Has anyone had their dr suggest this med for their IR?

My dr said that he would like me to start it if I don't lose a "considerable" amount of weight by July. I don't know what his defination of considerable is but he wasn't happy with my progress at my last appointment. Of course that day I weighed the most I had in over a month.

The more I read about this medicine, the more it makes me nervous. I already don't have much of an appetite and experience hypoglycemic episodes on Glucophage XR. Plus my glucose tests and A1C's have always been in normal ranges and proclaimed "good" by my drs.

Has anyone started this med or been approached about it?

Thanks for any input.

Hey,

I've been on Byetta since October. My doc took me off my other meds (Actos, Glucotrol, and glucophage) when I went on it. I am a type II diabetic. On Byetta, I have had a few lows, but have learned/am learning what to watch for. Prior to and since then, my
A1C have been great... i've been the normal range for the last few years. My doctor approached me about it because despite how hard I tried to lose weight, I was consistently gaining. I've lost about 30 pounds since October.... prior to that I had gained 40 or 50 over a year or two.... With Byetta, I've had to deal with a few side affects- primarily nausea/vomiting if I don't eat right, eat too much or not the right stuff. I've had a few lows in the 50's... it was an adjustment to give myself 2 shots a day... but it hasn't been too bad. Overall, it hasn't been too bad for me... If you have other questions, I'll do my best to answer...

Reba/AL

Thanks. I'm glad to know that it isn't too bad. From what I read though, I am surprised that your dr took you off all your other meds. I am just IR, not diagnosised diabetic yet and my dr plans on keeping me on Glucophage XR while taking this med.

I think what really bothers me is that this is a class C drug and is not recommended if you are trying to get pregnant. My dr knows that we are trying...or at least I thought he did. Maybe I need to clarify that with.

Thanks for the input and congrats on your weight loss!

The side affects vary for different people from what I've read... I'm on some other boards that deal with Byetta... I have to be honest, for me, the first few weeks were rough! Had to learn what to do and what not to do... I still have times that the nausea is bad... and some foods just don't work at all for me... things like lettuce! I would talk to the doctor about trying to get pregnant... that is an important issue to cover!

Reba/AL

Hi! I'm new to this forum. I was DX'd IR in Dec. I've had lots of problems in past year; adenocarcinoma of cervix, resulting in hysterectomy in April '05 have an adrenal adenoma. Was on BCP's before surgery, then gained like 20 lbs. immediately after surgery. Went to Endo due to adenoma who DX'd me with IR; put me on Actos x 4 mos. Lost only 3 lbs. Last visit put me on Byetta. Started on 10 mcg last week. Gotta be careful or you will get very nauseated, haven't actually had any vomiting, some occ. heartburn. But the good news is I've lost 23 lbs since 04-23-06 on the "lizzie" I eat probably 1/2 of the amount than I used to, and usually have no desire to snack after supper. My insurance covers even tho no Diabetes DX.

Thanks for the input Liz! Congrats on the weightloss...that is AWESOME!!

My doctor is also considering Byetta. I am a little nervous because my husband took it for about 1 1/2 months (he is diabetic) and his system just couldn't adjust it. How ever the month he was on it he lost about 10 ponds. He is also very sensitive to alot of meds and I am not. I am thinking about allowing it just to see.
Good luck to you.

Sharon: Did your husband ever take Metformin in any of the formulas? If so, did he have problems on that?

The reason I ask is that I have problems with some of the met formulas and I still have problems with the one I am taking now, I am just learning to live with them. The way I understand it, my dr wants to keep me on the Glucophage and use the byetta. Double the stomach issues, double the fun


Eh...I moved my appointment back 2 weeks or so to a better time of the month for a weigh in. If I really concentrate and get a move on, I should be able to make an impact so that he thinks it is enough. If not, well I can always tell him I can't afford it...it wouldn't be a lie.

Thanks for the input.

I am starting on Byetta today. My doctor is keeping me on Metformin AND Amaryl to start with. Everything I have read says it works best in combination with these kinds of drugs. I am hoping I can tolerate it well, and my results are as impressive as Liz's. I have struggled to lose anything for years....and my two months of 60 minutes a day of aerobic exercise, in addition to obvious good eating (from my drop in sugar levels), has convinced the doctor I am not lying when I say I can't lose! I am hopeful that the Byetta will help. I figure if I can't tolerate it, I can just stop taking it.

I just saw this hon sorry I didn't reply before. No my hubby hasn't had any trouble on his Met that I am awayre of and he did continue to take it while on the Byetta. I how ever have a ton of trouble with my met so I am in the same boat as you as to wether to try the byetta.

Monet How has your first week been? Hopefully you have been able to tolerate the med. Good Luck and I hope that you get the results you are looking for! I read too that it works better when you take both metformin and byetta or the like. Thanks for the input!


Sharon No worries about not answering sooner. Wow, that seems weird that he had problems on the byetta but not on the met. Hmm...food for thought. I seem to be doing okay most days on the glucophage now. I guess I will just wait and see what he decides. Thank goodness my appointment is not today. I have carrying around 5lbs in water and travel weight.

IRISH: My first week has been almost what I would call miraculous. My blood sugar levels are down to a normal person's normal, instead of a diabetic normal, I have had little nausea ( I was careful to eat small meals and get some protein when I ate...) and hardly any problems. The biggest side effect has been the seven pounds I have lost since starting it last Tuesday. I am jazzed!

WOW!! Awesome! Glad that you are able to tolerate it!

I had the dreaded dr appt this week. he was actually ok with the fact that I averaged about a pound a week since I saw him last. Most of that weightloss came in a few big chunks but has stayed off. He also mentioned that he doesn't think Byetta is the right choice anymore if we decide to add another med. He mentioned that he has found another alternative injectible that doesn't make the pancreas work harder.

We decided just to see if I can get some more weight off over the next three months and then go from there.

Ahh...all that worry for nothing...except that it did keep me on track for awhile

Thanks for the input!