While reading Pumpin Insulin, I took notice to a medication called, Symilin. That is used to help control blood sugars. Has anybody tried this and what was your results. Would you recommend it to your fellow diabetic friend?

David,

Use of symilin is a complicated issue. First, let me start by saying that in Canada (where I am), Health Canada has not approved use of symilin, so I can't try it even if I wanted to.

For some background, there are two hormones that are produced by the beta cells of the pancreas, insulin and whatever the natural equivalent of symilin is (I think its called amylin but I will refer to it as symilin since I'm not sure). With type 1 diabetes, production of both of these hormones ceases. Symilin does things such as signaling when you are full. (It does several other things; however, unlike insulin, you can live without this hormone).

Symilin can only be taken by injection. The risk lows increases with the use of symilin. As far as I know, in the US, it is only available by prescription. I've read that some people find symilin very useful while for others, the difficulties seem to outweigh the benefits.

You need to talk to your doctor to determine if symilin will be beneficial to you.

Aaron has given you a very good explanation. Symilin is available by prescription in the US. It does help control spikes but there is a risk for lows.

You can read more about it HERE

I have been using Symlin for a few years now and I really like it. I can't believe it was only approved a few years ago. I feel like I've only been given part of the information that I need to properly keep my diabetes under control. I wonder what else we're missing. Symlin is the synthetic version of Amylin, which is the hormone that makes you feel satiated. I asked my doctor if insufficient production might be why people gain weight and develop Type 2 diabetes and he said they are researching this and it's very likely. I've never been overweight, but gained a couple of pounds after having thyroid problems and my dr put me on Symlin. It does burn a little when you inject it, but it wouldn't make me stop using it. The dr recommended that I start on the lowest dose and increase as I got used to the feeling. Of course you would need to consult with your dr, but mine recommended that you cut your insulin dose in half when you use it with Symlin, because it increases the potency. I had started feeling hungry like I had a tapeworm and this makes me feel like a normal person. If you have any questions, I'd be glad to tell you more.

I have been on both Symlin and Byetta. Symlin is supposed to be for folks on insulin and Byetta for Type 2s not on insulin. I was on MDI when I started Byetta, my doc not thinking Symlin did much of anything. Later a different doc put me on Symlin. I took it for about 4 or 5 months but stopped it because while on it I took more and more insulin. I went back to the first doc and back on Byetta. Now I have been pumping for about three months, am in better control and have wondered if I should try Symlin again. It did nothing for me before but maybe now it would be different.

Suzan

UPDATE: I have started my shots with Symlin on Tuesday. I had very mild stomach ache but nothing big and that lasted only an hour or two after the shot. Saturday I will boost my dosage to 30mcg for another 3 days.

I tried to use Symilin, and while it worked and improved Glycemic control the side affect I experienced was not worth it in the long run. In the evening after dinner and injection I was literally on my back for 2 to 3 hours, I mean it just wiped me out. My Endo ran a trial and indicated at the end of his trial he had a high percentage of folks who experienced this phenomenon. He also indicated he had a number of folks for whom it worked very well too.

I have been on Symlin for over a week now. Tomorrow I will increase my dosage to 60. On the first dosage 15 and 30, I experienced very mild mild upset stomach but went away within the hour. Now at the dosage of 45, I don't experience the upset stomach. I have notice a very big change in how my BG don't have the big swings after eating. The couple of times that I didn't take Symlin, my BG soared upward. That might because of lowering my Basal and Bolus rates. But overall, I am very happy with Symlin and what it has done for me and the control of my BG.

I think one of the other notable benefits is Symilin also promotes weight loss.

I have discoutinued Symlin do not being able to remember to take it or bring it with me when I am out eating. And plus, my sugar were getting out of hand because of not taking it.