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Night/Awkward Shift Working

I

IantheH

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Location
Essex
Not really sure where to put this, but I have to work night shifts and anti-social hours as part of my job . I do my Levemir before I start work and sometimes have a snack with a small dose of Novorapid before, during or after work. I also keep my meal patterns the same (Breakfast when I get in from work, Lunch when I wake up, Tea before I go out). This seems to work most times but I have had a couple of hypos when doing my job. I was just wondering if any other people here do night shifts and anti social hours in their jobs and I am interested as to what experiences people have and whether anyone has any tips for keeping good sugar level control while working?

Ian
 
I've worked night shifts for over ten years. I tend to get up around 4-5pm ish and have breakfast. Then I have a set meal time of 11pm when I eat dinner. And a small snack around 3am. But I do test every hour and adjust as required and always have plenty of food and glucose to hand.
I still have hypos every now and again but have seriously reduced these over the last 12 months.
I did find a dramatic link between the number of hours worked each week and hypos. Now only working 24 hours per week I find controlling the diabetes a whole lot easier.
 
My employer attempted to change me from 9-5 to split shifts of 06:00-14:00 and 14:00-22:00 alternate weeks. I have just had an occupational therapist evaluation and received an unequivical report that stopped them dead in their tracks. If it's detrimental to your health and effects your blood sugar control then then your employer should make every effort to find suitable hours for you if at all possible. Regular sleeping patterns is a big part of overall control.
 
Thats totally right spooner. The place where I work people work 10pm til 6am and then can be back at work at 3pm in the afternoon. But because this serious messes with my BG I only work the 10pm-6am. After a long absence my employer was very accomadating to my needs as a type 1 diabetic worker and pretty much asked me what I could work. I also got my three night shift altogether rather than split up throughout the week which has also given me greater 'control'.
 
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