while I ano fan of shots they do get the insulin into the fat layer. And thast where it satys.
One f tehproblems with the oral meds is digestion. the acids in the stomach and intestines change the medications. Thats why medications have to be taken with certain foodds, or avoid certain foods.
It totk them a long time to try and make an insulin tablet that was stomach acid proof but allowed the peristolic actions of the intestines to release the medications...

Anyway there are NEW delivery systems for insulins......
we have the inhaler.. its a packet thats popped into the delivery holder and you inhale the insulin. It passes through the aveoli and through the small capillaries in the lung tissue to be faster absorbed and utilized.Exubera
http://www.exubera.com

we have intranasal insulin too.....its in phase II of clinical trials by" Bentley Pharmaceutical.EXETER, N.H., November 2, 2006 -- Bentley Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: BNT), a specialty pharmaceutical company, announced that, following successful review of its Investigational New Drug (IND) application by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a Phase II program is now in effect and under way evaluating Bentley's human recombinant Intranasal Insulin Spray for the treatment of postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetics."http://www.bentleypharm.com/display.asp?navid=0&id=34

there is work on an transdermal patch for continued basal insulinermisonics Begins Next-Phase Clinical Trial of Proprietary Insulin Patch Drug-Delivery System for $5.4 Billion Insulin Market; New Human Pilot Trial to Test for Skin Sensitivity of Painless, Noninvasive U-Strip Insulin Patch. This company is out of Allendale NJ.http://www.Dermisonics.com


Then you have the buccal or mouth mucus membrane(cheek) delivery:Generex Biotechnology Corporation announced some early Phase II results for its orally administered insulin called Oralgen(TM) in the US and Oralin(TM) in Canada. The company has a patented method to deliver Insulin delivery through the inner cheek (buccal) wall via an aerosol applicator. Do not confuse this with binaca in your purse!

So you see threre are options available that dont require shots for mandatory insulin delivery.Why so many choose it one, its cost effective, A single syringe is cheaper. two more insulin options rae available at the moemnt for shotsthan alternative deliveries.

I for one am looking either to pump when the time comes,, and definately the omnipod. Or the nasal spray when available. INsurance is lso anpother consideration. LIke the air inject gun, it uses air to push the insulin into the fat layer ,, think Dr. Mccoy from stra trek wiht his injector.... but you nned medical reasons for insurance topay for those special things. versus a standard wwe know a syringe will work idea.

While lifestyle changes are usually positive, there are a few things to keep in mind. For patients with type 2 diabetes, some are able to make lifestyle changes and discontinue medications, but that does not mean they have eliminated diabetes, rather, they have been able to effectively manage their condition with weight loss, exercise and careful management of their diet. But type 2 is also due to a defect in the beta cells, and when that occurs, insulin is required, its no longer just a treatment option. The medical community continues to debate whether the cause of beta cell failure in type 2 diabetes is due to cell aptosis (death) as it is with type 1 diabetes, or whether its simply because of cell exhaustion due to insulin resistance. That debate is largely irrelevant, but one should know what their endogenous insulin production is, and one of the best ways to measure this is with a fairly simple blood test which measures c peptide. The lower the result, the less endogenous insulin production exists in a person's body.

Obviously, patients with type 1 diabetes have an autoimmune condition and cannot survive without artificial replacement of the insulin that their body is unable to produce, so lifestyle changes will do nothing to help them eliminate medications. Etiologically, their condition is very different from type 2.

__________________
Type 1 since September 1976 (dx'd age 7). Now age 37. Blog: http://sstrumello.blogspot.com/. Yahoo Group: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/groups/DiabetesPortal. NYC Advocacy Website:
http://www.stopnyca1ctracking.org.

For medical safety reasons, I have to point out that those with autoimmune Type 1 diabetes MUST remain on insulin injections or an insulin pump to live. If they do not replace the insulin they no longer make, they will quickly go into a coma and die.

If you have Type 1 diabetes, there is no alternative to replacing insulin via injection.

Type 1 diabetes is a "severe" form of diabetes, is not preventable and usually first appears in children and teens. About 5% of people with diabetes have Type 1.

Many people with Type 2 diabetes, the common form related to obesity, are able to remain medication and insulin free if they lose weight, eat healthy and in small portions, and exercise daily. These changes need to be made early on in the course of the disease in most cases, but it's never too late to get healthier. That means it is still worth it even if you need medication.

Everyone here is right in that lifestyle plays a HUGE role in helping control Type 2 diabetes. But you must keep it up for life, and have the desire to change. You have to want to live, and treat your body accordingly.

The good thing about Type 2 diabetes is that people who have it really have the power to help themselves get as healthy as they can be.

While it is true that some with Type 2 will go on to need injections, if you can make the proper changes early on, this can sometimes be avoided.

Jimmys Devoted is a lady with MODY diabetes. In this rare form of diabetes, a person is born with a specific genetic disposition which causes them to get diabetes. It is not Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, although some doctors call it a form of Type 2.

MODY usually happens in people who are young and thin, and they develop what looks like Type 2 diabetes at a young age but they are thin. It is an autosomal dominant disorder. Some people with MODY need injections for life just like a Type 1. If you have MODY, it can be a good thing to start regular insulin injections early. Some people with MODY can control it with diet and exercise.

MODY is very rare, and occurs in less than 2-3% of people with Type 2 diabetes.

Usually Type 2 diabetes in children is not due to MODY, but them being severely overweight/obese.

Good luck everyone with your healthy living! For all those out there who want to make changes, you can do it! Every little change makes you healthier! Walking for 45 min every day after dinner is a GREAT start! Good luck!