Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jeffrey on October 12, 2008 at 8:39pm

Donna, we have a group in TuDiabetes called Byetta Users Forum http://tudiabetes.com/group/byettausersforum . Feel free to ask question and tackle this medicine with the rest of us. If you ever have any questions, please feel free to ask.

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Permalink Reply by Jason on October 13, 2008 at 12:37pm

Let me know how it goes for you. I want to talk to my endo about it next week. The research I read on beta cell restoration could make this a very valuable drug, despite some of the recent warnings.

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Permalink Reply by Donna on October 17, 2008 at 5:25pm

Jason, I don't want to discourage youconcerning Byetta, but on my third day (after only two shots) I felt terrible. The stomach pain was too much for me. If I had a week or two where I had time to get used to it, as some would say, I may have still tried it. But I teach middle school each day and I can't afford to feel so bad. In '05 I had success getting my bs down by a specific doctor recommended diet plan... it is very strick, but if it lowers by bs and keeps me off of insulin and Byetta, it is worth it. I have been on it for three full days and my bs is already improving. Good Luck. Thanks, Donna

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Permalink Reply by Jeffrey on October 17, 2008 at 6:48pm

Donna and Jason, one has to remember that not all drugs work for everyone. That is why the Doctors have many drugs and treatments to choose from.

However, you have to remember that Byetta has some very simple rules for it to work., The 1st and probably the most important is that when you inject Byetta, you need to do it 45 minutes to 1 hour before you eat. Along with this and a low carb diet, this will greatly reduce the nausea. Most people experience the nausea for 3 days to one month. I was fortunate to experience the 5 mcg for 4 days and the 10 mcg for less than 2 days. That and I have lost major weight with Byetta, diet and exercise.

Good luck and no matter if you use Byetta or not, take care of your BS.

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Permalink Reply by Joe_h on October 20, 2008 at 11:40am

I was on it for a little whle but the results weren't the side effects. my sugar levels didn't really improve all that much and I vomited a couple times because of it (and I have a iron stomach) so my doc and i pulled me off of it. but some folks the lizard spit works for them and have no side effects as with most things w/ diabetes results vary.

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Permalink Reply by Sandy Graham on October 20, 2008 at 12:28pm

Hi Donna,

I started Byetta July of '07. It made me very sick(nausea, vomiting, etc.). My doctor at the time warned me of the possible side effects and said if I could handle it for a couple of weeks, that it would be the best medicine for me. I have never had a bad side effect from any medication. I tried for 3 weeks and had to stop. I'm now on Levemir and am tolerating it very well. My suggestion is to give it a try. Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Sue on May 5, 2010 at 2:45pm

I just started my 5th month on Byetta 10 mcg, twice a day, and also take 2000 mg of Metformin XR daily. At first, the Byetta seemed to be working, but now my bg's are moving upward again. My fasting bg's are ranging in the 155-160 range, and that concerns me. I know some of my heart and blood pressure meds raise the bg's, but I am worried. I also still have itching.

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Permalink Reply by Brian (bsc) on May 5, 2010 at 3:19pm

There is a separate group on the topic of Byetta. I've been on Betta for some time. Byetta can really help with get your postprandials down, but I have to tell you it may not do much for your fasting. A fasting in the 155-160 range is still too high and I think you are right to be concerned. Do consult with your doctor. If you have not seen an endo, think about seeing one. One regime that is consider by some to be effective is metformin, Byetta and a TZD (like Actos). Unfortunately, for many of us the diabetes progresses markedly and high blood sugars accelerate that process.

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer on May 5, 2010 at 5:52pm

Another rule I was taught by my endo is that you have to eat at least 2 carb exchanges or 30 gm of carb with each injection to get the most benefit. I did well on Byetta, never could get up to the 10 mcg dose due to nausea, but tolerated the 5 mcg dose well. I lost a lot of weight with it as I felt full all of the time. I had to come off of it as we are trying to get pregnant now.

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Permalink Reply by Sue on May 5, 2010 at 7:38pm

My doctor didn't give me ANY instructions. I sometimes do not eat enough and I have suspected in the past, pre-Byetta, that if I didn't eat enough just taking Metformin, that I began to gain weight.???????

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