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Posted 5/16/2007 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi my name is Shonnie and I am just investigating the option of using Byetta.  I saw my doc yesterday and she feels I would definitely benefit from this treatment.  My sugar fluctuates quite dramatically and I decided I had had enough of the lows and highs of metformin so I took myself off.  Bad idea.  Now I have gained around 20# and my sugars are way too high. 

 

I am a metabolic syndrome patient at age 44 and my father, grandmother, 3 aunts and 2 uncles were all diabetics who died of massive coronaries/heart disease before they were 60.  I really need to find a way to get the weight off, get my sugar, BP and chol. #'s down.  As long as I walk 4 - 6 miles a day I seem to do fine but I get tired of doing that everyday. 

 

I am always concerned about new drugs.  I love the info I have recieved from this forum about Byetta.  But have a few questions:  How long after starting Byetta did you start seeing results?  Do you have to take it for the rest of your life?  Is there any reason not to try it?

 

Sorry I am so long winded.  I look forward to seeing your responses.

Posted 5/22/2007 6:01 AM (GMT 0)
New to the group. Been using Byetta since May 4. My numbers morning and 2 hours after dinner continue to be high. 190's in morning 190's to 200's after dinner. I'm pretty freaked by all this. My last A1c was the first over 6.5. It was 7.89. My dr. says it is a natural progression of my disease. She upped my Metformin to 2000 (take all 4 with dinner used to take 3 with dinner) I do this because I have horrible insomnia and "morning" is rarely morning for me. Frankly, my numbers had been so good every time I tested that I finally stopped testing cuz I bruised so easily. Now....a year later I am sad, scared and shocked at how quickly I went from numbers in the normal range on 3 metformin, lost 20lbs and my numbers seemed to have gone all to hell in a handbasket.

I know this may not seem so bad compared to some with uncontrollable diabetes, its just that I have Ulcerative colitis, fibromyalgia, ankylosing spondylitis etc etc and the chronic pain and bathroom issues seemed much more pressing the last 2 years. I'm on the verge of tears here. Just totally p'ssed cuz sometimes I feel like how much monitoring, medication and pain can one person take. Phew.... I guess I was really hoping the byetta might really be a blessing. I am hoping that perhaps in a month if I go to the 10mg I might actually see a difference.

I am also digging out the diabetes books and paperwork and going to ask to be reconnected to my endo. I am very overweight *80 to 100 lbs* over and have been exercising in heated pool 3 times a week for 2 months now.

Has anyone else noticed no weight loss no number change after a few weeks on byetta? When we got it from the pharm, it wasn't cold and no one told us it needed to be refrigerated. My doctor hadn't wrote a prescription for the needles so I couldn't use it the first night and left it in the bag overnight. Part of me even wonders if it is "good" byetta. I wish there was a way to tell. I have had no side effects.

Well how's that for a long intro post!

THANKS FOR THIS GROUP!
Posted 5/30/2007 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone! I'm new here! I've been taking Byetta for 2 months now...started on the 5 and had no problems with it maybe just a little nausea...but when I started on the 10 whoa! The nausea was so bad I didn't want to eat anything. I took 2 weeks for it to finally go away and I will still get it if I take only one more bite of a meal than I should. But I have lost 25 pounds to date (with no excersise) and numbers are a whole lot better. The other nite I had a bad experience with a reading of 47...have never felt so bad. Candy bar helped bring that up within 30 minutes to a 71. Now my dr has taken me off my glimperide. So I am on the Byetta, actos, and metformin 1500 mgs a day. Hopefully the Actos goes next! I love this stuff. But have been hearing rumors that it can quit working on you. Anyone else hear this?
Thanks for reading
Posted 6/6/2007 5:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, all.

Cali Jules, I'm living in a parallel universe. Metformin and modest changes worked well enough for the first four years after dx, but I'm in a real slide now. A1c used to be 5.4-5.8, and last time it was over 7. Will most likely attempt to get Byetta in the next few weeks, so am quite interested in what everyone has to say. -- But as for the other things you mention, I feel you and I feel for you. I too have a miserable bowel disorder that could be IBS or ulcerative colitis, and it's gotten worse in the last two years; can't yet afford to get tested. It's very wearing. I also have something like CFS, but they're "not certain." Eh, seems like diseases love to live in a cluster so they won't get lonely. Glad you posted because I'm new here, too, and it's helpful to find someone else who knows what it's all like. Can't offer any wisdom, but hang in there. It is tough, for each of us in our own way. Can't compare ourselves with anyone else or feel better by thinking it could be better. We are where we are, and we feel what we feel! But it has to get better. Or I'm planning death by Haagen-Daz. (Just kidding!!!)

----------------------------
Regarding Byetta needing refrigeration, I read:
Byetta: Out of the Cooler and Into the Pocket

Although you still have to keep Byetta refrigerated until you first use it, you don’t have to keep it refrigerated afterward anymore. It’s now okay to keep a Byetta pen at temperatures between 36 degrees and 77 degrees Farenheit, after you’ve started using it.
----------------------------

Wishing everyone well-behaved sugars, working to get mine there again,
Teresa

Post Edited (reincatnated) : 6/6/2007 12:26:15 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/9/2007 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
TERESA!! Death by Haagen-Daz! Very funny. I think I would go with Chunky Monkey by Ben and Jerry's! hahahaaaa.. Oh gosh. Smiling is always good.

I have had problems lately with the pen seeming to "prick" and sting no matter where I try and inject.... multiple locals on my tummy or thighs. I actually thought they may have given me the wrong needles but they are the 31g's I had the first month on 5mg.

I always keep my byetta in the fridge (I'm just starting 2nd mo. on now on 10mg) as I live in Orange County, CA and my house averages mid to high 70's and 80's during much of the year.

I will go now to find the thread on injection tips to see if I get some new ideas.
Posted 6/23/2007 10:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hello out there, I started byetta 2 months ago.  I'm still on the 5 mg.  Not taking any other meds.  The byetta is working wonderfully.  No bad sugar drops.  Not hungry all the time.  I've lost 12 pounds in 2 months.  I feel so much better.  I had tried all the pills and had one problem or another.  This is working soooo well for me, I just had to share.  Thanks  Grateful to the lizard. yeah
Posted 7/4/2007 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
I am 47 and have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for about 5 years. Over the past couple of years I have remained 30 lbs overweight even with exercising. Due to this and a continued high BS morning reading, my DR. has put Byetta as of last Friday. I was nauseated with my first injection in the morning which lasted about four hours and became severely ill after dinner. I know part of that was my fault as we had company over and grilled steaks of which I overate. I never expected to have a migraine headache an hour later which went away only after purging my dinner. My fear is that this extreme nausea will continue and I manage a busy art gallery with this being my busiest season. I can't afford to be sick any day.

Luckily I found this forum and have read wonderful successes with Byetta. I pleaded with my doctor to restart the Byetta program in September when I am less busy with my business, but he wants me to continue with it now.

My question to the forum is about diet. Can anyone tell me through their experiences what foods are sure to trigger nausea. I am willing to read every submission in the diabetes forum to figure it out, but if someone could put it all in a nutshell for me I would be very grateful.
Posted 7/4/2007 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi gzoob! How great that you work in a gallery!!!!! I bet you love it ... although I'm sure it's nuts!

I don't take Byetta and don't know about foods that trigger nausea but would suggest a low carb diet. This will help your Byetta more effective and may allow you to lower your doseage!

Welcome!
Posted 7/7/2007 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the welcome Ruth! Not only do I manage the gallery, I am also one of the artists which makes it more fun. Thanks for the advice on the foods. Everything will be good once I get my act together and get serious about my health again. I am only 30 lbs overweight but my A1C has been steadily increasing over the past six months to a disappointing 8.8. That is the reason for the Byetta. I have had a lack of motivation in that time too and wonder if the AiC can be a factor.
Posted 7/7/2007 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone

I am going to be taking my first dose of Byetta tonight and I am not exactly looking forward to it. I have been reading the other posts and decided to join. Here's my story in a nutshell.

I just became unemployed again---got replaced by a kid just out of grad school. Went to Doc yesterday because my sugar levels have been in the 200 range since the bru-ha-ha at my last job when I was released for basically being "too nice". I guess you aren't supposed to treat inmates like they are people!?!? Anyway, I am now out of a job, no good prospects, insurance wouldn't pay for my Byetta this morning--I am trying to fix that before it expires. It will cost about $450.00/month to keep it and I can't even afford gas to go job hunting.

Needless to say, stress and depression have played a big part in my numbers being so messed up. My A1C this time was 7.5 but it has been up to 13. That was in 2000 before I went to Scotland. Since I knew I was going to be coming home to a life of needles, I enjoyed myself, ate all the good food, drank the "water of life" and paid no attention to my numbers. I had the best time of my life!!!! I did not want to come home. When I got back, my A1C was down to 8.5. See what a stress free life does for me? I know it can't always be stress free but I didn't realize how much it could affect you.

Now I am on the following meds and they are no longer keeping me in control.

Metformin 2 500mg tablets in am and pm
Glyburide 2 6mg tables in am and pm
Lovastatin 1 20mg tablet in pm
Methotrexate (for psoriasis) 3 2.5mg tablets on Sunday night and 3 on Monday norming.
Folic acid (for the methotrexate) 1 1mg tablet in am except on Sun. & Mon.
Cymbalta 1 60mg capsule at night
Alprazplam 1 0.25 mg table twice a day as needed.

I am taking the last med almost daily now as the stress has started to cause panic attacks. I live in an area where jobs are few and far between, all of them are minimum wage or a little above and few have benefits. I have had one interview and it is from a place that is over an hour away. I haven't been told what salary to expect but with gas prices being so high, I'm afraid it won't be enough to make it worth my while.

Sorry to dump so much at one time and since I'm new, I hope this isn't too much for my first time but I am depressed, afraid and just need some reassurance that this too will pass. My normal self is a real fun loving nut. Hopefully that will show through soon.

Thanks for letting me unload.
Posted 7/8/2007 3:38 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Prosper,

Well, Im not going to lecture you on all the things that Byetta does, as you probably already know this. BUT, one of the things it does do is stimulate the body to produce more of its own insulin.  In most cases, 5mg. of Byetta is not going to be sufficient as a monotherapy (all by itself) and thats why we need the glucophage (metformin) to help.  Essentially , the glucophage increases your sensitivity to the insulin in your body, so that it can do what its supposed to do, more effectively.  THEREFORE, it is really really important that you take the glucophage in a timeframe when the Byetta can work in concert with it.

The BEST time to do this is 45 mins to half an hour before you take your Byetta.  This way it is pretty much on its way into your blood stream and won't get caught up in the "stomach emptying delay" mechanism of the Byetta.  THEN when you take the Byetta, the insulin your body produces will be much more effective and help the Byetta to shut of the insulin producing mechanism in response to lowered blood sugar levels.

Incidently, I don't think you are going to see any weight loss or perhaps even serious number dropping until you move to 10mg of Byetta.  This was the key for me and for many other people that have gone the same route.  Good luck

scool Warren
Posted 7/8/2007 5:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hmmm I am starting to wonder if I either got a bad pen (my first 10 mg) or if I am becoming allergic to the byetta.

Very bummed. Every injection site becomes a red spot and now I have red spots all over my belly and thigh wherever I have injected over the past 3+ weeks. I have gotten a few bad bruises as well. In addition I haven't really noticed a difference in my numbers and as an aside I haven't lost any weight.

Anyone else get a red spot at the injection site? Many times it stings quite a bit when I inject as well. Didn't have any of this on my first pen which was 5 mg.

Also didn't have any nausea or vomiting.

I'm thinking there is no point in spending $50 bucks a month for something that doesn't seem to have any effect good or bad on the most common results (lowered BG, weight loss, nausea).

This is the end of my 2nd month. From what I have read this is something that should work right away and not necessarily improve over time.

Anyone else find they had better results a few months in? Should I give up on this? I so do not want to go on insulin.

sad
Posted 7/8/2007 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mark,

I've been using Byetta for well over a year now.  I guess I became knowledgable when I became a user.  First as a voracious reader of everything I could get my hands on about the drug, and then through my own experiences and the shared experiences of others like myself.  Over the last year all this information has really helped me hone in on what works and what doesn't, and I try to pass it along so that you and others don't have to go through as much trial and error as those of us that came before you.

I really feel that the key to using Byetta is NOT taking insulin as a supplement, especially 40 units of Lantus (thats a fairly large dose); but rather supplementing Byetta with a class of drug like Metformin that helps increase your SENSITIVITY to the insulin in your system.  40 units of Insulin AND Byetta seems counterproductive.  Have a talk with a doctor that knows about Byetta and see what he/she recommends for you. 

Hope this helps

scool  Warren

Posted 7/8/2007 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
Well folks, Byetta is working too good it seems----I have only had my third injection and my levels are low. Last night, it got up to 123 and I took the meds I normally take at night. This a.m. it was 84. I haven't had any meds except my injections today and it hasn't gotten above 84 so far. It was 68 after I had just taken my supper injection. I haven't felt bad though. I'm going to doc tomorrow and see what is going on. If I can get by only on the Byetta, that would be great. I haven't felt this good in months!!!!!
Posted 7/9/2007 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
I'm a new member today. I've read through all five pages for this thread, every posting has been informative. I'm trying to decide whether to start Byetta, and I'm about ready to make my decision. I'm currently taking glucophage 1000mg 2x per day for Type 2 DM and not having the blood sugar control levels I'd like. Anyway, the input here has been invaluable. The only question nobody has answered is regarding whether one has to stay on the Byetta forever or is able to get off of it when/if blood sugars are under control. So, does anyone know if one has to stay on Byetta????? Thanks for all yours input; I look forward to giving some of my own in the near future.
Posted 7/14/2007 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on Byetta for a week and have lost 6lbs. As I am not nearly as hungry as when on insulin I am eating less, but better quality with less carbs and more veg.

There were a couple of comments I read that I thought I'd reply to. One was about the needle pricking and leaving red dots. An allergic reaction at the injection site has been noted on the Byetta website. The problem with skin is that it is sensitive! What is interesting is that you can put the needle to the skin and it will hurt, yet if you move it a fraction away from that point it will go in fine. There are lots of different things going on under the skin. Nerves and blood vessels lie under the top level of the skin. Sometimes you will hit a nerve, or close by and it will hurt, another time you will hit a blood vessel and that will hurt, bleed and likely bruise. It is just a bit of a lottery! Some areas are also more resistant than others making it hard to get the needle in.

I have been injecting insulin for the last four years before I started on the Byetta so I am used to using a cartridge type pen. I find if I touch the skin with the needle and it hurts, just moving it slightly will help. You might have to do that 2 or 3 times until you find a spot where it goes in easier (I find by doing that that it rarely hurts or bleeds. Also I vibrate the needle as I push it in - just shake my hand up and down slightly to move the needle in and out of the skin fractionally until it has gone right in. Another trick I was given is to cough as you push the needle in - that works, too!

I wonder if the reaction to the skin may be due to the needle being too short and the drug not getting deep enough into the subcutaneous tissue. Might be worth trying a slightly longer needle to see if that helps.

I have been injecting the Byetta in to my lower belly rather than the stomach or abdomen and I haven't been too nauseated. It is a discomfort due to wind more than nausea so I keep a plentiful supply of sugar-free mints!

Just out of interest, a few months ago I did the Alkalising Diet for 5 weeks. I unfortunately had to stop as my stomach got very sore (mind you I did go the whole hog and take wheat grass etc. so I might have just overdone it). However, my blood sugar level went down to normal range for the first time ever, I cut my insulin in half, I lost 14lbs in weight, the Candida cleared up and so did my IBS. Diet is definitely the best option but it is so difficult when you feel so yucky most of the time. Still, the weight is coming off on the Byetta so hopefully I will be a lot slimmer and fitter in a few months time!
Posted 7/19/2007 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
Well I completed my first month at 5 mg and the final week of the month I felt better than I had in 20 years - off all meds other than Byetta - blood sugars which fluctatued between 50 and 300 on a daily basis let my Dr to brescribing Byetta (his first patient ever). First month consisted of 1 week nausea - 2 weeks vomiting - 1 week of feeling like superwoman.

But then I moved up to the 10 mg shot - immediately the vomiting returned and 3 weeks later it has been a month of Exorcist style purging. I have found - no fruit - no vegtables - no soup - no dairy - well seems like - food = vomit, small or regular sized meals - nothing seems to make a difference. I have about 10 days of this pen and I want to believe that I will feel like I did the end of the first month - but sticking it out is getting overwhelming. THe vomiting I am experiencing is unlike anything I have ever known or heard of.

I want this to work - I want this to be the miracle drug I believe it to be, but my knees are beginning to feel like I am a carpet installer.

Good signs of the meds - blood sugars are great - consistant and level. My skin is as soft as a baby's bottom, my hair has stopped falling out and is looking better than ever, my eyebrows which had turned into a one inch hitlerish style are now full and lush, my fingernails which were never very strong are now growing and hard, my eyes are white and have a glimmer to them that makes me feel like I am back in high school, I know I am loosing weight - which is very needed (about 70 pounds overweight) but I do not own a scale - but I would say - I would like a larger return (or loss) on the weight since I have not kept anything down in 7 out of 8 weeks.

I have found taking the med with or after I begin eating helps with the nausea but not the vomiting. Lots of chewing helps, fruits are a no no no - hope that does not remain so.

Thanks for listening - I thought I was all alone in the world on this one - YEah Gila Monsters!!!!
Posted 7/19/2007 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
Bitten - did you have to go up to the 10mcg dose? Quite a lot have decided to stay on the 5 as their glucose levels and weight loss is doing fine on that dose. I also post on the Topix Byetta forum and there are quite a few gals who have found that their taste has changed and they can't get enough vegetables - which is great as veg is very cleansing to the system! Several are struggling with protein though. Funny how we all react so differently.

I have been on the 5 for nearly 2 weeks. First week or so felt pretty bloated and windy and a little nauseous occasionally. The feeling of fullness was quite pronounced so I didn't eat too much and lost 5 lbs. This week I have felt ok, very little bloating and a relatively normal eating pattern. Consequently I haven't lost any more weight which is disappointing. Sugars are still high at the moment, but I hope they will come down over time as the Beta cells increase. If this doesn't improve I may well be a candidate for the 10!

Some take Byetta as a transition between going from tablets to insulin. I have replaced the insulin with Byetta. I wonder if that makes any difference. I am also on Metformin x 3 x 850.
Posted 7/20/2007 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
ALiJeeBEe:

It was explained to me by my Dr and his "expert" that it was the required steps - 5mg one month and then 10 forever - I would love to have stayed on the 5 - it was great - I no longer take any oral meds - was on metforim 500 X 3

Blood sugars are steady but a little high - 170's

I do not know what to do when this pen is finished - If I can talk to my doctor I will ask about backing down and staying there.

Posted 7/20/2007 8:15 PM (GMT 0)
Bitten. Your sugars may still be a bit high as apparently the Byetta encourages the Beta cells to output more insulin and that can take some time to happen. Hopefully your BGL will decrease as the insulin output increases. Mine is still early days so they are still a bit high at the moment but I am hopeful that they will decrease as time goes by.

You might settle on the 10 ok if you can tolerate the side effects, but if not, it might be worth asking your doc if you can go back to the 5, at least for a while.
Posted 7/25/2007 6:11 PM (GMT 0)

I'm a type 2 Diabetic.  I've been using glipizide and avandia for ages, but could no longer tolerate avandia or actos.  My new doctor has put me on metformin and byetta.  I decided to start the byetta, give it a couple of days, then start the metformin (taking it with a non-byetta meal)

Question -

Is there anyone who DOESN'T get the nausea side effects from byetta?  I'm getting depressed reading various forums and blogs about the side effects.

Thanks!

Posted 7/25/2007 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi AZMom.

I have to say I haven't had too much in the way of nausea although my stomach has been distinctly uncomfortable at times. When I have felt nauseous it is usually down to wind, and goes away after a good burp!!! Have you tried sucking mints or anything which will help dissipate the wind? Byetta slows down the rate at which the food digests so it is fermenting in the stomach for longer which undoubtedly causes more wind. Although it is not pleasant, the one advantage of the nausea is appetite suppression which encourages the weight loss!

I have lost about 9lbs over the 18 days since I started Byetta although as yet it hasn't brought the sugar levels down, but I am assured that it will eventually, and to just hang in there!
Posted 7/25/2007 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your reply!  There is hope!

I've only taken my second shot - this a.m., so it's probably too soon to be bothered by gas or anything like that.

I did buy some ginger tea and bring some crackers to work just in case - but yeah, I want to hear from people who DIDN'T have the nausea - and good ideas what to do just in case!  One of the side effects would be gas if food stays in the stomach longer - that's understandable.

I've also heard that some foods bother byetta users more than others.  Another thing to consider.

Posted 7/26/2007 10:04 AM (GMT 0)
What quite a few seem to have found is that they develop a taste for vegetables but have a problem with protein. Whilst the veggie trait is good cos they cleanse the system, we have to make sure we get enough protein for energy and cell renewal.

The problem with not wanting protein may be to do with the digestion - because the system slows down it would take longer to digest which may exacerbate the gas and nausea. That said, not everyone has this problem, including me - well, not yet, anyway! I have been on it 19 days today and any side-effects have been tolerable so far.

It is important to keep to a low carb diet if at all possible. What I have found is that whilst the Byetta keeps my sugar level fairly low during it's 'life', that only lasts around 4 hours, and the sugar level will shoot up again, particularly if I have indulged in too much carbohydrate. That will apparently improve over time but its a bit disconcerting at the moment.
Posted 7/26/2007 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
That makes sense since veggies are carbs. I've gone from South Beach, which is very complex carb based, but still rather low carb - to eating 30-45 carbs with a byetta meal, per the diabetic instructor's suggestions. Big change - but trying to make sure they're 'good carbs'.
I will watch to gauge the life of the byetta. This a.m.'s fbs was 176 - down from what it was, but still not good.

We're going to a baseball game tomorrow nite and I plan on eating there. I don't want to take the pen with me, and figured maybe that will be a good time to start the metformin that I'm supposed to be on as well. Just 1 tab a day to start. I figured doing both on the same day (plus tricor) was a bit much! thoughts?
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