work schedules and BG Levels

[sweetcheeks]

ok, im starting a new contract at work at the call center, for the next 2 weeks ill be working 8 -5pm instead of my normal schedule of 1130 - 830pm.... after the 2 weeks ill more than likely end up on a 3 - 12midnite shift.....

i have read places that say those later shifts mess with your BG's and if so what am I going to be looking at here... and what should I do about it if it happens??

[fizzgig_sh]

i have read places that say those later shifts mess with your BG's and if so what am I going to be looking at here... and what should I do about it if it happens??

Great Question !!

Nursing usually involves shift work so switching and changing of work hours definately messes up all sorts of body clock routines not only that with BSL's.

I figured that the best way to control my diabetes was to stay on the same shift (whatever that shift was to be) and not be switching around. That way the body got into THAT rhythm. By frequent monitering and meals everything seemed to pan out.

I work night shift. But more importantly is that on my days off I still keep my body clock in night shift mode. So I go to bed between 8&9am usually, sleep during the day when most people are at work. I get up late in the afternoon, when most people are going home from work. I have my evenings and social life. I go to work when most people are going to bed. It works for me.

What didn't work for me was when I would do a split sleep; getting up in the day and then going back to bed again before work. Often getting back to sleep in the later part of the day didn't happen, leading to fatigue. I now avoid split sleeps and try to get all my sleep in one block.

I expect as your routine stabalizes into one rhythm or another, your body clock will soon adjust to the new rhythm. Keep a good eye on your BSL's and all will go well.

Let us know know you get along.

[sweetcheeks]

my sleep schedule will probably stay the same, i usually dont go to bed til about 2 to 3 am and get up about 10 ish or 11ish..... my eating schedule is whats going to change when i hit the 3 -12 shift....... right now i eat at 10am 330pm and about 930 pm im thinking ill be eating at 11amish 230ish and 7ish now that being said.... ill be going from 7 to 2 or 3 in the morning without eating...im thinking eating ill have to eat my snack after midnite

[pinkytricia]

Stacey !!
What time do you squeeze exercise in... What a schedule...:frown: I hope it works out soon... You are a smart cookie so I know you will figure this one out...:confused:
See you are one step of the game you document everything... All your BG's and meals..
Good Luck Sweetie...

p.s. At first glance I thought you moved to England...lol... You changed your picture so I wanted to make sure I had the right person...lol.... It's too early in the morning to be using the brain this hard...Thanks for the giggles...

[sweetcheeks]

Stacey !!
What time do you squeeze exercise in... What a schedule...:frown: I hope it works out soon... You are a smart cookie so I know you will figure this one out...:confused:
See you are one step of the game you document everything... All your BG's and meals..
Good Luck Sweetie...

p.s. At first glance I thought you moved to England...lol... You changed your picture so I wanted to make sure I had the right person...lol.... It's too early in the morning to be using the brain this hard...Thanks for the giggles...

LOL *EXCERCISE* whats that hehe.... well i do a light excercise at work a couple times a week about 20 - 45 mins each time, i lift weights while on the phone, and i do house work everyday..and a really good house cleaning on the weekends that lasts about 3 hours.. not really much time for anything else until i get some excercise equipment so i can work out at home.... there is a bunch of girls in the area that is interested in starting a excercise buddie group to go walking with etc... so hopefully that will mesh well with my new work schedule

[sweetcheeks]

ok guys I got my new schedule it starts 02/12/2007....

11pm-8am Sunday through Thursday..........this is my first 3rd shift schedule! .... Thats not great, but there is 2 plus's 1. I get to spend the friday and saturday off with my hubby now, these are also his days off, and 2. i get paid an extra 50 cents on the hour. hehe

ok... now i need your guys help


1. what time should I eat? I suppose ill be getting ready for work around 9pm I'll probably get LUNCH around 3AM and getting off at 8AM and can probably eat my 3rd meal around 9AM....


ugg thank god im going to the dietician at the end of month before i start this shift.... cause im gonna be totally lost

[ladytaz]

Just flip the AM for the PM .... it's about 12 hours off the schedule you're currently on, right?? Same thing, but kinda in reverse! LOL

But yea, ask the dietitian about it too!!

My dad worked 2nd and 3rd shift since I can remember! He didn't become diabetic until after he retired, and even tho he's now retired, he STILL lives on that schedule LOL and deals with his meals, meds and testing accordingly ;)

[fizzgig_sh]

ok guys I got my new schedule it starts 02/12/2007....
11pm-8am

Welcome to the club. :five: I start at 10.15pm and finish at 7.15am. I just switch am for pm and have my 'lunch' through the night.

Dinner in the evening with the family and Breakfast in the morning when I get home.

I sleep between 9am and 5pm.

I do my BSL tests first thing when I wake up, before meals, before driving, and if I'm feeling 'off'.

I don't like being energetic when I wake up so my housework, etc. gets done on my days off or daily stuff gets done after work, in the morning. If there is a lot to do or I get into gardening, etc. I may get to bed a bit later so I sleep a bit later.

If I have appointments during the day I may have a split sleep. Sleep some early, go to appointment, then have another sleep before work. Needless to say I try not to split my sleep.

I, personally, try to keep my sleep hours the same on my days off, too. But it seems I am rare in doing this. Most of my coworkers switch to day hours on there days off and then struggle to stay awake through the night on the first shift of their week.


ugg thank god im going to the dietician at the end of month before i start this shift.... cause im gonna be totally lost


I'm interested in what your dietician has to say about this so keep us informed.

Cheers