Timing Medication

[nawchem]

Right now I take a beta-blocker 3x a day, its supposed to increase insulin levels. Since I'm trying to eat 1 cm and rm I was thinking of taking it right before I eat and right before I go to bed. Do you think this is logical?

This medication has been the cause of most of my weight gain, so I believe it has quite an effect on my insulin levels, before taking it I was on Nancys junkfood diet and had maintained the same weight at least 6 years.

[Zuleikaa]

That's fine. But a question, do you have hypoglycemia? Not my business and don't mean to offend but why are you taking something that raises insulin levels when CAD/CALP naturally evens them out? I think taking something that raises your insulin levels would slow your weight loss and cause cravings.

[nawchem]

I'm actually glucose intolerant, but since I've been taking this med. my blood sugar is between 65-70 an hour after I've eaten anything.

Unfortunately there are no medications for mvp, the heart disorder I have so I have to take medications for other disorders and just deal with the side effects. Most people with my disorder have low blood pressure and slow heart rates but we take high blood pressure medication that makes our blood pressure and heart rates very low.

I'm hoping if/when I can take thyroid it will compensate for these other effects.

thanks Zule!

[doreen T]

hi Nancy,

Beta blockers should be taken with or right after a meal. Although this won't prevent the insulin effect, it will ensure that your blood sugar won't bottom out. Taking the ß-blocker at bedtime on an empty stomach is inviting early-morning hypoglycemia. The hypoglycemia can and will undo your efforts to control cravings with the CAD/CALP diet.

It's my understanding that you're permitted more than one CM a day ;) .. and you'd be wise to do that. Having at least a small amount of protein every few hours will help avoid hypoglycemia. Also, you've stated glucose-intolerance .. and indeed any simple sugar or processed white starch will trigger hypoglycemia, so best to avoid those foods, even in your RM.

You also need to make sure you stay well-hydrated, since dehydration can worsen the MVPS symptoms .. and if your bld. pressure tends to be very low, you need to make sure you're getting sufficent SALT in your diet as well.

hth,

Doreen

[nawchem]

Thanks Doreen for your wise words. Yesterday I went 10 hours without food and got shaky/ill, woke up this morning absolutely starved and shaky as well. I think your right in my case one CM isn't going to work.

Nancy