Diabetes.Blog.com

1 - My doctor and I are considering Byetta but I have a a few questions. I was diagnosed with Type II about 5 years ago. Initially I was using 500 mg of Glucophage a day and with excercise and diet, blood sugars were controlled. I was able to go off the Glucophage for about 2 1/2 years with good control. I started 500 mg daily again to help with fluctuations. I was pretty lax about testing because things were always stable. Until I visited my doctor last week for my HA1C - She asked that I start testing again and I was shocked to see my blood sugars fluctuate between 175 and 350. We increased the Glucophage to 2000 mg a day and if I don't see good control, she wants me to consider Byetta. Do you have to stay on it forever? Is it just postponing the inevitable? Can you travel abroad while using Byetta? I sure could use some advice from someone who has "been there" -thanks, kim (Comment this)

2 - 10 DAYS w BIG BROTHER
I came down with a small cold the day
before starting Big Brother. Everything
was fine for 5 days except the cold kept
hanging on. Then my readings junmped all
over the place and I started feeling crummy
(mildly stated). I suspected the lizard fuel,
but then Thursday I got a mild fever and
started a cycle of fever & sweats to cold and
shivers (sp?). Thursday evening and Friday were
absolutely miserable. Yesterday was much better and
without fever. Today is better yet, but the cold isn't
completely gone. Anyway - to make my point - I had
previously posted that I thought the Gargantuan Gila Gush
was giving me side effects on day 6. I now absolve the
Almighty Lizard and attribute my illness to some sort
of flu (had a shot for that, too). So, my apologies to
Gil A in AZ. :-) (Comment this)

3 - KIM,

I'll try and answer some of your questions, but many of the answers you are seeking are addressed in previous blogs. You might try taking a look at the past blogs.

I think that this drug is too new to determine if you have to stay on it forever, and it will vary based on the individual. There has even been some signs (not confirmed as far as I know) that Byetta will regenerate the cells necessary to function.

As for "postponing the inevitable", I'm assuming that you mean going on insulin. There are several type 2s that never go on insulin so don't assume that this will happen.

Travel abroad - many of the blog members (and I'm sure they will confirm as the day progresses) that travel even abroad is not a problem. The byetta needs to be kept refrigerated so the main thing is to either carry a thermos to pack it in or have a refrigerator available at your location. Again, if you read prior blogs many of the members have posted messages about traveling with byetta and so far there haven't been any problems.

I hope this information helps you and I would encourage you to try the byetta. Many of us consider it a miracle drug.

Lori in ID (Comment this)

4 - Good questions Kim. I have another one as well and that is with talk of regenerating beta cells what about will it kill the cells already there that are healthy, I think someone a few weeks back mentioned that it would burn out our panreaus. I am really starting to worry about the long terms effects of this stuff. Am I just being overly cautious? Now with the posting of ulcers, yikes! How could that be a side effect? Is it because of the slower emptying of the stomach? We need Dr. Bill on this one or some other medical person who might be on the blog that can answer these questions. Thanks (Comment this)

5 - Big Brother is a whole other animal, I'm thinking. I really need some advice. I'm on day 2 and my numbers, for the first time since byetta, are over 300. Yes, I tested the new pen. The situation is that I had pretty middle-of-the road effects from little bro. Nausea, cold, constipation, weight loss (yeah) and appetite abatement. In the past two days, I've had more hunger, only very mild nausea, and higher numbers overall. Some cold, but hey, its 55 degrees in my house. Other pertinent facts - I stopped actos 45 mg. about 2 1/2 weeks ago and have been slowly lowering lantus from 86 units to 72 today. I don't want to resume actos, but I'm willing to stick with current or higher doses of lantus for a while. I've read that 10 mcg. people sometimes experience initially higher numbers. How long does this last? What does it all mean? Who ever thought I'd miss feeling nauseous? I've read all of our blog, but I could use some encouragement real-time, this morning.

Thanks - Ginger (Comment this)

6 - RE: earlier post

I'd like to add that I take 2000 mg. metformin. I also have fibromyalgia and my pain was worse yesterday than in a month. My joints were very sore and I was stiff as a board. Didn't do much at all. Bummer. (Comment this)

7 - Ginger:
Wow you are having a few bad days! So sorry to hear your in pain. Dealing with big brother is enough of a trial without added discomfort.Yes more than a few of us had problems dealing withBIG BULLY BROTHER 10! Your # may jump around for a few days before settling down. But I would think with 2000 metformin and 10 it should come down into range shortly.If not by all means call the Dr. and see if they have ideas for lowering # again.Try to hang in I know its hard. We all feel the pain when one og our gillies is hurting. We are here if you need another pep talk. Feel better soon. (Comment this)

8 - LORRAINNE - RE:LONG TERM SIDE EFFECTS

Beta cells - It wouldn't make any sense that it would kill of existing cells. It seems that a function beta cell is a functioning beta cell if you know what I mean. If it kills of existing function beta cells then it would also kill of any cells that regenerate. That just doesn't make sense that it could both promote the cell and then kill it.

ULCERS

I think that would be making a huge leap here to assume that it was the byetta that caused the problem. As stated by that person they obviously had stomach problems for the last year and a half. A doctor reports that something happens while the person is on the med because the drug maker has to check each thing out and make sure it wasn't their med that did it. Things will happen to people while on a med, all kinds of things but you can't conclude that the medicine did it. Only with lots of testing and lots of similar circumstances can anyone draw that conclusion. Could be in this case that have IBS and using Byetta is the bad combination. Or that the Byetta has nothing at all to do with it, they would have developed the ulcer anyway, byetta or not. Unless you have IBS then this situation might not ever apply to you.

I think we have to be careful about not starting a big panic over possibly nothing. Already in the past couple of months we've seen several people that posted here that they were almost scared off from even trying Byetta because of some things that had been posted here. I wonder how many DIDN'T post here but reported to their doctor 'No way will I try that stuff'. Lets just be careful how we word things and not make inferences about cause and effect that may not be able to be supported. (Comment this)

9 - Lorraine in NJ:
Good morning friend,hope your having a good day. Other than worrying again,I don'nt think they can say byetta causes ulcers if only one person on it got a ulcer. I think She may have had the start of one way before byetta.Otherwise we would all be coming down with them.
I guess long-term is unknown but our whole future is unknown. I think sometimes we have to have faith until something concreat says otherwise. I for one would need more than 1 person to get ulcers on byetta before I would worry. Maybe I am too busy worring about what the longterm effects of my diabetes is doing. Since those effects have been proven!
Try to relax and think positive.I know if we think TOO MUCH we can give ourselves ulcers.Believe me I know thats easier said than done. But try. I hate to think of you worring.Feel better and smile.We love you. Go eat a fly you'll feel better.LOL did I see a smile? (Comment this)

10 - GINGER - 10 PEN SIDE EFFECTS

My numbers intially fluctated for about the first 10 days on the 10 mcg pen until they settled down again. As always YMMV (your mileage may vary).

KIM - PROGRESSION

I've had diabetes for 12 years. I started with one oral which controlled things. Then as each year passed that would not keep things in check (even with being good with diet). Each year either stronger doses needed and at times another oral added. By last December I was on 3 orals (strong dosages) plus insulin. Now with Byetta I'm down to one oral and Byetta AND better control than any time in the past 12 years. If Byetta worked for you as it does for me I wouldn't wait any longer than I had to before I started it. Certainly its harder to travel with Byetta than orals which adds a little complication but my suggestion would be give Byetta a try. You know if you change your mind in a month or two nothing says you can't just switch back. You'll never know if it works better for you until you try. Nobody can tell you for certain what your future with diabetes will be but for what its worth thats how I progressed. (Comment this)

11 - Danielle- Upstate New York in a wooden farmhouse, heated by wood. 55 degrees is pretty common. I sit by the fire as much as I can. Feel sorry for my poor greyhound who had to do business in the 4 degree snow-blowing-white=out! In 10 years, I'll retire to Tuscany - hope Byetta is readily available by then. Thanks for your kind words. Now to be on-topic. I "topped off" with Humalog before the lizard. Haven't used it in a month. Would it be a good idea to keep my numbers down in this way until Mr. Big stabilizes?? (Comment this)

12 - GINGER ReHIGHER NUMBERS INITIALLY ON THE 10 DOSE:
Hello Ginger, I had higher numbers on the 5 and on the 10 when I first started each dose and it lasted for about 10 days each time before starting to turn around and drop. I guess it was just my body adjusting to yet another medication for my Diabetes. Poor body was probably just trying to figure out what I was doing to it this time! Hang in there! (Comment this)

13 - Ginger, day 2 on Big Brother (today) for me has brought higher bs numbers. I'm still doubling up what's left of my 5 pen for a few more days, then I'll start my 10 pen. I'm hoping there's nothing to the theory that the effectiveness of the medication diminishes over time so that I won't see any side effects when I begin the 10 pen.

I had a scary couple of minutes last night experiencing my first ever low bs. episode. I went downstairs to walk on my treadmill. I added 10 minutes to my usual time (since my numbers had been higher than usual that day). After walking 40 minutes I became very weak, shaky, dazed, etc. My husband quickly brought me some OJ which solved the problem. Lesson learned: check bs before getting on the treadmill. (Comment this)

14 - PAIN:

Arlyne, Thanks for the Comments. Something different is happening. I was handling the 10 pen for 6 weeks not even with nausea. Now I had to stop Byetta again. Last night had serve pain and woke up weak as can be today. I'm going to get myself checked out and see. I hate to have to quit this stuff but the recent pain and every 5 minutes in the bathroom a few hours after eating is totally unbearable.Tony (Comment this)

15 - Sherry, RE:Treadmill
Wow.!! Did you happen to check you bg after the treadmill and before the OJ had a chance to kick in?

My doctor once warned me that when taking BG lowering meds that it pays to only exercise 40 minutes at a time.

Do you remember if you were breathing hard while on the treadmill?
John (Comment this)

16 - Barrons "tepid" review of Amylin:
Apparently some endocrinologists are concernd about the long term safety of Byetta. Please go to online.barrons.com, and look at the Jan. 30 article. (Comment this)

17 - Pat,

Interesting story but it focused more on the impact to Amylin's financials if there are slowdowns in the FDA approval of Byetta - Long term. I personally am not too concerned about Byetta long term as the twice-daily shots don't bother me.

As far as the endo's long term concerns, they seem more concerned about long term risk of c-cell cancer although they cannot point to any studies that suggest there's a risk. So, my interpretation is that they're concerned about the unknown...well folks, I can't wait for the long term to be played out.

Not to be overly dismissive of this story but I'd be more concerned about a story in a medical or especially a diabetes-related magazine than I would a financial newspaper.

 (Comment this)

18 - JOHN
You're right to suggest considering the source and, of course, the amount of sources that agree or disagree. While it is good to have a heads-up on this kind of information, one source does not cut it in the long run.

Thanks for the reference PAT. I'm going to read it and then I will gratefully tuck it into my "prove it" file. But, like John, I don't have the time to waste. I am even older than HE is! :-) LOL
Leah (Comment this)

19 - John re: Barron's article:
Thanks for your reading and reply. I am not that comfortable with the lack of followup on the c-cell issue; although, it seems that the rats didn't present with thyroid c-cells until the dosage was very great. I personally don't have very good options, and cannot deal with living with endless weight gain; so, I chose to ignore this possibility. I think that Barrons should not be ignored because it is financial in perspective. (Lots of care goes into what people do with their money).
John, I appreciate your response. I'm grateful to have others to help me evaluate and stay abreast of options. This list has made a big difference in my ability to cope with the disease and its management. Thank you for being here. (Comment this)

20 - John, RE: TREADMILL--I took a reading after a couple of sips of juice. It was 70 then. Unless the juice can have an immediate effect, that was probably the reading when I felt so crazy. I took a reading 30 minutes later (and more juice); it was 112.

I probably did overdo the walking, but I honestly wasn't breathing that hard. Your doctor gave good advice which I'll heed from here on out. (Comment this)

21 - Pat,

I think the story said that the rats were dosed at 90 times the limit... I remember reading in the notes to doctors that when three humans were dosed at 10 times the normal limit that had extremely deep lows, passed out and required medical attention.

Actually I not suggesting "ignoring" Barrons but a great deal of the story dealt with the financials of the company and I suppose their big point was that if the FDA delays the approval of Byetta - Long Term then it will certainly delay Amylin's ability to turn a profit and that will be bad news for investors..

I certainly don't begrudge Barron's writing but I'm suggesting that they're using medical information to substantiate the financial point of view of the company. If I read a story in Diabetes Forecast about Amylin and it used their view of Amylin financials to support a medical point of view I would be equally suspect.
John (Comment this)

22 - TO KAREN IN TYLER TEXAS ReBYETTA UPDATE/PROGRESS:
Hello Karen out there in Tyler, Texas! Was just wondering how you are getting along with the little lizard? Everything o.k. with you?

TO SHIRLEY IN ILLINOIS:
If you are still monitoring the blog I have a question I would like to ask you about welts and I was wondering how you are doing now. (Comment this)

23 - Lorraine:Nervousness
Just wondering if you are feeling any better. Hope your day went well.byetta worries put butterflys in all our tummy's from time to time. Or maybe thats all those flys we're catching with our tongues!lol Post soon miss you (Comment this)

24 - BARRON'S ARTICLE
Pat, Leah & John, There is nothing to worry about in the BARRON'S article. It was a "hit" piece used to help keep the Amylin shares from rising higher after the conference call. There is a AMLN message board for investors which I have been reading since I bought some stock in the company the month after I started on Byetta.
The man who wrote the article is not a scientist and the three endocrinologists who commented do not have experience with Byetta, nor IMO did they read the research results from the Byetta studies. In your Byetta insert on the back page, bottom of the left side it tells about the cancer studies done on mice. The C-cell tumors were BENIGN, and even observed(at a lower level) in the control subjects. By the way, the article did succeed in driving the price per share of Amylin down for about a week, but it has started back up robustly. If you know trading, there are many, many naked short shares which needed to be covered.
Sorry I am so long winded, but I had time to read every message on the AMLN board the last two weeks, and the Barron's article the Friday it came out, and my college training was in zoology.

[NOTE: This series of comments is becoming definitely off-topic, and should be posted elsewhere. I will let it stay, but in the future, if you want to discuss financials, post a brief comment here to tell folks that the followup will be elsewhere.

Any further financial discussions WILL BE DELETED.

Bill the deletemonster.] (Comment this)

25 - Some messages from our sponsor:

(1) Please spend a few minutes at the Diabetes Monitor website (CLICK HERE) and read more about diabetes. (2) Also: if you haven't yet answered our polls to tell us more about yourself (you'll find links on the right side near the top of this page), we'd encourage you to please do so. Many thanks, from Bill and Steph Quick

 

 (Comment this)

26 - OT COMMENTS
Sorry, Dr. Bill,

I realized that after I had sent the message.
I have put a short note on Odds & Ends for anyone who is interested in reading about this for themselves. I just don't think people should be worrying about a(IMO) non-existant cancer threat. (Comment this)

27 - 3 Byetta shots/day:
Anyone yet using 3 shots a day? I am again going to try, this time with 10/5/10, or 5/10/10. I cannot stop eating late at night (I work 3 jobs -- out from 8am - 10:15pm or later if I workout). Trying to span a long day. If anyone has tried 3 shots, could you let us know your experience? Thanks. (Comment this)

28 - Hello all..today is day 2 on 5mcgs and I have a question. This AM FBS was 88..best ever. I ate 1 Lite/hi fiber Thomas's English Muffin with scant marg, 2 strawberries and some coffee. 3 hr later I was 155..higher than ever!! So i went ahead and took my Amaryl which my Doc wanted me to stop, but I was afraid. I was also afraid to eat any lunch. I know many folks say it takes time to see the effects and I could accept this if i could simply understand WHY? I just doesn't make sense to me that BS are all over the place for a few weeks and then they settle down to normal. Does anyone know if they improved by obtaining a new pen? It just seems to me that there must be a common denominator. I plan to continue as I am aiming for better BS control and hopefully decreased complications. I love hearing about the positive experiencies, but am also very interested in problems. I'm hopeful this will be an amazing journey!! (Comment this)

29 - GWEN;

Two days is way too soon to worry about #s. especially if you are suddenly stopping your Amaryl.

As far a being afraid to eat lunch..Just test and eat
when you have an exceptable pre-lunch bg. That part is no different than pre-Byetta.

Please try to not be fearful and give it some time. If you had no nausea, you are already ahead of the game!

Skip the strawberries or have just half the english muffin next time and see hoew that works for you. Even getting into to a little extra activity after breakfst might make a difference.

Best wishes..

 (Comment this)

30 - Gwen, do make sure your pen is working also. There are many extra shots in the pen so you can do one in paper towel to be sure. (Comment this)

31 - Shari,
Thanks for the suggestions and encouragement. And you are SO RIGHT..I for got "the attitude of gratitude". Only day 2, but no nausea or welts(kepping fingers crossed) Thanks again. (Comment this)

32 - Shari,
Thanks for the suggestions and encouragement. And you are SO RIGHT..I for got "the attitude of gratitude". Only day 2, but no nausea or welts(kepping fingers crossed) Thanks again. (Comment this)

33 - Good morning friends. The Italian festival of Carnival is a huge feast and celebration, much like the Madri Gras without the parades. I went to the feast last nite and ate much more than I should have. I was surprised at how much my appetite has returned. Just before bedtime I tested my sugar and I was happy to discover that my sugar was "only"
175. After a good nights sleep it had returned to 115. I was very very pleased with everything.
A QUESTION FOR JEANNIE IN NY--Your BS seems to be under control with just a small number of oral meds. Why are you so anxious to move to Byetta injections?
ADVICE FOR KIM--Start by learning as much about the disease called Diabetes. There are a number of links on the right hand side of this page that will lead you to a world of basic info. Then BEFORE you start Byetta, get a C-Peptide test and an A1c test. With the results in hand your doctor can give you the green light to start Byetta.
Things to remember- Keep a log- Test often-monitor your food intake. No one knows for certain how long we will be on Byetta. Extended Release versions are seeking approval now. We are all hoping that the regeneration of our Beta Cells is not an Urban Myth. Good luck as you begin your journey to improved health. We are here for you so keep posting; it has a theraputic effect. (Comment this)

34 - NAUSEA PAIN:

Just back from ER where all they could tell me was I had very mild Pancreatitis. No Byetta today and starting to feel normal again. THis is baffling how you go 6 weeks with no problem then it all falls apart. Going to visit a G.I. Doc and discuss with Endo when returning from 3 week tour offshore. No one at ER or GI doc on the phone ever heard of Byetta. (Comment this)

35 - TONY DEPALMA- Wow that is really scary- any form of pancreatitis even MILD is serious stuff. It is a crime that no one in the ER, especially the GI doctor never heard of Byetta. That says something about their keeping up with the latest. I hope that when you see your endo, you will have better direction. Try to take good care of yourself. That is all you can do. All the best- (Comment this)

36 - RON IN BROOKLYN- Good morning. I had a similar situation yesterday. We were invited to a 90th birthday party at a Holiday Inn. Since it was for lunch, I did not have to schlep the pen but was hoping I would be able to order off the menu. Instead it was a massive brunch with everything from blintzes to bobkas- breakfast foods, tons of seafood and meats, pastas yada yada. These brunches are lethal for me. I took a huge platefull of lunch/dinner items. My eyes are always bigger than my stomach but even with throwing out 3/4 of the plate, my morning bs was 154 which is pretty bad for me, especially since dinner was only a small bowl of oatmeal and a couple of doves before bed. I suppose if these are only occasional sabatages, that's not too bad. Right? (Comment this)

37 - I started the 5 pen on Fri. evening. for the first time. Sat. am number was 125 Sun am was 127 and today was 141. I also take glucophage. Anybody know what I'm doing wrong or does it take a while for it to show in the numbers? Thanks, Martha (Comment this)

38 - Also, how often and when should I test while starting on Byetta? (Comment this)

39 - Martha,
Can you tell us what your numbers were before you started taking Byetta? I'm presuming the numbers you show are overnight (before morning meal)? If that's the case then they're not bad and the elevation above normal is a result of the "dawn effect"...a middle of the night dumping of glucose into your bloodstream.

How long have you been diabetic and what else are you taking? Please also tell us what you 2 hour after meal numbers look like...before and after starting Byetta.

Actually, it doesn't take long at all to begin seeing the effect of Byetta. I noticed it within hours.

Thanks,
John (Comment this)

40 - John,
To be totally honest I don't really know my before Byetta various numbers. Primarily because I wasn't testing that often. I guess I have been a diabetic for about a year, however, my doc said all my numbers still aren't allowing him to actually call me a diabetic. Because my A1C was 6.9 and I'm at about 287 in weight he thought I would be a good candidate for Byetta. Prior to Byetta I was and still am taking 1000 Glucophage. Yes these are prior to my morning meal numbers. Thanks! Martha (Comment this)

41 - Martha,
Sorry...I didn't see your second note.. Gotta wake up before trying to read & type..

How much & how often do you take Glucophage. How long have you been taking it and did you stop taking any meds when you started Byetta.

Generally the feeling about testing is that you should test frequently when changing meds or dosages and also test more frequently when your readings are abnormal.

I test when I get up in the morning..& 2 hrs after each meal. I also test anytime I feel the least groggy, run down etc.. sometimes this is just from...well...needing a nap but I don't want to take chances. I've had some low bg numbers since starting Byetta (like 3 in the low 60's) so I try to be careful. If you exercise you should also test before and after just to see what exercise does to your bg's. Once you get an understanding of how different foods, exercise, stress and illness affect your numbers then you can back off on testing frequency. Be sure to keep track of your numbers, either in a recording meter, computer software or spreadsheet or written down.

John (Comment this)

42 - John,
The Glucophage I take 500 at breakfast and 500 at lunch. I wonder if I should take one at dinner instead. I did not stop any meds when I started Byetta. Thanks for your help. Martha (Comment this)

43 - Martha,
Your doctor apparently is saying you're "not quite a diabetic" because 7.0 is generally accepted as the lower limit on the HbA1C test for being a diabetic. At 6.9 you're really standing right at the door...just waiting your turn.

You said 1,000 Glucophage...That's once a day and do you take it morning or evening?
John (Comment this)

44 - Martha,
Here's the problem with trying to relate whether you're a diabetic or not to the A1C number. The A1C test is regarded as an excellent method to measure blood glucose because it's a 3 month averge...smoothing out all the highs and lows from various days and deriving 1 magic number..

The problem with using it to determine whether you're a diabetic or not is that if you're already taking Glucophage then you're artificially lowering your A1C...in effect you're treating diabetis in your body..

It would be interesting to know what your A1C would be if you hadn't taken Glucophage...

John (Comment this)

45 - Tony DePalma:
There's no mention of pancreatitis in the Byetta label (April 2005 version). The pancreatitis could of course be due to lots of different reasons, but your physician should be very strongly encouraged to report the "Adverse Event" to the manufacturer or to the FDA. Actually, you can report it yourself, but be sure to include the name of your physician (or physicians) so there can be followup on the whole story. (Comment this)

46 - TONY DePALMA ReSEVERE PAINS AND DIAGNOSIS:
Hello Tony, I've been reading about your pain (and was very concerned) and I was glad when you finally decided to get it checked out. I was going to ask you at one time if you had any low-grade fever with your pains because I was wondering about an infection of some kind, but things started to improve a bit for you before the pains came back again. I'm sorry about the pancreatitus and hopefully they will be able to relieve you of having this pain again. You are in my prayers. (Comment this)

47 - QUESTION
When I got my Byetta Starter Kit and prescription, Dr also gave me a box of needles but no prescription. Does one need
a prescription for the needles?

Also had my lowest morning/fasting reading (114) in a long,
long time this morn. YAHOO! (Comment this)

48 - Ray,
Good going on the 114...

My doctor didn't give me a prescription either but I asked him for one so that I could carry the script for both Byetta & needles with me when I travel. I cut them out and scotch tape them back to back and carry them in my wallet..

I figured I might need it someday trying to get through security at an airport... Funny thing was that on my very first trip carrying the Byetta & prescription... I forgot to pack needles... I went to a pharmacy in Columbus Ohio and described my situation.. The pharmacist said "do you happen to have a prescription with you?" I said "matter of fact, YES".. I showed it to him and he sold me a box of needles...
John (Comment this)

49 - TO RAY ReLOWEST MORNING FASTING NUMBER:
YEAH RAY! I am celebrating with you because 3 days ago I had my lowest at 97, then yesterday came in at 98 and this morning I was 97 again! If I hadn't already lanced myself I would have pinched myself! I had not seen those numbers in years! Congrats to you too Gil A.! (Comment this)

50 - Good Morning fellow spit lovers.......well, thanks to all your encouragement, I was actually able to "stick the spit" for the first time this weekend. And fortunately, I suffered no ill effects except for a very slight headache. So, the doctor called me Friday night and wanted me to stay with the 2mg Anaryl and 500mg Glucophage twice per day. On Saturday morning, I took my meds about 45 minutes prior to taking the spit. After taking the spit, I had a reasonable breakfast with only 1/2 english muffin. The greatest news was that I wasn't hungry for the rest of the day!! Then, I repeated the process at dinner time and had a Chipolte burrito......yum! No ill effects and no hunger later on. My blood sugar was at 138 the following morning, which is a little less than normal for me. OK....so on Sunday morning, I repeated the routine. At dinner, my BG was at 98!! I don't remember having anything in double digits before; however, I didn't have any carbs during the day and I wasn't hungry. The goofy part is that this morning (Monday), my BG was at 158!!! This boggles my mind because I only had 3 forks of pasta and 2 small Danish cookies at dinner. I took my meds this morning followed by the spit and as I now write this note (about 2 1/2 hrs after the spit, my BG is at 128). WOW.....fast acting stuff! So, I would like to take the stage and thank everyone for helping me get through the fear of injection. There was really no pain involved as everyone said. (except once when I must have hit "something" in my thigh that made me immediately pull out the needle!)The spit is a wonderful thing! THANK YOU EVERYONE.....and thanks to Dr. Bill for giving us this forum! PS. The doctor thinks my "potential" sleep aptnia might be causing higher than normal BG levels at night......but I don't know. (Comment this)