Frequent bowel movements with Symlin?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Scott Strumello on August 14, 2008 at 4:41am

I would pose that question to the group here, but one suggestion I can make is to call your doctor immediately and describe the symptoms. At the very least, a doctor can refer to the medical literature, and determine if there are other reported cases of this, and also comment on what others have done. Many times, some of these things are discovered post-market, meaning they aren't revealed in clinical trials but do come up after the drug is more widely available. A doctor who stays current on the medical literature related to diabetes (particularly type 1) should be able to comment on that.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by MB on August 14, 2008 at 6:10am

Well, I called the Symlin support group this morning and the woman I spoke to said during the clinical trials, gastrointestinal problems were pretty common. :/ So she said it wasn't abnormal. But last night, in spite of not taking the Symlin with dinner (I only had a salad, which is what I usually eat for dinner), I had some bad diarrhea late at night. I took some Pepto, but it didn't help at all. I slept through the night, but when I got up this morning, I had slight nausea, and a little diarrhea, but not as bad as last night. I didn't feel like eating much so I just had a granola bar and light apple juice for breakfast. I did not take the Symlin again. Well, just as I was leaving for work, it hit me again, and I had to rush to the bathroom. I've been in there twice this morning now. I called out of work (I may go in late if it passes). I also just called my doctor and I'm waiting for a call back from him.

The support group person said it should pass. But I can't keep taking it if this is what it's going to do to me because I don't want to miss work. And I don't want to be at work when it happens either. It's not pleasant at all. =(

And if I have to take another medication with it to prevent the side effects, then I have to worry about costs. I don't make a lot of money and it'll just become too expensive (and yes I have health insurance).

My body tends to be very picky about what medicine I put in it. :/ I can't even tolerate Tylenol 3 because of the codeine. It makes me really sick. *sigh*

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Robin Neel on August 16, 2008 at 4:36pm

I've been taking symlin for 2 weeks now and have not experienced this. Do you think it could be a bug and not the symlin? But then again medications effect people in different ways. I get a little nausea but nothing bad. I find it really helps me not to overeat. If I were you I would lay off of it for a few days and see what happens.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by MB on August 16, 2008 at 4:58pm

Hi! Thanks for your input. The lady on the support line told me that gastrointestinal side effects were common during the clinical trials. However, my doctor told me the increased bowel movements and diarrhea were not very common and that it could have been a coincidence. Though I don't really know how because I pretty much eat the same stuff during the week. I pretty much always eat just a salad for dinner and I always have a turkey sandwich, applesauce and a 100 calorie pack for lunch. So I don't see how any of that could have caused the bad diarrhea or increased bowel movements. Anyway, my doctor advised me not to take it all this week and to try it again next weekend. That way, if it happens again I won't have to miss work. He told me if it does happen again, then it just won't be something I can take because he said there really isn't any way around those symptoms.

But my boyfriend may be coming over next weekend and I don't want to deal with that when he's here, so it may have to wait until the following weekend. We'll see what happens though. I really hope it was just a fluke though because I really can't seem to lose weight. I'll just be keeping my fingers crossed.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Robert on September 26, 2008 at 2:02pm

I experienced nausea and other stomach problems when I first started Symlin at 2.5 units (15mcg) per pre-meal dose and so I tried 1 unit premeal (~7mcg) for 2 weeks and I felt fine and when I increased the premeal does to 2.5 units I had no problem. I then continued to increase over time to 10 units premeal and had very few problems.
The 1 unit premeal to start was the key for me.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Paloma on May 22, 2009 at 6:00pm

Hi, Robert,
I am very interested to learn how you converted units into mcg. From what I've read in the past two days, one measure refers to potency whereas the other refers to weight--and there isn't a way to convert one to the other. At least that's what the claim is!

I'd be so grateful if you would please tell me how you calculated units to mcg! I want to do this for my dosage of Symlin to see what I get.

Thank you!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Anna on October 22, 2008 at 12:54pm

Yes, since taking the amlyn, I've noticed that my bowel movements have inproved quite a bit, and I do go to the bathroom more. Which is good for me, because I've always had constipation problems. I've also noticed that I also belch alot more too. Still waiting to see improvements on my suger levels, but its greatly reduced my appetite.

Try going off of it for a few weeks and then go back on. See if it makes a differance.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jason on December 8, 2008 at 11:56pm

I had a very similar experience. Great stuff. What is your dose right now? I'm at 120mcg and it hasn't lost its effectiveness over time at all.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Paloma on May 22, 2009 at 6:03pm

Hi, Jason,
I have a question for you: Did your doc/endo start you on 120 mcg, or did you titrate?

My endo prescribed 120 mcg right off the bat. I had been taking 10 mcg Byetta, twice daily, with only fair PP readings. (In fact, I am still taking Byetta. I won't start Symlin until Saturday, when my hubby is home all day.)

Any insight appreciated!

Thank you.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Donna Heun on December 20, 2008 at 3:17pm

Hello, I'm sorry you had such bothersome symptoms. I was very fortunate when I started Symlin and never had nausea or any other side effect. My post prandial blood glucose levels are so nice now and I even take a very small dose of Symlin after particularly strenous exercise to prevent the spike in my blood glucose level then too. It makes a huge difference for me and am very happy to be able to take it without any side effects. The secret for you may be starting at a very low dose and increasing the dose very slowly, maybe only every week until you reach the final dose you need.Sometimeseven taking it after you have eaten a coupld bites may help. If you wear an insulin pump it also helps to use a dual wave bolus for better glycemic control post meal. Hope this helps.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Paloma on May 23, 2009 at 4:22pm

Hi,
I'm reading the stuff in my Symlin "kit," and at the end of the Medication Guide I found the ingredients of Symlin.

Among them is D-mannitol.

I'm no biochemist, but this is my understanding of mannitol, xylitol, and sorbitol: All have laxative properties. Some people are simply more sensitive to these chems than others.

If you are sensitive to these sugar alcohols, as I am, diarrhea is an expected side-effect.

I have yet to inject, but will do tomorrow a.m. w/breakfast. I am really hoping there is not enough mannitol in Symlin to cause your same symptom, MB!

p.s.
Doesn't anyone read threads on this forum? Kinda quiet here!

▶ Reply to This