Fatigue worsened after meals

I am typically pretty fatigued generally but oftentimes after I eat I get so tired I can barely stay awake. Anyone else suffer from this? Any correlation to diet or is this just a symptom of IBD?

[oldtimer]

Yes I suspect lots of us are so near the level of 'not coping with any activity' that even eating, which gives the body something else to do, tips us over into inactivity.

[Deniseelk]

I am finding the same, especially during times when the RA is “ biting” and energy levels particularly low. It isn’t the type of food I am eating it seems more after lunch when I have probably done most of my “ active jobs” of a morning. We only have so much energy of a day and pacing is the key. I use my post lunch time to sit and catch up on paperwork and muster a little more energy.

[Runrig01]

If you are eating carbs when this happens, it can indicate diabetes. My husband suffer post meal fatigue for years, adjusted diet after diagnosed diabetic, and is now fine after eating

[Lolabridge]

I think Maureengibson could be right in that it’s your fluctuations in blood sugar levels that may be causing the problem. I have had Non-diabetic Reactive Hypoglycaemia for about 8 years which I have to control with diet. I can get a problem after meals especially if the meal has a high carbohydrate content. Try eating some protein with carbs at every meal.

Some meds also affect blood sugar levels ... particularly steroids. I’ve noticed I have more of a problem since being diagnosed with RA a year ago.

[BonnieT]

No answers, but you’re not alone.

[Leics]

Yeah I’m suffering the same at the moment. I seem to be ok ish in the morning after the usual hour or so to get the stiffness and kinks out of my joints but by 3pm I’m totally spent. It seems to be about an hour or so after eating that it hits me. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m brewing a flare or just down to side effects of reducing steroids or hypoglycaemia which I have had in the past (not diabetic but I can sometimes have the symptoms). So although I can’t help with a solution wanted you to know you’re not on your own. I’m also on low dose penicillin which I take exactly as I’m supposed to on an empty stomach and think it might be effecting my potassium so perhaps that could be a cause ??? dunno just a guess lol.

[Cal66]

My sister has RA, currently Gall bladder trouble & she is trying out gluten free bread & some snacks. She has found that she has less pain, bloating & less fatigue after eating gluten free than she did when eating normal food. I did try gluten free toast this morning & I did feel less bloated myself & don't know if it's a co incidence, but I did feel a little less tired, but that could be because I got up 3 hours later than usual. I will try it again, but this time I will get up my normal time of 6.15