Newbie
Hi all my name is Jim and I am about to start taking Byetta I will be
lurking a bit to catch up on whats been discussed. Thanks
Jim
36 Responses to “Newbie”
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Hi all my name is Jim and I am about to start taking Byetta I will be
lurking a bit to catch up on whats been discussed. Thanks
Jim
You must be logged in to post a comment.
June 27th, 2004 at 11:23 pm
Hi Jim,
I’m Marsha - I’ve been on Byetta since March 22nd. I’ve been doing pretty
well on the spit.
My weight rollercoasters, but is overall heading down. I’m not one the
spectacular weight loss people, but consistant.
I don’t have a lot of gasterointestinal upset but I’ve gotten to the point
that late night tests means that taking Byetta at 8:30 p.m. to eat means not
sleeping until 2 a.m. because if I eat more than a bite or two at dinner and
then try to lay down I blow up like a balloon with gas. Too bad I can’t market
and and sell it or I’d be rich.
My BG is much, much better than it was before. I’d like it lower, but with
weight loss continuing and my intake remaining very limited in carbs and
calories I will help resolve most of my insulin resistance and the numbers will
finally get into the normal range of about 85 on a consistant basis.
My dear husband is also on Byetta. He takes 5 mcg only once a day and has
wonderful BG. He is on no other medication for diabetes (only supplements). He
has no side effects at all.
Good fortune to you on your journey with Byetta. As with so many things in
life, it is a journey, not a destination.
Cheers!
Marsha
August 6th, 2004 at 5:14 pm
Hi,
I finally got my doc to prescribe Byetta. I’ve been on Lantus, Humalog,
and Glucophage (2200mg daily) for a long time (Ultralente prior to
Lantus being available). Control has been good-A1c anywhere from 4.9% to
the latest 6.3%. It’s slowly creeping up as both age and time with
diabetes progress.
Anyway, the prescription has gone in for the 5mcg pen (mailorder as
usual). I’ve been lurking here, and have read the Byetta web site. I
know you take this just before the breakfast meal, and the dinner meal.
For me, that would be around 7:45am, and 4:15pm. I’m wondering if there
is enough space in between those times (around 8 hours). Being retired
things are pretty much done the same as far as meals go.
I’m hoping that this is going to work as it took some convincing because
the doc wanted to add another pill (Actos), and I’ve enough of those
already. I’m probably 20lbs overweight at best so I know I’ll be doing a
lot of BG testing.
I’d appreciate any comments?
August 6th, 2004 at 10:37 pm
Welcome, Dave. I had to argue with my doc to prescribe it, too. I think he
gave in just to shut me up.
Eight hours is enough time between dosages, the manufacturer recommends a
minimum of six. You can take the dose up to an hour before eating, some
people eat right away after the dose to minimize nausea, others try to get
closer to the hour mark to maximize appetite suppression — you’ll probably
have to experiment a bit to see what works best for you.
Debbie
August 7th, 2004 at 3:35 am
Maybe that is what I am doing wrong…mine is more like 8:00am then again 7:00pm
(dinner is usually late).
Eight hours is enough time between dosages, the manufacturer recommends a
minimum of six. You can take the dose up to an hour before eating, some
people eat right away after the dose to minimize nausea, others try to get
closer to the hour mark to maximize appetite suppression — you’ll probably
have to experiment a bit to see what works best for you.
Debbie
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Anything posted in this group is the opinion of the person who posted it.
SPONSORED LINKS
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Visit your group "Diabetes_And_Byetta" on the web.
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
August 7th, 2004 at 7:13 am
I’m not sure that’s wrong, the six hours is a minimum, but you could try
changing it to see what happens. I usually eat a small breakfast so I felt
the Byetta dose was pretty much wasted using it on that meal. My schedule
is a little skewed since I work second shift and sleep in late, but I save
my first dose for the bigger meal I have about noonish and then have the
second one before dinner, at about 8:00 PM. Debbie
October 12th, 2004 at 1:15 pm
Dear Jacqueline,
Bg=Blood Glucose (as in 85 is normal)
My dear husband (DH) and I also experience being somewhat chilled.
Cheers!
Marsha
October 12th, 2004 at 5:27 pm
Jacqueline,
No problem. I’m sorry. I forget that everyone doesn’t know the lingo.
Bgs stands for blood glucose or blood sugars. Like my fasting bg this
morning was 91. I still have a little nausea too and I’ve been on it
since December. As far as the Byetta affecting your appetite you will
find it does more so with the 10 pen. Also if you wait an hour after the
injection to eat you will notice you cant eat as much. So if you are
trying to lose weight try waiting an hour after the shot to eat. I had a
little more nausea when I started the 10 pen and I am losing more weight
on the10 than I did the one month on the 5.I also feel cold a lot of the
time but I believe that is an advantage. I used to wilt in the summer
heat but now I’m tolerating it well.
I hope this answered your question. Let me know if there is anything
else I can help with.
Blessings,
Karen
Karen ,
i have a question everyone keeps saying bg’s what is that i am
sorry sometimes i don’t know all the lauguage but i keep seeing
that alot ! I myself the only side affects that i am having so far
is a little nausea not enough to be concered with and it does not
last very long at all but the main one is cold i am freezing and
that just started as a matter a fact today it has started ! to wierd
lol ….
I have a question for you or anyone else who have been on it for
a while i have only been on mine for a couple of days and it may
take alot of time but i am right
now only on the 5 then in a month my doc is putting me on the 10 is
October 13th, 2004 at 2:08 am
Hi Jacqueline,
Bernstein suggests checking BG
upon arising
before first meal (if it does not coincide w/ above)
2 hours after breakfast
before noon meal
2 hours after lunch
before dinner
2 hours after dinner
before bed
He suggests doing this for a week to get a baseline of what your fluctuations
are. Then you start experimenting with carb intake and see what you can eat
without blowing your BG up. It is what Andrew calls eating what the meter says
you can.
In my case, the meter says I can eat no more than 30 grams of carbohydrates in a
day. I am better off eating about 20 grams of carbs. I’m taking Byetta and
1000 mg of Fortamet a.m. and p.m. I resist taking a bunch of drugs if at all
possible because I am concerned about tanking up on things like Actos (which I
can’t take because I’d develop Congestive Heart Failure if I did) so I’m dealing
with 120ish bg. I don’t take insulin because of an anaphylatic reaction to
insulin and an unwillingless to try again and take a step off that cliff for
good next time.
In terms of BG I am down in the 120’s and sometimes around my goal of 85 with a
post-prandial of 95 or 100.
The more weight you lose and the more control you get over your intake the
better your BG will end up being.
Bernstein says not to exercise aggressively when BG is above 170. Can’t
remember the metabolic reason. Its in his book - which you may be able to get
from the library or on interlibrary loan. Whether you use the diet or not the
metabolic information is very valuable.
I’m unhappy with where I am in terms of BG, but I’m a heck of a lot happier than
I was when I started out doing byetta last March. Rome was not built in a day
and getting my body normalized regarding weight and BG will not happen
overnight, either.
You may be able to eat more carbs than I, depending on how much medication you
take and how much you are willing to do dietarily in order to keep your BG under
control. It varies from person to person. I’m willing to do a whole lot and
I’m not a vegetarian or vegan so I have more options than others chose to
utilize. It is neither good nor bad, just is. If you are a vegetarian then
there are vegetarian low-carb lists. If you are a vegan you’re probably stuck
with a lot of insulin and diabetic meds as it is almost impossible to low-carb
and be a vegan.
Anyway, that’s the basics.
Weight loss and exercise are key for Type II’s and persons with hyperinsulinism
like I have just can’t handle carbs much at all without it causing serious
spikes.
Byetta won’t turn everything around immediately, either. It is a tool, not a
magic bullet, but I don’t know anyone who has taken it whom it has not helped
lower bg so long as they didn’t eat so many carbs they defeated its effects.
Okay, ’nuff said.
Cheers!
Marsha
October 14th, 2004 at 1:46 am
It took a couple of months for the byetta to lower my blood sugar to it’s full
effect. so perserverence is the clue. it does do wonders, but it does take a
little time. as for asking questions, the first 100 are free, and then we have
to start charging you *grin*
Bernstein suggests checking BG
upon arising
before first meal (if it does not coincide w/ above)
2 hours after breakfast
before noon meal
2 hours after lunch
before dinner
2 hours after dinner
before bed
He suggests doing this for a week to get a baseline of what your fluctuations
are. Then you start experimenting with carb intake and see what you can eat
without blowing your BG up. It is what Andrew calls eating what the meter says
you can.
In my case, the meter says I can eat no more than 30 grams of carbohydrates in a
day. I am better off eating about 20 grams of carbs. I’m taking Byetta and 1000
mg of Fortamet a.m. and p.m. I resist taking a bunch of drugs if at all possible
because I am concerned about tanking up on things like Actos (which I can’t take
because I’d develop Congestive Heart Failure if I did) so I’m dealing with
120ish bg. I don’t take insulin because of an anaphylatic reaction to insulin
and an unwillingless to try again and take a step off that cliff for good next
time.
In terms of BG I am down in the 120’s and sometimes around my goal of 85 with a
post-prandial of 95 or 100.
The more weight you lose and the more control you get over your intake the
better your BG will end up being.
Bernstein says not to exercise aggressively when BG is above 170. Can’t remember
the metabolic reason. Its in his book - which you may be able to get from the
library or on interlibrary loan. Whether you use the diet or not the metabolic
information is very valuable.
I’m unhappy with where I am in terms of BG, but I’m a heck of a lot happier than
I was when I started out doing byetta last March. Rome was not built in a day
and getting my body normalized regarding weight and BG will not happen
overnight, either.
You may be able to eat more carbs than I, depending on how much medication you
take and how much you are willing to do dietarily in order to keep your BG under
control. It varies from person to person. I’m willing to do a whole lot and I’m
not a vegetarian or vegan so I have more options than others chose to utilize.
It is neither good nor bad, just is. If you are a vegetarian then there are
vegetarian low-carb lists. If you are a vegan you’re probably stuck with a lot
of insulin and diabetic meds as it is almost impossible to low-carb and be a
vegan.
Anyway, that’s the basics.
Weight loss and exercise are key for Type II’s and persons with hyperinsulinism
like I have just can’t handle carbs much at all without it causing serious
spikes.
Byetta won’t turn everything around immediately, either. It is a tool, not a
magic bullet, but I don’t know anyone who has taken it whom it has not helped
lower bg so long as they didn’t eat so many carbs they defeated its effects.
Okay, ’nuff said.
Cheers!
Marsha
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
October 14th, 2004 at 3:28 am
amen to that marsha
no way am i giving up the spit. i will (with the help of my witch dr) find
what must be an underlying cause to my sudden need for more insulin.
jodi
It took a couple of months for the byetta to lower my blood sugar to it’s
full effect. so perserverence is the clue. it does do wonders, but it does
take a little time. as for asking questions, the first 100 are free, and
then we have to start charging you *grin*
October 14th, 2004 at 12:04 pm
Jaqueline –
I wish to reiterate what both Roy and Andrew said.
Unlike many people here, your diagnosis is new. It appears that many
of us have been dealing with this for a number of years. Learning
contradictory information is helpful, but as Roy implied, much of it
is contradictory.
I recommend that you find a doctor you trust. Perhaps your family
doctor, perhaps an endocrinologist. In addition, most insurance plans
have a diabetes management plan where you can talk to a nurse, and
they can provide you with all sorts of basic information.
This major problem with a new diagnosis (of diabetes or anything else)
is the fear. What IS this disease? What does it mean? If I ignore it
will it go away? Is there a wonder drug? How do I know the right
thing? No matter how well meaning all the folks on this list are, each
human is different — some people here are on insulin, some on many
drugs, some on just one. Some people have complications, some do not.
So LEARN — go the library and read books on what the disease is, and
what the different "experts" say. If you find a diet plan you want to
try, be it Atkins, Zone, Bernstein, etc, commit to trying it for 30
days — keep a food diary with your glucose levels and see if it works
for you. If it doesn’t - try something else the next 30 days. Make
yoru doctor your partner in treatment — see which drugs work and
which don’t. Learn what works for YOU.
Seek peace — perhaps it is meditation, or walking in the park, or
taking long baths — something quiet.
Consider exercise — it helps everything. If you can’t walk a mile,
walk a block: keep a log, and work up. As you lose weight and
exercise, that will become easier, and ANY diabetes program you are on
is enhanced by exercise. Start slow, be proud of your progress.
And keep the faith!
Jessica
October 14th, 2004 at 4:21 pm
Hi there Jim. My name is Lisa and I am days away from finishing my
first month on the spit. Not too bad. I have lost a few pounds but
my BG numbers are still like violent mood swings.
For me, getting used to shooting up was the hard part. For the first
couple weeks I would break out in a cold sweat while shooting the
spit. After a couple bruises and taking a long hard look at myself
in the mirror to identify areas to stay away from, I am doing much
better.
During my first week or so, the nausea, headache, and jitters were
breathtaking. They all subsided and now I hardly notice anything
except the inability to eat as much as I used to. I have also
noticed that food often tastes either too salty or too bland.
My diabetes educator told me to shoot spit right before my first
bite. Over the past couple weeks I have been experimenting with the
timing. I seem to have better results with my appetite and satiation
when I shoot spit about 30 - 40 minutes before I eat.
Next month I am going to figure out how to travel with the spit. I
have been trying to approach this as some kind of adventure or
science experiment. So far so good. I hope you will have a good
experience too.
November 9th, 2004 at 7:06 am
Hi,
I am on Byetta 10 mg 2x a day, avandamet (when I can get it) 10000mg
2x a day. I am also on children’s asprin, blood pressure and
cholesterol meds for precautionary terms. I check my sugar about 2x a
day.
I have a lot of weight I need to lose. My mother and father are both
diabetic and have been and gone through gastric by pass surgery and
have become much healthier. I joined this group to get ideas on
things that work for others and support. I usually don’t talk about
my diabetes much since I still wish I could deny it. So, I may not
post a lot.
Shannon
Florida
November 10th, 2004 at 1:27 am
Hi, Shannon, and welcome to the group.
I believe a majority of us go thru diabetes denial. I know I did. Who
wouldn’t want it to magically disappear one morning??!!! <g>
We learn from one another and you’ll learn a lot from folks here.With
time you may surprise yourself and start posting. The lizard does that
to you. <smile>
Your Gila friend,
November 10th, 2004 at 4:36 am
Thanks Janie.
How long can I really deny it though? I know that the medicines are costing a
arm and a leg even with my insurance. I just get so disgusted that every time I
walk into my Dr’s appt its a stern lecture and increase of meds.
So if anyone has any helpful websites or advice send it on. I dont mind being
a guinee pig. I recently found the onetouchgold.com website and have been trying
some of there diet receipes. I have to admit though that diet has always been
one of the worst 4 letter words around.
Yeah, I joke about my lizzie pit all the time. Then I tell them that there
isnt enough sun to bask my lizzie turning skin.
Shannon
I believe a majority of us go thru diabetes denial. I know I did. Who
wouldn’t want it to magically disappear one morning??!!! <g>
We learn from one another and you’ll learn a lot from folks here.With
time you may surprise yourself and start posting. The lizard does that
to you. <smile>
Your Gila friend,
Janie
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
November 10th, 2004 at 8:54 am
Thanks Shauna. I will check them out.
Shannon
Also you can check your carb/fat/protein balance at www.fitday.com to see
how you food breaks down - and how many calories you are eating…
Just some things that I have found helpful.
Shauna
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
November 10th, 2004 at 1:46 pm
welcome shannon
this is a great group and we are
all in this mess called diabetic together
and we learn from each other
again welcome
Hi, Shannon, and welcome to the group.
I believe a majority of us go thru diabetes denial. I know I did. Who
wouldn’t want it to magically disappear one morning??!!! <g>
We learn from one another and you’ll learn a lot from folks here.With
time you may surprise yourself and start posting. The lizard does that
to you. <smile>
November 10th, 2004 at 11:28 pm
Hi, Shannon… I love that name. My daughter-in-law is named Shannon,
and she’s one of the sweetest people in this whole entire world!
I’m sorry you had to join the world of diabetics, but I’ve come to
realize that, in the grand scheme of things, it’s not the worse thing to
happen… if we come to terms and deal with it. It looks to me like your
moving in the right direction. You’ve joined a great group to help you
cope, you’re on Byetta (yea for the lizard!), you’re taking other meds
to keep this disease from progressing, and you are fighting the denial
that the majority of people diagnosed with any chronic disease go
through. And last but not least, you’re from the great state of Florida.
Yeppers, looks like a keeper to me.
Cheryl from Florida
Hi,
I am on Byetta 10 mg 2x a day, avandamet (when I can get it) 10000mg
2x a day. I am also on children’s asprin, blood pressure and
cholesterol meds for precautionary terms. I check my sugar about 2x a
day.
I have a lot of weight I need to lose. My mother and father are both
diabetic and have been and gone through gastric by pass surgery and
have become much healthier. I joined this group to get ideas on
things that work for others and support. I usually don’t talk about
my diabetes much since I still wish I could deny it. So, I may not
post a lot.
Shannon
Florida
November 11th, 2004 at 11:35 pm
I’m a 36 yr old type II diabetic male. (for >15 yrs) I started
Byetta about two months ago, and even though I was doing fine on 5
mcg, I went to 10 mcg for the added weight loss this month.
I’ve lost close to 20 lbs so far (I’m very close to breaking the 300
lb barrier– I’m 6′3" tall), but I also decided to start dieting along
with the Byetta. Actually the Byetta helps a lot because I’m not ever
hungry. I’m not talking about stress eating– this can be done right
though the Byetta and still leave you with bad sugars. So be careful.
But if you really try to cut down and eat right, the medicine is
wonderful. Actual, real, cravings are almost non existant. Stress
ones are still very real for me, though and still have to be dealt with.
Anyway, I didn’t see too many encouraging replies (and I can only
check the group about 1x week) so I’d figure since I’m close to your
age that, the medicine if used correctly can really help.
Good luck.
Fred
November 12th, 2004 at 8:11 am
Cheryl,
Thanks for the email it really made me smile.
Shannon
I’m sorry you had to join the world of diabetics, but I’ve come to
realize that, in the grand scheme of things, it’s not the worse thing to
happen… if we come to terms and deal with it. It looks to me like your
moving in the right direction. You’ve joined a great group to help you
cope, you’re on Byetta (yea for the lizard!), you’re taking other meds
to keep this disease from progressing, and you are fighting the denial
that the majority of people diagnosed with any chronic disease go
through. And last but not least, you’re from the great state of Florida.
Yeppers, looks like a keeper to me.
Cheryl from Florida
Hi,
I am on Byetta 10 mg 2x a day, avandamet (when I can get it) 10000mg
2x a day. I am also on children’s asprin, blood pressure and
cholesterol meds for precautionary terms. I check my sugar about 2x a
day.
I have a lot of weight I need to lose. My mother and father are both
diabetic and have been and gone through gastric by pass surgery and
have become much healthier. I joined this group to get ideas on
things that work for others and support. I usually don’t talk about
my diabetes much since I still wish I could deny it. So, I may not
post a lot.
Shannon
Florida
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
December 13th, 2004 at 12:12 pm
Hi, I’m 43 and I was diagnosed as type 2 on 5/3/06. My endo put me
on 1000mg of Fortamet and then after one month starting me on the
Byetta on 6/8. I take it before lunch and before dinner as my endo
said that if I’m not much of a breakfast eater then do it at lunch
and dinner cause there’s no use wasting the spit if I don’t usually
eat much anyway. At first I had no side effects but the last few
days I’ve had somewhat of an upset stomach about 45 min after the
shot. Pepcid helps some but usually have to wait it out. I already
take Nexium at night for reflux for the last few years. I am
concerned about going to the 10 pen as I have a wek long trip
planned to Vegas on July 17th. My sister and I meet there for a
week each summer for some one on one sister time with no kids and no
hubbies. But I don’t want to be miserable fighting nausea most of
the time especially in the heat there. I guess my question to you
guys who have been on this a while is should I go ahead and step up
to the 10 pen or stay on the 5 for another month? Also would it hurt
anything to try doing two of the 5 shots to see if I can handle the
10 pen or do it just not work that way? I really want to get the
most from this as I have about 75 to 80 lbs to lose on my not quite
5ft 2in body. My endo told me that some people do fine staying on
the 5 but others need to go up. She told me that if I feel it
starting to wear off too soon I should probably go up. For the last
week I’ve had the carb monster in me wanting to be fed. When I first
started on the spit I didn’t have this but then again I had cut my
carbs way down since 5/3 when I was diagnosed. And when I went in
for my follow up on 6/7 I had lost 7lbs on my own. I’m still not
eating large amounts but I am making poor food choices. Could that
be part of my stomach upset. Do you guys think the spit is easier
on the stomach when you are taking in less carbs? Also I saw
something about sea bands for the nausea, do they work? I know
everyone is different but I have been lurking and reading posts
since I was diagnosed and have learned a great deal. By the way
Gretchen Becker who wrote "The First Year Type 2 Diabetes: An
Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed" recommended this group to
me when I emailed her to ask if she was planning to do an updated
version, which she said she is working on now and should be out next
year. And for any of you that are lurking and trying to decide
about Byetta and afraid of injecting yourself I was terrified and
have found that the finger pricking is by far worse. The needle for
the shot is so slim and short I really cannot feel it. My only
caution is that if you re-use the needle be very careful they bend
quite easy and then they do kind of sting so I use one needle each
day even though the nurse practitioner told me I could get by with
changing it twice a week. I’m kind of a whimp. I would appreciate
any advice from you guys.
Thanks for your ear,
Saundra
December 15th, 2004 at 8:20 am
Hi, Saundra, and welcome to our Gila Club!
Since I wasn’t having any problems, I was on the 5mcg for only two weeks
before moving up to the 10. I took two 5mcg injections to use up the
spit. (I hate to waste anything.<g>)
If you’re not sure about moving up to the 10 before your trip, I’d think
it’d be OK to stay on the 5.
I reuse needles, but only use one a day, for two injections. I
personally wouldn’t use it more than that as they become very dull,
especially since they are so thin.
July 9th, 2005 at 6:45 am
Hello everyone, I just joined the group & thought I’d introduce
myself, my name is Chrissy, I am 33 years old, married with no
children. I have had diabetes for 12 years. I have been on Byetta for
4 months. About 3 weeks ago I started getting hives where I give my
Byetta injections. The hives pop up nowhere else, just where the
injections are given. Has anyone else had this happen? I called my
Endocrinologist & she said it is not the Byetta, she said if it was
the Byetta I would have hives all over my body. Well I am going to
call her next week again, because it is not stopping. I just think it
has to be the Byetta, it just seems to much of a coincidence that the
hives are only happening where I give myself the injections. Anyway, I
am looking forward to meeting everyone. By the way, other than the
hives, the Byetta is working great on me. I was on insulin before the
Byetta. Now I am completely off the insulin, I am on metformin & 5mg
of Glipizide & my blood sugar readings are great. I have lost 27
pounds & my cholesterol is down from 233 to 157.
HUGS
Chrissy
July 10th, 2005 at 4:37 am
someone on the group had a problem with a rash or hives at injection. I
think they quit taking the injections for a few weeks then went back to
see if the hives resumed. I dont remember the outcome tho.
Hopefully they are still around.
April 30th, 2006 at 10:56 am
Greetings all!
I’m Jessica - 29 (soon to be 30 *blah*) - living in Manheim, PA (USA). I’ve
been diagnosed as diabetic for about two years now and have struggled with
my numbers and weight gain/loss.
I am currently averaging in the upper 200’s and 300’s and that’s WITH 1000mg
metformin twice a day and 10mg glucotrol twice a day.
So, finally, I went ot see my doc yesterday and really told him how I was
feeling and asked about the possibitlity of Byetta. So, he obliged.
I am now on the 5mg pen, and just took my second dose this morning.
So far, nor real side effects other than extreme chills last night - but
that could be because we keep it pretty cool in the house here and i’m
pretty stressed on a few things.
I do have a question - and maybe I don’t want to know. What’s with the
Gilly, Lizzard Spit, etc.
I feel I’ve missed something..
Anyways…glad to be here!
April 30th, 2006 at 9:11 pm
Welcome, Jessica –
No big mystery, Jessica…it’s part of the Byetta mystique. The main
chemical precursor to Byetta was first discovered in the saliva of the
Gila Monster. Hence lizard spit and gilly as pet names. Really!! The
substance in the saliva only has a lifetime of a few minutes, but
using biotech methods Amylin Labs changed the molecule slightly so it
lasts for about an hour in the bloodstream.
An no reason to be queasy about having to kiss a Gila Monster; the
stuff is made artificially in a factory/lab using DNA techniques. It
has tobe injected because if taken as a pill, it would be destroyed in
the digestive tract.
Now you know. <wink>
Gary
May 22nd, 2006 at 7:46 am
Andrea wrote:
What someone asked me, and I couldn’t answer, was how in the world some
reasearcher even THOUGHT of looking at lizard spit for a diabetic drug or
something related to it? Anyone?
The researcher’s name was John Eng. There’s a good article about him and his
Gila Monster research at
www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20050429-9999-1b29amylin.html
Nancy
May 23rd, 2006 at 11:45 pm
Pam William wrote:
> My teenage boys looked at the picture of the Gilla monster when I was
researching Byetta. They have the funniest routine. After hearing me complain
about the cost. They said "You know mom why it is so expensive?" I said why.
They answered that it takes a lot of time and effort to teach all the lizards to
spit in the small hole in the end of the pen. it does add a bit of humor to the
day.
>
>
Thanks for the chuckle, Pam!
What someone asked me, and I couldn’t answer, was how in the world some
researcher even THOUGHT of looking at lizard spit for a diabetic drug or
something related to it? Anyone?
(This is also the person who wonders who the first person was who was
brave enough to try eating a raw oyster - he doesn’t think they’re very
food-like, although I love ‘em ;@)
–
Andrea Frankel (andreafrankel at sbcglobal dot net)
"wake now! Discover that YOU are the song that the morning brings…"
May 26th, 2006 at 12:04 am
With regard to how this dr. researched the connection to diabetes control and
lizard saliva. I read that this lizard rarely eats, maybe once or twice a year.
It sparked an interest in researchers to examine how this is possible. The
digestive process is very slow in this lizard and apparently this is true when
we take this med. The slower the digestion the less glucose sent to the
bloodstream.
May 26th, 2006 at 2:20 am
maybe he was the same guy that first thought up smoking pot. or eating
mushrooms. lol
just kidding
jodi
June 6th, 2006 at 1:28 pm
I’m kind of a newbie. I was diagnosed 3 years ago but I never really
controlled my sugars besides taking my glucophage and actos daily. A
month before starting to take byetta I started keeping a log of my
bs’s. It scared me, hardly ever under 200 and usually closer to 300’s.
I’ve been on byetta now for 3 weeks and I have hope again. I get so
excited seeing my numbers so low. It has sparked a drive inside of me
to take care of myself so that I can be around for my kids. I have a
long time since I in my early thirty’s. One question, what should be
my target BS level? What should I consider low or high? What is
optimum level.
June 7th, 2006 at 12:41 am
Welcome,
My doctor told me that the optimum fasting bg is now 90-99 per recent changes
in the ADA recommendations. According to what I have read, 70 is counted as a
very low bg.
Right now, my morning fasting bg runs between 120 and 130. Still working,
however, on getting it lower in the am. Of course, I get up pretty early so on
days I can sleep later (like 7 or 8 am) then my morning fasting totals are less.
During the day, I have better control and usually fall about 89-100. I don’t
like how I feel when I hit 100 but figure this too shall pass as it is my body
adjusting to the "normal" levels.
From what I understand, the ADA now considers 120 to 139 to be pre-diabetic
and anything over 140 diabetic. This is a change from 1999 when I went to the
doc and was told that at 140 I was pre-diabetic.
You should also ask, if you are not already on a blood pressure medicine,
about getting one. While you blood pressure may be fine, research is finding
that by keeping the bp low, you protect your kidney’s. These medicines are
called "ACE INHIBITORS".
If your bp is fine, you do have to monitor yourself so you don’t get dizzy. I
have had that happen a few times
Have a good one.
Melodie
June 7th, 2006 at 9:07 am
Blood sugars should be between 70 and 110 according to my doctor. I don’t worry
unless I dip below 65, or go above 150. Doctors have different goals for
patients, but those are mine…
Good for you to be taking it seriously! And the Byetta seems to be a miracle
drug!
I’m kind of a newbie. I was diagnosed 3 years ago but I never really controlled
my sugars besides taking my glucophage and actos daily. A month before starting
to take byetta I started keeping a log of my bs’s. It scared me, hardly ever
under 200 and usually closer to 300’s. I’ve been on byetta now for 3 weeks and I
have hope again. I get so excited seeing my numbers so low. It has sparked a
drive inside of me to take care of myself so that I can be around for my kids. I
have a long time since I in my early thirty’s. One question, what should be my
target BS level? What should I consider low or high? What is optimum level.
April 5th, 2007 at 6:14 am
hi–I am Ravyn, 45 yrs old, about 100 pounds overweight from 10 years
of chronic illness (I have the genetic blood disorder Porphyria which
means a very touchy liver and has resulted in DM2.) Married, no
children, 4 cats and one dog who is my seizure-trained service
animal. I have been on Byetta for one month and was not able to get
the 5 dosage up to twice a day because of the nausea. So I am on my
2nd 5 pen and trying to get the dosage to twice a day. Ginger helps a
little. Also I had the worst sinus infection of my life for the
entire time I have been on it. I still can’t smell or taste, and I am
hoping this goes away soon because I will not live a happy life if I
can’t smell anymore.
I do not care for food since the Byetta, take two or three bites of a
meal and have to stop. I bloat like I am pregnant. The food stays in
my stomach for too long also–acid reflux is a problem now. And the
injection site–abdomenal–stings like a bee-sting. I am also
freezing all the time and I never was cold before. I have not noticed
any weightloss yet. I certainly hope these side-effects go away soon.
I am exhausted and feel yucky all the time. I started Byetta after 6
months of ER visits and projectile vomitting and ‘aggressive’
diarrhea from metformin and it’s combinations. I was also RXd for
Glyburide and Avandia which I am not taking because of the Avandia
scare–I did start to have heart and PPH symptoms, and Glyburide is
on the Unsafe list of drugs for Porphyria but my doctor chooses to
ignore it. I did not see that they were helping anyway. Seems like 6
months is long enough to try something out and determine if it is
working or not.
My fasting glucose is between 140-180 no matter what I do, and even
on the Byetta -so far- it has not been any different. My post-
prandial is usually about 20 points lower than the fasting. To
prevent liver cancer (have had three family members with Porphyria
die of it in the last 10 years after being DXd with DM2 and
aggressive BG lowering) my blood glucose needs to be about 120-150 to
keep the Porphyria in check, but again this is something my doctor
chooses to ignore. As far as I know my BG was never above 280 at any
time before I ever even started on any diabetic medications. But I
had a Porphyria attack 3 years ago and had to go on Glucose Infusion
and my BG never came down to ‘normal’ again after the attack.
So here I am…and I do so hope I can adjust to this Byetta, I really
want it to work! But I also want to feel better again–tired of this
nausea.
One question for now—how do you take the Byetta before 2 larger
meals if you can’t eat?
May 16th, 2007 at 3:21 am
Nessie, you might want to purchase some Extend Bars to keep by your bed.
They are not for treating hypoglycemia but can help to control your blood
sugars for up to 9 hours when used as a bedtime snack. Are these lows with
the 5mgc Byetta pen? If not, you could always ask your physician to try the
5mcg to see if you have fewer night time lows.
May 17th, 2007 at 10:21 pm
Nessie, the Extend Bars are not available at grocery stores (at least not
here in Alaska) but I’m pretty sure I’ve seen advertisements that Walgreens
has them. I ordered mine directly from the manufacturer. Go online to
www.extendbar.com for more info. They have an intro offer of 15 bars of
your choice for only $15.99 (free shipping on first order) and they are much
tastier than an Atkins Advantage or Glucerna snack bar. They do contain
carbs but supposedly it is a slowly digested kind suitable for diabetics.