Runner Won’t Let Diabetes Slow Him - Teacher To Run In 111th Boston
Marathon
Gary Hall Jr. has won swimming gold medals in the past three Olympics.
Adam Morrison is averaging 30 minutes a game as an NBA rookie.
Jason Johnson won 10 games for the Orioles in 2003.
All have Type 1 diabetes, but none confronted the logistical issues that
Andy Gell must overcome today at the 111th Boston Marathon.
Less than a year after he was diagnosed with the disease, the Baltimore City
schoolteacher will attempt to cover 26.2 miles in less than 2 hours, 50
minutes.
"That’s what I need to qualify for New York," Gell said.
He wasn’t as upbeat 11 months ago, when the notion of self-administering
four doses of insulin per day made Gell think his days as an endurance
athlete were over before they had begun.
"Things are different in an endurance sport," Gell said. "If your blood
sugar gives out … "
Some marathoners shave their footwear to save a fraction of an ounce that
adds up over thousands of strides, but Gell buys shorts with a zipper
pocket, where he can pack nutrition.
If he has shed anything, it’s skepticism.
"Everyone told me that it’s a manageable disease, that you can lead a normal
life," Gell said, "but when I said I wanted to run a marathon, nobody had an
answer."
Gell, 26, broke 10 minutes for 3,200 meters at Dulaney High, never fell out
of shape while getting a communications degree at Maryland and early last
year increased his mileage in anticipation of the 2006 Baltimore Marathon.
After a few 70-mile weeks, Gell, 5 feet 11, saw his weight plummet 20
pounds, to 140.
"At first, we just figured that he must be really getting in good shape,"
said Ryan McGrath, a training partner.
Admiration turned to alarm when Gell developed a thirst he couldn’t quench,
a craving for sugar and a constant need to urinate, what he described as
"classic symptoms" of Type 1 diabetes.
According to the American Diabetes Association Web site, in Type 1 diabetes,
"the body does not produce insulin … a hormone that is needed to convert
sugar [glucose], starches and other food into energy needed for daily life."
Gell backed off on his mileage, but still finished Baltimore in 3:02.28.
"I was cautioned not to, but only by people who know nothing about
diabetes," Gell said. "A few said, ‘We thought we were going to find you by
the side of the road.’ That’s not going to happen, as long as I take the
proper precautions."
Before a long run, Gell will inject himself with a slow-acting dose of
insulin. Both he and McGrath had reason to be prepared for their last long
run, a 19-miler at Patapsco Valley State Park on March 18.
"A few weeks earlier, we were doing hill repeats near College Park and Andy
gave out with four miles left," McGrath said. "Neither of us had any food.
When his tank is empty, there’s no second wind. Now, I pack something, too,
and we make sure he doesn’t go on long runs by himself."
Gell, who teaches algebra at Patterson High, knows his blood-sugar numbers.
"I start to feel low at Mile 10," Gell said. "I usually eat something, a
banana or a PowerBar or some Gu [an energy gel]. That’s an absolute must,
because all types of things will go wrong if I don’t have the proper sugar
level."
Slowing to replenish yourself in a Boston field of 22,500 can be a hassle,
but it’s one he’ll live with.
"This disease [stinks], but if I can take whatever I’ve done to help other
people," Gell said, "then some good comes out of it."
He’s already a role model at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
"I just told Andy’s story to a group of third-year medical students in a
seminar I teach on diabetes," Dr. Christopher Saudek said. "There are
misconceptions, that diabetes inhibits a person terribly, but you can go on
with your life. That’s why Andy’s story resonates."
December 1st, 2006 at 12:45 am
HI Everybody
Today was the second day that I took Byetta 5units. My Dr told me that
I should eat right after taking the shot this way it helps with out
getting nauseas. It has work for me three times already so I thought I
might pass it on. The Dr said the longer you wait chances are better of
getting sick.
Have a good day
December 2nd, 2006 at 4:41 am
Bruce - for those who can deal with the nausea, they will obviously have
more success with weight loss. My doctor said that she felt those who did
not lose any weight at all ate too soon and suggested waiting 15 minutes.
However, if one has so much nauseas they quit taking it, then they will have
lost the great benefit of more consistent BG control. I have found that
timing makes no difference to me. I have only had nausea maybe three times.
December 2nd, 2006 at 7:48 am
HELLO, EVERYONE, MY NAME IS DIANE, BUT I GO BY "BAZ"………..MY DR. JUST GAVE
ME BYETTA TO USE. I AM SORT OF SCARED TO USE IT, AND WOULD LIKE IT IF EVERYONE
COULD TELL ME THEIR TIPS AND TRICKS AND SIDE EFFECTS WITH IT. IT CONFUSES ME
ABOUT WHEN TO TAKE IT. I SLEEP IN LATE AND PROBABLY DON’T EAT MY FIRST MEAL TILL
1 OR 2 PM. MY DR. SAID TO TRY TO WAIT AN HOUR FROM SHOT TO EATING. THE BOOK SAYS
ANYTIME WITHIN THE HOUR. THEN I MUST WAIT 6 HOURS FOR MY NEXT MEAL. I
THINK………..HOW IS THE NAUSEA? VERY COMMON OR VERY BOTHERSOME? OR ARE THERE
SOME PEOPLE WHO NEVER EXPERIENCE IT?……HOW IS IT WHEN YOU GO OUT TO EAT? A
PROBLEM? SORRY FOR ALL THE QUESTIONS, BUT I AM LEARY TO DO THIS AND NEED AS MUCH
INFO AS I CAN GET…………..THANKS TO YOU ALL……………………BAZ
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December 2nd, 2006 at 1:17 pm
I would suggest you go to the message archives and read through them - you
will find the answers to all of your questions.
December 2nd, 2006 at 5:35 pm
On 4/27/07, Andrew wrote:
<< Over 10,000 messages? That is a whole lot of catching up. LOL >>
Definitely a valid point - I felt I was being "shouted at" with all the caps
and that was not a good reaction on my part. Please forgive me - but do
allow I had just commuted almost two hours in Houston traffic.
Welcome Baz!
December 3rd, 2006 at 9:36 am
ANDREW, NO, I DO NOT BELIEVE I DID……………THANK-YOU…….BAZ
Over 10,000 messages? That is a whole lot of catching up. LOL
Baz, did you get the tip sheet when you joined?
Andrew
List Owner
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
December 3rd, 2006 at 6:12 pm
I AM SO SORRY THAT YOU PERCIEVED ME SHOUTING. I NEVER COULD QUITE UNDERSTAND
THAT CONCEPT. BUT I DO TYPE IN CAPS BECAUSE MY VISION IS NOT THAT GOOD…….BUT
I WILL STOP DOING IT IF IT BOTHERS EVERYONE……………SORRY…………..BAZ
Definitely a valid point - I felt I was being "shouted at" with all the caps
and that was not a good reaction on my part. Please forgive me - but do
allow I had just commuted almost two hours in Houston traffic.
Welcome Baz!
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December 3rd, 2006 at 10:30 pm
just a few more questions and i will not bother you all again…when injecting
the byetta in the abdomen, is it better above or below the naval? can you eat
between meals with the byetta. will it hurt anything to have snacks? or do you
not want to? and finally where do i find the archives and how do i get to them?
i told you i was new to this. please forgive my
ignorance……thank-you……baz
Definitely a valid point - I felt I was being "shouted at" with all the caps
and that was not a good reaction on my part. Please forgive me - but do
allow I had just commuted almost two hours in Houston traffic.
Welcome Baz!
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
December 4th, 2006 at 3:59 am
hi baz, please stop apologizing for the questions youre asking. thats what
the group is for, to help each other gather information. as for using the caps,
i also have poor vision and had to use them until i got a magnifying sheet to
put over my monitor. i will never understand the concept of someone thinking
their being "shouted at" because of capital letters. feel free to ask me any
questions you have. jude
December 4th, 2006 at 12:36 pm
Hello Baz, Welcome to our group. First of all, you are not "bothering"
us.
We have all been in your shoes, hopeful and fearful about injecting
Byetta.
Always feel free to ask questions. This is a new drug and even the docs
don’t know all the ins and outs about it’s side effects etc.
I’ve been on it a bit over 6 months. When I started my Hg A!c was 7.6. I
recently had another lab result and now am at 5.6 %!
I’ve lost 30 lbs,tho I think it’s stabilised and I now go up and down 3
lbs.
When you start, pick a time whereby you don’t have to go to work . It’s
estimated that about 40 % of users get nausea, the rest don’t.
When you first inject, eat a very small meal,low fat , to see how you
do. Maybe a third or forth of what you usually eat.
Also, just at first, eat right after the shot.
It may take a few weeks til you play around with how much and when to
eat to get the least side effects. Take your time to get used to the
med.
Inject in your tummy, a few inches away from your belly button. Gently
prod your area and if it seems painful move around a bit to find a less
painful area.
This is a great group with many of us trying to control the bg, a major
challenge.
Aloha, Marge
December 4th, 2006 at 3:41 pm
dear jude, thank-you so much for understanding. does the byetta make you sick if
you eat certain foods? can you have candy or sweets in between. i mean if you
are at a party, can you indulge a little? or will you vomit ? i’d hate to be at
a social gathering and have to feel sick and nauseaous. also, where did you get
the magnifier sheet for your computer.thanks again….baz
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December 4th, 2006 at 7:59 pm
hello to you marge………..from what i can tell, i guess it is a trial and
error sort of thing. it sounds like it is different for each individual. can you
eat between the shots and big meals? i am a picker and like to pick on food all
thru the day and night. perhaps the drug will make me lose this habit. i am
going to try to eat just after the injection and depending on side effects, wait
a little longer each week for the meal. i hope i do not get nausea. that seems
to be a big deterent for me. but i guess i will just have to wait and see. how
do you handle it when you go out to eat? just maybe order the food and then go
to the bathroom and inject?. thanks for being so warm and
welcomeing………………………baz
We have all been in your shoes, hopeful and fearful about injecting
Byetta.
Always feel free to ask questions. This is a new drug and even the docs
don’t know all the ins and outs about it’s side effects etc.
I’ve been on it a bit over 6 months. When I started my Hg A!c was 7.6. I
recently had another lab result and now am at 5.6 %!
I’ve lost 30 lbs,tho I think it’s stabilised and I now go up and down 3
lbs.
When you start, pick a time whereby you don’t have to go to work . It’s
estimated that about 40 % of users get nausea, the rest don’t.
When you first inject, eat a very small meal,low fat , to see how you
do. Maybe a third or forth of what you usually eat.
Also, just at first, eat right after the shot.
It may take a few weeks til you play around with how much and when to
eat to get the least side effects. Take your time to get used to the
med.
Inject in your tummy, a few inches away from your belly button. Gently
prod your area and if it seems painful move around a bit to find a less
painful area.
This is a great group with many of us trying to control the bg, a major
challenge.
Aloha, Marge
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
December 5th, 2006 at 1:28 am
ive just recently started the byetta 10mq twice a day. i had no problem with
the 5mq but im nauseous alot now. for me it doesnt matter what i eat its
almost all the time. im not going to stop taking it until i give it a good try.
my husband works for a school and one of the teachers gave him the magnifying
sheet that they use for students who have visual handicaps. jude
December 5th, 2006 at 5:48 am
Hello Baz, I am one who has had strong side effects of nausea,fatigue
and sometimes dizziness.
Now I’ve had type 2 for 13 years so for me to control Bg I eat small
meals 6 times a day. I also cannot eat a big meal after the shot without
paying a heavy price.
In my case the side effects hit 2 hours after the shot and last for one
or two hours.
So, I actually use Byetta differently than they tell you to….just a
tiny meal after the shot and a bit more after the side effects ease.
I do not take Byetta before a nice dinner out. I will take it a few
hours later with a small snack.
This is just me. Most people do not have the degree of side effects that
I do.
Two rules I always follow is to take the shots at least 6 hours apart
and eat within one hour of the shots.
Aloha, Marge
December 5th, 2006 at 8:53 am
thanks, jude……how come they up it to 10mcms when people seem to do ok with
5? does it lose it’s effect after a while?.baz
my husband works for a school and one of the teachers gave him the magnifying
sheet that they use for students who have visual handicaps. jude
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December 5th, 2006 at 1:11 pm
marge, i am sorry you suffer such isde effects. is it worth taking the drug for
you?……do pills not help?…….what consists of your 6 small meals?.baz
Now I’ve had type 2 for 13 years so for me to control Bg I eat small
meals 6 times a day. I also cannot eat a big meal after the shot without
paying a heavy price.
In my case the side effects hit 2 hours after the shot and last for one
or two hours.
So, I actually use Byetta differently than they tell you to….just a
tiny meal after the shot and a bit more after the side effects ease.
I do not take Byetta before a nice dinner out. I will take it a few
hours later with a small snack.
This is just me. Most people do not have the degree of side effects that
I do.
Two rules I always follow is to take the shots at least 6 hours apart
and eat within one hour of the shots.
Aloha, Marge
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December 5th, 2006 at 5:29 pm
also, i would like to know if you can eat in between the shots. example…take
shot eat a sandwich…….2hours later some crackers..1 hour later some
fruit…….does this hurt anything?….baz
Now I’ve had type 2 for 13 years so for me to control Bg I eat small
meals 6 times a day. I also cannot eat a big meal after the shot without
paying a heavy price.
In my case the side effects hit 2 hours after the shot and last for one
or two hours.
So, I actually use Byetta differently than they tell you to….just a
tiny meal after the shot and a bit more after the side effects ease.
I do not take Byetta before a nice dinner out. I will take it a few
hours later with a small snack.
This is just me. Most people do not have the degree of side effects that
I do.
Two rules I always follow is to take the shots at least 6 hours apart
and eat within one hour of the shots.
Aloha, Marge
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
December 5th, 2006 at 10:58 pm
When I talked to the Byetta hotline, she suggested:
Always eat within one hour of injection and always wait at least six hours
between injections. Eating a small snack between meals helps most people
with their metabolism. I eat an ounce of nuts between breakfast and lunch
and again between lunch and dinner. I have found, for me, that a regular
schedule has helped my BG stay fairly steady all the time and no dawn
phenomen. My first injection is at 6AM. I eat breakfast at 6:30 AM. Lite
snack around 9AM. Lunch at noon. Lite snack around 3 PM (with fruit if I’m
going to exercise on my way home from work. 2nd injection at 6PM and dinner
around 6:30PM. I have found if I allow myself a little treat immediately
following my dinner (like 1/2 cup SF ice cream or SF pudding, etc) then I
never have a desire or need for anything until breakfast.
That is typical during my workweek and I adjust on the weekend because I
don’t have to get up at 4:15 AM. On the weekends I don’t get up until 7 or
8 and have my 1st injection when I get up and eat about 30 minutes later. I
have a little bigger snack than usual - maybe fruit and nuts or a slice of
whole grain toast with PB and a 1/2 banana - about half way between then and
when we have supper - usually at 3 or 4 PM (injection about 1/2 before).
Since we have supper early on the weekend, I have another heaver snack three
hours after dinner.
In four months my A1C has dropped .3. I felt that was not significant but
my doctor assured me it is definitely progress and that on Byetta it will
continue to drop. Because I have good portion control and am eating low
glycemic foods - protein and complex carbs - and keep my portions small and
exercise every other day (at least), my BG is now 94 in the mornings and 106
- 112 one and two hours post-meal. Other random checks run 94 - 106. I
have lost ten pounds in four months - but, for me, it is not just a Byetta
thing - I exercise and eat slowly and stop even before I am full. Byetta,
though, has kept me from thinking about food all the time and eating no
longer brings me the pleasure it used to (which is a good thing). Also, I
drink 8 bottles of water a day which keeps hunger under control for me. I
feel better than I ever did before I had diabetes!
You have to look at your life and your schedule and find what works best for
you. Just keep the injections a minimum of six hours apart and, if you want
a snack - it should be around 3 hours after you have your injection. And eat
within an hour of your injection. Most people are less prone to nausea by
eating earlier in that hour than later.
My next goal is trying to fine tune the foods I eat to reduce inflammation.
December 6th, 2006 at 3:16 am
the dr upped my dose to 10 because my numbers were going higher everyday and
we couldny figure out why. she added lantus 20 units every night and my
numbers are much better. i just wish the nausea would get better. jude
December 7th, 2006 at 12:45 am
*Consider 40 minutes a blessing. I live in League City and commute to NW
Houston (E TC Jester Blvd). It takes me 45 minutes to get to work leaving
at 5:15 AM and 1 hr 15 minutes to 1 hr 30 minutes going home. Except Friday
- and it almost always 1 1/2 hours - 2 hours on Friday. Most of my problem
is on I-45. The 610 interchange and the toll road interchange, for the most
part, is the cause of all the I-45 headache. Plus, you can only fit so many
cars on one road at a time…..*
December 7th, 2006 at 3:52 am
thank-you, that has helped a lot. what inflamation are you talking about?.also
my schedule is most different from everyone else. today i got up at 2:30 pm.
took my p.o. pills and haven’t even eaten as yet. so when would i take my first
shot? with supper? what if you can only fit in one shot a day? is that a
problem? i am sorry to be asking so many questions, but i am really scared to
take this byetta and am on the fence as to refusing it at all, except my bgs are
out of control and so is my weight. my diabetes educator seems to be no
help…..baz
When I talked to the Byetta hotline, she suggested:
Always eat within one hour of injection and always wait at least six hours
between injections. Eating a small snack between meals helps most people
with their metabolism. I eat an ounce of nuts between breakfast and lunch
and again between lunch and dinner. I have found, for me, that a regular
schedule has helped my BG stay fairly steady all the time and no dawn
phenomen. My first injection is at 6AM. I eat breakfast at 6:30 AM. Lite
snack around 9AM. Lunch at noon. Lite snack around 3 PM (with fruit if I’m
going to exercise on my way home from work. 2nd injection at 6PM and dinner
around 6:30PM. I have found if I allow myself a little treat immediately
following my dinner (like 1/2 cup SF ice cream or SF pudding, etc) then I
never have a desire or need for anything until breakfast.
That is typical during my workweek and I adjust on the weekend because I
don’t have to get up at 4:15 AM. On the weekends I don’t get up until 7 or
8 and have my 1st injection when I get up and eat about 30 minutes later. I
have a little bigger snack than usual - maybe fruit and nuts or a slice of
whole grain toast with PB and a 1/2 banana - about half way between then and
when we have supper - usually at 3 or 4 PM (injection about 1/2 before).
Since we have supper early on the weekend, I have another heaver snack three
hours after dinner.
In four months my A1C has dropped .3. I felt that was not significant but
my doctor assured me it is definitely progress and that on Byetta it will
continue to drop. Because I have good portion control and am eating low
glycemic foods - protein and complex carbs - and keep my portions small and
exercise every other day (at least), my BG is now 94 in the mornings and 106
- 112 one and two hours post-meal. Other random checks run 94 - 106. I
have lost ten pounds in four months - but, for me, it is not just a Byetta
thing - I exercise and eat slowly and stop even before I am full. Byetta,
though, has kept me from thinking about food all the time and eating no
longer brings me the pleasure it used to (which is a good thing). Also, I
drink 8 bottles of water a day which keeps hunger under control for me. I
feel better than I ever did before I had diabetes!
You have to look at your life and your schedule and find what works best for
you. Just keep the injections a minimum of six hours apart and, if you want
a snack - it should be around 3 hours after you have your injection. And eat
within an hour of your injection. Most people are less prone to nausea by
eating earlier in that hour than later.
My next goal is trying to fine tune the foods I eat to reduce inflammation.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
December 7th, 2006 at 8:10 am
nausea seems to be such a high price to pay for results. i hope it wears off
soon….baz
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
December 7th, 2006 at 1:28 pm
Hey Baz,
Welcome to the group.
Take your Byetta before your two biggest meals. Make sure the shots are at
least 6 hours apart. You can eat between shots but don’t eat about an hour
before you take the shot. I get sick if I do that. So I try to avoid it. Try
very hard to get in more than one shot each day. You need to figure everything
out for your health. You will feel so much better.
thank-you, that has helped a lot. what inflamation are you talking about?.also
my schedule is most different from everyone else. today i got up at 2:30 pm.
took my p.o. pills and haven’t even eaten as yet. so when would i take my first
shot? with supper? what if you can only fit in one shot a day? is that a
problem? i am sorry to be asking so many questions, but i am really scared to
take this byetta and am on the fence as to refusing it at all, except my bgs are
out of control and so is my weight. my diabetes educator seems to be no
help…..baz
When I talked to the Byetta hotline, she suggested:
Always eat within one hour of injection and always wait at least six hours
between injections. Eating a small snack between meals helps most people
with their metabolism. I eat an ounce of nuts between breakfast and lunch
and again between lunch and dinner. I have found, for me, that a regular
schedule has helped my BG stay fairly steady all the time and no dawn
phenomen. My first injection is at 6AM. I eat breakfast at 6:30 AM. Lite
snack around 9AM. Lunch at noon. Lite snack around 3 PM (with fruit if I’m
going to exercise on my way home from work. 2nd injection at 6PM and dinner
around 6:30PM. I have found if I allow myself a little treat immediately
following my dinner (like 1/2 cup SF ice cream or SF pudding, etc) then I
never have a desire or need for anything until breakfast.
That is typical during my workweek and I adjust on the weekend because I
don’t have to get up at 4:15 AM. On the weekends I don’t get up until 7 or
8 and have my 1st injection when I get up and eat about 30 minutes later. I
have a little bigger snack than usual - maybe fruit and nuts or a slice of
whole grain toast with PB and a 1/2 banana - about half way between then and
when we have supper - usually at 3 or 4 PM (injection about 1/2 before).
Since we have supper early on the weekend, I have another heaver snack three
hours after dinner.
In four months my A1C has dropped .3. I felt that was not significant but
my doctor assured me it is definitely progress and that on Byetta it will
continue to drop. Because I have good portion control and am eating low
glycemic foods - protein and complex carbs - and keep my portions small and
exercise every other day (at least), my BG is now 94 in the mornings and 106
- 112 one and two hours post-meal. Other random checks run 94 - 106. I
have lost ten pounds in four months - but, for me, it is not just a Byetta
thing - I exercise and eat slowly and stop even before I am full. Byetta,
though, has kept me from thinking about food all the time and eating no
longer brings me the pleasure it used to (which is a good thing). Also, I
drink 8 bottles of water a day which keeps hunger under control for me. I
feel better than I ever did before I had diabetes!
You have to look at your life and your schedule and find what works best for
you. Just keep the injections a minimum of six hours apart and, if you want
a snack - it should be around 3 hours after you have your injection. And eat
within an hour of your injection. Most people are less prone to nausea by
eating earlier in that hour than later.
My next goal is trying to fine tune the foods I eat to reduce inflammation.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
December 7th, 2006 at 5:57 pm
It could be a problem in that you most likely will not get the full benefit
of more consistent BG - which is the goal. You may have to set your alarm
and get up and take a shot and eat. As annoying as that might be, it would
be better than losing a foot to diabetes or going blind. And, those things
can and do happen to people who can’t get their BG under control.
Inflammation article:
December 7th, 2006 at 9:04 pm
thanks, andrew, that helped………baz
I inject all around my navel without problems.
When you eat depends on you and whether you can tolerate it. I have
never had nausea from Byetta, so I can eat any time. Byetta makes your
pancrease pump out insulin, but only if your sugar is high. This means
that for most people, they can take Byetta, not eat, and be OK
(meaning they won’t go low). I sometimes take Byetta when i first wake
up, and not eat for 3-4 hours. Byetta still works for me, meaning it
lowers my blood sugar.
Eating a snack should not hurt you. For most people, it is just more
carbs to turn into glucose, meaning that your pancrease has more stuff
to deal with.
Andrew
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
December 8th, 2006 at 9:58 am
thank-you……….very informative…….i have cad and have had 2 open-heart
surgeries since 2001..and this inflamation process i am sure
contributed……..baz
It could be a problem in that you most likely will not get the full benefit
of more consistent BG - which is the goal. You may have to set your alarm
and get up and take a shot and eat. As annoying as that might be, it would
be better than losing a foot to diabetes or going blind. And, those things
can and do happen to people who can’t get their BG under control.
Inflammation article:
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
December 8th, 2006 at 2:16 pm
just thought of another couple of questions. does it matter when you take your
oral drugs with the byetta. i take glipizide 10mgms. twice a day along with a
host of heart and b/p medications. should there be a certain time in between
pills and shot? also can you drink as much fluid as you want? no
restriction…sugar-free of course……baz
It could be a problem in that you most likely will not get the full benefit
of more consistent BG - which is the goal. You may have to set your alarm
and get up and take a shot and eat. As annoying as that might be, it would
be better than losing a foot to diabetes or going blind. And, those things
can and do happen to people who can’t get their BG under control.
Inflammation article:
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
December 9th, 2006 at 11:46 am
thanks, pam. i think you are right. i need some scheduling changes and will have
to re-arrange my life ti fit in with the shots and the shots to fit in with my
life….sounds funny but i think that will be the key to sucess………..baz
Welcome to the group.
Take your Byetta before your two biggest meals. Make sure the shots are at least
6 hours apart. You can eat between shots but don’t eat about an hour before you
take the shot. I get sick if I do that. So I try to avoid it. Try very hard to
get in more than one shot each day. You need to figure everything out for your
health. You will feel so much better.
thank-you, that has helped a lot. what inflamation are you talking about?.also
my schedule is most different from everyone else. today i got up at 2:30 pm.
took my p.o. pills and haven’t even eaten as yet. so when would i take my first
shot? with supper? what if you can only fit in one shot a day? is that a
problem? i am sorry to be asking so many questions, but i am really scared to
take this byetta and am on the fence as to refusing it at all, except my bgs are
out of control and so is my weight. my diabetes educator seems to be no
help…..baz
When I talked to the Byetta hotline, she suggested:
Always eat within one hour of injection and always wait at least six hours
between injections. Eating a small snack between meals helps most people
with their metabolism. I eat an ounce of nuts between breakfast and lunch
and again between lunch and dinner. I have found, for me, that a regular
schedule has helped my BG stay fairly steady all the time and no dawn
phenomen. My first injection is at 6AM. I eat breakfast at 6:30 AM. Lite
snack around 9AM. Lunch at noon. Lite snack around 3 PM (with fruit if I’m
going to exercise on my way home from work. 2nd injection at 6PM and dinner
around 6:30PM. I have found if I allow myself a little treat immediately
following my dinner (like 1/2 cup SF ice cream or SF pudding, etc) then I
never have a desire or need for anything until breakfast.
That is typical during my workweek and I adjust on the weekend because I
don’t have to get up at 4:15 AM. On the weekends I don’t get up until 7 or
8 and have my 1st injection when I get up and eat about 30 minutes later. I
have a little bigger snack than usual - maybe fruit and nuts or a slice of
whole grain toast with PB and a 1/2 banana - about half way between then and
when we have supper - usually at 3 or 4 PM (injection about 1/2 before).
Since we have supper early on the weekend, I have another heaver snack three
hours after dinner.
In four months my A1C has dropped .3. I felt that was not significant but
my doctor assured me it is definitely progress and that on Byetta it will
continue to drop. Because I have good portion control and am eating low
glycemic foods - protein and complex carbs - and keep my portions small and
exercise every other day (at least), my BG is now 94 in the mornings and 106
- 112 one and two hours post-meal. Other random checks run 94 - 106. I
have lost ten pounds in four months - but, for me, it is not just a Byetta
thing - I exercise and eat slowly and stop even before I am full. Byetta,
though, has kept me from thinking about food all the time and eating no
longer brings me the pleasure it used to (which is a good thing). Also, I
drink 8 bottles of water a day which keeps hunger under control for me. I
feel better than I ever did before I had diabetes!
You have to look at your life and your schedule and find what works best for
you. Just keep the injections a minimum of six hours apart and, if you want
a snack - it should be around 3 hours after you have your injection. And eat
within an hour of your injection. Most people are less prone to nausea by
eating earlier in that hour than later.
My next goal is trying to fine tune the foods I eat to reduce inflammation.
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December 15th, 2006 at 8:16 pm
3 words for you - Books on Tape (or CD).
I live in Dallas and so far I’ve made it through - Moby Dick,
Treasure Island, Around the world in 80 days, all 12 Left Behind
books, Little Women, The Lovely Bones, and several by Criton. I’m
toying with learning French. Oh and I am currently listening to a
book by David Sedarus (sp?). I highly reccomend him, but I’m sure the
drivers around me think I’m a lunatic, I laugh all the way home.
Sarah in TX
December 17th, 2006 at 2:24 pm
I’m with you Sarah - love those books on tape. Two years ago I pretty much
mastered conversational German with Pimsler CD’s. Now I am working on
Spanish (which will come more in handy in Houston than German
December 19th, 2006 at 2:33 pm
What cd’s are you using? I have been looking for something for the car,
but I’m not sure of any good ones.
Sarah In TX (Dallas, where spanish would be very handy)
December 21st, 2006 at 12:58 pm
From experience, I think Pimsler foreign language audio CD’s are the best.
If you master the conversational ones, they do have a more expensive program
that is more expansive. I like the Pimsler best because it seems to give
just the right amount of time to ‘repeat after me’ - and is repetitive
enough that you really pick it up quick. For anyone who has spoken Spanish
in the past - they might be too basic. I never took a foreign language and
they have worked well for me.
I found mine on E-Bay - just be careful to get the audio CD’s and not the
ones you use in your computer.
I can’t remember which I have in the car - but it was one of these:
May 19th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Hello,
I just joined this group. I have been on 10mg. of Byetta for about 7
months. My nauseau has never gone away. I feel it on a daily basis
and lately it’s been worse. Is there anything OTC that I could take to
help? I sure hate going back to the doctor because I am afraid he will
take me off of it and I have lost almost 30 pounds on it. I am sick
for about 1 to 2 hours daily. Someone suggested ginger snaps. I eat
immediately after I take my shot. Should I wait? What is everyone’s
opinion? Do you think it’s because of what I am eating? Any help
would be appreciated!
May 20th, 2007 at 6:54 am
Hello Estelen, I have been in the same nausea boat as you describe.Have
been on Byetta since last October.
I went on a recent 5 week vacation and since I didn’t want to ruin it
with the nausea, cut my dose to the 5 twice a day.
Great BG results and felt wonderful at this lower dose but did gain 7
lbs—much more interested in food than on the 10 dose.
So, with my NP’s okay I’m taking 5 in the AM and 10 in the Pm.So far the
Byetta seems to last okay ,for me,past the 30 day expiration period.
This way I can have an energetic,side effects free day . At night, after
the 10 dose, I do get the rotten side effects but my appetite is greatly
reduced for the next 24 hours..and hey, we don’t go out much at night so
can deal with it.
I have a feeling that the perfect dose for me would be 5 before 3
meals/day.
I think,to minimize injections , and deal with the supposed short life
of the med they came up with a dose that benefits the majority but isn’t
tailored to the minority.
With your doc’s okay, play around with the dose till you find what works
for the BG,your appetite and side effects you can tolerate.
This med is long term therapy. Better to find livable solutions then
have to give up the med entirely.
HTH, Aloha, Marge
May 20th, 2007 at 11:10 am
*It could be what you are eating. Several on this group have mentioned that
meat makes them sick. I have had nausea only a few times and each time it
was just the thought of eating meat that made me sick and then I could not
eat anything. If you are having nausea, it is probably better to eat right
after you take your shot like you are doing. Many have said they have done
well taking capsules of ginger (available at health food stores and
Wal-mart); others have mentioned "sea-bands", and some do well sipping on
sugar-free ginger ale. Welcome to the group!*