Comments on: Followup with a Real, Live Exubera User

By: Robin

Robin — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:23:06 +0000

My doctor is having quite a bit of success dosing Exubera by carb counting. I am just starting this so I have no first hand info yet. So far, she is seeing that it is about 1 mg Exubera per 10 mg carb. Of course, that depends on the person but the combo of carb counting and dosing seems to be working well in several of her patients.

By: cindy skolnik

cindy skolnik — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 15:21:13 +0000

I thought all diabetics should watch their carbs insulin or no insulin. I am on Exubera and we are still adjusting to get to ther right dosage. My doctor said I am one of only about 30 in the Chicago area. I have no problem with the inhaler and I have had no problems with colds etc. I have gained a few pounds but I was down to 103 a few months ago and very high blood sugars. I still have the occasional high but I think it is right that waiting 2 weeks to change the “filter like thing ” is to long. I do notice better control when I change it. Anyway I plan on sticking with it as long as it seems to improving the situation. One thing How soon before bed time do you eat dinner and take your last dose. I am still having trouble with the morning numbers.

By: Walton

Walton — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 19:11:00 +0000

I forgot the $60 co pay I have to pay to have my a1c checked every 3 months + the $35 fo pay for seeing the Dr. You add that up & you will see that maintainance of this disease in a controlled position comes up to a pretty expensive annual bill. http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/blog.cfm?commentID=162

By: Walton

Walton — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 19:05:05 +0000

One more thing that hasn’t been addressed is COST of Treatment.
If I could get away with only paying $35 co pay for an Insulin inhaler and $35 for testing supplies that would save me around
$80 a month for the Insulin, insulin needles, testing supplies,asthmatic inhaler the $150 a month I normally spend. This is addition to the 380 per month I spend for health Insurance !

By: Walton

Walton — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 18:54:01 +0000

As an Asthmatic & Diabetic, this seems like the BEST delivery system for someone who ALREADY HAS USED an INHALER.

[Scott, above seems like an idiot to be making statements like Asthmatics won't like this delivery system.]
I hate carrying needles, alcohol prep pads & Refrigerated insulin around every where I go too. But I do it in order to live. A drug that can offer me MORE MOBILITY & LESS HASSLE is one I am ALL for. If we took a poll of DIABETICS, those who prefer sticking themselves, with insulin, testing pin sticks and needles with those who don’t want to stick themselves anymore I am sure who would win hands down. Show a kid in the hospital and inhaler versus a needle & see what reception you get.

By: Brian Haws

Brian Haws — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 17:57:59 +0000

To each their own. You don’t want to take Exubra then don’t. For eight years my wife has gone up and down trying to control her diabetes and nothing would work. She’s happy now and it’s under control like it’s never been before. What happens with the rest of you with whatever system you use doesn’t concern me in the least. Only Jen does and this is the best thing yet that she’s been on.

By: Florian

Florian — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 21:16:32 +0000

Jen,have you had any bad colds since you started using the inhaled insulin? I am talking about the type of chest cold where you feel like someone is sitting on your chest and it is hard to breathe. Inhaling insulin might be difficult feeling like that. Having to eat a fixed amount of carbs with every meal would be a problem for me.
I think Pfizer will have a big problem getting the present version of their delivery system accepted. I am watching and looking for the liquid insulin that will be delivered orally and nasally. I think that will be more acceptable. Until then I will stick with the Levemir (basal) and Apidra (bolus) and carb counting.
Florian (Type 1, dx 1967)

By: Vicki

Vicki — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 03:36:14 +0000

The reason Jen had such unsatisfactory results with insulin was probably because she was taking a “standard dose,” which is what most doctors prescribe. I don’t really understand why they think this will give good diabetes control, since one doesn’t eat the same thing every meal.

The proper way to dose insulin is to match the fast-acting insulin to the carbs eaten at each meal – like pumpers do. It’s entirely possible to do this. It does require a lot of work to set it up, learning your individual carb-to-insulin ratio, but once that’s figured out, it’s not terribly difficult.

Also, a mixed insulin rarely works well either. One needs to take a separate long-acting basal for between meals (such as Lantus or Levimir) and a fast-acting insulin such as NovoLog or Humalog matched to carbs for meals with an individualized dosing plan. This really works.

I’ve been using this system for more than 8 years now and my A1C has ranged between 5.8 and 6.2. Diabetic for almost 10 years now with no complications in sight. And I’m working hard to keep it that way.

By: Chrissie in Belgium

Chrissie in Belgium — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 18:11:53 +0000

For me it is NOT how you deliver the insulin that is the big problem. The problem is my inability to balance all of the ingredients of life. Does Exubera really make balancing simpler? Doesn’t it just add on another thing to worry about – hurting your lungs? I am not eager to try it – I like my pump, but the balancing problems remain.

By: Joan

Joan — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 15:52:20 +0000

However insulin is delivered, it still brings with it the dreaded hypoglycemia. That’s the thing I hate.