[Cyborg]

My endo wrote me a script for Symlin and also gave me a vial and the starter kit. Also got a Novalog pen and vial of Novalog. I think he was pleased with my 6.2 a1c.

So... I got this Symlin here, and I was kinda lookin for some tips, advice, what-to-expects. It says not to take any if I eat less than 30 grams of carbs. Also says to take 1/2 of my insulin. I guess that means 1/2 of my bolus since I'm a pumper.

[duck]

You're gonna feel queeeeeeeeeasy...

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by duck

You're gonna feel queeeeeeeeeasy...

That's what it says. I'm not known for getting nauseous, but I guess this is pretty strong stuff. Not sure if my pancreas has been creating any amylin in a while. One way to find out!

[duck]

It goes without saying, but proceed with caution. I've read nothing but good stuff so far.

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by duck

It goes without saying, but proceed with caution. I've read nothing but good stuff so far.

I'm half way there, I found 30 carbs for dinner. Good thing they supplied some smaller needles with the starter kit.

[middnite03]

the best advice.... COMBO BOLUS!!!... when I take it before lunch and supper... I have to take a combo bolus (dual wave for MM) about 40 percent now, and 60 percent over 2 hours.... it takes some time to get used to, and it can drive you nuts,. but once you get into the program with it, it's great!!!

[psilocybin]

im having a hard time figuring out what this symlin is

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by middnite03

the best advice.... COMBO BOLUS!!!... when I take it before lunch and supper... I have to take a combo bolus (dual wave for MM) about 40 percent now, and 60 percent over 2 hours.... it takes some time to get used to, and it can drive you nuts,. but once you get into the program with it, it's great!!!

Did you still cut your bolus dosage in half when you started?

[JediSkipdogg]

Originally Posted by psilocybin

im having a hard time figuring out what this symlin is

It's a drug like insulin that reduces the peaks you get from food. It also is suppose to reduce your overall need for insulin and you work in steps to the standard dose. Once you hit that dose you take it every major meal and it helps to eliminate any peaks in that meal. www.symlin.com is the website.

[psilocybin]

is it better than insulin?

[JediSkipdogg]

Originally Posted by psilocybin

is it better than insulin?

It's taken with insulin (not mixed with it) and the dose amount is standard, meaning you don't change it with what your sugar level or what you eat is.

[spike]

Originally Posted by Cyborg

My endo wrote me a script for Symlin and also gave me a vial and the starter kit. Also got a Novalog pen and vial of Novalog. I think he was pleased with my 6.2 a1c.

So... I got this Symlin here, and I was kinda lookin for some tips, advice, what-to-expects. It says not to take any if I eat less than 30 grams of carbs. Also says to take 1/2 of my insulin. I guess that means 1/2 of my bolus since I'm a pumper.

What is the advantage of using this stuff in lieu of the normal amount of insulin? doesn't this just introduce another variable? what's the up side? there must be one, but I don't see it. Please explain if the pro's outweigh the cons. I don't like making things more complicated than they need to be, which is why I like being a T1 with one thing to take for my bg's, instead of all the pills that T2's pop.

[JediSkipdogg]

Originally Posted by spike

What is the advantage of using this stuff in lieu of the normal amount of insulin? doesn't this just introduce another variable? what's the up side? there must be one, but I don't see it. Please explain if the pro's outweigh the cons. I don't like making things more complicated than they need to be, which is why I like being a T1 with one thing to take for my bg's, instead of all the pills that T2's pop.

The upside is for those that get extreme BG peaks with eating food. It levels those peaks out. For me, no matter what I eat, my BG level will peak about 100 mg/dl 90 minutes after a meal. I go above 200 quite often even if my pre-meal was around 110. Eliminating those peaks alone can drop an A1C a good amount, maybe 0.5 - 1.0%.

It is also suppose to reduce one's total need for insulin. For someone taking 100+ units a day it may help them use less insulin which could help them spend less money.

But the ultimate use is for leveling BGs out.

[Cyborg]

Keep in mind that insulin is termed the "fat drug". My endo today says to consider the Symlin sort of the opposite in that effect. It should cut the spikes in bg after eating and it should reduce insulin usage, which is a good thing for someone trying to lose weight.

I've been having problems with keeping my bg down not because of lack of exercise or what I'm eating, but because I'm losing weight. I've seen some horrible numbers, 270's and such, for no other reason than eating a medium carb / low calorie meal while in this weight loss mode. Hopefully the Symlin will help in this manner also.

I couldn't have picked a better day to start the Symlin. Having the CGMS connected it is very interesting watching the numbers live. I ate dinner 1/2 hour ago. I had 42 grams of carbs and about 460 calories. I took only 2 1/2 units of Symlin. My sugar was 88 when I took the Symlin and boluses only 1/2 of my normal insulin dosage. My bg has decreased ever since. I've got a belly full of food and my bg seems to be heading south still. I'm currently at 81...

No nausea, unless the little twinges I feel in my stomach are what is considered nausea for this medication. I don't feel like I need to upchuck or anything.

[Cyborg]

When taking the Symlin, I know I'm supposed to take 1/2 of my normal meal bolus. Does this also apply to the 2 hour correction bolus?