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Posted 5/18/2006 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Does anyone take a 5 and a 10 during the same day?  It wasn't til I read about the late night snack that it made more sense as to why the morning numbers are so high.  Also has anyone gotten sensitive with the shots, sounds strange at first it did not hurt and now sometimes a little, sometimes alot. Thanks. 
Posted 5/26/2006 8:23 AM (GMT 0)
I am on the 10 in the morning and 5 at night. Just to use up the 5 and get used to the 10.

It did not hurt at first giving myself the shot but man sometimes  it just does now.

I am not sure why.

Tracy

Posted 5/26/2006 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Tracy. My levels in the morning are a little high and the suggested 10 pm snack does not help. So I was wondering if maybe I needed more at night and if anyone had heard of the two different doses. I have been using Byetta for about a month and lost around 8 pounds, hurrah! And it has gotten to where it burns, I thought maybe cold liquid + warm body=burn. It passes though. I was wondering if someone else's tummy has gotten senstive or is it me. At first I could barely tell I was giving myself a shot now it stings to stick and burns afterward. I still feel the benefits outweigh the side effects.

Teresa
Posted 5/27/2006 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Teresa and Tracy,
Warren recommends putting the pen under your armpit for a few minutes to warm up the byetta. Try that and see if it works. Also, you may want to try injecting on your hips if there's some extra padding there. That's where I inject my insulin and I have to watch in the mirror to be sure I'm actually doing it. There are a lot less nerves in the skin on your hip. I'm speaking of the upper outer quadrant of your buns, up from your back pocket and toward your side seam on your jeans. Hope this helps.
Posted 6/9/2006 5:13 PM (GMT 0)

I have been on byetta for about 3 months now.  I have been using the 5 pen.  I have had ups and downs, but I think it is helping.  Sometimes I am nauseous, but you get used to that.  Today I go back to my doctor (endo) and I know she will be disappointed because I do not take my blood sugar regularly.   nono    I have gotten use to giving myself the shots.. most of the time in the stomach.  Sometimes I bruise, sometimes it burns, sometimes it just hurts, but for the most part it is not nearly as bad as I originally imagined.

My question to my doctor is going to be:  "If I have a A1c run every three months, why is it so important to test my sugars?  (I *hate* pricking my finger, my insurance company said they will not approve a tester for your arm as they are not as accurate.)  The A1c will be more accurate that my test anyways as it gives a generalization for the entire day." 

I have only missed one dose of byetta in  3 months and I'm much better at taking my orals too.  I am hoping she increases me to 10 mcg and takes me off another oral.  I haven't seen the weight loss effects yet, but still hoping. tongue

So, I guess I'm just alittle nervous about my doctor visit today and wanted to vent alittle bit here.  Thanks, as always, for listening and providing such great support!!!

gail yeah

Posted 6/9/2006 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Well, lets see. If your A1c gives you an average blood sugar over the last 3 months and your LAST month or even LAST 2 weeks have been significantly lower, don't you think it is important to know this? Don't you think it is important to know if Byetta is shoving your 2-3 hour post prandials(after meals) results into the 50's and 60's? Isn't it helpful to know if you are waking up in the morning with a blood sugar level every morning that is basically unacceptable vs. an OK a1c?? All these are reasons for doing the finger stick.

Here's what you do. Your insurance company should pay for a really decent meter. Get one that uses a really tiny drop of blood, there are several out there that use really really small samples. THEN get some BD Ultrafine 2 - 33g lancets. They are super thin and a lot less painful than your average lancet. Use the lancet device that comes with your meter with these lancets on THE SIDE OF YOUR FINGER. There are less nerves here and you will hardly feel it at all. If you set your lancet device to 1 (softest) you may not really even feel the stick but will get enough blood for a sample. DO NOT stick the end of your finger. This really hurts and there is no reason for it! Do that morning test after you wake up. Thats the one that counts for now, and see whats happening.
Warren
Posted 6/9/2006 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
Gail,

Good luck today. I hate sticking my fingers too. I stick the sides they say the front has more nerves and that will make it hurt worse.
You should test yourself to see what your BS levels are. I keep a log so that my MD can tell how I have been doing. I think it is important to always be aware of levels so you will know when something is out of whack. Take care.

Teresa
Posted 6/30/2006 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
Funny, I use a huge spiral notebook to record my blood sugars. It's useful to know what my blood sugars are and at what time. Sometimes I test accouple hours after I eat. And I also add little notes like what I ate or if I had some cookies or ate a skimpy dinner or had an active day, when I changed meds and to what dosage. These things can help determine patterns like how you react to certain foods and what significance your meds had in helping or hurting blood sugars. Anyone else write a novel like I do when recording blood sugars? I'm a dork I think . . .

Be careful when going to 10 mcg of Byetta. I had absolutely no nausea at all on 5 but the moment I started 10 I started throwing up every morning. And no I'm not pregnant! But I have to say, it is a MIRACLE! I have loved it aside from the nausea. I lost 15 lbs in two months and hope to lose more. Then I'll be a supermodel! haha
Posted 6/30/2006 3:03 AM (GMT 0)
Oh actually, sorry to add this. The reason I was going to post in the first place.

I take 5 mcg in the AM and 10 at night. You need two separate pens to do this. I had upped to 10 and 10 but got such severe nausea and couldn't keep breakfest down so they decreased the morning dose down to 5. It's helped a lot but my bg's are back up.
Posted 6/30/2006 12:35 PM (GMT 0)
LEX4153

I do the same thing. I have a graph that I record my BS on and it shows be when I start to spike so I can tell if there is a common factor causing it. Food diary and weight loss chart- 2 months- ten pounds. These are the things that helps me. You have to do what works for you. It shows that you are on top of it and care about yourself to me. Good luck I am rooting for you.

Teresa
Posted 6/30/2006 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
The doc had told me I could decrease the Byetta from 10 mcg to 5 mcg for the AM dose to get rid of the nausea I was experiencing. But I figured I'd give it one more shot and try some tips on keeping the nausea down. Good news is, the nausea was minimal.

My fasting blood sugar this morning was 201. Two hours after breakfest, 184. I just realized it was 2:30 and I needed to have lunch. I tested again. 291!!! How on earth?

Is Byetta and Metformin triggered by food consumption? Or would I just have been higher if I did eat something? Just wanted to know for future reference so I can be more careful about not skipping lunch or having it late.

Originally posted by LEX4153 but moved here so that we can consolidate the Byetta postings!
Posted 6/30/2006 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
So the answer to your question is YES, Byetta does work in response to food. And YES you do need the the 10mcg dose as the 5mcg dose doesn't appear to be doing it for you. You should also talk to your doctor about adding a sulfonylurea. It is probably the ticket to pulling your numbers down with a 10mcg pen. The metformin is important but won't have the pulling power on your numbers that sulfonylureas do. (and your numbers really really need some help).

PS - and for all you non Byetta users out there wondering why would I want to use this drug? Well consider this. Metformin and many of the Sulfonylureas require a liver panel and kidney screen periodically to make sure they aren't causing a patient any adverse effects. Byetta doesn't require any additional "precautionary" testing. It is also approved as a mono-therapy, and 4 years of testing and one year of live results have shown that it doesn't reach "failure" like oral meds do over time. So far we have not seen any fall off as to its efficacy based on longevity.
Warren
Posted 6/30/2006 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Byetta Newbies,

For the time being, lets post anything that has to do with Byetta questions or comments in this thread (folder). When it gets too big I'll start another one. It just makes it easier to read all the Byetta stuff.
Warren
Posted 7/1/2006 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Ok so I am in a pretty crappy mood...sweaty and nauseated, and for the first time in probably many years (recently DXed so I dont know) i tested and my bg is 89!! Considering it has been mid to high 100s for the past week and wen i was DXed and for 2 weeks after or so it was high 300s...will this severe drop cause a bad mood swing???

Also, tomorrow I am starting Byetta...and I am honestly scared...i don't know why tho...I know that the side effects (nausea) scares the sh*& out of me, i do not do well when I am nauseous...i don't function...I am, athough, geared uo with ginger pills and the wrist band thingies...any suggestions? also, i know this has been asked many times..but is it better to do byetta shots in the tummy or thigh? should i warm the shot up first by leaving it out for a while?

thanks

hilary
Posted 7/4/2006 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi folks!

I've been away for awhile...my family and I were in a fairly bad automobile accident (fella ran a red light and totaled our SUV). We're OK but got beat up pretty good.

Anyway I just started Byetta last Monday (June 26th) 5 mcg before breakfast and 5 mcg before supper. It really is helping. My doctor gave me specific instructions to follow. The most basic instructions were to eat breakfast (do not skip), lunch is the main meal of the day and eat anything you want in moderation and then for supper eat a lighter meal w/o potatoes, rice, pasta and bread. Then a late evening lo-cal snack (Key Lime Lo-Fat Yogurt is my choice). My #'s have responded very well and I'm no longer seeing the 170-180 post meal #'s but more like 110-120.

I've also started an exercise program but due to other circumstances I'm having to ease into it.

I too was a little skittish in re to giving myself a shot but it really isn't that big of a deal...right now I'm either using my stomach or my thigh. I think the biggest pain per se is keeping the needle in until completing the slow count to 5. Even that isn't nearly as bad as it sounds. :D
Posted 7/11/2006 12:23 PM (GMT 0)

I've been on byetta going into my 3d month now and have also noticed a recent stinging/burning sensation with my injections. Use Warren's "move and test" method so I don't feel the needle but lately have had burning sensations when injecting.

I agree the results far outway the side effects! I've lost 22lbs yeah and have gotten my numbers under control. Have a little trouble with the moring highs still, but I'm often sound asleep when I should be having that late night snack. Got a very good report when I went for my last visit to the Diabetes Care Center. Suggested I try to increase my activity level.

Well hope everyone is well and keep up the good work!

JoAnne

Posted 7/11/2006 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Joanne,


Im going to take a guess and say that you are not warming up your Byetta before injecting. Take the penlet and stick it under your arm for about 3 minutes. Thats one of the warmest places on your body and it will warm the Byetta very quickly. THEN put the needle on it and inject it. I know when I forget to get my Byetta good and warm it stings like crazy! Also, don't pinch the skin too tightly when you start to inject as this can also sometimes cause the burning, but more often than not its cold Byetta that is the culprit! Hope this helps.


Warren
Posted 9/2/2006 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Fellow Gillie Spitters! I have been on Byetta for about 3 months now and I have been waving their banner high!! It has worked so well for. My numbers are the best ever and I have lost over 20 pounds. I tell every type2 I know to try it. I take 500mg metformin am & pm and 4mg avandia pm. I also take benicar and vytorin. I was diagnosed about 2 years ago, but had gestational diabetes with both pregnancies...kids born 89 & 90. Suffered with hypoglycemia for years...no one bothered to tell me back then that it is all linked! As I said I LOVE my Byetta. Now I am getting scared that I may have a side affect <<PLEASE NO>> I got sick about 3 weeks ago with a major cough...Doc originally though it could be pertussis...whooping cough. Did a 5day Zpac and got worse. Fever of over 101...lost my voice...really miserable. 10 days of Levaquin and still coughing my head off. Have had to start using Albuterol inhaler several times a day....that's NEVER happened beofre. Went to pulmonologist yesterday and he started me on 10 days of prednisone. I know the side affects will be awful but something has gotta give. I have coughed so hard I have strained my ribs. Has anyone heard of respiratory problems being a Byetta side affect? I know that some folks are allergic to mannitol which is an ingredient. I dont display any other side affects of mannitol allergy though like itching and rash. As you can tell I am totally freaking out thinking that I may have a problem with my beloved Byetta! I called their help line with really no "help" at all...they told me to ask my doctor <grin> Sorry this is so long..a little panicky I suppose. Thanks for any inpt!!
Posted 9/2/2006 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Another Byetta ? . . .

The appetite reduction when I started Byetta was fabulous. It helped lose those extra pounds and help control food urges which made it super easy to eat right.

However, the last couple weeks I've been famished. Does the appetite suppressant usually wear off with Byetta? I've been on it since April.

Posted 9/3/2006 3:18 AM (GMT 0)
Jeannie....by the way...I'm not sure if my above question should be posted here, somewhere else or strted on a totally new thread!! Maybe confusion is a side affect to..LOL. You guys are great. thanks so much for all the help!
Posted 9/4/2006 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi , all


I just started on Byetta this past Thurs. Thurs night I forgot to take my night dose and tonight I forgot. I packed my Pen, as I was going to be working during supper and forgot to bring a needle LOL. I have a question about it. Does anyone feel fine during the day after taking the Byetta but get nauseus at night? It is starting to help my food cravings and binge eating but I have still binged a bit. During the day it doesn't make me sick at all just bloated and usually don't want to eat but sometimes at lunchtime I still overeat. I also take Metformin. They were hoping I'd lose weight on Metformin but I didn't lose much. I need to lose about 80 lbs.



Flute
Posted 9/4/2006 6:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Flute! I got VERY nauseas for a long time on Byetta. For about a month or two. So much so I wasn't holding anything down after eating. My doc and I did a little "experiment" and found out that it was the combo of Metformin and Byetta that made me sick, not Byetta itself. So I switched from Met to Amaryl and the nausea went away immediately and I haven't been sick since.

It's pretty common to get nauseas from Byetta, especially at first, and just at certain times. I got sick more so after breakfest than dinner, then as time went on got sick after every meal.

You can try experimenting with different meal types. High carb, low fat vs low carb, high protein/fat. To some people it makes a difference when taking Byetta and what injection site they use. For me, I use the thigh because it has the slowest absorption rate.

Feeling bloated is also common because Byetta slows down the digestive system. That's why people typically tend to feel fuller sooner and longer and find it hard to eat too much.
Posted 9/4/2006 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for Replying Lex, I don't get nauseus during the day only at night. I guess it might be carbs but those are coming from veggies. Flute
Posted 9/4/2006 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
Today I binged. I can't believe I was able to. I was hoping the Byetta was going to help that. It's only day 5 for me and last night I forgot to bring the needles with me to inject it! So maybe it's not working right cause I didn't have both doses? Flute
Posted 9/5/2006 11:40 AM (GMT 0)

If I miss a dose I get nauseus with the next one. If I over eat on the carbs or have something fried I also get nauseus. I had night time problems and then I switch from a 1 carb snack to a protein snack before bed and it got better. nono

I travel almost every weekend and have to try really hard not to skip doses because I pay the price if I do!

Try keeping some needles at work or in your car so you can't "forget" and not take you shot!

Good luck!

JoAnne

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