symlin

christie · #1 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007, 10:42 PM

i saw the endo today, and he is really pushing me to start symlin, he gave me the trial package. but it scares me to think of starting it, my a1c is 5.4 and i have hypo unawareness, do any of you think its a good idea to start it?

notme · #2 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007, 10:49 PM

I am a bit perplexed why your doctor thinks you need to lower your A1c more christie. If you are type one and have an A1c of 5.4 and you have hypo unawareness, the addition of Symlin is questionable for sure. Call your doctor and get a good explaination as to why he is adding this medication.

Cyborg · #3 (**permalink**) 12-14-2007, 04:38 AM

Why Symlin if your a1c is so good (same as mine, btw). Is it simply for weight loss purposes?

David · #4 (**permalink**) 12-14-2007, 05:17 AM

Are you having post meal BG spikes?

shockme · #5 (**permalink**) 12-14-2007, 07:11 AM

i'd clarify it with your dr.i don't see the need for it-you have a great a1c....trish

andypoo · #6 (**permalink**) 12-14-2007, 07:45 AM

yeah, I wouldn't take it if my bg's were that good or that low. I take it,though to keep mine down at a reasonable number and to cut back on the amount of insulin I take.

Scratch · #7 (**permalink**) 12-14-2007, 08:01 AM

A1c of 5.4, you have hypo unawareness.

I'd guess you've had a history of too many hypoglycemic events, it even seems likely that the 5.4 isn't all about great control but too many low blood sugars.

If it were me, I'd first see about working on tightening up the standard deviation of average glucose results, set my target glucose number higher about 20 points and let my A1c go back up towards 6.0 while trying to eliminate the hypoglycemias. Hopefully that would help to restore some hypo awareness, then I'd consider adding in another variable of Symlin.

Cyborg · #8 (**permalink**) 12-14-2007, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andypoo

I take it,though to keep mine down at a reasonable number and to cut back on the amount of insulin I take.

Unfortunately, I found I needed the same amount of insulin while taking Symlin, but I needed to do extended boluses with the pump as the Symlin slows digestion...

andypoo · #9 (**permalink**) 12-14-2007, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyborg

Unfortunately, I found I needed the same amount of insulin while taking Symlin, but I needed to do extended boluses with the pump as the Symlin slows digestion...

I'm actually finding out also,that I pretty much do better with the same amount of insulin.

christie · #10 (**permalink**) 12-14-2007, 08:29 PM

i've tried doing the higher sugar but i still had unawareness. i'm not sure why he was pushing to start it unless because of winter and my back issues he's concerned about gaining weight,i did gain a lb since last time i was there but that was may and of course i was very active then, i also cracked my ankle and it took awhile to be able to do physical exercise, does anyone know how much weight can be lost while taking symlin? or how much has anyone lost while taking it. but I'm really scared of trying with the possible lows.

gambi · #11 (**permalink**) 12-15-2007, 08:23 AM

I've been no weight loss, with symlin. acutally more of a weight gain of a couple pounds! I am taking 20 mc at each meal.

I did a lot better with byetta - even though it's not for a type 1. I los 5 lbs with byetta.

issysmommy · #12 (**permalink**) 12-29-2007, 08:15 PM

I just started symlin in Nov and had/have great results with my BGs when I eat healthy meals (lower or no fat) which I should be doing anyways. No weight loss yet, but did initially feel like I was super full and still find it sometimes. I have just started working out again, so we'll see if that'll help my weight loss, too.