When to take daily medication????

[Alisonjane10]

Please excuse me asking a 2nd question today folks, But I'm learning so much from everyone on here and it's how I'm educating myself. Here goes .......

I work shifts, and keep odd hours consequently, so taking my prescribed daily medication twice a day is causing me some confusion. The time I get up every day changes depending on my shift. So, whenever that is, I take my first lot of medication with my first meal of the day. (I'm prescribed Metformin 500mg & Gliclazide 160mg both twice a day.) Working on the principle that the 2nd dose of my meds should be taken with food later in the day, and ensuring a sensible gap in between each dose, do others take their meds with their biggest meal ie: dinner? All advice gratefully received.

Ali. X

 

[Bravo2zero]

Please excuse me asking a 2nd question today folks, But I'm learning so much from everyone on here and it's how I'm educating myself. Here goes .......

I work shifts, and keep odd hours consequently, so taking my prescribed daily medication twice a day is causing me some confusion. The time I get up every day changes depending on my shift. So, whenever that is, I take my first lot of medication with my first meal of the day. (I'm prescribed Metformin 500mg & Gliclazide 160mg both twice a day.) Working on the principle that the 2nd dose of my meds should be taken with food later in the day, and ensuring a sensible gap in between each dose, do others take their meds with their biggest meal ie: dinner? All advice gratefully received.

Ali. X

 

[Bravo2zero]

Hi Ali
This is my first post and new to diabetes, diagnosed oct 14. My HB1 was 146 then but 3month later 59
I work shifts including nights so I know how you feel I try to take my gliclazide 20mins before breakfast either when I have just got home or just got up for a day shift, I take metformin during my breakfast then repeat at tea time where ever I am
I suffer hypo,s my worst was 2.6 so I tend to eat small amounts during the night at work
I feel like I am in quick sand trying to get good readings but some highs don't make sense and the same for the lows but it could be worse
Good Luck
Take care
Dave

 

[Alisonjane10]

Hi Ali
This is my first post and new to diabetes, diagnosed oct 14. My HB1 was 146 then but 3month later 59
I work shifts including nights so I know how you feel I try to take my gliclazide 20mins before breakfast either when I have just got home or just got up for a day shift, I take metformin during my breakfast then repeat at tea time where ever I am
I suffer hypo,s my worst was 2.6 so I tend to eat small amounts during the night at work
I feel like I am in quick sand trying to get good readings but some highs don't make sense and the same for the lows but it could be worse
Good Luck
Take care
Dave

Hi Dave
I know what you mean about being in quicksand trying to get good daily readings and BG spikes that don't add up. I've only recently been diagnosed & it's all very new. I'm learning though. Mainly via this forum & the wisdom of other members. I'm disappointed with the support (or lack of should I say) from my primary care service to be honest. I may need to become more proactive to get results without alienating the nursing/medical team. Thanks for answering my thread & letting me know what your medication regime as a shift worker is. Sounds sensible. Best wishes.
Ali. X

 

[Bravo2zero]

Hi Dave
I know what you mean about being in quicksand trying to get good daily readings and BG spikes that don't add up. I've only recently been diagnosed & it's all very new. I'm learning though. Mainly via this forum & the wisdom of other members. I'm disappointed with the support (or lack of should I say) from my primary care service to be honest. I may need to become more proactive to get results without alienating the nursing/medical team. Thanks for answering my thread & letting me know what your medication regime as a shift worker is. Sounds sensible. Best wishes.
Ali. X

Hi Ali I have my DESMOND course tomorrow and will be asking them the same question and hopefully get a workable answer. Have you found you have weight gain with gliclazide or does Metformin cancel it out . I have had weight gain with it but only just started with Metformin so fingers crossed. Prior to diagnosis I lost 34lb but put 12 lb back on with gliclazide

 

[Kat100]

I take my medication with my food ...my main meal in the evening ..SR. metformin

When it was not SR. I took in with meals always ....

Hope that helps a bit ...kat

 

[Alisonjane10]

Hi Ali I have my DESMOND course tomorrow and will be asking them the same question and hopefully get a workable answer. Have you found you have weight gain with gliclazide or does Metformin cancel it out . I have had weight gain with it but only just started with Metformin so fingers crossed. Prior to diagnosis I lost 34lb but put 12 lb back on with gliclazide

Hi @Bravo2zero. I've seen on other members profiles that they've done the DESMOND courses, but actually I don't know precisely what it's all about. Could you give me an idea? And no, I'm losing weight still despite being on the max daily dose of Gliclazide. I worried about gaining weight after being prescribed this dose, but the Metformin & a LCHF diet seems to be doing the trick. Mind you, I had some teething problems with the Metformin. Hideous Diarrhoea! This subsided after a week once my body got used to it. Just made sure I remained hydrated during the "aaaargh, toilet NOW" stage. Lol. A 34lb weight loss is a great achievement, so don't beat yourself up for gaining a fraction back. I hope the Metformin kick starts your weight loss again, otherwise a rethink of your diet & activity would be a good idea. Good luck & I wish you well.
Ali. X

 

[Alisonjane10]

I take my medication with my food ...my main meal in the evening ..SR. metformin

When it was not SR. I took in with meals always ....

Hope that helps a bit ...kat

Thanks Kat. I'm taking all of my diabetic meds together with food as well. Can't be doing with a complicated regime. May I ask...do you find your BG levels are more stable throughout the day with the SR. Metformin? My levels have come down substantially, but are still all over the place.
Ali. X

 

[Bravo2zero]

Hi @Bravo2zero. I've seen on other members profiles that they've done the DESMOND courses, but actually I don't know precisely what it's all about. Could you give me an idea? And no, I'm losing weight still despite being on the max daily dose of Gliclazide. I worried about gaining weight after being prescribed this dose, but the Metformin & a LCHF diet seems to be doing the trick. Mind you, I had some teething problems with the Metformin. Hideous Diarrhoea! This subsided after a week once my body got used to it. Just made sure I remained hydrated during the "aaaargh, toilet NOW" stage. Lol. A 34lb weight loss is a great achievement, so don't beat yourself up for gaining a fraction back. I hope the Metformin kick starts your weight loss again, otherwise a rethink of your diet & activity would be a good idea. Good luck & I wish you well.
Ali. X

Hi Ali I will update you tomorrow night after the course
Dave x

 

[Alisonjane10]

That would be fab Dave. Please feel free to message me with the info.
Ali. X

 

[Kat100]

Thanks Kat. I'm taking all of my diabetic meds together with food as well. Can't be doing with a complicated regime. May I ask...do you find your BG levels are more stable throughout the day with the SR. Metformin? My levels have come down substantially, but are still all over the place.
Ali. X

I will be having my hba1c next week ...I will know more then ....

Levels can take awhile to stabilise when switching over medication about 3 months ...

 

[Bravo2zero]

That would be fab Dave. Please feel free to message me with the info.
Ali. X

Hi Ali the Desmond is a one day course which can be split in to 2 halfs and done seperately, I only did the morning session with the afternoon one in a months time
The course talks through what diabetes is and the 60'000 causes,complication, the role of carbs, blood testing, how much suger in certain foods etc. it might be you are already well informed but if you can get on a course locally I would take it, I will update on part 2 in a month
I asked the meds question and was advised gliclazide 20 min before eating and metformin with or after food
I have had 3 hypo,s in 2 days and my dn advised I eat much sooner after getting up and don't take my morning gliclazide for a week, my BG before eating at 4pm was 3.4 testing at 6pm was 8.1 after food
Like you mine are all over the place
Take care
Dave x

 

[Alisonjane10]

Hi Dave
The DESMOND certainly seems useful, no matter how well informed I'm trying to get. I'll ask about it when I have my first Diabetic Nurse Specialist appointment next week. And, thanks for clarifying the correct regime for taking the meds. I must admit, that's not what I've been doing. I've been throwing them down my neck all at once.

I'm sorry to hear you're having bother adjusting to the Gliclazide and are having more than your fair share of hypo's. I've never had one, but I'm guessing they're pretty darn awful & frightening too. Sounds like your DN is on the ball with good advice and must be a great resource. My BG is still all over the place. Sometimes it's lower AFTER I've eaten than it was beforehand. Due to my shift pattern it's difficult to take the medication at the same time each day too. I don't suppose this helps stabilise my BG either.

Thanks for getting back to me Dave. Much appreciated. And I hope you're on top of your BG probs very soon. Take care.

Ali. X

 

[Bravo2zero]

Hi Dave
The DESMOND certainly seems useful, no matter how well informed I'm trying to get. I'll ask about it when I have my first Diabetic Nurse Specialist appointment next week. And, thanks for clarifying the correct regime for taking the meds. I must admit, that's not what I've been doing. I've been throwing them down my neck all at once.

I'm sorry to hear you're having bother adjusting to the Gliclazide and are having more than your fair share of hypo's. I've never had one, but I'm guessing they're pretty darn awful & frightening too. Sounds like your DN is on the ball with good advice and must be a great resource. My BG is still all over the place. Sometimes it's lower AFTER I've eaten than it was beforehand. Due to my shift pattern it's difficult to take the medication at the same time each day too. I don't suppose this helps stabilise my BG either.

Thanks for getting back to me Dave. Much appreciated. And I hope you're on top of your BG probs very soon. Take care.

Ali. X

Ali, just a thought but I am no expert but if you take gliclazide and metformin together then could it be you are not eating enough for all that medication in one go and it's making you low BG
Dave x

 

[Alisonjane10]

Ali, just a thought but I am no expert but if you take gliclazide and metformin together then could it be you are not eating enough for all that medication in one go and it's making you low BG
Dave x

The trouble I have Dave is some high BG levels, usually upon waking. Annoying! I've never really thought about whether I should be taking my meds all at once. No-one advised me one way or the other at my GP's or chemist. But I'm now going to do as suggested by the DESMOND specialists you asked. I hope it makes a difference & brings some stability to my BG. I'll let you know if it makes a difference.
Ali. X

 

[Bravo2zero]

The trouble I have Dave is some high BG levels, usually upon waking. Annoying! I've never really thought about whether I should be taking my meds all at once. No-one advised me one way or the other at my GP's or chemist. But I'm now going to do as suggested by the DESMOND specialists you asked. I hope it makes a difference & brings some stability to my BG. I'll let you know if it makes a difference.
Ali. X

Hi Ali, I never have high morning readings, normally in the 5,s but a lot below 5 and some below 4 especially if I don't eat straight away and do the med routine.
e.g. 0600 wake take reading could be 5.1
0620 drive to work
0730 gliclazide
0750ish 2 shredded wheat,topped with bran flakes and metformin
1000 BG 3.6
The DN suggested I need to eat just after getting up Has I might have run out of carbs?
She has taken my morning gliclazide off so I will see if that stops the hypo which are not eating enough carbs for medications taken
None of it makes sense to me but it's early days
Good luck
Dave x

 

[Alisonjane10]

Hi Ali, I never have high morning readings, normally in the 5,s but a lot below 5 and some below 4 especially if I don't eat straight away and do the med routine.
e.g. 0600 wake take reading could be 5.1
0620 drive to work
0730 gliclazide
0750ish 2 shredded wheat,topped with bran flakes and metformin
1000 BG 3.6
The DN suggested I need to eat just after getting up Has I might have run out of carbs?
She has taken my morning gliclazide off so I will see if that stops the hypo which are not eating enough carbs for medications taken
None of it makes sense to me but it's early days
Good luck
Dave x

Hi Dave
I really feel for you being so predisposed to hypo's. It must be a constant worry for you. Here's hoping that by omitting the morning dose of Gliclazide you're able to get more control of your BG. I followed your DESMOND instructors advice & I've taken my meds as you were informed, and which you kindly passed on to me. I can tolerate the Gliclazide being taken 20 minutes before food without difficulty. And I've actually had better BG readings today than I have been getting. It may be coincidence, so time will tell I suppose. One of the things I HATE is always having to think about what to eat. Through trial, I'm building up a list of foods that spike my levels and obviously I'm avoiding those. I haven't always got time to make a meal or pack a lunch, and I struggle with what to have that fits the bill of a LCHF eating plan then. I don't always get a break at work...it can be ridiculously busy & I just don't stop. Before I was diagnosed, I would often go a whole shift without a break, nothing to eat & would throw water down my neck periodically to keep hydrated at least. It's not acceptable but often unavoidable. The NHS gets many work hours out of their professionals that aren't paid for due to the inability to take breaks or get off shift on time. Guess I'd better give this some serious thought before I keel over at work....which won't be pretty! Take care Dave. Hope you have a good weekend.
Ali. X

 

[Bravo2zero]

Hi Dave
I really feel for you being so predisposed to hypo's. It must be a constant worry for you. Here's hoping that by omitting the morning dose of Gliclazide you're able to get more control of your BG. I followed your DESMOND instructors advice & I've taken my meds as you were informed, and which you kindly passed on to me. I can tolerate the Gliclazide being taken 20 minutes before food without difficulty. And I've actually had better BG readings today than I have been getting. It may be coincidence, so time will tell I suppose. One of the things I HATE is always having to think about what to eat. Through trial, I'm building up a list of foods that spike my levels and obviously I'm avoiding those. I haven't always got time to make a meal or pack a lunch, and I struggle with what to have that fits the bill of a LCHF eating plan then. I don't always get a break at work...it can be ridiculously busy & I just don't stop. Before I was diagnosed, I would often go a whole shift without a break, nothing to eat & would throw water down my neck periodically to keep hydrated at least. It's not acceptable but often unavoidable. The NHS gets many work hours out of their professionals that aren't paid for due to the inability to take breaks or get off shift on time. Guess I'd better give this some serious thought before I keel over at work....which won't be pretty! Take care Dave. Hope you have a good weekend.
Ali. X

Hi Ali anyone who takes gliclazide is prone to hypo,s if the carbs/ meds is out of sync so please be carefully
I don't tend to follow LCHF diet I just tend to eat what I fancy which hopefully is healthy including low fat and as time goes by my choices will be healthier even more, I too used to go a full shift without food which then would have led to unhealthy choices but now I am aware I need to eat more regular so I make time and sod the government, cheaper I have a break then an ambulance and time off due to a severe hypo

It's good with your change in meds has led to lower readings honeymoon period or not it's a start
We are always going to have some high and low readings over a period, just not too many of each, our HBa1c is the main reading and as long has this is on the button we are on the right track.
My morning BG was 5.1 so I ate my bran flakes, stated on a 12 mile walk, after about 6 mile I was feeling dizzy so instead of lucasade I ate 4 jelly babys( 20g of carbs) and a snicker. Finished the walk BG Was 5.6
Your new to all this like me and hopefully on a very long journey and hopefully after time we will get the hang of it all and just be able to get on with life. I admit with sore fingers and a bottle of a sugary drink stapped to my side HaHA
Take care
Dave X

 

[Alisonjane10]

Hi Ali anyone who takes gliclazide is prone to hypo,s if the carbs/ meds is out of sync so please be carefully
I don't tend to follow LCHF diet I just tend to eat what I fancy which hopefully is healthy including low fat and as time goes by my choices will be healthier even more, I too used to go a full shift without food which then would have led to unhealthy choices but now I am aware I need to eat more regular so I make time and sod the government, cheaper I have a break then an ambulance and time off due to a severe hypo

It's good with your change in meds has led to lower readings honeymoon period or not it's a start
We are always going to have some high and low readings over a period, just not too many of each, our HBa1c is the main reading and as long has this is on the button we are on the right track.
My morning BG was 5.1 so I ate my bran flakes, stated on a 12 mile walk, after about 6 mile I was feeling dizzy so instead of lucasade I ate 4 jelly babys( 20g of carbs) and a snicker. Finished the walk BG Was 5.6
Your new to all this like me and hopefully on a very long journey and hopefully after time we will get the hang of it all and just be able to get on with life. I admit with sore fingers and a bottle of a sugary drink stapped to my side HaHA
Take care
Dave X

WOW! A 12 mile walk. That's impressive. I'm nowhere near that level of fitness, but I will improve my endurance and stamina given time. You've clearly got a good handle on your BG when you're active, and managed it well evidence would suggest. I've begun to lower my fat intake whilst still following the principles of an LCHF diet. I guess my way of thinking is low carb normal fat, but I know I'll be assessing this continually and adapting as I progress with my weight loss. I'm struggling today. Feeling quite low as I've had a recurrence of a nasty sinus infection which has sent my already fluctuating BG spiking again. Fasting was 10.0 this morning & has risen to 12.4 despite taking my medication. I'm tired of it all today...and I know I haven't got a choice but to get on with it all. But **** it, AAARGH! I'm sorry to dump on you, so don't be concerned. Just concentrate on what you've achieved today. A 12 mile hike is a big deal & must have made you so proud. Rightly so. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday & take care.
Ali. X

 

[Bravo2zero]

WOW! A 12 mile walk. That's impressive. I'm nowhere near that level of fitness, but I will improve my endurance and stamina given time. You've clearly got a good handle on your BG when you're active, and managed it well evidence would suggest. I've begun to lower my fat intake whilst still following the principles of an LCHF diet. I guess my way of thinking is low carb normal fat, but I know I'll be assessing this continually and adapting as I progress with my weight loss. I'm struggling today. Feeling quite low as I've had a recurrence of a nasty sinus infection which has sent my already fluctuating BG spiking again. Fasting was 10.0 this morning & has risen to 12.4 despite taking my medication. I'm tired of it all today...and I know I haven't got a choice but to get on with it all. But **** it, AAARGH! I'm sorry to dump on you, so don't be concerned. Just concentrate on what you've achieved today. A 12 mile hike is a big deal & must have made you so proud. Rightly so. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday & take care.
Ali. X

Thanks Ali , fitness used to be my life, before Mr Arthritis stole my trainers over 12 years ago, previous to this I have run 80 miles races and 4 London marathons plus ex solider and qualified sports therapist/ fitness instructor so Living with T2 now is such a shock esp with how much training I have done HaHa Any questions on health related fitness just ask. Sorry you are struggling but chin up it could be worse. I had the sinus **** and my blood sugars went high so don't be alarmed, dump on me all you want,, you need to talk tweet or what ever the word is
Fitness is like diabetes it's life long struggles so what we don't achieve today we can try for tomorrow
Take care
Dave X
Ps how's the hamster