Diabetes.Blog.com

1 - Hi All,
Very relevant: please see my "Interview with a Real, Live Exubera User": CLICK HERE. (Comment this)

2 - I go to a diabetes support group meeting once a month and saw the inhaled insulin demonstrated a few months back. I thought it was too complicated a procedure for those of us who are use to giving a shot, but would be good for those who don't like to take shots or newbies to insulin. Good to read from someone who is using it and that it is working well for her. (Comment this)

3 - I have been on the inhaled insulin for 3 weeks now. I still am doing the Byetta mbut sometimes only once a day . I do the insulin 3 times and I find I need to do it before bed with a snack to keep my morning numbers down so I take Byettas with at least one of meals during the day. Any info you have would ber appreciated (Comment this)

4 - cindy skolnik, As a dentist I would like to ask you questions about what happens in your mouth after you inhale the product. They are:
1. do you find much powder remaining in your mouth after you inhale the Exubera?
2. Do you rinse you mouth out after inhaling?
3. Is there any residual alteration in sensation in your mouth afterwards, like an altered taste, burning, numbness, bleeding gums. sore cheeks, dry mouth symptoms (if so, for how long)

Thanks

Frank Varon, DDS (Comment this)

5 - Frank Varon DDS,
I do not feel any pwoder in my mouth. The only thing is maybe a little dryness. It is working very well for me. I am now off the metformin and down to only one dose of glipizide a day, I have also stopped the Byetta. (Comment this)

6 - I am newly diagnose Type II as of April, 2006. Have been using diet and exercise with some success; lost 65 lbs. since April, but numbers not steady. Two weeks ago, doc started me on metformin, 500 mgs. twice a day. Didn't see much improvement, so, last Friday, doc started me on Byetta, 5 mgs injections twice a day. Noticed immediate drop in numbers, but much side effects. I have bad nausea and some vomiting; also headaches and extreme tiredness. Not complaining, just wondering how long to expect this. My question is, will the Byetta still work if I don't eat? I find I have little or no appetite and must force myself to eat something within one hour of injection. I feel like I could go all day without eating and I know that is not good for my diabetes. Hope someone will answer my question; I really enjoy your forum and have learned a wealth of information from others like myself. Thank you all. (Comment this)

7 - My sister has been on Byetta for about 3 months now and is having severe headaches. I know they headaches can be a side effect, but these are effecting her ability to function. I have been reading blogs mentioning the other side effects, but I have not seen many mention severe headaches. Has anyone else had this problem? Any suggestions? (Comment this)

8 - HELP I am looking for the forum on help with nausea. I have looked all over the site, but can't find it.
If you know where it is located please advise.
Thanks (Comment this)

9 - ScruffY: On the right hand side of this page you will see a gray-shaded column. Follow it down the page. See the cute cartoon pic of Dr. Bill? Keep scrolling down. You will come to a column labeled "Some web pages at the Diabetes Monitor". In that list you will see 2 topics: Byetta -Experiences from the Blog and Byetta Basics. Both address nausea at length. (If you are on Byetta, look under the column titled "Current Discussion Forums at Diabetes Blog" (above Dr. Bill's picture) and ask questions there. If you are not, the nausea tips may still help. (Comment this)

10 - Found it, You rock!!! Thanks (Comment this)

11 - HI LEAH:

Your information on Gluten free diet is interesting. Can you name some Gluten free foods which I can incorporate in my diet? I am type 2 diabetic and currently I am on Metformin. I feel very lethargic as if I have no limbs. I have also food allergies and it make sense to eat Gluten free but I do not know how to adopt all what I eat as Gluten free.

NORA

[NOTE: This comment is off-topic, and should have been posted at Meals, Eating, Nutrition. I will let it stay, but in the future, if anyone wants to discuss this further, please post a brief comment here to tell folks that the followup will be elsewhere. Thanks!
Bill the diabetes doc.]

 (Comment this)

12 - Nora, I'll answer your question in meals, eating and nutrition as I eat Gluten Free. (Comment this)

13 - Hey, all. I'm a type 2 diagnosed 7 years ago. Managed ok over that time with oral meds. My doc put me on Byetta 4 months ago. I loved the 5mcg. For 2 months I had slow but steady weight loss and never cared if I ate. What a great feeling! Since being on the 10mcg for 2 months I'm back to my old self.....love food, starving, etc. Has anyone had these same experiences? My doctor is planning on putting me back on the 5. Any insight will be greatly appreciated. (Comment this)

14 - Started Byetta on November 11 and went to the 10 after a week or so. Just doing great,have lost seven pounds and numbers are better than ever.

I've read on other sites that people lost weight for up to two years. Certainly hope the weight-loss continues for another fifteen pounds or so for me. I'm curious. Do people with more pounds to lose tend to lose more and longer? (Comment this)

15 - Hi, folks.

There are several recent comments here at the Exubera Discussion Forum that belong at other forums.

Please review the list of Current Discussion Forums at Diabetes.Blog.com (look on the right sidebar at 8) and add comments there unless they're related to Exubera!

Many thanks!
Bill the diabetesdoc

PS: I reserve the right to remove any further off-topic comments that end up here. If anyone wants to discuss a comment further, please post a brief comment here to tell folks that the followup will be elsewhere, like Geri did in Comment 13 above. Thanks again!

Bill the deletemonster

 (Comment this)

16 - Dear all,

My mother is having type 2 diabetes for more than seven years and now she is on insulin injection twice a day. Can anyone tell me whether Exubera can substitute insulin injection for her? (I am new to this blog).

Thanks.
 (Comment this)

17 - I HAVE BEEN ON BYETTA FOR ABOUT 6 AND A HALF MONTHS ABOUT A MONTH AFTER TAKING IT I STARTED HAVING STOMACH PROBLEMS I TALKED TO MY SON HE ASKED ME WAS IT MY BYETTA I TOLD HIM I DIDENT THINK SO THEAN MY PROBLEM GOT WORSE I SEEN MY FAMILY DOCTOR ABOUT MY STOMACH PROBLEMS HE SENT ME TO A NOTHER DOCTOR WICH TOOK AN UPPER GI AND FOUND I HAD POLYPS IN MY STOMACH I GOT UP FEELING GOOD BUT AFTER TAKING THE BYETTA I GOT SICK I LOOKED UP SIDE AFFECTS ON BYETTA AND FOUND OUT ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS IM HAVING ARE THE SAME AS THE SIDE AFFECTS THAT ARE THE SAME AS THE SIDE AFFECTS OF BYETTA AND ALSO WAS WANTING TO KNOW IF BYETTA CAN CAUSE POLYPS IM THINKING ABOUT ASKING MY DOCTOR TO TAKE ME OFF OF BYETTA CAN I PLEASE GET SOME FEED BACK ON THIS.

THANK YOU L.H.

 (Comment this)

18 - lillie hudson, I'll post an answer to your question in the byetta island, this is the Exubera island. (Comment this)

19 - Ordered Exubera , will let you know if it helps ... (Comment this)

20 - Hello, Dr. Varon.

Very relevant and thoughtful questions. I have just undergone the arduous procedure of having 16 dental veneers put in, the last four of which were completed during my time on Exubera.

If you are at all familiar with any of the inhalant asthma medications (e.g., Advent), then you are pretty much aware of how Exubera works.

The Exubera powder that is released into the canister and then inhaled is extremely fine. I have found that none of the powder remains in my mouth after application. To counter any bitter taste that may be present, the Exubera powder contains a sugar alcohol called mannitol, the same kind of sweetener used in diabetic candies. Even this is barely perceptible. I find no need to rinse after taking Exubera and nowhere in the literature say it is advisable.

The only way that I am able to know that I have inhaled the powder is by seeing the cloud in the see-through canister clear when I breathe in.

After being on Exubera for four weeks now, I have suffered no adverse reactions, such as those you mention in your post. My teeth and gums, having just undergone the veneer procedure, still remain slightly sensitive to hot and cold. I still have four teeth that have been ground down and awaiting the actual veneers (the temps have come off). These “exposed” teeth are not affected by Exubera at all.

I hope my experience answers your questions.

Thanks,
Emmett Glenn
 (Comment this)

21 - SHOTS VS. EXUBERA

Hi All,

I am here because I started Exubera four weeks ago and I would like to share my experiences and learn of yours.

I was diagnosed with Type II when I was 29 years old. I am now 43 years old. Took just orals for a long time, but eventually started shots about 5 years ago. Used the Lilly self-contained Humulin pen for 4 years, then I switched to Lantis after I grew resistant to the Humulin.

I am still on Lantis shots, but my required dose keeps going up as I grow more resistant to it. To boost its efficacy, my doctor started me on Exubera.

I did not understand my doctor clearly enough when she told me that I was to take Exubera along with the Lantis. When she told me I would now be able to treat my diabetes with insulin that did not require a needle, I was thrilled. After the appointment, I told everyone I knew, “No more shots!”

Over the next 2 weeks, I found my glucose readings consistently shoot up to 400 and above. I took more Exubera after getting these numbers and, invariably, I’d have a low sugar reaction. I thought to myself, “I guess Exubera isn’t for me.”

I told a friend of mine about my lack of success. He went to the Exubera website and learned that the inhalant is a fast-acting insulin and is meant to be taken along with a slow-acting insulin. Exubera is to be taken just before meals to counter the spikes in blood-glucose that come just after eating.

Bottom line: Exubera is not a substitute for shots of slow-acting insulin. Exubera is taken just before meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)—that is, three times a day—to prevent spikes in glucose.

Since I have been taking Exubera properly (along with Lantis shots and just before meals), my glucose readings have returned to normal. Most significantly, my energy levels no longer crash shortly after I eat, as they once did when I was only taking Lantis.

In other words, I’m feeling better. I guess that’s all that matters.

Emmett (Comment this)

22 - Margaret-I have recently been told I am on my way to becoming a diabetic. My doctor gave me a month supply of Januvia. I have noticed a 7lb. weight gain in 2 weeks.This could be holiday weight gain. Also I have swelling in my knees and pain. I tell myself this is coinsidence but I noticed someone else said they had swelling in knee and pain in toes. I am monitoring my blood sugar levels and I think it's helping. I go back in 2 weeks to follow up. Any comments are welcome. (Comment this)

23 - I have been having problems with bladder infections I go to bed at night after taking my medicine Metronidazole and when I wake up in the morning I have a infection. I also have severe back pain from my shoulder bone down the lower left side of my back. Could I have some kind of kidney problems? These infections are getting old and I know that they are not good for me. Does anyone have any answere for me? (Comment this)

24 - Feliciabladderinfection,

Has your doctor changed the antibiotic you are taking? I had to try 2 different ones before my infection cleared up and I also began drinking much much more plain ice water I almost never have diet pop anymore and it seems to help a lot.

Also ask your doctor about using the AZO Urinary Tract Infection Test Strips. It can help you by not having to go tho the doictor all the time.

My doctor has me use them and if I get a positive I can just give him a call and he will order a perscription to clear up the problem. (Comment this)

25 - Emmett Glenn,
I had been raising theoretical concerns about the Exubera powder but it is not any different from those with the newer (in testing) insulin spray that is applied to the buccal mucosa. My greatest concern is with PREVENTION of dental problems and being proactive about issues BEFORE they occur. It appears for the most part that those posting on the site are having good results with few problems. That is a credit to your involvement (and anyone else for that matter) in your diabetes self-management and taking the time to learn a whole new technique of insulin administration.

Thank you for your candid feedback! Hey, Bill I might owe you lunch but with that cartoon you might need a bib!

Regards,

Frank Varon, DDS
www.frankvarondds.com (still underdeveloped-Heh! I'm doing it myself!) (Comment this)

26 - New to this blog how do you work also new to byetta 2 weeks (Comment this)

27 - What dosage of the Exubera are most of you on. I am on 2,2, and 3. (Comment this)

28 - Does anyone have tips for SPOUSES of diabetics--especially in regards to dealing with their mood swings, the negative, pessimistic view of things and snapping at their spouse ? Please help. I don't know what to do. My spouse has late onset diabeties and does not use the pump. He is only his nice self after exercise for a few hours.

[NOTE: This comment is off-topic, and should have been posted elsewhere. I will let it stay, but in the future, if anyone wants to discuss this further, please post a brief comment here to tell folks that the followup will be at Odds'n'Ends. Thanks!
Bill the diabetes doc.]

 (Comment this)

29 - I just started 1mg of Exubera this past Saturday before each of my three meals. Am also on 100Mg of Junivia and 1000 Mg of Metformin.

So far I have seen a decrease in my blood sugars since I started it 4 days ago. In the past I tried Byetta but didn't get the desired decrease.
Also tried Actos with no effect. (Comment this)

30 - My doctor just raised mine to 3 mg before each meal. When I was also on Metformin I got a couple of lows so he took me off of that. Am on Januvia and avandia.
I am not in the range I would still like but my numbers do stay steady all day. I still have to watch during the night ecause I do go down sometimes around 2AM and then I wake a little hight than I would like. I here there are not many on Exubera yet so they ( the doctors) are still adjusting the dosage because they are still not sure. (Comment this)

31 - Wes, why did you choose Exubera? Are you happy with it? I have to weigh my options. (Comment this)

32 - Sherry, I too had bad nausia from byetta, I switched to injecting it in my thigh and the nausia went away. After about 2 months I went back to injecting in my abdomen with no side effects. (Comment this)

33 - Melissa J/Cleveland, I too had the bad headaches. The hospital I had to go to said they are scalp migrains. The only relieve I got was to put moist heat on my head and take Loratab. My doc took me off of byetta because of this. I also vomitted something awful. (Comment this)

34 - I am new to Exubera. Just took one dose of 5mg last night. Then about 2 hours later got the itchies all over body. Does anyone know about this? I am alos on Januvia, lantus and glibazide. Should I be on Glibazide? I don't like the large inhaler but, I don't like the weight gain I got from taking Actos & glibazide. In one year a 52# gain!! Do you lose weight with Exubera? (Comment this)

35 - 2busymom,
My doctor took me off of Glipizide when I started the Exubera. He now has taken me of off metformin also. Am just on Januvia and Avandia and the Exubera. We have been playing with the dosage though. When I was on Byetta I lost 25 pounds. I was down to 103. the doctor did not like that. I Just kept losing weight. My husband said it looked like I was melting. I did start losing the weight befor the Byetta because of bad blood sugars. Now after being on Exubera for 6 months and Januvia I have put back on 25 pounds. I am not eating any different and I have been exercising more so why the weight gain? It has to be the meds.
 (Comment this)

36 - I'm going to start on Exubera this week, any good pointers out there for a newbe?
I am a Type 1 on the pump. Tummy is just wore out and becoming insulin resistant. (Comment this)

37 - Advertisement

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38 - The information concerning STORTAGE that Byetta send out throught the internet and the material in its packaging is difference. Afer opening your Byetta the instruction through the internet suggest it may be maintain in temperature not to exceed 77oF and in the mail out marterial it states that the Byetta shoud remain refrigerated. What is what?

Loretta (Comment this)

39 - Scruffy,

I have been on Byetta for 9 days. Three days ago the nausea began and I tried ginger ale, ginger tea, Alka-Seltzer and even Zofran, didn't help. I was reading this most informative blog and saw that another person took Max. Strength Pepcid an hour before each shot and the nausea went away. I did the same and sure enough...it was gone! (Comment this)

40 - Carla: Come over to the Byetta forum and post this tip. It will help others! (Comment this)

41 - AmyT of www.diabetesmine.com, really nice positive comments, made me feel less worried about starting treatment. (Comment this)

42 - Great rendition really helpful. (Comment this)

43 - My doc has told me I need to have a needle phobia to start exubera and see a psychiatrist to confirm this. This seems a little extreme. I have had type 1 for 20 years and my body is worn out of injecting, can't get rid of the lumps. Any one know the exact criteria in the uk for being prescribed exubera, i'd love to give it a go. (Comment this)

44 - cindy skolnik,I've been type II for 12 years. At first controlled by oral med. Kidney damage took me off glucophage and onto lantus and novolog. Belly kept lumping and bruising so my doc suggested exubera. First two weeks at 5 mg were great. Then sugars kept rising. Doc now has me up to 20mn before meals and 90 lantus but sugars ard still in the 200s, sometimes as high as 400. I'm realy troubled. Any body else have fimilar experience? I'm so the point where I am considering bariatric surgery. Comment this. (Comment this)

45 - Lin, I am now on 4,4,3 and one at bed time. I am also on Januvia 1 a day. My numbers seem to be doing great right now. My doctor told me yesterday that the new Exuber inhaler will the size of a palm. I still have an off day once in awhile with no reason. Frustratig. (Comment this)

46 - nanagail, i HAVE TYPE 2 DIABETES 3 YEARS DIANOSED FIRST MED WAS METFORMIN 2ND MED WAS METFORMIN/ACTOS, NOW I AM ON JANUVIA..IT IS BETTER AT CONTROLLING MY #'S. MY QUESTION IS i ASKED MY DOCTOR FOR BYETTA. HE WONT PUT ME ON IT AND EVERYTIME I READ ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE LOSING WEIGHT. HE WONT PUT ME ON THIS. HE SAID ITS FOR PEOPLE WITH HIGHER A1C. WHAT IS YOUR A1C, HOW HIGH HAVE YOUR SUAGR LEVELS BEEN.MY EMAILE IS HARLEYLOVER56@AOL.COM MY NAME IS KATHY. DOES BYETTE WORK WELL FOR YOU? PLASE WRITE ME BACK. (Comment this)

47 - geri in Co, T2 in 1998, 10 byetta (7/06), 2.5 2/x glucotrol XL, 1000 mg metformin ER 2/x, Lantus 25U at bed,Hi, Yes it is working for me much better than novolog, It is not complicated and also it does help you maintain your weight a bit easier. You should give it a try. (Comment this)

48 - cindy skolnik, I am on 1,3,1 I sometimes omit the 3 and have two additional 1's. Hope that makes sense. (Comment this)

49 - Emmett Glenn, Hi, I just recently as well started Exubera along with Lantis and my numbers are where they need to be. I also have had great response to Exubera. (Comment this)

50 - CHRISTINA SMITH,

I think I'd get a new doctor.
I've been on Exubera for about 3 or 4 weeks and have not been so pleased as I am with this and the Byetta and most of all my doctor.
Hope you get to try it soon. (Comment this)