Byetta

Hi Joanne and Nandee,

First off, I really hate to tell you this, but yes, the nausea will probably return if you had it with the 5mcg pen.  Take heart though, its not forever and you should see dramatically different results with the 10mcg pen.  Please don't stop taking the avandia until you talk to your doctor.  Avandia is a very potent drug and its full potential is built up over time (usually takes 2-3 weeks to see the full effects of Avandia once you start taking it).  IF the Byetta does what it should, you may be able to drop it or dramatically decrease it, but this is a conversation that you MUST have with your Endo and not simply decide on your own!

Now, if your endo is so busy trying to cram his schedule with patients that he is simply prescribing you by your chart and not really LISTENING to you, its time for a new endocrinologist.  Yes, doctors are busy, but why do you even have to see him if he is simply going to prescribe you based on your lab tests. (Incidently, running late is a fact of life, even 2 1/2 hours late). It all comes down to your comfort level.  You NEED a doctor you are comfortable with.  Remember, gone are the days of the house call, but you can still find empathetic, caring professionals out there!

Warren

Nandee,
I find that too! With the "newness" of Byetta you don't get much help. I actually have gotten most of my information from the Byetta wed site & this thread! When I recently called in with injection site reactions all they could do was read the enclosed literature to me and agree that site reactions had been reported!
I find it alittle unsettling but the results seem to be in my favor so far so I'm sticking with it and learning as I go!
I treally helps having a forum like this so you don't feel so alone! Keep your chin up!
JoAnne

Welcome Susan Jane,

I find the nausea better if I wait about 30-45 minutes to eat. The closer to the end of the hour the better. WHAT I eat effects the nausea more then anything else. Too many carbs or too much fat at one sitting sends me right to the bathroom! My dietitian recommended no more the 3 carbs at any meal with 3 - 1 carb snacks during the day with the last one being 10:00-11:00pm for a total of 12 carbs a day.

Also Briochi helps ALOT. It's an antacid. You mix a spoonful in water and drink it after it stops fizzing! Blue bottle, in most food stores or Pharmacies. Pronounced Bree-oh-she! I actually got this tip from this Byetta chat site! Tastes lemony.

Very helpful here on this thread & VERY supportive.

My taste buds seem a little like when you have a cold. Flavors are dull and my mouth is dry. I use sugar free gum or hard candies to help.

Don't get discouraged. My symptoms are alomost gone and I am 2 weeks into my second pen. I try to look at the positive side effects like the numbers coming down & the weight coming down. Keep your chin up and try some of the tips you find in reading the earlier posts on this thread.

JoAnne

My morning number is always my highest and I was told that from dinner to breakfast is too long to go without something to eat. Over night your liver produces sugar and the late night snack seems to help with this alot. I was actually told to WAKE myself up when I said I'm ususally asleep by 9:00-9:30 as I get up at 4:30am.
The later I eat that snck the better my morning number is. It's just someting small, cracker w/cheese or peanut butter or even a glass of milk. I did find really good low fat/low carb creme bars from Schwan's frozen food that are really good, 1 carb & 30 calories. Kind of like a sinful little treat late at night!
Heavy dairy & too much pasta seem to be triggers for me. Pizza also doesn't sit real well. I think between the crust & the cheese it's too many carbs. I love pizza so I've tried not eating the big end crust, having only 1 slice & skipping the "extras" and having plain pizza and it seems to help. 1 SLice & a salad is better then no pizza at all!
I found it funny forcing myself to eat that snack but it really seems to be working.
Enjoy your trip!
JoAnne

A food journal helps ALOT! I'm very honest & write down everything that passes through my lips!
I also jot down the days events, bad day, good day, stressful day, etc. The busy stressful days do have an effect on my numbers.
Journaling also helps when you go for a followup appointment. Everythings right there and it can all been elvaluated with your health care professional.
I journal my food and test my levels once in the morning and then 2 hrs after a meal. Vary the after meal time test, breakfast, after lunch, differnet one each day. It gives you a nice picture of whats going on.
I do give myself a break and ususally just write my numbers on Sunday, staying on my meal plan but it's my way of rewarding the strictness I put upon myself all week!
Take everything you read and see what works for you! Good luck!

Surgery has alot of risks & does the diabetes increase the risks? I know I take a long time to heal from simple cuts & bruises and it is always in line with how in or out of control my numbers are so I always wondered if I was a good candidate for any kind of surgery.
I, personally, would give the new medication a chance! I've been on it 6 weeks now and going to the 10mcg pen and the rsults have been good so far.
Is you weight the much of a factor that you would take the surgery option?
I know 2 people who have had the bariatric surgery and they are both happy with it. One has had several cosmetic surgeries after she lost the weight too!
Not sure I would do all that. As long as I feel good and I'm healthy is really what matters to me...but thats just me!
Welcome to the forum! I found it extremely helpful and supportive since I've been here.
Good luck,
JoAnne

JoAnne,
Don't know about the Byetta, but with the prescription problem I would advise you to try and see if your local hospital has a pharmacy. Their prices are often lower than most and they almost always have what you need when you need it. They are usually more reliable than the chain pharmacies.

Another idea is to get to know the pharmacist so you can call two days ahead and remind him/her that you will be refilling your byetta in two days. This should give them time to reorder... HOPEFULLY!

Hello, my name is Andrea and I've been taking Byetta for almost a month with Metformin (glucophage). I've felt a bit of nausea but I heard this was a side effect that can take up to 2 months to get your body used too. But, it's been great for me and is keeping my glucose very low. As far as injecting myself, at the beginning I was petrified but not anymore. I do it twice a day everyday. I've only gotten 1 bruise since I started and maybe is because I've done to fast. Overall, Byetta is kicking in and working its magic. I have lost 16 lbs already. My hunger has suppressed alot. I don't over eat at all. I feel like I have more time for me doing my regular chores than having to think of food all day long. I love it!!!

I carry the pen with me to work and maitain in my mini refrigerator and also if I go to a family members home I stick it in the refrigerator. Otherwise, I keep it at home. But, I still take it and I don't have any problems. Just as long as you keep it cold somewhere, it will not go to waste. I can't wait to start taking the 10 mg. to notice any different. I used to weight last month 304 lbs. Now, I'm weighing 288 lbs. Will keep you all posted.

Lol, Andrea (leyva29)

The 30 day expiration for Byetta is nonsense.  I get 3 pens at a time from my insurance company and that means that the pen that gets used last is anywhere between 60 and 90 days old when it gets opened.  Im am more than convinced the 30 day expiration is to get you to get a new pen.  USE ALL THE BYETTA in your pen. 

I've been taking it for a year now and I've never found any Byetta that didn't work long after its 30 day expiration tag!!!

Warren

Hello-

I found this site after overdosing on Byetta today. I am a 41 yo female with type 2. I am on day 3 of the byetta and decided to try 10mg before a big breakfast. I have been in bed all day, vomiting, and numbers in the 70s. I have read conflicting information about when to go to 10mg. Some literature says wait a month, some says wait 3 days. Well I can tell you it will be a long while before I move try the 10mg again. It has been 7 hours since the dosing and I am feeling better but man o man I haven't puked like that in years!

I did fine on the 5mg the last few days, no spikes in my blood sugars, I don't know what tempted me to do 10mg so soon. Boy I'm gun shy now.

Anyway, just introducing myself and saying hello! Can't wait to read about everyones experiences.

Kelly

Theres a reason endocrinologists and the byetta web site tell you to be on 5mg for a month before moving. IF YOUR NUMBERS HAVE BEEN FINE and you have not had any side effects, why in the world do you want to go to 10mg!!!!!   You've just had a taste of what the lizard bite can do to you!  Get used to your meds for a month and see if your numbers warrant a more drastic step.

Warren

GRRRrrrr!!!!!  I should know better, I SHOULD KNOW BETTER.  I've been taking Byetta so long that I've become careless!  I have been lucky in that I've never suffered any of the debilitating side effects, even at 10mg.  But tonight......

I forgot to take my Byetta this morning in a rush to get to the office and I had an Endo appointment at 2pm.  So when I arrived home at 1:30pm I took the injection and a full compliment of meds.  No big deal.  At 6:30 pm I went out for dinner and thought; "its been 5 hours, I can take another injection no problem"; and thats exactly what I did.

So I went out to dinner, had a salad and a hamburger and I've been sick as a dog for the last 4 hours!!!  I guess the moral of the story is, when they tell you Morning and Evening...they MEAN it!!!  Too close together and the dosage multiplies with really devastaing effects!!  I would been much better off either skipping the injection or taking it before bed!!  C'est la vie....now I know!

Warren