Think Like a Pancreas: A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes with Insulin

  Author:    Gary Scheiner
  ISBN:    1569244367
  Sales Rank:    22195
  Published:    2004-04-01
  Publisher:    Marlowe & Company
  # Pages:    241
  Binding:    Paperback
  Avg. Rating:    5.0 based on 18 reviews
  Used Offers:    16 from $6.00
  Amazon Price:    $10.85
  (Data above last updated:  2008-10-10 02:03:08 EST)
  
  
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Think Like a Pancreas: A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes with Insulin
  
There are dozens of books about managing diabetes, but none focuses specifically on using insulin. Now, in Think Like a Pancreas, certified diabetes educator and type 1 insulin user Gary Scheiner gives readers everything they need to know to "think like a pancreas," i.e., to successfully master the art of matching insulin to the body's ever-changing needs. A comprehensive, supremely practical guide free of medical mumbo jumbo, Think Like a Pancreas discusses day-to-day blood glucose control and monitoring; measuring and matching insulin to carbohydrate intake; the pluses and minuses of different insulin-delivery methods; hypoglycemia; exercise; the impact of emotions, stress, and illness; and the dozens of other issues that everyone taking insulin needs to master. A book that is long overdue, this first-ever, indispensable, all-in-one resource will enlighten and inspire the four million people whose lives and well-being depend on daily insulin intake.
                  Reader Reviews 1 - 20 of 20                 
  
  
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10-01-08 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  MUST HAVE book for diabetics new to insulin therapy
Reviewer Permalink
I bought the book because I have to return my library copy and there's so much I want to highlight! I don't know about you, but the real information you need from the doctor to start basal and bolus injections or pumping insulin is minimal or sketchy at best. There are so many factors influencing just where to start and where to go from there that a physician just can't spend that kind of time with you. Maybe it's very inconvenient or impossible to get to an endocrinologist or go to classes. This book will give you the information you need to avoid doing more harm than good! Formulas are there for titrating your bolus/bolus/pump insulin based on weight, based on your personal rate of absorption, what to do when things go wrong, all the what, where, whens and hows you need to know to get your blood sugars under control. There are also plenty of websites mentioned to follow up on any further research. It really is a MUST HAVE book!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-10-08 00:20:41 EST)
09-23-08 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Think like a Pancreas
Reviewer Permalink
Great book for someone beginning insulin injections. Gives all the details that you need to know to control your glucose levels.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-10-01 00:21:19 EST)
07-19-08 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Making sence of it all
Reviewer Permalink
I was diagnosed with type one this year and in order to help me, my doctor gave me some of his medical book's to read however, this was quite challenging for me putting all the medical terminology together in order to understand my diabetes. This book takes the medical language and translates it into everyday practical advice. I am on my second reading of this book and every time I read it I learn something new. This is a good book to mark up or highlight because of the information that is present. I would recommend this book for any body with type 1 who wants to improve there control or who have just been diagnosed.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-09-24 00:22:35 EST)
06-24-08 5 1\1
(Hide Review...)  Great Information
Reviewer Permalink
I ordered this book after reading the good reviews on it and I found it to be an excellent read. My 5 year old daughter is Type 1 diagnosed a year ago. I read as much as I can on diabetes and found this book answered those little nagging questions I have always had. We have a great endo but they can only give you so much information at each appointment. I think alot of learning about handling ones diabetes is trial and error and Gary Scheiner brought that up in the book along with ways to try to figure out what works for you. I highly recommend this book!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-07-20 02:29:03 EST)
05-12-08 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Excellent resource
Reviewer Permalink
This book is a very practical guide to insulin use that is a must-read for anybody trying to maximize their blood sugar control. We got it from the library first, but then realized we'd be coming back to it repeatedly and needed to have our own copy. Highly recommended!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-06-23 01:09:07 EST)
01-05-08 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  MUST HAVE for anyone with diabetes (especially for type 1)
Reviewer Permalink
I was recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. I thought I understood all there was to know about it. After reading this book, I truly understood not only HOW to improve my glucose readings, but why it worked. This book is just as helpful as an physician.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-05-12 00:21:32 EST)
10-14-07 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Great book for Type 2 diabetes too
Reviewer Permalink
This book was recommended by my diabetes doctor. It has given me insights into my diabetes and is well worth the read.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-01-04 00:27:16 EST)
08-26-07 5 1\1
(Hide Review...)  Think Like A Pancreas
Reviewer Permalink
This book is a must for anyone with Diabetes, either Type I or II.Think Like a Pancreas: A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes with Insulin Until the day there is an implantable artifical pancreas for those in need of "a good working one", we must "think like" a pancreas to help meet our insulin needs. This publication helps the Diabetic have more of a sense of what logical assumptions to make about how a pancreas works and how you and your medical team can "tweak" your care plan for ultimate success. I highly recommend this for those of us that are "pancreas challenged".
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-10-15 00:20:27 EST)
06-02-07 5 3\3
(Hide Review...)  Great all around book
Reviewer Permalink
This book is great. Comprehensive, yet easy to read. Very good practical information with nice handy references in the back. I only wish it was more current. Even a couple of years makes a difference in the world of diabetes. Nonetheless I am glad to have this in my library and intend to refer to it often.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-10-13 00:27:21 EST)
04-29-07 5 4\4
(Hide Review...)  Worth more than 5 stars
Reviewer Permalink
After reading this book going on the 3rd time, I am still discovering more and more ways to improve my insulin regimine. I was diagnosed as a Type I diabetic 06/82 at the age of 13 months old. I will be 26 in two weeks and have maintained acceptable control but felt that I truly haven't gotten to where I want my health to be. After reading hands on information in this text, I am happy with producing an HbA1C of 6.7%, and I look forward to bringing it closer to 6% as possible. This comes after maintaining a 7-8% average over the course of many years and thanfully there have not been any long-term consequences "yet".

To anyone that feels they need some additional help with control, wants to refresh themselves on care methods, or anyone recently diagnosed I would recommend this book to. It is imformative, it is easy to read, and the overall context is a very laid back approach with a semi-humorus attitude at times. My girlfriend just finished reading this book and is already helping me with fine tuning my basal and bolus rates. I firmly believe that with all of this in mind, this book is worth more than it's weight in gold.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-10-13 00:27:21 EST)
01-05-07 5 6\6
(Hide Review...)  Think like a Pancreas
Reviewer Permalink
I have been a diabetic for over twenty-eight years and have read many books on diabetes through the years. This book , has by far, been the most informative, easiest to comprehend, and I found it quite fascinating. There are many new things to learn. A definite read for any diabetic who wants to keep on top of things. Gary Scheiner really understands the needs of the diabetic. He provides them with skill, knowledge and real integrity. Thank you.
J. Whinston, Cherry Hill, NJ
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-10-13 00:27:21 EST)
01-04-07 5 3\3
(Hide Review...)  Think like a Pancreas
Reviewer Permalink
I have been a diabetic for over twenty-eight years and have read many books on diabetes through the years. This book , has by far, been the most informative, easiest to comprehend, and I found it quite fascinating. There are many new things to learn. A definite read for any diabetic who wants to keep on top of things. Gary Scheiner really understands the needs of the diabetic. He provides them with skill, knowledge and real integrity. Thank you.
J. Whinston, Cherry Hill, NJ
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-04-11 00:29:35 EST)
08-07-06 4 7\7
(Hide Review...)  Practical and straightforward
Reviewer Permalink
A direct approach, with illustrative examples, to creating a protocol to control your blood sugars. It's written in simple language and well organized, providing a step by step approach to figuring out your basal rates, insulin sensitivity, and carb ratios. Provides insights into the many, many, many (many, many, many) factors that can influence your blood sugars. Well thought out and presented graphs illustrate the effects of insulin. Simple tables illustrate averages for basal rates, boluses, carb rations and sensitivity, offering a good starting place for divining your own settings. Some simple tables of carb content and glycemic indexes. An interesting table for calculating the effect of exercise on blood sugar.

I'd recommend for anyone who's BG is on a roller coaster. It's informative but not preachy.

Terry
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-10-13 00:27:21 EST)
08-06-06 4 2\2
(Hide Review...)  Practical and straightforward
Reviewer Permalink
A direct approach, with illustrative examples, to creating a protocol to control your blood sugars. It's written in simple language and well organized, providing a step by step approach to figuring out your basal rates, insulin sensitivity, and carb ratios. Provides insights into the many, many, many (many, many, many) factors that can influence your blood sugars. Well thought out and presented graphs illustrate the effects of insulin. Simple tables illustrate averages for basal rates, boluses, carb rations and sensitivity, offering a good starting place for divining your own settings. Some simple tables of carb content and glycemic indexes. An interesting table for calculating the effect of exercise on blood sugar.

I'd recommend for anyone who's BG is on a roller coaster. It's informative but not preachy.

Terry
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-01-05 00:32:41 EST)
07-19-06 5 3\4
(Hide Review...)  Great book.
Reviewer Permalink
This great book shares the experience and knowledge the author, Gary Scheiner, has. The author is diabetic too and he knows the questions, doubts, and afflictions that we have. He explains clearly without losing the technical approach. Gary explains in detail diabetes.
This book really gave me a good aid to manage my diabetes.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-10-13 00:27:21 EST)
06-30-06 3 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Good introduction to diabetes self-care
Reviewer Permalink
This book is a great overview of the basics on how to deal with using insulin. At the same time, there are a lot of individualized issues for staying out of trouble that each diabetic learns with time for him/herself that the book doesn't quite get to. With the upcoming availability of continuous sensors for blood sugar monitoring in conjunction with fingerstick testing, this field is going soon to expand into a whole new world of improved management that will require the next edition. I'd recommend this edition right now, though, for a thorough start.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-09-12 00:29:07 EST)
03-15-06 5 2\2
(Hide Review...)  I wish it was this easy. Maybe wishfull thinking needed.
Reviewer Permalink
I like this book. I have not completed it cover to cover but have "speed read" many large areas, specifically analog insulin use, hypoglemic management, and diagnosing / classifying diabetes. The writer carrys you along without oversimplifying yet presents a lot of factual information. Most of it is very useful for anyone using insulin at any level of diabetes. I would prefer some distintions to be detailed but they do not affect living with diabetes requiring or depending on insulin. I have been using insulin for over 14 years and am 53 years old. The changes of 2003 just caught up with me and the information on analog insulin (which I've been using for 5 years or so) has also eluded me despite repeated requests to my health team.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-09-12 00:29:07 EST)
10-20-05 5 5\5
(Hide Review...)  Truly a Godsend for Diabetics
Reviewer Permalink
This is the best money you'll ever spend towards better health and lifestyle if you or a loved one has diabetes. Every practical detail of being in control of your diabetes, eating exactly what you want, when you want to (like "normal" people). He tells you how to match your insulin to your food instead of matching your food to your insulin without being an angel. When your doctor calls you with your A1C results you'll no longer hear the catch-all, meaningless "Watch Your Diet Better". Instead you will hear "Fantastic!", Keep Up the Good Work!, " AND you will feel like a million bucks - You'll be surprised at just how good normal feels again.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-09-12 00:29:07 EST)
08-06-05 4 5\5
(Hide Review...)  tells it like it is
Reviewer Permalink
This book is credible because the author has researched the facts and has the disease. No laundry list of simple steps but rather a realistic discussion of the many frustrations associated with diabetes, the proactive actions recommended make sense without making it sound easy to achieve. Since this is the reality of diabetes management, the book's tone engages the reader who is has realized this will take commitment but wants to know there is a plan that works.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-09-12 00:29:07 EST)
09-29-04 5 23\23
(Hide Review...)  A new recommended must-have for diabetics
Reviewer Permalink
I am the editor of Diabetic Mommy Online Magazine. I have lots of diabetes books in my personal library and there are a select few that I am always recommending to members on my site. This one is now at the top of my list of essential diabetes books for insulin users, both syringe and pump users.

I found this book at my local library. I thought it had a catchy title and took it home. Cute title aside, this book took me by total surprise. It is now on my wish-list because it will make a tremendous difference in my self-management plus I want to mark this baby up with notes.

If you have diabetes, you might be like me...you read in books and hear organizations stressing self-management however your own healthcare team won't give you enough information to make corrections on your own so you are still dependent on them for every single little adjustment. Busy schedules for all parties mean that a simple correction can be a hassle and a long wait.

This book is not intended to be a replacement for your healtcare team, don't get me wrong, but it provides you with enough information so that you will not be totally helpless and you will have more knowledge to work WITH your team rather than just be the recipient of instructions.

This book covers many topics: Why diabetics need to be in control of their glucose levels, history of diabetes, insulin basics, tips, various methods of insulin dosing, having diabetes in the "real" world, hypo/hyperglycemia, resources, forms, and easy formulas for personalizing your insulin doses and timing, etc. It is the most detailed and clear book on the subject I have seen yet.

Something else this book has going for it is great clear writing and the unavoidable good-humor of the author. He really made me chuckle. If you are a pop-culture fan like me...and you recognize the phrase, "Hi, I'm Larry, this is my brother Darryl and this is my other brother Darryl," Then you'll feel right at home with this book!

I also found very interesting facts that I didn't know before - such as mind work lowers your glucose levels and that caffeine effects your glucose levels.

The only slight problem I had was that the author seems to be a man who really loves sports - while I am a woman who really does not! Many of his analogies use sporting examples which most of the time leave me pretty clueless. In addition, he definitely communicates "man-style." He uses very visual-type examples and explanations.

For example, I feel if the author were to give my husband and I driving directions, my husband would understand right away and take off. (He wouldn't necesarrily find the place - haha) I, on the other hand, would have to review the info, ask for landmarks, and make some notes. (I would find it for sure!)

While the book gives detailed and complete information, I would have found a little summarizing in the form of a cheat sheet would have been fantastic. Worksheets to enter your information and make up your personal plan would be great too. He does have helpful log sheets in the book.

As a result of reading this book, I feel more empowered regarding my ability to troubleshoot and correct. And it will open up a dialogue with my healthcare team and possibly start a battle with my insurance company. I found in my own personal case (and everyone is different), I would probably do best with a pump. In lieu of that, long-acting, short-acting AND an occasional intermediate acting insulin via syringes would be good too. I would feel confident enough to make the suggestions to my team, but I don't know how realistic it would be for them to provide me with all three different types of insulin. I woudn't hold my breath for a pump either!

In spite of this, I still give the book 5 stars because I feel it is so valuable and there is more than enough information for me to make my own info sheets and make suggestions for my care.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-07-07 18:00:49 EST)
  
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