Diabetes & Byetta

OK — I’m convinced from what people have written that I can overcome
my fear of needles — espeically since it turns out I don’t really
have to look at it (thanks Marsha!)

So next, my questions turn to food. (Which I truly love) I understand
that Byetta slows stomach emptying, and that the more full your
stomach, the higher the probability of nausea. I also know that you
are supposed to take Byetta up to an hour before breakfast and dinner.
I assume this timing has to do with the initial insulin spike (alpha
cells) and then the excitation of the beta cells to slow the insulin
dump from the pancreas. Therefore, it would seem to infer that
breakfast and dinner should be bigger meals than lunch, and that
snacks should be small.

However, what does "a meal" mean? A regular human meal? A diabetic
(more…)

I think it means diabetic husband (DH). I think Marsha’s husband has
a problem with his eyesight.

Dale

Begin forwarded message:

Hi Sandra,

I was getting bruises on my stomach. It is because you hit a nerve.
It was very upsetting to me and actually freaked me out. Just knowing
I am bruising myself and I usually do not bruise easily. I was giving
the injections in my arm too. It seems normal to give an injection in
your arm because we either got it in the rump…lol or the arm and I
remember asking for the arm….lol Sometimes it is not bad and then
sometimes it pinches.

I did do injections in the stomach and then stopped the insulin back in
December. I got a message from Barry in UK and he made so much sense
of you studying the area, hesitating before injecting etc. He was
right. I started using my stomach area again and it is so much better
than the arm. If I am out in a restaurant or somewhere else I do take
(more…)

Thank you both for the warm welcome and the information. I hope I can
get over my fear of needles and my logistic excuses and actually try
it. I feel better knowing that travel won’t be a problem and ordering
from the mail order pharmacy won’t be a problem.

I am lucky in that I don’t need insulin — I’ve been a diabetic for
about 8 years. When I was diagnosed, I did a lot of research and
decided that what the American Diabetes Association and all the other
"official" types said were a sure ticket to insulin and complications.
So I went on the Zone diet. I lost a lot of weight, didn’t need any
medication unless I fell off the diet, and was doing pretty well. Then
I was laid off from my job, and got the job from hell. My response was
to begin seeking out the world’s best chocolate cake. I gained 50
pounds. In January, I got a GREAT job (yea!) and have now settled in
to it. So I have time and energy to work on getting back physical
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Well, I have just taken my first fortamet 1000 mg in place of my p.m. dose of
metformin. I wanted to start it on a weekend night in case I had a bad
reaction.

Holy moly, those things are horse pills!!

My eating has been erratic today because of having a graduation to cover for the
school newspaper - it is really difficult to handle eating in that sort of
situation. I have a hunch there are few reporters who are out in the field a
lot who are diabetics - or if they are, they are diabetics with serious food
issues.

Fortunately, my trusty hoodia took me neatly through the 5 hours without access
to food (or water, for that matter) so I wasn’t looking to cram my face with
anything that came to hand when I finally got home and could take my injection
(more…)

I have been on Byetta for 2 days and need advice from any and everyone! How
much did it decrease your appetite? I injected at 5 am, ate a little chicken at
8, a pack of crackers at
11 and by 12:30 was about to starve to death. I was hungry all afternoon, bs
still in the 150s. Please share your experience, esp at the beginning. i took
another dose at 5pm . I was a little queasy this morning. Nothing bad.
Thanks!

Hi Pat,

Dale

Begin forwarded message:

I was told for stomach injections to make a fist from your belly button
and go around from left to right or right to left to alternate
injection site.

Dale

Begin forwarded message:

This is such a Great Group.
I really enjoy the imformation and have not yet begun the Byetta, and rally want
to but still am still a little scared.
Please tell me what you all have found for the best injection site, and did it
take long to get used to doing it?
Thanks

I get all kinds of Garbage email ….. has anyone ever heard or seen this
one?????