Symlin

[kidvid]

As your probably know, Symlin is a hormone analog to the human hormone pramlintide. Both serve to regulate the speed at which food passes from the stomach to the intestines - conrolling how fast carbohydrates are processed and reducing post-meal spikes in BG levels. At least that's my lay interpretation. I've used it with good results for the last 14 months of my short 18 month run with T1. I'm curious about others experience and perceptions.

Joe

[JediSkipdogg]

Just FYI...pramlintide is not produced by the body. Pramlintide acetate is the actual name of the drug. Symlin is the marketing/easier to say name for the synthetic hormone. It is used as a replacement for amylin missing in the body.

[kidvid]

Thanks Jedi - you're absolutely right. Based on responses vs views it would seem Symlin is kinda a non-issue...

[spirosway]

All of us need symlin?

[JediSkipdogg]

All of us need symlin?

Technically yes. However, it wasn't created until recently and it needs it's own injection. When insulin production stops for us, so does amylin (the human created symlin) production. However, most peoople don't mind the spikes in their BGs or find ways around them that using symlin is null.

[Cyborg]

I used to use it and I liked it. I only quit because it's expensive and because I found I could control my bg without it by properly timing my boluses and by eating diabetic friendly.

[Funnygrl]

I can't vote. I've heard of it, and would try it, just haven't yet. I probably could get a prescription if I tried.

[lilituc]

I've heard of it also (and can't vote).

[AMBlass]

I used it for awhile but it stung too much and it was too unpredictable. Sometimes square bolusing for 2 hours worked great, other times I would go high, and other times I would go low. I have a hard enough time with insulin, I don't need another drug messing things up for me. Maybe I will try again another time, but right now, I'm okay with insulin only.

[notme]

I was an "other" vote also. I have heard of it, I have thought about trying it and just haven't decided if it was worth the effort.

Good thread.

[It Ain't Over]

Been using it since it first came out. Have had some ups and downs, but I have always battled highs after any food, and I have an unexplained issue with highs that come on without any known cause. Symlin is the answer to that.
At first it would give me some mild nausea, but that faded with use. Now they are recommending up to 20 units with meals. At first the upper limit was at 10.
I also have found that generous use of Symlin will bring down an excursion into highs very quickly. Can lower from 350 to 100 in just over an hour, without taking a large bolus of insulin.

[speedy0901]

I have had trouble with taking Symlin. I've been on it for a couple months now.

When I take it, I wait about 10 minutes and then eat, and after I am done I take my insulin. About an hour after that my blood sugar will be fine (around 100-150) and then an hour later it spikes up to 250 or 300.

I'm really frustrated because I don't know why it's doing this. I'm tempted to quit, as well, but I like how I need less insulin and can't eat as much!!

[ThreeStrikes]

I'm debating starting Symlin. How bad is the nausea?

[ultrafine]

I've been asking my Endo about Symlin for 6months now and it still seems like its still not out in Canada. :( I would love to try it when it comes out!
I heard that it is expensive, approximately how much is it?

[Cyborg]

I'm debating starting Symlin. How bad is the nausea?

I've never thrown up or felt like doing so. It's feels more like a strong hunger knot to me. It didn't always happen. If you can get a sample from your endo, I say give it a try. If you're on a pump, you want to do an extended bolus. If MDI, you may want to take 1/2 your dosage up front and the other 1/2 about 1-2 hours later.

[kidvid]

I had no nausea at all. I think the earlier after your dx you get on it, the easier it is.

[ubergeek]

I just started on it last week and I like it. It's really helping my post prandial spikes and over all better control. Also, I'm not as hungry, and I will actually feel full.

I had a little bit of nausea the first couple of days, and I agree, it feels more like hunger than nausea. The first time I took it, I felt REALLY full, but that is gone too.

I was told to use it with a square over three hours, but I found this was leaving me too high at 2 hours post prandial. I changed over to a dual wave bolus giving 25% bolus then 75% over the next 3 hours and this is working remarkably well for me.

I wanted to take it for a week before I sent in my mail order presciption to make sure I wanted to stay on it before spending the money on it. So far so good, so I'll got for the next three months.

I can honestly say, I think this is the best control I've ever had....with the flatest blood sugars. It's a nice change.

[dgrilli]

Taking Symlin injection within 10 minutes I'm dropping like a ROCK.

It will make my insulin more potent and it lasts on me about an hour and a half.

Hard to gauge.. If I happened to be at 224 BG and Symlin with Insulin on Board I will drop to 80's to low 90's BG with in 25 Minutes with a a good sweat just drenching me.

Timing for me is everything with this drug.

I suspects strongly that I have a delayed stomach action adding to the confusion here.

If I was anything at or below 180BG the symlin is not an option.

What causes this drug to work so fast I do not know. I used it with pizza and did not quite get it right.

[ubergeek]

I don't have any of those problems. I have taken Symlin with any BG and it doesn't matter. I usually eat within 10-20 minutes of taking it, depends on the situation for that meal. I've taken it with BS in the 70's and no problem.

I think if I can figure out like Cyborg how to control the problems I'm having with post-prandial spikes, etc, then maybe someday I'll come off of it. For now, I'm enjoying the tight control.