Diabetes & Byetta

Thanks for all the positive comments.

When I started Byetta I saw it as great opportunity. From the first
injection I went on a pretty aggressive diet of about 1000 calories
per day, on average. Here is my program:

Byetta shot.
Breakfast:
Quaker Instant Oatmeal 100 cal.
raisins on oat meal 100 cal.
fat free coffeemate on oat meal 50 cal.
Total breakfast 250 cal.

Lunch:
microwaived Bag of Steamfresh (Birdseye) vegetables (green beans, or
(more…)

I had a visit today to the local diabetes education clinic where I
first went for training on Byetta injections and diet. They weighed me
today and saw that I had lost 95 pounds since I started on Byetta on
June 1, 2006. Byetta has been a life changing drug for me. Prior to
last June I was using insulin and getting fatter, and increasing blood
sugars no matter how or what I tried to lose weight and lower my blood
sugar. Once I started on Byetta I was able to eat right and feel better
than I ever did with insulin. I am now near my target weight, just
another 9 pounds to go. My blood sugar is doing fine. My most recent
A1c test in early January was 5.9. No one could be more surprised about
this than me. If someone last year at this time had told me that within
a year I could get control over diabetes and lose 95 pounds, I would
have laughed at them. Then I was prescribed Byetta, I made the effort
to eat right, and it has worked. I just love Byetta. I believe that it
has changed my life, and has probably saved me from an early death.

After going through a debilitating shoulder surgery (which still has
me down, somewhat) and a bout with a stomach flu, I am looking at
going back on the Byetta.
ONE QUESTION (if any of you have experienced this) — I have a pen
that I was using when I started this run of difficulties but that was
several months ago. It has never left the cooling confines of
the ‘fridge, but I was wondering if anyone had used their syringe many
months after starting it. I know there are several of you that keep
one at work and one at home so I thought I would throw this out for
the general group.
I have a new pen but I really do hate to waste what I have in that
used pen. Any suggestions??
Thanks,

I don’t know if anyone else has any interest in the infor, but I have
read repeatedly posts of lows that are attributed to the Spit. I
haven’t kept track but would like to know, in general terms, if the
people who suffer those lows are on actos, glyburide (my leading
suspect in the weirdo low episodes), metformin, or insulin. The
information doesn’t have to specifically address only those 4, it just
seems that those 4 are the most common. I don’t know if there are many
who are taking Byetta solo, as I believe it was developed to be used
in conjuntion with other mrds. I would rather not post a general
question because I wouldn’t be able to keep track of the results, and
I imagine every person is on a different protocal, and has a different
viewpoint. Would it be possible to post a poll, where people who have
lows can respond?

thanks,
(more…)

Firstly - thanxs to the folks who gave me some feedback to the actual
question I posed on drinking - much appreciated.

Secondly - I have a question about the nausea.

What on earth do you guys do for it - to those who get the nausea?

I’ve never really had issues with side effects from meds - but goodness -
this nausea since I started the Byetta is HORRIBLE.

I’ve been wearing those Sea Bands - and they seem to help a bit - I’m trying
those because I don’t feel like popping another med for a side effect.
*blah*

It got SO bad last night - and it was compounded by the fact I didn’t eat
(more…)

I have read the group concerns for a week or so. It is very
informative and I would like to thank all of you for the information.
I have a question. I have been on Byetta 10mg for one month. When do
you check your bs? I also found out if I take my injection in the
stomach I get nansuated, but if I move the injection up around the
waist area I don’t have the same reaction. Just thought I would
share. For those who are one Actos and Byetta, did you or are you
still losing weight, since one of the side effect of Actos could be
weight gain.

Just came across this - sugar free candy in bulk - good prices.

I know for me drinking alcohol can cause havoc with my diabetes.

At times it can raise my blood sugar initially with the extra carbs in the
mixer but eventually will cause a severe low. If you do drink, please do in
moderation and watch the high sugar mixers. Always eat when drinking
alcohol and be prepared for eventual lows. There is a big risk that if
driving and stopped that one may think you are intoxicated rather than
having a low blood sugar episode since the symptoms are similar.

Please read article for better explanation.

I was doing some research trying to determine if grapefruit interacts with
Byetta at all. I could not find anything about that. I was just wondering
if it was a coincidence that my BS dropped on the days I ate a grapefruit.
The hotline nurse was busy and has not returned my call.

However, I did find some drug interactions for Byetta. The Lovastatin I
take was on the list - saying that Byetta may decrease the effects. I will
discuss this with my doctor to see if we need to adjust the time I take it.
I cannot take any other kind of statin.

I took my first Byetta injection today at noon (10mg). I forgot to eat. Do
I just wait to eat after my 6PM injection?