Info for newbie
Hello,
I am new to diabetes (I was diagnosed in May) and my doctor wants me
to get informed about Byetta. I am currently taking Glucophage with
Starlix and have lost a little weight. When the Starlix was added, my
sugars dropped dramatically. I am wondering what the Byetta does that
is so different from Starlix. Any info would be appreciated!
June 22nd, 2005 at 3:09 pm
"When the Starlix was added, my sugars dropped dramatically. I am wondering
what the Byetta does that is so different from Starlix. Any info would be
appreciated!"
Both prompt insulin release. Byetta does this when glucose rises above
about 90 while starlix does it without regard for glucose level. The
latter can cause lows because it continues to prompt insulin even after
glucose has fallen. In the great bulk of diabetics byetta stops insulin
largely below 90 and lows don’t occur.
Starlix has a bad reputation for causing increased beta cell failure over
the long haul while byetta promotes beta cell health and helps with other
problems a diabetic faces in addition to not producing enough insulin after
a meal.
XB
IC|XC
June 23rd, 2005 at 8:56 pm
Thank you so much for the reply! You have been the one person who added exactly
what I needed to know. My only concern besides cost, is the nausea. Anything you
can do for that?
Eva
"When the Starlix was added, my sugars dropped dramatically. I am wondering
what the Byetta does that is so different from Starlix. Any info would be
appreciated!"
Both prompt insulin release. Byetta does this when glucose rises above
about 90 while starlix does it without regard for glucose level. The
latter can cause lows because it continues to prompt insulin even after
glucose has fallen. In the great bulk of diabetics byetta stops insulin
largely below 90 and lows don’t occur.
Starlix has a bad reputation for causing increased beta cell failure over
the long haul while byetta promotes beta cell health and helps with other
problems a diabetic faces in addition to not producing enough insulin after
a meal.
XB
IC|XC
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
June 25th, 2005 at 3:21 am
"My only concern besides cost, is the nausea. Anything
you can do for that?"
I don’t know about your money situation but at least one person reports
getting byetta free from the company. There is a program to provide it for
those who qualify because of income, I don’t recall if it was this or the
other byetta list and perhaps others know the details for applying.
As for gastric side effects there has been much talk here about various otc
and folk type remedies, a look in the archives should find them. Fat and
carbs are mostly digested in the small intestine so it is protein that
recieves most of the stomach’s attention. Try eating protein foods that
have been broken down to some degree already. Meat tenderizers and
fermented foods and meats cooked slowly for long periods have partial
protein breakdown. Others such as egg whites and yogurt and some cheeses
are also more easily digested as are ground meats and those chewed
thoroughly.
Byetta tends to delay stomach emptying and protein takes longer to digest
and some diabetics have stomach emptying and gut action problems. All of
these tend to contribute to the gastric side effects and byetta works
directly on the brain in a way to signal having eaten enough and when
combined with the above can look like being stuffed to the gills.
Added fat while mostly handled in the gut does coat foods so the digestive
juices can’t break down the protein as quickly so go easy on adding it in
the form of extra oil, creme cheese, mayo, and fatty meats. Liquids leave
the stomach more quickly so making sure to consume them with meals could
help as well. For all eaten chew, chew, chew; you want as much as possible
of the physical breakdown of foods to happen before hitting the stomach so
as to be closer to the simi liquid forms that leve the stomach more quickly
XB
IC|XC
June 28th, 2005 at 2:44 am
I am recieving byetta free from their customer care program. the info for thier
program is
Amylin Patient Assistance Program
PO Box 8435
Gaithersburg, MD 20898
1-800-330-7647 (phone)
they will send you a card good for 6 months of free byetta. you just have to
send in a new application before the card runs out to get a new one. another
very helpful site for medications is www.needymeds.com.
also kmart has a lot of generic drugs for a 3 month supply for $15. it is
available to anyone.