Bill V.
Recently, I took part in a study to test Exubera; it's insulin that you inhale. I was fighting my blood sugar reading and the readings seemed to bounce around. I felt I had very little control.

Then Dr. Bhargava asked me if I would like to volunteer for a study. He warned me that if I was selected I would either have to inhale insulin or take insulin by injection at each meal. I jumped at the chance because I was upset that I couldn't do better controlling my blood sugar readings.

I took a series of test and a physical. I was notified sometime later that I was selected to test Exubera with an inhaler. I was so excited. I was scheduled to meet the staff and start the program. I remember I was so pumped to have this opportunity to learn more about my diabetes and how I might be able to do a better job of controlling the reading.

I felt like family when I met with the staff. They treated me very special. I was their first student, so I got to learn while we went through the program. Deb could have told me to stop asking questions and just sit there, but I was there to become better at controlling my blood sugar so I wanted to know everything.

Once in a while Cindy would come in to do a test or a blood draw and I would quiz her too. They always took the time to explain it to me so I understood the effects of each procedure. Dr. Bhargava would check in on me at each visit. He encouraged me, reviewed my progress, answered any questions and made any changes that were necessary to my test medication.

My blood sugar reading started to level out right away. I kept a detailed log for Pfizer to review. The first thing I noticed was that I had more energy right away. I slept better and longer and just felt down right good all over.

Week to week and month to month I understood more about diabetes due to the opportunity to be a part of the study. The staff never quit sharing information with me or explaining each event that I went through. I never dreamed this experience was going to be such an educational experience for me. I would do it again, if the opportunity ever exists.

The benefits were as follows:

• An excellent educational experience by very experience professionals
• A leveled out blood sugar reading
• A low A1C
• Feeling great
• More energy
• Quit falling asleep all the time
• Free test drugs and equipment
• Physical and tests
• An opportunity to work with a positive  team with great attitudes

I would encourage anyone to volunteer to take this kind of study. The benefits are exceptional if you go into the study with a positive attitude. I wish I would have had the opportunity many years ago.

Thanks to Dr. Bhargava, Deb and Cindy for putting up with me. I'm sure they will never forget the guy with all the questions.