AfrezzaUser

Advocate for Afrezza

Week 2 – Demand Afrezza–It’s working “Big Time”!!

Here it is the second week of compiling our glucose #’s from the very FIRST Afrezza Users “Real Life” Results Group.  We will demonstrate how Afrezza really works in the REAL-WORLD! Every week we will compile our data and present it to you to be able to share it and learn from what we are doing. So far, in spite of most doctors (and patients) that have never, ever in their life heard of Afrezza we think already that history is going to be made. Let’s see how everyone does with more time and experience with Afrezza. In a few short months you should be able to see for yourself whether Afrezza will be a “Game-Changer”.  Already the few people who write to me are saying it is that “life-changing” Insulin that they never thought would be possible–no taste, no smell, and it works F-A-S-T!!!!!

Meet “Ann” and “Spiro” the 2 newest Afrezza Users to the Weekly Update! 

Ann is a a T1D and was originally told by her doctor that he wouldn’t prescribe Afrezza. She wouldn’t take “no” for an answer and took my charts off of twitter and convinced him. It took her approximately 2-3 weeks through trial and error to see the incredible results she is experiencing. To monitor her blood glucose levels Ann uses a Dexcom monitor, and when we talked she said that she wished there was column in our spreadsheet to track the decrease in the number of times she’s had to run for the glass of juice or candy to hold off a low!  Welcome Ann, and thanks for sharing your experience (and numbers) on Afrezza with all of us.

Spiro is a T2D and an esteemed person at telling it like it is! I love his no-nonsense style and the fact he was willing to share his daily numbers with me. At some point Spiro will make a great topic for discussion on how Afrezza can be life changing for Type 2 Diabetics. In the way of background about his A1C history he shared this:

4/05/08     5.5

1/30/09     6.0   This is when my doctor said I was aType 2 diabetic, I didn’t believe her.

1/28/10      6.5

4/11/11        6.7    Still in denial, started to exercise lose weight, gain weight, A1c stayed around 6.4 next couple of years.

4/08/14      6.4

7/14/14       6.6    My weight had risen to around 215. I got a good warning from doc, it’s now or never, take this thing
serious. I started exercising, dieting and lost 15 lbs or so.

2/18/15        7.1     I was shocked by this result, I was expecting to be closer to 6.0. I called myself a diabetic in the
doctor’s office, when she told me it was 7.1. I left with an Rx for Afrezza that day.

On 2/27/2014 Spiro began taking Afrezza and his starting fasting BG was 135. On most days now Spiro has a fasting BG of high 80’s – low 90’s. We all look forward to hearing what his new A1C number will be at his next doctor’s appointment.

Here is the Week 2 Chart:

Screenshot_5_15_15__9_59_AM

 

What surprises you most about the second week data?

The obvious for me is consistency from week one to week two.  Eventually I will reformat the chart and post weekly comparisons but for now it should be obvious that Afrezza really works, especially in looking at the week 2 data! And it works better than any other insulin we have ever been on. Add in all the conveniences from discreet, anywhere use, pain-free inhalation vs. needles, ultra rapid effectiveness and  it’s a knockout victory for Afrezza. Also, the A1C’s levels we are running at now are considered “non-diabetic” or “pre-diabetic”. Of course, this number needs to be run for 12 weeks before any of the participants can claim an A1C in 5’s or low 6’s. You should know that none of us have ever had an A1c that low. We are all stunned, as will our doctors be when we do get that 3 month A1C number. Note: Dr. Bode did look at my data from my Dexcom Monitor and it was only for the first 4 weeks and used the word “unbelievable” several times. On the trials I finished with an A1C of 7.1 even with all the protocols. Can’t wait to see other doctors reaction around the country when all the Afrezza users officially report their #’s – doctors will be pleasantly shocked. And then this new drug Afrezza will be everywhere and a common prescription for all diabetics (except for smokers, asthma sufferers and persons with COPD).

What is the Afrezza Users “Real Life” Results Group?

It is a group of Afrezza Users who use a Continuous Glucose Monitors (Type 1’s) seeking tighter diabetes control and measuring the time spent in each blood sugar range. It is NOT a competition and was only started so people could understand and see the inherent benefit of why Afrezza provides better control and higher patient satisfaction for t1 and t2 diabetics over our previous regimens.

Why are you doing this?

There has been so much discussion about the FDA Afrezza Drug trials and why I feel as a participant in the Affinity 1 trial, there were significant “hold backs” as to why we were not able to materially outperform Injectable Insulin because of the protocols on the trials. This is no longer the case!

To Summarize just a few:

  • Afrezza Dosing only changed approx. every 6 weeks, not flexible depending on meal
  • No CGM’s allowed
  • Time in Zone not measured
  • Patient quality of life not measured
  • Brand new users vs. Very experienced users (what if it was brand new injectable users vs. experienced Afrezza users—would that be fair? No-both require learning curve)

 

What would you like to express to everyone out there considering Afrezza or to any doctors considering prescribing Afrezza for their patients?

My opinion is that Afrezza is a “life-changing” drug that is not very well understood by the diabetic community at large—both doctors and patients. It improved my life and gave me hope in treating my diabetes. I would wish the same for any other diabetic out there—a better and higher quality of life!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6 Comments

  • Reply Mike V |

    How would you suggest cutting down on the “learning curve”. Or is it something each individual will have to figure out on their own

    • Reply Sam Finta |

      This process is sort of like when we got on injectables the first time. I think the best way to cut down on the learning curve is by learning the action of Afrezza. Next time you have a high you get a pen and paper and take a 4u and start measuring your blood sugar every 5 minutes for 3 hours and figure out how quick the drop is and how long the action is. It seems many get Afrezza to treat highs at first anyways. Once I figured out the drop rate and time of action I started experimenting with foods as well. So instead of waiting to treat highs now I would experiment with certain carbs. I think the word is finally out on the follow-up doses for type 1 on certain meals an hour or 2 after the meal. I think people just don’t really realize how easy this is. I am certain I will have an a1c level of in the 5s without counting carbs. This is truly amazing. Keep in mind that diabetes to specific to each person so this means that each individual will have to figure out what is best for them.

  • Reply KWF - Kathy |

    Sam, as I always say, you are amazing. Eric, so are you – and I love your videos. This has been fascinating and enlightening to follow. I now understand how truly difficult life was for my father, a T1, whose life was destroyed by this disease. Kudos to all of you who have taken the time and effort to share your experiences (warts an all) as well as results. There is no doubt you are all making a great contribution to the health of diabetics everywhere. And if you don’t realize it already, someday you will be astonished at just how many lives you will have truly touched.

  • Reply AlanW |

    You are a very special group of people. Your outreach is changing the lives of many and I want to profoundly thank you.

  • Reply Gary |

    Why did Ann’s doctor refuse to prescribe Afrezza and what do you think was the rationale? There could be some legitimate case-by-case reasons, but nothing was mentioned. Since the doctor was ultimately convinced, I have to assume it was simple prejudice.

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