely fine (old enough to play unsupervised) but when I woke up and realised what had happened I was horrified with myself.

Why would this be happening? I just don't understand it. I've heard of some disorder where people spontaneously fall asleep - I don't think it is that, but could there be another explanation?

[insanityscratching]

I think you need to see GP it could be narcolepsy from what you describe. Are you anaemic?

[AnonYonimousBird]

I don't think so, in good health, normally have plenty of energy and am moderately active - not a super fitty person but out and about, walk the dog, gardening, exercise class etc etc, none of which ever causes me a problem and it doesn't need to be a day when I've been particularly busy when this happens.

[Weelady77]

Or could be your thyroid?

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

Anaemia or some kind of thyroid problem. Maybe some either deficiency.

[DoItTooJulia]

Do you have really vivid dreams? Do you lose muscle strength when you laugh or have high emotion?

[TwasBrillig]

Hopefully its not ME but its how my ME started.

[AnneEyhtMeyer]

This was how my underactive thyroid started. I had to stop driving because as soon as I sat down I needed to close my eyes.

I went to the GP and felt like he was going to tell me not to be ridiculous, because everyone is tired, but he didn't. I am now on levothyroxine and am pretty much back to normal.

[SignoraStronza]

Is there any chance you could be pg at all? Sorry, I know you've got two dcs already so are probably familiar with the signs, but on both occasions the dropping off to sleep at random moments was the site sign of early pregnancy for me.

[LowLevelWhinging]

I thought pregnant too, from personal experience.

[TwoStepsBeyond]

Thyroid, anemia or pregnancy all easy to check for if your Dr is so inclined - don't be fobbed off that "everyone feels tired" if it is affecting your ability to parent safely (not judging, I've done it too).

[Minifingers]

I have had this for a long time. I am very anaemic and hypothyroid. Don't get it very day, but most days I do.

[Shlurpbop]

Another vote for thyroid problem. Before I was diagnosed I actually just believed I was an incredibly lazy person as I just felt so tired and would be physically unable to muster the strength to get a drink, answer the phone etc. It was a relief to know I wasnt just a lazy cow!

[mawbroon]

Have you ever had glandular fever or similar? I had the sheer exhaustion that you describe when I had a bit of a relapse, several years after the initial GF

[mercibucket]

you need some simple blood tests for thyroid, ferritin, b12, maybe pregnancy test too?
with me it was thyroid

[TwoStepsBeyond]

Mawbroon, having previously had GF is a risk factor for dodgy thyroid, feels very similar too. Have you had yours checked?!

[WafflyVersatile]

I'd got to the docs.

Unless you have you taken to eating carb-heavy lunches?

[sipper]

Lots of logical suggestions already. Can I just add to the list to have a gut fermentation profile if nothing shows up on the thyroid/pg/anaemia/b12 tests? Overproliferation of yeasts/bacteria ferment certain food/drink and alcohols are then in your bloodstream. For some this results in extreme fatigue and desperate need for immediate sleep. Gut fermentation profile is done via a blood test. Best wishes for some speedy results so you can get it sorted and feel better.

[Showtime]

I've a similar problem after food, so either have a nap in bed or take a caffeine painkiller if not possible, but no GP has ever been interested, in fact, during cancer treatment the nurses just asked me to sit on the floor in case I dozed off and fell. I'm finding these replies interesting, but would tell OP that mine's not got worse over 5-6 years.

[AnonYonimousBird]

Gosh, thanks all for such a great response. I am fairly sure I am not pregnant and this is not a constant, for most of the day and most of the time I am absolutely fine. It's just like a snapshot of a few minutes every now and then when this just surges through me and I am unable to prevent my eyes closing and falling asleep.

Your replies have given me a lot to think about, thank you, I will do some research and if it continues I will visit the GP armed at least with questions to ask and not be fobbed off with "we all get tired".!

[TheAccidentalExhibitionist]

It also could be that your body has simply got into the habit of shutting down at a certain time of day.
If I'm tired one day and have a nap in the middle of the day, it's very hard to stay away the next day at the same time. The body remembers the nap and wants to do it again.

[mawbroon]

TwoStepsBeyond I didn't know that about GF. Yes, I've had my thyroid checked several times as there's a family history of it.

[sipper]

Good plan Anon. For info, one of our DD's had extreme fatigue. Was sent for all the 'usual' checks. Our GPs did not even consider gut fermentation/gut dysbiosis. Thankfully a knowledgeable chiropractor recognised the symptoms and referred for the blood test. The results were there in black and white and the levels of alcohols were off the scale. GP still not interested so dealt with it without their help. Change after even a week was amazing. Not a quick process to repair though but extremely worthwhile and could see the benefits within days. Was important not to stop too quickly as need to ensure all the unwanted yeast/bacteria dealt with.

[NothingsLeft]

I had this before being diagnosed with coeliac disease. I could not keep my eyes open and would just drop off. It was weird.

[SlumberingDormouse]

If all your other tests have come back clear, push for a referral to a sleep clinic. If it's any kind of sleep disorder, they will find it. I was finally diagnosed there and the results changed my life massively (for the better). Good luck!