Any night shift nurses with diabetes?

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I was just diagnosed yesterday and am wondering how hard it's going to be for me to control it with diet or if it makes any difference eating during the day some days and nights the others. I was put on Glucophage, so I'm not treating it with diet alone. So, maybe that will help. Any tips? In case you're wondering, blood sugar in 300 range.

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Nobody?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hi there - I'm sorry that I can't help with advice, but I do wish you the best.

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I don't have dm but have reactive hypoglcyemia. I've worked the night shift for about 5 years. Ive always talked to my manager about my situation and they have been supportive and understanding. There was alot of trial and error in the beginning to find out what worked to keep me balanced. It took about 2 mos work with my docs and dietician. Now, When I work I set the alarm on my watch to remind me its time to eat and I make sure I drink plenty of water. My co-workers are generally supportive and helpful about the situation. For me it's doable. It can be tough at times, but I manage. I wish you the best. Good luck!

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Specializes in ICU, ED, Transport, Home Care, Mgmnt.

If you were just diagnosed you probably haven't had your Nutrition consult yet. You will be given your calorie count for the day as well as how many grams of carbs and protein you should consume with meals. After working nights, if I want to stay up on days I just have meals every 5-6 hours(check with your dietician). It usually works out in the 24-48 hour time period, I'm on Lantus) It is better in the long run if you can keep a steady schedule, but working nights that is very difficult to accomplish, and have a life. Over time you will figure out what works for you. Good luck.

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Specializes in OB.

I read this with great interest as I am in the same boat - newly diagnosed diabetic working nights. To make things even more interesting, I'm a travel nurse and the diagnosis came 4 days before I left Florida to go to a contract in NH! So no dietary consult, minimal follow up and no one local that I know to ask. I'm just kind of "winging it" on this one.

I'll be following this to see what you find out.

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Specializes in ICU, ED, Transport, Home Care, Mgmnt.

bagladyrn-You might want to consult the ADA and see what information they may have for you to help with your diet.

They have a magazine called Diabetes Forcast you can get if you join the ADA, I think it cost 25 a year. Good magazine, you may be able to access it on line since you travel. There is bound to be information out there for you to access. Check around for a Diabetes Nurse Educator or a NP who deals with a lot of diabetics, you may be able to tap into one of them for information and guidance.

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Thanks for the imput. I wasn't given any info on diet or referral to a dietition. He just said, "you're a nurse and know what to do". :angryfire That really ticked me off and I wanted to say, "look mister, I'm a paying customer and I want what everyone else is getting with this diagnosis." Of course, I didn't say that though. I am going to go to a different doctor for my follow up instead.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

SCRN1...I was also in your boat. I was diagnosed I think its almost 2 months ago now. When I was on nights I could not get my bs below 300 no matter what I did...I am now on days and can usually keep them under 225 which is still too high I know...but better then the 300's. I also find that mine are lower in the evening when I get home vs when I first get up in the am. I wish I had some answers for you...I just wanted to give you some support and when I go back to my doc next week if I learn anything new I'll share it with you...I also got the ....You're a nurse ...you work at the hospital...blah blah blah...just cuz I am a nurse does not mean I know everything...perhaps you could ask your diabetic educator nurse if you have one at your place of employment for help. (just an afterthought)...good luck!!!

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AuntieRN, how did you manage with eating on the nights you worked? Were you able to eat a little something about every 4 hours? I work 12-hr shifts and am afraid I won't be able to eat often enough to keep my blood sugar stabilized once (if) I get it down. I'm trying to think of little snacks I could take to eat that don't require any refrigeration or heating because of limited time. It also concerns me that 3 days a week, I eat nights and the other 4, eat days. So that in itself isn't very good.

I have been checking my blood sugar over the weekend more often than the BID the doctor told me to just so I can get an idea on when my blood sugar is higher so I can start realizing what my body is telling me. Does that make sense? It has helped. At times, I'll feel the thirst & fatigue, along with polyuria and check my blood sugar & it's in the mid-300s. Then other times, I'll all of a sudden feel hungry and a little nausea and when I check it, it's dropped to the mid-200s (I know, still too high) and if I eat a light snack, I'll feel better.

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I had to realize I would feel terrible until I got my BS to an acceptable level. I was 500 when I was given a diagnosis. YEP! Strike level. I would not take my BS level more than BID until I have been on the med for 2 weeks, remember it takes time to get to a viable level. Eat free foods, celery is great, green pepper strips, carrots. I do know there is sugar in carrots, but raw is best, sugar is not as high. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water while at work, rest during the day. Find a MD who is good with diabetes. I am 12 weeks past diagnosis, BS level is 130 and conts to go down, I have lost 9 3/4 lbs, and I am walking, walking, walking. It can be done. Good luck.

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Congratulations, gitterbug, on getting yours under control & the weight loss. I was told not to exercise until mine is under 240, so I guess the only exercise I'll get until I can get it down is at work and doing the daily tasks. I feel I've wasted all weekend though because I've been so tired, all I wanted to do was sleep. I know it's going to take a little while to get it down, but I was checking my blood sugar when I had different symptoms so I could get a better idea of what it was so I can later tell (like when I'm away from home & glucometer) what's going on...whether it's up or down. I feel so horrible with the range mine has been in, I can't imagine how bad someone else feels with it even higher. I guess different people feel different ways. I've taken care of patients who've had it in the 600s and denied any symptoms or around 50 with none too.

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