New guy here with questions…
Hello all, My name is Gary and I have just started taking Byetta on the
28th of August.
Before it was prescribed to me I had some blood work done
and it showed that my A1C was 10 and my levels are running between 250-
500 and I have protein in my urine.
I currently am taking Avandaryl, Metformin, lisinopril and Byetta for
my sugar and I was hoping that the Byetta would help drop my sugars
down. I am only on the 5mg right now and will increase to 10mg in about
a month. I was wondering how long on average it takes to see a decrease
in numbers? Do most see immediate results? My doctor gave me 2 options
insulin or Byetta and I chose the Byetta based on what I read with
other people results. I know that it may take time but I am just
curious as to how much as my levels are still the same and with the
protein I am a little worried that it’s going to get worse.
TIA
Gary
July 3rd, 2005 at 4:48 am
Hi Gary, My story is about the same as Jackiedee, but I have only
been on the spit for about 5 months. I am not seeing a significant
drop in either by blood sugar numbers or my weight. My endo says
that I have a particularly "stuborn" case of diabetes. I am thinking
my endo has a particualrly stuborn patient. I have been working with
a diabetes educator who helped me get through my fear of insulin.
Last month I started using Lantus in addition to the Byetta and
Metformin. Now I am seeing some improvement. It’s small, but steady.
The goal for the next couple months is to increase the exercise.
What I really wonder is how I am going to take care of this when I
am 60, 70, or 80 years old? At 44 I am sick of having to think of
every single thing I put in my mouth. Sometimes I think this is like
having an eating disorder. Some days its all I can do to shoot spit
and eat a graham cracker, while other days I can shoot spit and then
cannot get enough to eat. Its Bipolar Diabetes.
Best Wishes. Lisa P
July 3rd, 2005 at 5:03 pm
I’ve been on the Byetta since the 28th of last month and so far have only felt
nauseous 1 time and I’m not real sure that it was the Byetta that made me feel
that way. BUT my BG#’s haven’t gotten any lower and I am still hungry as ever.
Hi Laura! Sometimes I think the Nauseated ones are the only ones who post. I
have been on Byetta since April and have NEVER had nausea. I take my shot, I eat
my meal and sometimes I am full and can’t eat all that much and other times it
doesn’t seem to affect it at all. I have pretty much eliminated fried foods from
my diet as soon as I was diagnosed in April in an effort to cut carbs and lose
weight so you may be on to something with the fats. I also have lost 23 lbs.
I say try the Byetta and don’t expect problems and if you have any, deal with
them then.
Mary
July 3rd, 2005 at 9:55 pm
Sure seems like that, Mary! I had terrible problems with nausea but
as you will learn, the rule here is - Your Mileage May Vary
(commonly "voiced" as YMMV). Everybody is different and when it
comes to the Lizard, all bets are off. The common denominator is
that it does control those blood glucose readings and I can’t
remember reading any post where someone gave it up for the side
effects - certainly not moi!! There’s almost always a "fix". My
Endo backed me up to the 5mcg dosage and I’m still having the great
readings with less side effects. That was me - YMMV!! Yeah, Lizard!
Elaine (TN)
July 4th, 2005 at 2:17 am
I wasn’t lucky enough to miss the side effects. I had nausea,
vomiting, and diarhea when I started Byetta, which eventually got
better (maybe two weeks) but when I went to the 10 pen a week or so ago
it came back. I’m expecting it to pass too because there’s already
some improvement. I’ve been treating it like I would morning sickness,
saltines and ginger ale. I also tried the seasick bands you wear on
your wrists after reading about them on this list. I rolled my eyes
and thought, boy is this stupid, but they worked pretty well in spite
of my lack of belief. The good part is I’ve lost 21 pounds in about
three months after being unable to lose anything for about two years.
In fact on my other medications I just kept gaining. Byetta’s so worth
it.
Susie
>
> I’ve not yet started Byetta but will sometime within the next two
weeks, and
> I’m very fearful about the nausea.
July 4th, 2005 at 7:10 am
I agree with Susie about Byetta being worth the side effects. I have only
been on the 5mcg two weeks and have experienced jitters, indigestion, mild
nausea, and headaches. The jitters have gone, and I manage the indigestion and
nausea. I can’t seem to tame the headaches though. My blood sugars run in
the normal range except for the fasting numbers. They run all over the place
(130-74) But I’m hoping with close monitoring that I can figure out what’s
best to do. My appetite has decreased and I saw a 2 pound weight loss last
week. I too have not been able to lose in about 1 year. What I love best, is
that I now control my food - it doesn’t control me. And that control has
been wonderful for my diabetes. I will say that I’m a little nervous about
going to 10mcg. I was on vacation these last two weeks and was able to relax
and deal with any new situations. I know being at work will be different.
July 6th, 2005 at 7:05 am
> Hi Laura! Sometimes I think the Nauseated ones are the only ones who post. I
have been on Byetta since April and have NEVER had nausea. I take my shot, I eat
my meal and sometimes I am full and can’t eat all that much and other times it
doesn’t seem to affect it at all.
***********
I second that! Except for the 23 lb. loss! I have been on Byetta since May
and have been nauseated maybe 5X. I have not lost but a few lb., but it does
great controlling my bs. Try it and do not be scared! People tend not to tell
"good" stories. You know…I was in labor for 3 weeks, my friend had this
horrible disease, you won’t believe how horrible my insurance company is, that
kind of thing…it is just not as interesting to tell or hear the good stuff!
Good luck!
July 6th, 2005 at 12:51 pm
Hi Group
I wanted to add my 2 cents to the nausea discussion.
I think you are right on track with the WHAT that was eaten
I find if I have too much fat or any milk products in my meals I have nausea.
NO fried foods, NO sauces/dips, NO fast foods.
I have never been lactose intolerant, but I cannot have milk since I began
injections.
A friend suggested trying soy milk for cereal…I’m not sure if I am THAT brave
just yet.
The nausea is tolerable, usually a few Tums will make it subside.
I began using my 10 pen yesterday [Sept 4/06]
I checked my sugar an hour after lunch and it was 67. [Yikes!]
I had some ice cream to bring my sugar up because when it gets THAT low
I cannot force myself to eat solid food. I keep a box of sugar on hand if
needed.
I spoke with my Endo this morning and we agreed to take my Metformin dosage down
a notch so
now I am taking 500 mg at breakfast and 500 before dinner. [Rather than the
1000/1000 mg I was taking before]
My sugar levels are better today [between 85 and 115]
I am still losing weight. To date I have shed 36 pounds since August 5th [1
month]
My goal is to lose 50 more pounds by next summer.
Then I will be at my desired weight.
The best advice I can give to anyone suffering from nausea is to keep using the
Byetta.
Eat some crackers or ginger ale. OTC products for nausea work very well, or call
your Doctor and
ask what you can take for the nausea.
I find that it levels out after a while and it isn’t so bad. Over time as your
body becomes accustomed to the Byetta
the nausea should go away.
I wish everyone the best…
Sharon
July 6th, 2005 at 4:35 pm
I’ve been on the 10 pen for a month now and it seems like if I don’t eat enough
carbs after I inject that I have nausea.
I began using my 10 pen yesterday [Sept 4/06]
I checked my sugar an hour after lunch and it was 67. [Yikes!]
I had some ice cream to bring my sugar up because when it gets THAT low
I cannot force myself to eat solid food. I keep a box of sugar on hand if
needed.
I spoke with my Endo this morning and we agreed to take my Metformin dosage down
a notch so
now I am taking 500 mg at breakfast and 500 before dinner. [Rather than the
1000/1000 mg I was taking before]
My sugar levels are better today [between 85 and 115]
I am still losing weight. To date I have shed 36 pounds since August 5th [1
month]
My goal is to lose 50 more pounds by next summer.
Then I will be at my desired weight.
The best advice I can give to anyone suffering from nausea is to keep using the
Byetta.
Eat some crackers or ginger ale. OTC products for nausea work very well, or call
your Doctor and
ask what you can take for the nausea.
I find that it levels out after a while and it isn’t so bad. Over time as your
body becomes accustomed to the Byetta
the nausea should go away.
I wish everyone the best…
Sharon
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]