Q: I am a 60-year-old male. From the past 20 years, I am suffering from high blood pressure. All along, I have been taking Atenolol 50 mg, on a daily basis. I also have diabetes for over 10 years. For this, I was advised to take Glynase tablets, twice a day. About 2 years ago, my doctor prescribed Cardace H 5 mg, once in the morning; Glynase XL 5 mg 1 Tablet (in the morning and evening, before food); Rosicon 2 mg tablet 1 before lunch; Atenolol-50 in the evening and Ecosprin 75mg 1 Tablet before sleep. I walk for 3 km daily and eat moderately. I don't smoke or consume alcohol. After the new prescription, my fasting blood sugar, which used to be around 125/130 mg% came down to 90 to 100 mg%. But I don't feel energetic. There is a lack of enthusiasm in general. So, I can't make full use of my abilities. Given the background, I wish to know how can I get more energetic. At times, I also feel pain in the chest muscles. Sleeplessness adds to the problem. Can I benefit from taking multivitamins? If not, please tell me some other way to solve this problem.

A:My feeling is that generalised weakness is due to lower blood glucose levels. Note whether or not this weakness goes away after taking meals. If yes, then meet a dietician and get a chart of 1500 calorie diabetic diet with three-plus-three meal plan. This means that apart from taking three meals, you will have to take small meals at short intervals. Regarding your chest pain, asymptomatic heart problems are common and you need TMT and cardiologist opinion. There is no harm in taking multivitamins, but it has not been seen as providing great help, in most people. Remember vitamins will not give you extra strength. You also need to get a TSH done, because such symptoms can be there in case of a concomitant thyroid disease.