Any Night Shifters Out There?

Damensha

As with everything else, I'm finding that having Diabetes is different for me as a Night Shift worker. I work 12 hour night shifts 3 times a week (usually in a row) and am wondering if there are some other night shifters out there that can give me some pointers on how they track on MFP and time their BG's with ever changing "daytime" hours. I thankfully just have to check my BS 2x/day, but my tracking book looks so stinking Random! I want to be able to give my MD good information when I go for my next checkup. Any helpful tips???

Thanks!

cathylopez1975

I'm not a night shifter, but my log book also looks pretty crazy and random. Since it's the way your life is, just be consistent in your inconsistencies. I've quit worrying about mine, because the quarterly a1c really gives a better picture of what is going on for me. Maybe it will for you, too.

GlucernaBrand

You're right that working the night shift and then switching sleeping between days and nights impacts diabetes management. It's helpful to note the times that you're working and sleeping, as well as the times that you eat in your logbook. That way you'll be able to see how the different work and sleep scheduule affects your blood sugar readings. ~Lynn /Glucerna

Damensha

Thanks for the advice!

MysteriousMerlin

I worked full time midnights for almost 10 years.

The best thing you can do for yourself is to get on a day shift. I know that's not always possible, so:

1. Don't split up your sleep.
I used to sleep 4-5 hours in the morning, then take a 2-3 hour nap in the evening. Even with working out on a regular basis after my diagnosis, my A1c only lowered from 9.5 to 7.2. My endocrinologist recommended either sleeping the full 7-8 hours in the morning, or staying up until about 12-1pm and sleeping up until I got up to get ready for work. I was able to get my A1c down to about a 6.4 just from that change.

2. Get an endocrinologist if you don't have one. A regular medical doctor will not have the most up to date information or training to help you. And get someone who will REALLY hold you accountable. The first endo I had couldn't have cared less about me or my medical issues, and rarely gave me any help to improve. My current endo is awesome. My A1c in December was 5.7. I go again next week, I'm hoping to be down to a 5.4.

3. Eat fiber. Start increasing it slowly, but get it in, every day.

4. With your meals being at odd hours, make sure you're keeping track of everything you're eating. I worked in an office where I couldn't leave for breaks, and I worked alone. I snacked all night long out of sheer boredom, ate breakfast when I got home, then ate a big dinner when I woke up in the evening. I stopped bringing junk food to work, and started bringing only apples, bananas, carrots...just healthy stuff. I skipped breakfast, went right to bed for 7-8 hours, then ate a small lunch when I got up, and had a reasonable sized dinner with my husband.

5. Exercise. Even if it's 5 minutes at a time. Do wall pushups, stretches, running in place, whatever you can think of to keep moving.

Damensha

I worked full time midnights for almost 10 years.

The best thing you can do for yourself is to get on a day shift. I know that's not always possible, so:

1. Don't split up your sleep.

2. Get an endocrinologist if you don't have one.

3. Eat fiber. Start increasing it slowly, but get it in, every day.

4. With your meals being at odd hours, make sure you're keeping track of everything you're eating.

5. Exercise. Even if it's 5 minutes at a time. Do wall pushups, stretches, running in place, whatever you can think of to keep moving.

I"ve been working nights for nearly 20 years now and honestly, working day shift is not something that I need or want to do. "Too many cooks" during the daytime hours for me to ever be comfortable with. I do usually sleep from about 10a until around 5p, so I think I'm good there.
I only got diagnosed (A1C of 6.5) back in December and my Family doctor jumped on it with diabetic classes, glucose checks, and diet. She definitely holds me accountable which I need. If we can't keep things in control with diet then I will definitely be getting myself an Endocrinologist to get this locked down. I'm also trying to get off of eating so much junk and try to take healthier snacks to work. My weaknesses now are Pringles Stix 90 cal packs and the 100 cal packs of Cinnamon Roasted Almonds. It still needs work, but that's a heckuva lot better than stopping by the fast food joint on my way to work every night and having crackers, chips and candy to snack on, then eating from the grill at work for dinner. It's mostly salads, lower cal Greek yogurt and the Almonds these days at work. Exercising has never been my strong point, but I'm working on it. I'm trying to get at least three 30 minute workout sessions in a week including walking, some workout videos, and Wii Fit.

Thanks for the information! I'm glad that it looks like i'm heading down the right path so far. I'm definitely trying to be a sponge and absorb as much info as I can so I can hopefully control my DM by diet and exercise. I got my first set of labs done today since my diagnosis and am hoping to tip back over the fence to better numbers. Fingers Crossed!

MysteriousMerlin

I hear you, I was the EXACT same way. Hated working any other shift than my sweet, dark midnights. It wasn't until my current endo doc highly recommended it that I moved to a day shift.

Still hated it for the first 2 months or so. However, I was exercising so much more, because I actually had breaks and a lunch I could leave the office for. I was able to drop nearly 40lbs in 6 months, something I had struggled with previously. I was making better choices in the cafe, and cooking more at home. I had more energy because I was sleeping better at night and on the weekends. I always had trouble sleeping on weekends, it was either stick to the same schedule as I had during the week, which left me little time for a social life or time with my husband, or stay up all day on Friday to be able to sleep that night. Then I felt like crap the whole weekend.

I was able to rebuild friendships I had not had time for while working the 3rd shift. I honestly hadn't realized how much I missed having a social life, as I just thought I was more of a loner.

Good luck on your journey!