New Drug Symlin (again)

[Human Pin Cushion]

It's been a while since I've checked in...last I posted a question about Symlin, there was no active users posting on the subject.  Thought I'd try again and see if anyone has feedback on this they might like to share.

My main concern is the reported  sudden low's that occur after taking Symlin.

This is confusing to me since the main purpose of this drug is to prevent lows by slowing down the digestion of glucose.

I got very little info from my endo.  She only told me that it could cause nausea, told me to cut my Humalog in half.  She gave me a sample and that was it.  She has been out of the country for a month and I returned sample until further discussion.  I would really appreciate any "actual user" feedback before I discuss with endo.

I didn't get the feeling that many of her patients were on this medication yet.  A1C's are 6-7 and I have good aftermeal readings on Humalog.  I'm not sold on this Symlin yet, but am open to hearing feedback.  It is another round of injections when consuming 30g carbs at meals.

[Innvictus]

I have been on Symlyn since Nov 2005. I have been diabetic since 1984 and when my doctor noticed an unexplained weight gain and increase in my A1C levels he suggested this new drug.  My doctor had informed me at that time the drug had been only around for a few months. It is not a common drug at this time. I know my pharmacist never even heard of it when I brought the prescription in to him. The drug can cause low blood sugar if you don't watch how much insulin you take.  To counter act this I have learned to take my insulin right after the meal I eat.  The drug reduces my appetite so much at mealtime I don't always eat what I plan to when I start the meal. My doctor approved this method for me so I don't over medicate.  I can tell you the results I get from being on this medication are not as good as I had hoped.  My A1C levels only dropped from 7.9 to 7.7 in the first 3 months. I am continuing with the medication at this time to see if those results were do to the adjustment period (the balancing act of insulin and the symlin with my new eating habits).  As for weight loss I lost 8 to 10lbs from it...the doctor was hoping for closer to 20lbs (the original weight I gained).
The main purpose of the drug is to slow down how fast your body digests glucose but to prevent the highs that occur after meals not to prevent low blood sugar.  I honestly do not think it would help you if your A1C levels are already below 7.0 because the tighter your control the more likely you will have low blood sugar reactions.  here is a site that has more information on the drug www.symlin.com I hope this helps.

[paralegal]

Unfortunately, I do not have experience to share except to say that my doctor wanted to put me on symlin to treat a sudden, drastic weight gain - pounds that I cannot seem to shed.  I told him I wanted to do the tried and true exercise/starvation diet that worked a few years ago and lasted until I stopped my high protein diet.  Then bam - so fat that only a sack dress fit!! I had to buy drawstring pants at the mountaineering store!.  To get back to the point, however.  Symlin was a short-term cure for fat in my case.  When I diet through exercise and reduced calories/carbs, I often have pretty sudden hypoglycemic episodes because my body is changing its way of processing food and having to turn to fat cells in the presence of injected insulin in an unnatural melieu.  I have a little bit of Good&Plenty bits so that I can just grab a few (or a whole handful if I let it go and it gets really symptomatic).  This keeps BG regulated and keeps me feeling more secure as my stomach rumbles through the day.  At work, I just keep them in a little candy dish - my safety net.  This is probably not good practice, but it works as long as I don't give in to the sweet tooth.  Hopes this helps - try reading about what happens when dieting and/or exercising to see what slowed glucose processing can do.  Also, there might be a different kind of injection device that you could use that would ease the pain - they used to sell those pressure injection devices that had no needles (don't know if you can vary the insulins used with these devices though).  Check with your pharmacist perhaps - they are usually full of good info.
Good luck!

[selphjd]

Hello.  My wife is type 1 and about a month ago got switched to humolog/lantus with symlin.  So she hasn't had long term experience yet.  From what I gathered the drug is extremely new.  My wife hasn't had any sickness problems with symlin.  And to be honest, she can't especially tell that it's doing anything.  She had to adjust to taking more than just 1/2 of her humolog, actually she generally still has to take all of it.  And she never gets low with the symlin, never anywhere close.  If we don't see results from symlin after a few months, she'll probably ditch it.  Just doesn't seem to do much to justify adding 2-3 shots a day for her.  The doctor acted like symlin was almost a miracle drug.  But our experience has been so far that it's not very useful.  I would love to hear someone with several months of experience with symlin.  I'd like to think eventually it will help.

[JDRF-Team-SS]

Hello Human Pin Cushion,

I am a volunteer here and today is my day.  I am sorry to say that I do not have any first hand knowledge on this medication.

My son (diagnosed with type 1 at age 3) who is 10 is now on the pump and we are very pleased.

I do understand that you are looking for feedback from anyone who has been in symlin or has more knowledge about it.  I apologize that I cannot be of more assistance.

I am sure you have already tried searching the medication, but, if not, I would suggest that you try a phrase such as "symlin and low blood sugar"

Good luck and I am sure you will receive feedback.  Great A1C's!!!


Take care!
SS