Byetta- any experiences to share?
 

I have nothing to share other than that I thought this post was by a spammer, and I came to check it out. :lol3:
Love ya, Monet. :hug: I hope the new meds work!!

Hi,

I've been on byetta since october. At that time, my doc took me off of actos, glucotrol, and glucophage and I started on the Byetta 10... most start on the 5. I'm not sure why he started me on the 10 but he did.

The first few weeks were tough with nausea and sometimes vomiting... until I learned some changes that worked for me... I've learned that I HAVE to have some protein when I take the shot... prior to byetta, my breakfast was often dry cereal and a piece of fruit as I went out the door... now I have to have some protein... some yogurt, cheese, pnut butter... doesn't take much, but do need something or I'll be sick.

I've also learned for me that lettuce is a no-no at the time of the shot... I don't eat much lettuce now... I can eat all the other stuff you put in a salad, but not the lettuce.... If I eat the lettuce, I get very bloated, and have the worst tasting and smelling burps... and then the next day, some diarhea... Byetta slows down the digestion and it almost feels like the lettuce just ferments or something. I've also discovered if I eat the wrong foods (too much sugar etc) I'll have the burps too... I know it's gross but that's what happens with me. Yesterday was a junk food day for me... fast food breakfast, fried chicken, pizza.... and i'm paying the piper today...

Different people have different effects of foods... I've also had to learn to stop eating when i'm just feeling full... if I try to push it too much, I'll be sick... but it also decreases my appetite, especially when I first started. I remember in that first month I was at a conference and the lunch provided was a chick fil a sandwich, a bag of chips and a browinie... Prior to byetta, I would have eaten it all with no hesitation (well, not the brownie)... with Byetta, I made myself eat 1/2 the sandwich, 2 or 3 chips and 1 bite of brownie.

I now have to make sure I have things around to keep my level up. On the other meds, I never really had problems with my level bottoming out... now it does if I'm not careful... when I start getting nauseous and vomiting, a lot of times it because my blood sugar is too low... it's been in the 50's several times.... talk about feeling yuk!

I travel a lot and have found a stanless steel thermos to work best for me.... I put the pen in a ziplock bag, and drop it in the thermos with a couple of ice cubes. In the winter, it will hold it for a couple of days... now that it's summer here in Alabama and HOT!! I have to add ice at times... but ice isn't hard to get... if all else fails, I get some from a drink when eating out... the travel pouch they send isn't too bad, but it only holds the temp for a couple of hours... I live in a small town and drive 1 hour to dothan or columbus fairly often... I've found I use the thermos more... I also camp a lot and the thermos or cooler has been fine for me...

for me, the Byetta has worked. I'm off other diabetic meds and my HbgA1C is great- around 5.... but that's where it was prior ot byetta too... my doc started me on it for the side affect of weight loss... no matter how hard I tried to lose prior to byetta i was gaining.... very frustrating.... now, I've lost 30 or so pounds since October, my eating has decreased and for the most part, feel great.... there are those days of yuk, but as I learn what to watch for, it gets better...

hmmm.... that's all I can think of right now... hope I didn't throw too much at you....

Reba/AL

I am also in a yahoo group for byetta users... it has given some great tips too.

Reba

Hello!
 

Hi,
I'm a fairly new user to Byetta too. The doc told me that one patient he had on it for a year only had the queezies for about three months. Mine seems better than it was. I notice that cabbage seems to give gas very fast. I used to use cabbage as a way to get my sugar down but tired of it. A cinnamon stick in my tea seems to help.
So far I like the Byetta. I had my gallbladder out and have a little area of diverticulus in my colon. The slowing down the stomach empting has really helped almost eliminate the diariea. I take a diet smart vitamin w/egcg. I don't crave food or get hungry now, as long as I'm not sooper stressed about something.
I am trying to learn the carbs counting. I have been on calorie counting-then portions-looked at fats and sugars.:dizzy:
My boyfriend doesn't seem to understand diet cooking. I do most now. Sometimes you just can't afford all the best things for your diet.
I'll keep hanging in there with this as I think it will be the best one for me.

Hi!
 

:wave: I'm doing better on mine-only a few pounds but, I'm not complaining.

I am doing well at keeping my meals small. I try to keep busy or stay away from the kitchen.:)

I may even get this carb counting figured out. :dizzy: :lol:

Glad it's working so well for you, Monet.:balloons:

Hello All....New to the website and didnt even know about this insulin...I am 34 and have been insulin dependent for about nine years..I am on humilin N and Humalog. I am having a heck of a time loosing weight. I am going to ask my Doctor about this and see what he says...does anyone know if most insurance will cover this med? Thanks...

Hi Natasha, :welcome3: I am not sure if Byetta will work for you. It stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin when the blood sugar levels are elevated. If you do not produce insulin, it won't work. Many insurance companies will cover it, but it is expensive, so they tend to be picky. My co-pay for it is $50 a month! I have heard that taking insulin makes it difficult to lose. Perhaps some folks on here can give you some tips on what works for them. I would say exercise, exercise, exercise!

insurance
 

Hi, I work for an insurance company that does not cover Byetta :?:
It also doesn't cover most weight loss drugs..but it will cover 50% of the cost of bariatric surgery ....Since I constantly review cases where people are having catastrophic complications after the gastric bypass surgeries it isn't an option for me...Very frustrating..

I've gotten a prescription for Xenical , which basically helps decrease the body's ability to absorb fat from the food you eat while producing some unsightly side effects (as what goes in must come out). It's very expensive but I have purchased some and i'm trialing it. You are supposed to take one with each meal or at least with meals high in fat. I reserve it for after I eat out or if I eat high fat meals.. I don't typically eat high fat at all. I think it could work better if I could take it more often, But I was denied by my insurance company though they may cover it on appeal . When I go to see my doc this month if my weight is down ..then I will appeal their decision. I'm not sure exactly but i'm thinking the cost of 1 pill without insurance coverage is close to $3..Also known as Orlistat, it is supposed to be going on the market over the counter without prescription some time later this year ..i think...

For anyone wondering about your insurance coverage for byetta or any drug you might want to take....simply call the # on your id card and ask customer service. Your company's customer service should be able to tell you or direct you to how to find out for your company. Or if your insurance has a website ..there should be a way to access the insurances' policies on certain meds..THere may be either a seperate pharmacy link that shows what their "formulary" for preferred drugs is or a search engine where you can enter the name of the drug for related information ..

good luck

my insurance does cover my byetta- it's $20 a month and then $20 for the needles. Last month however, they didn't charge me for the needles.... I don't have to get the needles every month since they come in a box of 100... only use 60 per month so if I have enough left, I don't get another box... My insurance however doesn't have byetta on the maintenance meds- If so, I would get 3 months for one co pay. I received info on my insurance for next year and come october, the copay will go to $30 a month. But, even so, it's working for me and isn't costing me anymore than before I started it since I was taken off 3 meds and put on the 1.

Reba

Thanks again for the info. Yeah I looked up some info on byetta last night and noticed it is for type 2. Sheesh... oh well I am going to talk to my Doctor to see what we can come up with to help. Well hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!! XOXO Natasha

former byetta user
 

Hi,

I used to visit this site all the time. I haven't been here for a while, but today I was lurking and saw this thread.

I was on byetta last year. I couldn't take the side affects. I wish I had seen some of these posts though, because the info seems really helpful.
For me the nausea was intense. I would sit at my desk rocking back and forth from the stomach pain. I wish I new about the lettuce....:( ut was horrible. Most fiber and vegies were a nightmare. I also was treated or diabetic gastro paresis(sp?) which is another problem since that alread inhibits digestion and the byetta slows it down even more. I started to panic because of the heavy chest sensation and started having palpatations. I'm on meds for that now. the gastro paresis hasn't bothered me. I also didn't benefit from weight loss because I couldn't eat after the injections because of the nausea and vomiting so I would eat all night and mostly dry carbs. So needless to say it didn't work out for me. My endo doc still thinks it's a great rx and would like me to try again but now I'm on Lantus injections with no side affects.

Good luck and success to all of you trying it. It's suppose to be very beneficial.

I'm sorry it didn't work for you DonnaD. Is Lantus like Byetta in working with the type 2 pills?

Hi Carol,

Yeah, my doctor wasn't too pleased. So many people had success with it.
Lantus is a form of insulin but you do stay on the type 2 meds. It helps when I'm on plan with the diet, but I still struggle with the numbers when my diet is off. Diet is so key with me. You think that would be motivation enough to stay on program, but the cravings, boredom, frustration all win. :devil: :devil: :devil:

Hi
 

The doctor upped my Byetta to 10mcg. Thanke goodness I didn't take my Actos with the Amaryl that day. I had my first scary reaction. :fr:
I grabbed 4 spoons of applesause and check my BS right after. I t was 66.
Whew! :dizzy:
I sweat all over and shook. :stress: The next day, my left hand got numb and the other things started in.
It was 80 and I drank a glass of tomato juice. Today, I broke my pill in half and took it at each meal. No reaction yet.:)

RebaR,
You don't take anything but the shot?

That would simplify things.

All I take is the Byetta shot...at least that's all for the diabetes. I'm on thyroid med, blood pressure med and cholesterol meds... my visit to the doctor a week or so ago showed my iron was low...so a vitamin with iron has been added. my labs were great... hgba1c was 5.5... cholesterol etc right where he wants them....

before byetta I was on actos, glucophage and glucotrol...but doc took me off them when I started byetta...

sorry I didn't respond sooner- i was out of town on a mission trip.

Reba

new and needing support...
 

Hello everyone,
I am new to the site and diabetic. I have been having an awful time with control, even when eating correctly. I know that I need to get the weight under control, to help with diabetes control. I currently take insulin, byetta, amaryl, glucophage. My doctor just keeps adding medicine, and it's not helping. Maybe I need to see and endocrinologist?
I think that I will try the Body for Life plan. I have reserved the book from the library, and will be doing more research, but for now, my goal is to get my head in the game and try to make healthier choices.
I look forward to meeting you all. Thanks for any support and advice you may have!

Hi Llamaslosin'! :welcome3: You do have a lot you are taking. And you STILL don't have control? I can imagine how frustrating that must be! Which Byetta do you take? The 5 or 10? I am on the 5 and it works really well for me. Perhaps it would help if you posted some menus, and let others see if there is something you are eating that is hindering your control. I personally follow Sugarbusters and find it a very good plan for managing diabetes. Do you exercise? I find that more important than what I eat for getting my glucose levels down. A 30 minute stroll would lower my glucose sometimes as much as 50 points! I am hooked on exercise now...and try to work out a minimum of 7 times a week. When I checked my sugar levels after a meal, if they were high I would put on my shoes and head out for a walk. If you are NOT exercising, you may find it will help a LOT.

I am glad you are here. I hope you find all the support you need. If you are interested, check out Sugarbusters too. Most of the diabetics post in the big, long thread, so check that one out too. :)

Bye-Bye Byetta
 

Hi everyone,
Have since been to the doctor and she took me off the Byetta. I had no idea it was making me so sick. I haven't felt this good in a long time.:dizzy:
I am back to doing Sugar Busters, but I really have to watch portion control! But I have lost 4.5 lbs.:D
Have to run, hope you are having a great week!

I was looking at this last night. I got some great tips. I am going to be out of town for a while and didn't know what to do about my pen. I thought about getting a portible fridge and all sorts of stuff. Then came accross a post about how they stored their pen in a thermess....I went out and bought one today. This one keeps things cold for 24 hours. I put a couple of cubes of ice in it and off i went. It kept my pen nice and cold. I was really wondering how i was going to do this. Thanks a ton.

Now for my experience from being on the byetta...I love it. I have been on it for a week. It keeps me really level. I have a tendency of dropping supper low, then I eat and I shoot up...constant up and down. With Byetta, it keeps me from botteming out. But, sometimes I have to watch it, because the other day I forgot to eat lunch. I just wasnt hungry. Actually most of the time I am not hungry, it just so happens to be time to eat. I have a DH and child, so skipping meals is not an option. Plus, I do feel good if I miss.

I did notice I have to stick to a eating schedule in order to feel good. I do have a blooted stomach....actually right now. I feel like throwing up most of the time. But, if I just try not to think about it, it goes away.

I swear by the stuff. The other thing is that my stomach gets really itchy on the injection sites...last night I put vit. E oil and some lotion and it felt better in the morning, but I have to do something about this. Also I have pocka dots on my tummy too....anybody else have this problem? Maybe I should inject myself in a pattern to make a cool design.

Later...Tanya

Maybe you should ask your doctor about the itching and spots, Tanya.
You might be alergic to it.

I pop a sugar free Tums when I get too nauseated.
I try to eat my food slowly, put my dish in the sink and food away and go out of the kitchen ASAP.

Hello all...I have been on Byetta since June and agree with the nausea and the certain foods that make it worse..I am on it for Insulin Resistance and have to admit I feel wonderful..It is best to always eat protein with snacks or meals and I find that I have to wait about 45 mintues before eating to slow down the nausea...
If U take other meds(I take vitamins only) I dont take them within 2 hours of the Byetta since stomach emptying time is slower...THey tend to just sit in my stomach and "burn" if I dont wait the 2 hours...
Call the 1-800# on the box and they will send U out a great little case, with a booklet for recording sugars and the cold packs..It is completely free and it comes in 3 days....
Hope no one minds me barging in on the thread

Tanya--I use my legs for the shots..I find them easier to get to and bruise less..Hope the itching and spots resolve.
RR

ROADRUNNER: Of course you are welcome to post on the thread! Thanks for sharing your experiences!

I am finishing up pen #3, and I am thinking after the next one, which is the last refill, I will check with the doctor about moving up to the ten pen. The five still controls my glucose levels fairly well, but the weight loss has stopped. :(

Hi all,,,I know a few of you from posting on the other threads,,,;)

I have been on byetta now 5 months ,,2months 5pen and now this is the 3rd ten pen,,,I have been lucky and not had to many side effects at all,,,but for me the bs took a long time to start coming down,,with the 5 pen they started to come down some but when I moved up to the 10 things really started to improve ,,but still slowly,,,nothing has happened fast for me,,I don't have any problems with eating letace or veggies,,but do have to watch my carbs,,there are some that will shot my bs right up,,but if I am careful and follow ww points and eat lots of meat and cheese and some carbs I do well,,,this month with the 3rd ten pen I have really noticed the bs coming down more,,,I have lost a total of 44 pounds,,,and am happy about that of course because I have a lot of wt to lose,,,right now I am at another stall and so I have the scale hidden,,I start to obsese (sp) over it and it makes me crazy,,,I have decieded not to weigh until sept is over and just work on my bs numbers,,,;)

My insurance won't touch it ,,,so I have to pay out of pocket each month and it is hard for me in that way,,,but I feel worth it,,my doctor is fighting for me to get it paid for but so far no luck,,,it cost me 237 a month and they only make me pay 10.00 copay for the needles,,,go figure,,ha,,,

Anyway just wanted to stop by and say hi and I myself feel real good since being on byetta,,,nice to talk with you all,,,later,,Jeanne AKA blondie

I love Byetta. I no longer have insurance, but I a definately going to stay on the stuff. It has helped my suger levels so much. Have any of you gals tried an online pharmacy? They are cheaper, but not sure they can be trusted.

I figured out my itchy stomach problem. I wasnt using alchohol for my injection site. They didn't mention that to me...so I didnt do it. I figured that I should try doing that first...well, no more itchy stomach. I still get the dots, but I am goign to try injecting my leg and see how that works.

Love the stuff....
t

I am tempted to eat two reg meals w/byetta and a few small snacks in between, when I get hungry. I"ve lost 3 lbs but my numbers were not good the last two mornings. I did nibble pizza yesterday. With the stomache empting slow, do we need 5 or 6 small meals? I eat one plate and put it in the sink or i'll keep eating-then :barf: oooooh-you know. :)

New Byetta user...
 

Hello ladies! This has been an amazing resource for some research!! After years of not budging (much) with regards to my weight, my doc and I have decided to givr Byetta a try. I am insulin resistant, borderline diabetic, and have PCOS. I'm hoping to get some weight off, as this is something the fertility specialist thinks will help with my chances of conceiving. :dizzy: Anyone out there had any experiences with any of this? PCOS, infertility, ect? I've been getting pretty discouraged lately. It's nice to find a place that I can chat with other people who may be experiencing some similar things... Kodiak is small, and it's tough to find good support!! Thanks so much for being here!

ALASKA: :welcome3: It does help to know you are not the only one! Check out the PCOS forum on here too. They have a lot of great articles, and support on there for those with PCOS. I do know a low carb diet helps, and my husband's cousin was able to conceive and have the child she has so desperately wanted, following it. I hope the Byetta helps! I have read there is some evidence of it actually doing some healing of IR.

Thanks...
 

I appreciate the quick response! :) I know I've already said this, but it's great to have a support system... today was my first shot of Byetta. I am a nurse at a clinic and the doc I work for and I spent our dinner hour reading directions! We've both heard great things about it, and read all kinds of info on it, but haven't actually prescribed or used it ourselves!! :goodvibes So, we went over it... not hard of course, just wanted to make sure I was doing it right. It's nice to read through these blogs and hear what people have done and what worked for them! I wish everyone the best of luck and health... I'm available and would love to answer any medical questions anyone has if it's helpful. Let's put those years of schooling to good use! Thanks again!!

:carrot:

Welcome!!
 

Welcome Alaskanurse!:welcome: :balloons:
So glad to have you aboard!:grouphug:

If I get too queezy, I pop a Tums Sugar Free. It helps and is calcium based, I believe. I know you have to stay away from another kind of anti-acid, listed it the info w/the Byetta. Might save you upchucking at work. :barf: Actually it reminds me of morning sickness queezyness. ;)
You may find it worse when you are working. I sat at the table setting up a solitar game and mine got worse with the movement. You tend to get used to it suddenly bugging you. It does get better and if you don't eat too big a meal, not too bad.:goodluck: with it.

I lost another pound.

One at a time is fine.

Congratulations Carol! :d

I did byetta for a year. I lost 10 pounds. But after a year of being nauseated, tired and having frequent headaches, I said enough. So now Im on insulin. If you have no side effects, its great stuff. I wish I could have stayed on it, as my blood sugars were as close to a non-diabetic as they could be.

My weight is comming off but, my numbers are still in the low 200's.
I can get it down with Actos but I get the munchies and bloating and water weight. I don't want to go back to that. I take the generic Amaryl.
How many small meals do you eat with Byetta?