Comments on: Author Thinks Like a (Rather Opinionated) Pancreas

By: Pablito DELAROSA

Pablito DELAROSA — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 06:13:25 +0000

Why is there a warning label on my metformin that says: TAKE THIS MEDICATION WITH FOOD OR MILK ?

What’s the reasoning behind it?

Thank you,
Pablito

By: lenlutz

lenlutz — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 19:07:58 +0000

“Thanks so much, Gary! Are you sure you don’t want to move to San Francisco and become MY diabetes educator? We do great Chinese food here ?”

NO…. he wants (i hope) to stay in the Philadelphia area, and keep up the wonderful work he has done for those of us in the area.

BTW…. though i have tried many many times…. IMNSHO, chinese food and DM is not a great mix….. (does anyone ever know whats really in it)

By: Johnny C

Johnny C — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 21:24:18 +0000

As one of Gary’s patients since his earlier days as a CDE to the present time. The most valuable piece of advice I could give to another person with diabetes would be to see Gary. I am fortunate to live close enough to Integrated Diabetes Services so Gary can print up page after page of my Guardian CGM data and carefully analyze it on the spot. If this wasn’t the case I would use his remote counseling. His help and expertise in the managment of diabetes is second to none IMO.His book is superb.God only knows what my numbers would be like without him. Pure Genius. Thanks Gary You Rock!

By: kendra

kendra — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:49:32 +0000

I love me some Gary Scheiner! Thanks for coordinating this interview; great post, Amy. Can you believe I had never heard of a basal test before I read Think Like a Pancreas? Yeeeeikes.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 12:52:29 +0000

Every time I read the kind of thing he says about type 2’s, I cringe! I hear you, but I don’t do it. Argh!

By: Allison

Allison — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 06:10:55 +0000

As a patient going on 2 years (and I’ve actually known Gary since I was 17), he is pretty awesome. But don’t tell him I said that.

And Amy, he does to remote consulting for people who live elsewhere. I’m 3,000 miles away and my A1C is the lowest it’s been ever.

Things to think about…

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 00:26:19 +0000

thank you for asking the type 2 question. Just another kick in the butt for me to keep exercising and eating well.

By: Bernard Farrell

Bernard Farrell — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 00:03:55 +0000

Amy

Thanks for an informative interview. I guess I’ll have to read Gary’s book.

I completely agree with Gary regarding the CGM data. Endos and health care providers just don’t have the time to review and interpret the numbers we have today. The increase in data will swamp them. I’m hoping that CGM providers will recognize this and make it easier for us all to get our data out and derive information from it.

By: Alison

Alison — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 17:33:15 +0000

Great interview! “Think Like a Pancreas” was one of the first books I got after being diagnosed with T1 two years ago and it’s still one of the most helpful books I’ve read.

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 16:01:44 +0000

I think Gary is terrific.

But I have to say that I think the title of his book “Think Like a Pancreas” is really a misnomer. First, you need to think like beta cells which constitute a mere 1% of the pancreas mass — not think like a pancreas which continues to manage the role of secreting digestive enzymes even in patients with type 1 diabetes just fine.

Also, on a more serious note, the neither the beta cells nor the pancreas do any thinking, they simply respond physiologically to changes in blood glucose, and until the medical profession acknowledges that we are not being treated in a physiological manner, we’re really not being properly treated!