Help timing supplements with prescription meds

[libertyRN]

Hi Dr. Apryl...I am hoping you can help me.

I am writing because I take several prescription meds for pain control. I do not feel comfortable printing them here on the forum, due to the reactions most people have towards people who need long-term pain management. Suffice it to say, I take this medication every 8 hours around the clock, every day.

I also take Metformin at the same time, 500mg q 8 hours. While reading about the GlucX supplement and the research regarding the possible interference with absorption...I am wondering how to time my supplements now. I just received them yesterday.

I can't get the XR formula due to insurance restrictions. And I can't take 2 at a time to lessen the frequency of administration. So...I'm confused as to how I can take all these supplements with the timing I need. Every time I've tried to double up on the metformin, I get stomach cramps very badly. I was aiming to get to 2,000mg per day twice a day, but I can't double it due to side effects.

So...I'm wondering if there's some other way I can get this done. I would really appreciate your help!!! I am a bit confused at the moment as to how I can work this out. My normal waking hours are 7am to 11pm every day (sometimes a bit later into the night as well) but I could change than if need be to time my supplements.

Please help!!! If you need the name of my medication, I will gladly give it to you privately.

[libertyRN]

Well this is the first day of my program, and I still have not gotten all of the supplements timed right. I'm really worried that I'll never find a way to program the supplements around my medications. :/

I may go to half dosage anyway for a while, because my tummy has definitely been at odds with the new supplements!

[drapryl]

Hi Dr. Apryl...I am hoping you can help me.

I am writing because I take several prescription meds for pain control. I do not feel comfortable printing them here on the forum, due to the reactions most people have towards people who need long-term pain management. Suffice it to say, I take this medication every 8 hours around the clock, every day.

I also take Metformin at the same time, 500mg q 8 hours. While reading about the GlucX supplement and the research regarding the possible interference with absorption...I am wondering how to time my supplements now. I just received them yesterday.

I can't get the XR formula due to insurance restrictions. And I can't take 2 at a time to lessen the frequency of administration. So...I'm confused as to how I can take all these supplements with the timing I need. Every time I've tried to double up on the metformin, I get stomach cramps very badly. I was aiming to get to 2,000mg per day twice a day, but I can't double it due to side effects.

So...I'm wondering if there's some other way I can get this done. I would really appreciate your help!!! I am a bit confused at the moment as to how I can work this out. My normal waking hours are 7am to 11pm every day (sometimes a bit later into the night as well) but I could change than if need be to time my supplements.

Please help!!! If you need the name of my medication, I will gladly give it to you privately.

Dear Liberty,

Thanks for writing in; I'm glad you found our website!

It is perfectly fine for you to take all of the GlucX at once, just make sure it is around 2 hours separate from the other medications you are on. As for interference in absorption- if you noticed an increase in your pain threshold, maybe you'd have to consider it being an issue. However, I don't think you should have any problems.

Also, if you're taking the Insulite System, ideally, there will be no reason for you to take your Metformin dose up to 2000mg per day. This will be another way of treating the Insulin Resistance (which I'm assuming the Metformin is for since you didn't mention being diabetic).

I hope this is helpful. Feel free to write in again. ;)

[drapryl]

Well this is the first day of my program, and I still have not gotten all of the supplements timed right. I'm really worried that I'll never find a way to program the supplements around my medications. :/

I may go to half dosage anyway for a while, because my tummy has definitely been at odds with the new supplements!

Liberty,

Do you tend to have a sensitive stomach? Sometimes it takes a bit of time to adjust to the fiber, especially. This reaction could be accentuated by any dietary changes you might be making.

Let me know how you're doing after a week or two!

[libertyRN]

Yes, Dr. Apryl, I do tend to have a sensitive stomach. Yesterday I paid for eating the goodies at Easter Dinner.

I am trying to eat a more organic, more balanced diet (not low-carb, but lower carb). Basically making sure I eat enough protein at every meal, and not going over 30 grams of carbs at once. I did so well with that sort of system in the past. It's very similar to the consistent carb diet they prescribe at my old work. One of the RD's actually made me up a system for free, and it helped immensely. It is very much like the nutrition plan for the Insulite System. It's always been a battle for me, to eat healthy. I grew up on a very processed diet. I have a lot of aversions and allergies to food, and that limits my choices. I'm slowly working on those things though. Babysteps, babysteps.

I will definitely try taking the GlucX all at once. That will work. I've been sitting here today with a pad of paper and pencil trying to figure out how to schedule them!!! It will work hopefully by taking the Gluc X all at once.

I would love to come off the met, or reduce it after some time. My NP is very excited to see my progress. She was very receptive to my trying it, which I was glad for. So many in the medical community are so adamant against doing things naturally. I don't understand why. Perhaps a knowledge deficit of natural ways? I am a big believer in using food as medicine. I've seen it change lives more so than dozens of prescription meds! Of course, I believe prescriptions have their place...but, I wish some docs weren't so quick to write a prescription for a med instead of trying food changes, exercise, and natural products first!

Thanks, Dr. Apryl...I will definitely let you know how I'm doing in a week or so!!! :)