to baz
If you call their phone line during normal business hours, the phone number
should be on the starter kit or web site then they can help you through the
steps to take the first injection. A nurse in fact will get on the line and
walk you thru it. That is what I did. Now it is like nothing. I just have
to remember not to inject before the pills.
December 10th, 2006 at 12:39 am
so i should take all my oral pills at least one hour before the
byetta?………………….baz
Penny Klein, MLS
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
December 10th, 2006 at 7:35 am
Hi Baz,
Welcome to the group.
I have to get up pretty early for work and take my shot before I leave home.
if I forget) to take my oral meds. This usually work well for
I get to work and have a small bowl of oatmeal (or you can eat something else).
I use the lower sugar Quaker Oatmeal Packets. I then wait an hour or two
(sometimes 3
me, but everyone is different.
Byetta is great. Unfortunately, for me, I haven’t seen any weight loss and I
have been on Byetta since February 12. However, on Feb 21st, I was diagnosed
with Thyroid cancer and have been dealing with that. The lack of the Thyroid
and the hormones that it produces essentially has negated any weight loss effect
that the Byetta would have given me.
The important part, is despite all of that, my HB1ac went from 12.1 on
December 4, to 6.5 on March 21st, so I can’t complain at ALL!
Something you might want to consider doing is tracking what you eat and how
much. Like any medication, you can defeat the benefit of Byetta if you eat too
many carbs or too much sugar.
I found, when I started taking the Byetta, that it killed my appetite almost
instantly and that has certainly helped reduce how much I eat. I am on 10 now
and the nausea is a bit more than that of 5 but the benefit far outweighs the
minor inconvenience of the nausea.
I find that Peppermint tea helps as does sugar free Siera Mist.
The important thing is to find what works for you and to NOT GIVE UP! It will
take some time to find what works and there may be some tough days if you do
have nausea but just push through it.
The group is very supportive so please keep the questions coming.
Good luck.
Melodie
Penny Klein, MLS
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
December 10th, 2006 at 10:26 am
>
> *Baz -*
If you have not done so already, the web site has a video that will help you
realize that this really is not difficult. Within a week, it was second
nature to me.
December 10th, 2006 at 12:54 pm
I’ll add my 2 cents here… after the first shot it was ok. Seeing myself inject
that needle and not having it hurt at all made the fear/stress just disappear! I
said out loud to my husband as it went in, "Oh, this is no big deal after all!"
After that it was no problem… just remembering to do it!!
Billie
If you have not done so already, the web site has a video that will help you
realize that this really is not difficult. Within a week, it was second
nature to me.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
December 10th, 2006 at 10:09 pm
melody, thanks for the warm welcome. i am going to try the byetta tomorrow. i
think i will set my alarm early and take my pills, then do the byetta later with
a meal as i usually eat later in the day. that is my problem i can go all day
without eating, but once i start to eat, i cannot stop and usually eat {pick}
stuff until i go to bed.not a great routine, but it is me. i hope i can get into
a better cycle with the byetta and that it does help curb my
"cravings"……..baz
Welcome to the group.
I have to get up pretty early for work and take my shot before I leave home. I
if I forget) to take my oral meds. This usually work well for
get to work and have a small bowl of oatmeal (or you can eat something else). I
use the lower sugar Quaker Oatmeal Packets. I then wait an hour or two
(sometimes 3
me, but everyone is different.
Byetta is great. Unfortunately, for me, I haven’t seen any weight loss and I
have been on Byetta since February 12. However, on Feb 21st, I was diagnosed
with Thyroid cancer and have been dealing with that. The lack of the Thyroid and
the hormones that it produces essentially has negated any weight loss effect
that the Byetta would have given me.
The important part, is despite all of that, my HB1ac went from 12.1 on December
4, to 6.5 on March 21st, so I can’t complain at ALL!
Something you might want to consider doing is tracking what you eat and how
much. Like any medication, you can defeat the benefit of Byetta if you eat too
many carbs or too much sugar.
I found, when I started taking the Byetta, that it killed my appetite almost
instantly and that has certainly helped reduce how much I eat. I am on 10 now
and the nausea is a bit more than that of 5 but the benefit far outweighs the
minor inconvenience of the nausea.
I find that Peppermint tea helps as does sugar free Siera Mist.
The important thing is to find what works for you and to NOT GIVE UP! It will
take some time to find what works and there may be some tough days if you do
have nausea but just push through it.
The group is very supportive so please keep the questions coming.
Good luck.
Melodie
Penny Klein, MLS
[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]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
December 11th, 2006 at 11:03 am
i am not afraid of the needle part. i am more afraid of the side-effects and
having to change my life-style. which i know i have to, but am frightened of the
future don’t know what to eat and how much……baz
Billie
If you have not done so already, the web site has a video that will help you
realize that this really is not difficult. Within a week, it was second
nature to me.
[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 11th, 2006 at 5:58 pm
HI Baz,
I think, like most of us, you will find that once you are on the Byetta, those
cravings will go away. As a diabetic, avoiding that piece of pie is pretty
important as that can really mess up your blood readings. This isn’t to say you
can’t have the occasional treat, but right now, the most important thing is to
get those bloods under control. Doing that means giving up the sugared treats.
For me, it was giving up Coca Cola and Coffee with sugar in the mornings.
Splenda has been a godsend!
I have cravings, but they are mild. Usually, the craving just isn’t strong
enough to get me to go get the item I am craving! LOL.
You state below that "once you begin to eat, you can’t stop". That could be,
without knowing what you are currently eating, because you are eating the wrong
foods. As a diabetic, if your bloods are too high, you feel hungry so you eat
some more. It is a vicious cycle that can only be stopped through well managed
bloods.
Some do a low carb diet, some eat in moderation, and some don’t make lifestyle
changes at all.
It really sounds like you need to track what is going into your mouth….no
matter what you eat, write it DOWN! I think, after a month (maybe even a week)
you will be surprised at what you are eating….I know I was as I am sure many
in this group were when they had to track what they ate. You just don’t realize
how much you are eating until you have to track it.
Protein rich snacks are much better for you than carb high snacks. Some said
they snacked on nuts. That is a great snack. A slice of cheese, some sugar
free yogurt, a piece of fruit, a teaspoon of peanut butter, are all great snacks
(just watch the fat in some of it) and are a far better choice than that candy
bar, bowl of ice cream or slice of pie.
Managing (not curing) this disease is what it is all about. It is all up to
you as to how you approach this. Are you committed to better health? If you
are, some things have to be let go. Short term, losing that pie (or in my case,
the coca cola) really sucked but after a few days, the benefits far outweigh the
loss of the sugar!
All of us have made changes to accommodate this disease, usually in the favor
of the disease until we got serious about taking our lives back. Byetta is a
tool in the war, but the biggest, most effective tool we have is our BRAIN! We
control our health and future and Byetta is a wonderful tool to help us achieve
that control.
Be strong.
Melodie
Welcome to the group.
I have to get up pretty early for work and take my shot before I leave home. I
if I forget) to take my oral meds. This usually work well for
get to work and have a small bowl of oatmeal (or you can eat something else). I
use the lower sugar Quaker Oatmeal Packets. I then wait an hour or two
(sometimes 3
me, but everyone is different.
Byetta is great. Unfortunately, for me, I haven’t seen any weight loss and I
have been on Byetta since February 12. However, on Feb 21st, I was diagnosed
with Thyroid cancer and have been dealing with that. The lack of the Thyroid and
the hormones that it produces essentially has negated any weight loss effect
that the Byetta would have given me.
The important part, is despite all of that, my HB1ac went from 12.1 on December
4, to 6.5 on March 21st, so I can’t complain at ALL!
Something you might want to consider doing is tracking what you eat and how
much. Like any medication, you can defeat the benefit of Byetta if you eat too
many carbs or too much sugar.
I found, when I started taking the Byetta, that it killed my appetite almost
instantly and that has certainly helped reduce how much I eat. I am on 10 now
and the nausea is a bit more than that of 5 but the benefit far outweighs the
minor inconvenience of the nausea.
I find that Peppermint tea helps as does sugar free Siera Mist.
The important thing is to find what works for you and to NOT GIVE UP! It will
take some time to find what works and there may be some tough days if you do
have nausea but just push through it.
The group is very supportive so please keep the questions coming.
Good luck.
Melodie
Penny Klein, MLS
[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]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
December 11th, 2006 at 11:57 pm
melodie, you are so kind!!! i know you are right. i know what i eat is very bad
for me, but i just cannot seem to stop. since i quit smoking, i think i changed
to eating as a substitute. i will watch what i eat from now on, and hope the
byetta can help with my "addiction"…..but, like if i go out to dinner…i can
have a reular dinner? it doesn’t have to be whole grain or organic? like i am
going out may 12th. to a get-together with some old friends. we are going to
outback. can i still eat a dinner? meat, potato, and salad? i am thinking of not
going because i am too apprehensive about what to eat or order. it seems like i
won’t be able to enjoy myself anymore. i think that is my biggest problem. i
equate food with happiness and do not want to stop it……..baz
I think, like most of us, you will find that once you are on the Byetta, those
cravings will go away. As a diabetic, avoiding that piece of pie is pretty
important as that can really mess up your blood readings. This isn’t to say you
can’t have the occasional treat, but right now, the most important thing is to
get those bloods under control. Doing that means giving up the sugared treats.
For me, it was giving up Coca Cola and Coffee with sugar in the mornings.
Splenda has been a godsend!
I have cravings, but they are mild. Usually, the craving just isn’t strong
enough to get me to go get the item I am craving! LOL.
You state below that "once you begin to eat, you can’t stop". That could be,
without knowing what you are currently eating, because you are eating the wrong
foods. As a diabetic, if your bloods are too high, you feel hungry so you eat
some more. It is a vicious cycle that can only be stopped through well managed
bloods.
Some do a low carb diet, some eat in moderation, and some don’t make lifestyle
changes at all.
It really sounds like you need to track what is going into your mouth….no
matter what you eat, write it DOWN! I think, after a month (maybe even a week)
you will be surprised at what you are eating….I know I was as I am sure many
in this group were when they had to track what they ate. You just don’t realize
how much you are eating until you have to track it.
Protein rich snacks are much better for you than carb high snacks. Some said
they snacked on nuts. That is a great snack. A slice of cheese, some sugar free
yogurt, a piece of fruit, a teaspoon of peanut butter, are all great snacks
(just watch the fat in some of it) and are a far better choice than that candy
bar, bowl of ice cream or slice of pie.
Managing (not curing) this disease is what it is all about. It is all up to you
as to how you approach this. Are you committed to better health? If you are,
some things have to be let go. Short term, losing that pie (or in my case, the
coca cola) really sucked but after a few days, the benefits far outweigh the
loss of the sugar!
All of us have made changes to accommodate this disease, usually in the favor of
the disease until we got serious about taking our lives back. Byetta is a tool
in the war, but the biggest, most effective tool we have is our BRAIN! We
control our health and future and Byetta is a wonderful tool to help us achieve
that control.
Be strong.
Melodie
Welcome to the group.
I have to get up pretty early for work and take my shot before I leave home. I
if I forget) to take my oral meds. This usually work well for
get to work and have a small bowl of oatmeal (or you can eat something else). I
use the lower sugar Quaker Oatmeal Packets. I then wait an hour or two
(sometimes 3
me, but everyone is different.
Byetta is great. Unfortunately, for me, I haven’t seen any weight loss and I
have been on Byetta since February 12. However, on Feb 21st, I was diagnosed
with Thyroid cancer and have been dealing with that. The lack of the Thyroid and
the hormones that it produces essentially has negated any weight loss effect
that the Byetta would have given me.
The important part, is despite all of that, my HB1ac went from 12.1 on December
4, to 6.5 on March 21st, so I can’t complain at ALL!
Something you might want to consider doing is tracking what you eat and how
much. Like any medication, you can defeat the benefit of Byetta if you eat too
many carbs or too much sugar.
I found, when I started taking the Byetta, that it killed my appetite almost
instantly and that has certainly helped reduce how much I eat. I am on 10 now
and the nausea is a bit more than that of 5 but the benefit far outweighs the
minor inconvenience of the nausea.
I find that Peppermint tea helps as does sugar free Siera Mist.
The important thing is to find what works for you and to NOT GIVE UP! It will
take some time to find what works and there may be some tough days if you do
have nausea but just push through it.
The group is very supportive so please keep the questions coming.
Good luck.
Melodie
Penny Klein, MLS
[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]
[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 12th, 2006 at 11:10 am
Hi Baz,
I think, once you start the Byetta, that you just aren’t going to want that
full meal. By all means, go out to eat and enjoy yourself, just be prepared to
take a doggy bag home. Whole grain is better for all of us because we don’t get
enough fiber in our diets!
Enjoy yourself at Outback, just make smart choices. Meat is great, but get a
lean cut if possible. Veggies are a better choice than potato. If you have to
have a potato, try a sweet potato instead of a white (if they offer it) as it
takes longer for the carbs in the sweet potato to hit our systems then the
white. Skip the appetiser or have, like you said a salad, just watch the
dressing. Really think about what you are going to eat.
Some folks, when they go out to eat, get a take home container as soon as the
food is brought to them. The first thing they do is put half of it in the
container. Sometimes, we are all motivated by that "clean your plate" issue.
If you only have half of what you ordered on your plate, then you are already
ahead of the curve, and you have a great meal the next day as well.
I completely understand what you say about food and happiness, but that is
probably an issue for a different group LOL!
Don’t think of having to use Byetta as a stopper for having fun. Just think
of it as a tool in helping you make BETTER decisions. YOU have to make the
decision to manage the diabetes. Right now, it is managing YOU! Byetta will
help in the management, but it can’t make the decisions for you.
After you have been on it for awhile, you will LOVE IT! Even if you get a bit
sick from it, no big deal. If you put it in perspective, you are sicker right
now from the diabetes then you ever will be from the Byetta.
I think we all love the little lizard!
Melodie
I think, like most of us, you will find that once you are on the Byetta, those
cravings will go away. As a diabetic, avoiding that piece of pie is pretty
important as that can really mess up your blood readings. This isn’t to say you
can’t have the occasional treat, but right now, the most important thing is to
get those bloods under control. Doing that means giving up the sugared treats.
For me, it was giving up Coca Cola and Coffee with sugar in the mornings.
Splenda has been a godsend!
I have cravings, but they are mild. Usually, the craving just isn’t strong
enough to get me to go get the item I am craving! LOL.
You state below that "once you begin to eat, you can’t stop". That could be,
without knowing what you are currently eating, because you are eating the wrong
foods. As a diabetic, if your bloods are too high, you feel hungry so you eat
some more. It is a vicious cycle that can only be stopped through well managed
bloods.
Some do a low carb diet, some eat in moderation, and some don’t make lifestyle
changes at all.
It really sounds like you need to track what is going into your mouth….no
matter what you eat, write it DOWN! I think, after a month (maybe even a week)
you will be surprised at what you are eating….I know I was as I am sure many
in this group were when they had to track what they ate. You just don’t realize
how much you are eating until you have to track it.
Protein rich snacks are much better for you than carb high snacks. Some said
they snacked on nuts. That is a great snack. A slice of cheese, some sugar free
yogurt, a piece of fruit, a teaspoon of peanut butter, are all great snacks
(just watch the fat in some of it) and are a far better choice than that candy
bar, bowl of ice cream or slice of pie.
Managing (not curing) this disease is what it is all about. It is all up to you
as to how you approach this. Are you committed to better health? If you are,
some things have to be let go. Short term, losing that pie (or in my case, the
coca cola) really sucked but after a few days, the benefits far outweigh the
loss of the sugar!
All of us have made changes to accommodate this disease, usually in the favor of
the disease until we got serious about taking our lives back. Byetta is a tool
in the war, but the biggest, most effective tool we have is our BRAIN! We
control our health and future and Byetta is a wonderful tool to help us achieve
that control.
Be strong.
Melodie
Welcome to the group.
I have to get up pretty early for work and take my shot before I leave home. I
if I forget) to take my oral meds. This usually work well for
get to work and have a small bowl of oatmeal (or you can eat something else). I
use the lower sugar Quaker Oatmeal Packets. I then wait an hour or two
(sometimes 3
me, but everyone is different.
Byetta is great. Unfortunately, for me, I haven’t seen any weight loss and I
have been on Byetta since February 12. However, on Feb 21st, I was diagnosed
with Thyroid cancer and have been dealing with that. The lack of the Thyroid and
the hormones that it produces essentially has negated any weight loss effect
that the Byetta would have given me.
The important part, is despite all of that, my HB1ac went from 12.1 on December
4, to 6.5 on March 21st, so I can’t complain at ALL!
Something you might want to consider doing is tracking what you eat and how
much. Like any medication, you can defeat the benefit of Byetta if you eat too
many carbs or too much sugar.
I found, when I started taking the Byetta, that it killed my appetite almost
instantly and that has certainly helped reduce how much I eat. I am on 10 now
and the nausea is a bit more than that of 5 but the benefit far outweighs the
minor inconvenience of the nausea.
I find that Peppermint tea helps as does sugar free Siera Mist.
The important thing is to find what works for you and to NOT GIVE UP! It will
take some time to find what works and there may be some tough days if you do
have nausea but just push through it.
The group is very supportive so please keep the questions coming.
Good luck.
Melodie
Penny Klein, MLS
[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]
[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 12th, 2006 at 6:19 pm
You can have a great dinner at the Outback! Go for a lean cut of meat,
maybe steamed vegetables instead of the white potato - or try and just eat
half the potato, and a salad. Some of the Outbacks have the rock lobster
tails - that would be a great choice, too - or grilled shrimp. Many
Outbacks bring a dark pumperknickle type bread - you could have a piece of
that - just don’t eat the whole loaf! If you feel you absolutely have to
have a dessert - see if someone wants to split it with you. I would suggest
bringing your Byetta with you and after you order, go to the bathroom and
give yourself your injection (I have even said I left something in my car
and excused myself to go get it and given myself the injection then. At
that point - you still have an hour. The Byetta will keep your BG more
normal - even if you do opt for a white potato.
Above all don’t stress and try to get it all right the first day - or week -
or month! By May 12th you will have a handle on the medication and be
encouraging other newbies! Honest! What you will find with Byetta is that
you will FINALLY be in control of what you eat instead of it controlling
you. You won’t be thinking anymore about what you have to give up but about
what you are gaining - more energy and feeling better because your BG will
gradually steady out and be more consistent.
If you do find you have a problem with nausea - and many do not (I seldom
do), try sipping on some ginger ale or getting ginger capsules from the
health food or vitamin store and taking them about an hour before you eat.
Some swear by "sea bands".
December 13th, 2006 at 2:20 am
hi all! I’m Patty, a very quiet member, reading the posts and getting all
the info I can get from you all. Quite the little leech aren’t I? LOL!! I
have a very strong family background of Diabetes..was gestational with my
last and 5th baby, so I wasn’t really surprised when I was diagnosed in Nov.
I come from Amish country originally..grew up at Granmas’ knee learning how
to eat and cook.. (unhealthily, I now realize) anyone familiar with Amish
cooking knows that gravy goes with everything and no meal is complete
without dessert. When my children were growing up, money was very tight, so
meals had to be cheap and filling.. (I had 4 boys and a girl!!) lots of
potatoes and home baked goodies. Growing up at Grannies knee also exposed
me the the wonderful world of insulin. Every morning, Granma would give
herself her insulin..and we watched, it was expected of all the
grandchildren to see and know how to give insulin. I remember thinking " I
would just die if I couldn’t have the cookies, candy made at Christmas, hot
homemade bread" But although I clearly remember Granma making these things.
.I don’t remember her indulging!
I credit this "at the knee" learning with my drive to be a nurse. I am a
charge nurse, caring for 30 - 50 patients, with a staff of 4 nurse aides.
while I have some basic nursing home patients..I run a very specialized unit
Ventilators, bariatric, hospice, and dialysis…and A LOT of diabetics..
thought I knew it all about diabetes…yea, uh-huh…til it came to my own
health!
While I wasn’t surprised by the diagnosis, it came right out of left field.
missed it completely! all the signs were there..just didn’t see them in
myself.
Here is where my life as I know it ends..so I thought. When the kids come
home with their kids…there is always something special they remember from
childhood that they crave… rice krispy bars with butterscotch/chocolate
chip topping, chocolate chip cookies, and always and I mean ALWAYS one of
them wants dipped chocolates.
(Hey, until the youngest was in school, I was a stay at home mom! I had lots
of time to read the Joy of Cooking)
I didn’t think I could make these things for them anymore, or enjoy life and
it’s little things… like smelling beef stew and homemade bread cooking
when you walk in the door on a cold fall day. But I found out different..
with BYETTA!! This wonderous drug has been a Godsend…while I do watch
what I eat…it’s not nearly the strict bland blah diet change I thought it
would be. I can pretty much eat what I want…only in much much smaller
portions.
Byetta definitely curbs my appetite, and surely lets me know when that one
last bite was too much. My only problem has been my fasting #’s…dawn
phenonemon…no appetite, I don’t eat before I go to bed.
oh my!!! I too have written a book! sorry for rambling on and on…it all
just came tumbling out!
Patty in Ohio
——-Original Message——-
Hi Baz,
I think, once you start the Byetta, that you just aren’t going to want
that full meal. By all means, go out to eat and enjoy yourself, just be
prepared to take a doggy bag home. Whole grain is better for all of us
because we don’t get enough fiber in our diets!
Enjoy yourself at Outback, just make smart choices. Meat is great, but
get a lean cut if possible. Veggies are a better choice than potato. If
you have to have a potato, try a sweet potato instead of a white (if they
offer it) as it takes longer for the carbs in the sweet potato to hit our
systems then the white. Skip the appetiser or have, like you said a salad,
just watch the dressing. Really think about what you are going to eat.
Some folks, when they go out to eat, get a take home container as soon as
the food is brought to them. The first thing they do is put half of it in
the container. Sometimes, we are all motivated by that "clean your plate"
issue. If you only have half of what you ordered on your plate, then you
are already ahead of the curve, and you have a great meal the next day as
well.
I completely understand what you say about food and happiness, but that is
probably an issue for a different group LOL!
Don’t think of having to use Byetta as a stopper for having fun. Just
think of it as a tool in helping you make BETTER decisions. YOU have to
make the decision to manage the diabetes. Right now, it is managing YOU!
Byetta will help in the management, but it can’t make the decisions for you.
After you have been on it for awhile, you will LOVE IT! Even if you get a
bit sick from it, no big deal. If you put it in perspective, you are sicker
right now from the diabetes then you ever will be from the Byetta.
I think we all love the little lizard!
Melodie
I think, like most of us, you will find that once you are on the Byetta,
those cravings will go away. As a diabetic, avoiding that piece of pie is
pretty important as that can really mess up your blood readings. This isn’t
to say you can’t have the occasional treat, but right now, the most
important thing is to get those bloods under control. Doing that means
giving up the sugared treats. For me, it was giving up Coca Cola and Coffee
with sugar in the mornings. Splenda has been a godsend!
I have cravings, but they are mild. Usually, the craving just isn’t strong
enough to get me to go get the item I am craving! LOL.
You state below that "once you begin to eat, you can’t stop". That could be,
without knowing what you are currently eating, because you are eating the
wrong foods. As a diabetic, if your bloods are too high, you feel hungry so
you eat some more. It is a vicious cycle that can only be stopped through
well managed bloods.
Some do a low carb diet, some eat in moderation, and some don’t make
lifestyle changes at all.
It really sounds like you need to track what is going into your mouth….no
matter what you eat, write it DOWN! I think, after a month (maybe even a
week) you will be surprised at what you are eating….I know I was as I am
sure many in this group were when they had to track what they ate. You just
don’t realize how much you are eating until you have to track it.
Protein rich snacks are much better for you than carb high snacks. Some said
they snacked on nuts. That is a great snack. A slice of cheese, some sugar
free yogurt, a piece of fruit, a teaspoon of peanut butter, are all great
snacks (just watch the fat in some of it) and are a far better choice than
that candy bar, bowl of ice cream or slice of pie.
Managing (not curing) this disease is what it is all about. It is all up to
you as to how you approach this. Are you committed to better health? If you
are, some things have to be let go. Short term, losing that pie (or in my
case, the coca cola) really sucked but after a few days, the benefits far
outweigh the loss of the sugar!
All of us have made changes to accommodate this disease, usually in the
favor of the disease until we got serious about taking our lives back.
Byetta is a tool in the war, but the biggest, most effective tool we have is
our BRAIN! We control our health and future and Byetta is a wonderful tool
to help us achieve that control.
Be strong.
Melodie
Welcome to the group.
I have to get up pretty early for work and take my shot before I leave home.
if I forget) to take my oral meds. This usually work
I get to work and have a small bowl of oatmeal (or you can eat something
else). I use the lower sugar Quaker Oatmeal Packets. I then wait an hour or
two (sometimes 3
well for me, but everyone is different.
Byetta is great. Unfortunately, for me, I haven’t seen any weight loss and I
have been on Byetta since February 12. However, on Feb 21st, I was diagnosed
with Thyroid cancer and have been dealing with that. The lack of the Thyroid
and the hormones that it produces essentially has negated any weight loss
effect that the Byetta would have given me.
The important part, is despite all of that, my HB1ac went from 12.1 on
December 4, to 6.5 on March 21st, so I can’t complain at ALL!
Something you might want to consider doing is tracking what you eat and how
much. Like any medication, you can defeat the benefit of Byetta if you eat
too many carbs or too much sugar.
I found, when I started taking the Byetta, that it killed my appetite almost
instantly and that has certainly helped reduce how much I eat. I am on 10
now and the nausea is a bit more than that of 5 but the benefit far
outweighs the minor inconvenience of the nausea.
I find that Peppermint tea helps as does sugar free Siera Mist.
The important thing is to find what works for you and to NOT GIVE UP! It
will take some time to find what works and there may be some tough days if
you do have nausea but just push through it.
The group is very supportive so please keep the questions coming.
Good luck.
Melodie
Penny Klein, MLS
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6:30 AM
December 13th, 2006 at 11:31 am
On 4/29/07, Patty wrote:
<< Here is where my life as I know it ends..so I thought. >>
Hi, Patty - thanks for sharing. It is great that you are a nurse - such a
‘giving’ career in my book.
My first thought, too, was this is where my life ends. Actually, I know
better, now. I really think it is where my life began. Before Byetta, I
really did not know I felt bad. After Byetta I now know because I feel so
good now. I love the feeling of control.
December 13th, 2006 at 6:56 pm
patty, it is stories like yours that give me the strength to try the byetta. you
make me feel better about it…….keep it coming……thank-you……baz
I didn’t think I could make these things for them anymore, or enjoy life and
it’s little things… like smelling beef stew and homemade bread cooking
when you walk in the door on a cold fall day. But I found out different..
with BYETTA!! This wonderous drug has been a Godsend…while I do watch
what I eat…it’s not nearly the strict bland blah diet change I thought it
would be. I can pretty much eat what I want…only in much much smaller
portions.
Byetta definitely curbs my appetite, and surely lets me know when that one
last bite was too much. My only problem has been my fasting #’s…dawn
phenonemon…no appetite, I don’t eat before I go to bed.
oh my!!! I too have written a book! sorry for rambling on and on…it all
just came tumbling out!
Patty in Ohio
——-Original Message——-
Hi Baz,
I think, once you start the Byetta, that you just aren’t going to want
that full meal. By all means, go out to eat and enjoy yourself, just be
prepared to take a doggy bag home. Whole grain is better for all of us
because we don’t get enough fiber in our diets!
Enjoy yourself at Outback, just make smart choices. Meat is great, but
get a lean cut if possible. Veggies are a better choice than potato. If
you have to have a potato, try a sweet potato instead of a white (if they
offer it) as it takes longer for the carbs in the sweet potato to hit our
systems then the white. Skip the appetiser or have, like you said a salad,
just watch the dressing. Really think about what you are going to eat.
Some folks, when they go out to eat, get a take home container as soon as
the food is brought to them. The first thing they do is put half of it in
the container. Sometimes, we are all motivated by that "clean your plate"
issue. If you only have half of what you ordered on your plate, then you
are already ahead of the curve, and you have a great meal the next day as
well.
I completely understand what you say about food and happiness, but that is
probably an issue for a different group LOL!
Don’t think of having to use Byetta as a stopper for having fun. Just
think of it as a tool in helping you make BETTER decisions. YOU have to
make the decision to manage the diabetes. Right now, it is managing YOU!
Byetta will help in the management, but it can’t make the decisions for you.
After you have been on it for awhile, you will LOVE IT! Even if you get a
bit sick from it, no big deal. If you put it in perspective, you are sicker
right now from the diabetes then you ever will be from the Byetta.
I think we all love the little lizard!
Melodie
I think, like most of us, you will find that once you are on the Byetta,
those cravings will go away. As a diabetic, avoiding that piece of pie is
pretty important as that can really mess up your blood readings. This isn’t
to say you can’t have the occasional treat, but right now, the most
important thing is to get those bloods under control. Doing that means
giving up the sugared treats. For me, it was giving up Coca Cola and Coffee
with sugar in the mornings. Splenda has been a godsend!
I have cravings, but they are mild. Usually, the craving just isn’t strong
enough to get me to go get the item I am craving! LOL.
You state below that "once you begin to eat, you can’t stop". That could be,
without knowing what you are currently eating, because you are eating the
wrong foods. As a diabetic, if your bloods are too high, you feel hungry so
you eat some more. It is a vicious cycle that can only be stopped through
well managed bloods.
Some do a low carb diet, some eat in moderation, and some don’t make
lifestyle changes at all.
It really sounds like you need to track what is going into your mouth….no
matter what you eat, write it DOWN! I think, after a month (maybe even a
week) you will be surprised at what you are eating….I know I was as I am
sure many in this group were when they had to track what they ate. You just
don’t realize how much you are eating until you have to track it.
Protein rich snacks are much better for you than carb high snacks. Some said
they snacked on nuts. That is a great snack. A slice of cheese, some sugar
free yogurt, a piece of fruit, a teaspoon of peanut butter, are all great
snacks (just watch the fat in some of it) and are a far better choice than
that candy bar, bowl of ice cream or slice of pie.
Managing (not curing) this disease is what it is all about. It is all up to
you as to how you approach this. Are you committed to better health? If you
are, some things have to be let go. Short term, losing that pie (or in my
case, the coca cola) really sucked but after a few days, the benefits far
outweigh the loss of the sugar!
All of us have made changes to accommodate this disease, usually in the
favor of the disease until we got serious about taking our lives back.
Byetta is a tool in the war, but the biggest, most effective tool we have is
our BRAIN! We control our health and future and Byetta is a wonderful tool
to help us achieve that control.
Be strong.
Melodie
Welcome to the group.
I have to get up pretty early for work and take my shot before I leave home.
if I forget) to take my oral meds. This usually work
I get to work and have a small bowl of oatmeal (or you can eat something
else). I use the lower sugar Quaker Oatmeal Packets. I then wait an hour or
two (sometimes 3
well for me, but everyone is different.
Byetta is great. Unfortunately, for me, I haven’t seen any weight loss and I
have been on Byetta since February 12. However, on Feb 21st, I was diagnosed
with Thyroid cancer and have been dealing with that. The lack of the Thyroid
and the hormones that it produces essentially has negated any weight loss
effect that the Byetta would have given me.
The important part, is despite all of that, my HB1ac went from 12.1 on
December 4, to 6.5 on March 21st, so I can’t complain at ALL!
Something you might want to consider doing is tracking what you eat and how
much. Like any medication, you can defeat the benefit of Byetta if you eat
too many carbs or too much sugar.
I found, when I started taking the Byetta, that it killed my appetite almost
instantly and that has certainly helped reduce how much I eat. I am on 10
now and the nausea is a bit more than that of 5 but the benefit far
outweighs the minor inconvenience of the nausea.
I find that Peppermint tea helps as does sugar free Siera Mist.
The important thing is to find what works for you and to NOT GIVE UP! It
will take some time to find what works and there may be some tough days if
you do have nausea but just push through it.
The group is very supportive so please keep the questions coming.
Good luck.
Melodie
Penny Klein, MLS
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–
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.6.2/780 - Release Date: 4/29/2007
6:30 AM
.
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December 14th, 2006 at 10:02 am
I love this group. The sharing means so much! I am so inspired by
all that I read. I love the stories and getting to know how all of
you are doing!
Keep sharing. It helps and encourages me more than you will ever know.
We had to go to Kansas on the 19th because my sister died. We left
before daylight and had a food bar after we got out of town. I waited
until we stopped for lunch at 11 a.m. to give myself a shot and it
worked very well. We returned home last Monday and I did the same
thing then.
An ice chest with frozen water in plastic Pepsi bottles worked very
well for my Byetta and were still partially frozen when we got to
Kansas 14 hours later. Just before we left to come home, we filled
the chest with ice and the water was still cold when we got home. My
pen was rolled up in a paper towel and placed in a plastic zipper bag.
It was easy and worked very well.
Joan