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1 - I have been on 5mcg of Byetta for a week now along with 1000mg Glucovance 2x daily. My 2 hr post-prandial BS are <180 after b-fast and dinner (when I take my Byetta). However, my fasting BS's are still in the mid-200's. Is a week not long enough to obtain full effects of the "monster?" BTW, no side effects to speak of, except headache the first couple of days. (Comment this)

2 - Had my Endo appt. today. I have been on 10mcg Byetta for 6 wks.

When I started, he took me off Prandin and Amaryl and cut my Lantus from 15u to 10u. Over time, I decreased my Lantus to 4u and he took me off it entirely today. I am money ahead as I eliminated 3 drugs and added one.

My Endo was very pleased with my BG readings and weight loss - 10 pounds in 6 wks.

He commented that he now has over 100 patients on Byetta. I gave him information on the Diabetes Moniter and Blog that I had printed out. He was extremly interested to know about this and the overwhelming positive comments.

I suggested that he consider putting his pre-diabetics on Byetta and he said he just might do that.

I stopped by his CDE's office and she has been pushing him on the pre-diabetic issue. She commented that she has only had 4 patients that could not tolerate Byetta and that everybody was very happy with the results.

I was very happy to learn that my Endo has gotten aggressive with prescribing Byetta as he is quite conservative. (Comment this)

3 - my PCP was so excited re Byetta and its potential.
He's been telling me it was coming since last year.
Our local endo, however went all weird when I asked him about it. "rigid blood sugar control is not the answer"........... don't really understand his response, but know first hand that he's a good doc for his pts.

So,I am happily shooting up my PCP prescribed synthetic lizard spit. I'm taking this chance to correct my diet and exercise too. I like normal sugars! Am sure the AIC will follow! And as a result, a decrease in potential complications of diabetes smiles at my future.

Hoorah Byetta! I tell all the type 2's I run into "learn about the new stuff out there for diabetic treatment! and then to run, don't walk, to your dr to talk about how it fits into their treatment plans!"

Am on 3rd pen, and doing well (Comment this)

4 - Betty, I've been taking my readings about 6 times a day because I thought the sugar would be low when I get so disoriented, but they were higher then than at any other times of the day. Moring readings hover around 160. Then by noon it can be 51. Then back up in the afternoon. I seem to be all over the place. I have to say, taking caffeine in the morning has helped me get through the worst of this strange feeling of not focusing, not hearting etc. And I think it is lessening, though I still have a few problems focusing at work. Hope this settles down by next week--my 2nd week into 10 mcg. (Comment this)

5 - === Off-topic post===

Hey, folks!
We've got a new PWD who's asking questions & needs answers. She's posting at our new Discussion Forum for people who are New to Diabetes.

Give her your thoughts and support! (Comment this)

6 - Had my 6 week visit to my Endo today after almost 30 days on the 5mcg dose. He was very pleased with my readings and didn't raise me to the 10 mcg as I had expected he would, especially after reading a lot of the messages here. He wants to wait and see how I do over the next month or so. One thing that was a bit disappointing was that I only lost 5 lbs in 3 weeks. I had been seeing my dietician regularly since before I started Byetta, so I was already on a pretty strict regimen before even starting Byetta, and my portions were already reduced. The biggest thing I've given up is diet coke and believe me, that was no problem. I'm now waiting to get my first AIC results since being on Byetta and am optimistic that my readings will have improved significantly.

On a side note, I'm still waiting for my welcome kit - it's been a good 3 weeks, but then that may be the norm. Going on a trip in early October and will need something to keep my monster slobber nice and cold. (Comment this)

7 - Petra: it took 4-5 weeks for mine to come.

I have had good success with freezing the smaller soft ice packs from wally world and keeping them in the welcome bag. I only have had good success ( (Comment this)

8 - Elizabeth: you need to have a talk with your dr!
Good luck, sounds frustrating! (Comment this)

9 - Add me to the list of those with (1) no nausea, (2)excellent BG readings, (3) reduced appetite but no weight loss, and (4) "surprises" from insurance providers. At my 1 mo. checkup yesterday, my endo decided to stay with the 5mcg another month, since he was very happy with my numbers. Took the prescription to my drug store and was told they need "advance approval." A day later, after the doc's assistant and drug store each blamed the other, we called Humana and learned that they will approve Byetta, but I have to buy it by mail from their source -- overnight delivery. After pointing out, strongly, that I *must* throw the old pen away tonight, they *allowed* me to purchase the pen at my local drug store, but only if the doc called them and requested this special dispensation. More phone tag and the kindness of the doc's assistant. Luckily, the drug store had already ordered the pen for me yesterday in anticipation of approval, so they had it in stock today. But a warning to all of you now using the sample from your doctor, please allow plenty of lead time to get your first prescription approved and filled! Now the obvious catch is this: Why would your doctor want to give you the prescription until you have successfully completed the first month on Byetta, giving him/her the option of the 5 or 10 pen, or even of discontinuing? On another note, it's a month and I still haven't received my freezer pack from Byetta. Wonder if they've run out of them? (Comment this)

10 - Dear "prefer to leave blank":

I find it incredible that your endocrinologist says that rigid blood sugar control is not the answer. I've always thought that's exactly what we're trying to accomplish. Did you happen to ask him what he thought the answer is? And what's the question, exactly?

I'm glad your PCP is more enlightened about Byetta. I've had the opposite experience - my PCP is woefully behind the times when it comes to diabetes control, but my endocrinologist (diabetologist, actually) is a researcher as well as physician who treats real people, was very amenable to my going on Byetta.

I'm going to see him next week and will discuss my BG levels since going from 5mcg (with Metformin and Starlix at every meal) to 10mcg with no Starlix and then one Starlix a day. I think he's great, and trust his judgement, although I realize that it's *my* body and I'm the ultimate expert on it.

I wonder if you can find a more up-to-date endocrinologist in your city/town. (Comment this)

11 - Elizabeth, I agree you need to call the doctor with your readings. The up and down readings and mental confusion need to be reported and the hypoglycemia if not related to other drugs would in my opinion call for a reduction back to 5 mcg. I don't remeber what else you are taking if you shared that. (Comment this)

12 - Tonight it is exactly 4 weeks since I started taking Byetta. I would never have believed what a change this drug has made in my life. I have lost 20 pounds (most of this was originally from stopping the Actos) and am not hungry anymore.

I have found that even if I forget to eat after taking Byetta, I don't have a problem with low blood sugars. This was certainly NOT the case when I started the Byetta but is part of the general improvement in nausea, tiredness and all around not feeling that great that happened when I started the Byetta.

As long as I stay away from sugar and fat, I can pretty much eat what I want, although I just feel better when I am eating fresh vegetables and whole grains...my body seems to process them better since the Byetta.

Now, this side effect is something I haven't seen (but might have missed)...I am/was moving into menopause with my periods getting lighter and further apart. That has completely switched since the Byetta. I am now having what for most of my adult life were my normal periods. It is very strange. Not unwelcome, but odd to be back to normal periods when I had thought I was pretty much almost over that :) (Comment this)

13 - hi,
i was wondering if anyone else is experiencing a painful burning, stinging when injecting? this started yesterday. i used a brand new needle. the needle doesn't hurt going in. but when i press down on the button to release the med, it starts to sting so bad that i had to take it out this morning before finishing the dosage. i'm afraid to try it again tonight. anyone else have this? i called the drug co; they don't know why. they had no answer for me other than to take down my symptoms and all my info so it can be noted. they suggested i call my dr. he's not going to know why it's doing this if the drug co itself doesnt know. i thought i'd see what response i might get.
thanks!
gayle (Comment this)

14 - i forgot to mention that i've been on the 5 pen for 3 weeks now and have not had anything like this before.
gayle (Comment this)

15 - Picked up the new pen at our drug store and told the pharmacist that Humana is requiring me to get Byetta by mail from now on. She wisely asked how the 36-46 degree temperature would be maintained in transit, even with overnight delivery.

Has anyone received Byetta by mail? (Comment this)

16 - Forgot to ask: Is this safe? (Comment this)

17 - Gayle- I have occasional stinging and burning. Just move the sites of your injections-that's what my dr. told me and that does work. This is my 3rd month already on Byetta, the stinging went away for most of August and just this week it's back. Just force yourself to do it-it's worth it. Good luck. (Comment this)

18 - I've been injecting Byetta for 9 days. I check the fluid in my pen for air bubbles before each use. This morning I notices a small (size of a grain of rice) white mass floating in my pen. It doesn't appear to be solid...picture a little bit of mucus floating in water and you'll get the idea. I called the hotline and they are sending me a certificate for a new pen and an envelope to send them back this one. They suggested I not use the pen anymore.

Has anyone else seen anything like this? I KNOW that stuff wasn't in there before. I've been wondering where it came from and the only thing I can come up is that there may have been something on the inside wall of the pen that got scraped off by the plunger as it moved along with my injections...strange

I am THRILLED with this medication! I have very few side effects and I feel fantastic. My BS have gone from 280 - 360 to 80 - 130 in ONE week! Truly amazing.
 (Comment this)

19 - Jeannie

Caremark overnights my 90 day supply (3 pens). It comes via FedEx in a box that has a Frozen coolpack in it with the BYETTA boxes all bubble wraped with it . When I received it, the coolpack was still partially frozen and the temp. was fine.

Most major drug suppliers ship drugs all over the US that reguire refrigeration of various degrees and they know how to pack and ship it. (Comment this)

20 - Hi, Everyone. I'm new here and on day 6 of Byetta 5mcg. I had some tiredness and a little nausea after the first injection, and a little less on the second. After that, I've been home free with no problems. I was able to cut my insulin requirements from 5 injections daily of Lantus and Humalog, to just 5 units of Lantus in the evening. My readings are running around 110 fasting, to 138 2 hrs after meals.

Good news: I've lost weight, my appetite is "normal" for the first time in my life. I have more energy and my glucose readings aren't jumping all over the place from hypo to hyper.

My questions is: Has anyone started 10mcg sooner than a month because they are able to tolerate the 5mcg well? Is there a good reason for waiting?

Thanks! (Comment this)

21 - JB

My CDE switched me from 5mcg to 10mcg after 8 days. She did so at my request. I just took 2 shots of the 5mcg at breakfast and dinner and ordered my 10mcg pens from Caremark.

My BG readings improved but so did the feeling of satiety. I really have to watch my portion sizes or I pay the price.

I have been on Byetta for 6 weeks. (Comment this)

22 - I started the 10mcg after 2 weeks cause i was having no problems. been doing 10mcg for about a month now. (Comment this)

23 - Thanks for all the info...My doc put me to 10 in the morning and 5 in the pm...after 10 days, first time I feel tired, bowel issues....still not hungry....but will consider the 5 again. A little jittery with my heart beating...think I will go home and rest... (Comment this)

24 - I started 3 days ago. That first day was fantastic, my BS was lower than I had seen them in years, but today the third day they seem to be going down slower and not going down as far. half hour after I ate it was 198. The seem to be raising up again, anyone else have this problem does it start working better as time goes on? No much on side affects, a little headache and tired. (Comment this)

25 - To CarolC:

Do you normally test your blood sugar half an hour after eating? That's pretty quick - I know some people who test an hour after finishing their meal, and I test two hours after eating.

Have you tested after a longer interval after eating and what were your numbers then?

There's also the question of "at what point in a meal do you start your testing interval?" I've heard halfway through the meal, and I've heard at the end of the meal. My opinion, although no one asked me :) is that I count my two hours from the end of the meal. That way I only have to look at my watch once when I'm done, rather than the start of the meal AND the end, and splitting the difference. I think consistency is the important thing: whatever time you pick, just stick with it for all your meals.

I do think it takes some time for Byetta to really get into the body for some people. Keep taking the drug and noting your numbers. For me, the 5mcg took effect immediately, but when I went up to 10mcg (and off most of my Starlix), it's taking longer to see consistently lower numbers. FYI, I test four times a day: fasting and 2 hours post prandial. (Comment this)

26 - New drug Byetta allows diabetics to lose weight
Rockwood part of study that researcher calls the biggest breakthrough in past 10 years

By Rocky Wilson
http://www.spokanejournal.com/spokane_id=article&sub=2497 (Comment this)

27 - normaly I test 2 hours after I eat, but wanted to see how this stuff works. They are definetly lower than without the byetta. But still much higher than the first days. I was low 100's and even went to 76..these last couple of days they have been high 100 and even a 200. Why do they put you on the 10cc? because the 5cc isn't working like it should? Just curious, real new to all of this. I have been a diabetec for 12 years, pills weren't doing anything for me. The byetta has done better than any pill so far. I am excited but worried that this might not work for me. thanks for getting back to me. I will try and test only every two hours after I eat and within a half hour before to see where I am at. (Comment this)

28 - thanks for the concern. I'm calling my doctor on Monday. I thought it was getting better but it's getting worse. Some depression for no reason now. I wanted so badly to be able to tolerate this. Maybe there's still a way. (Comment this)

29 - This is day 4 and still not having any major symtoms. I am not weighing myself daily like I did before Byetta. I am losing a pd here and there so thats alot better than before. I did notice I have a bubble in my pen, is that bad? The fluid looks fine. The bubble is at the top near the metal piece. I also was afraid that I wasn't getting the Meds in my system until I realized that the metal blunger was getting closed to the lines on my pen. That was a relief. I am really hopeful about Byetta. I am so new to this diabetic issue and love this site.
Megan (Comment this)

30 - Megan,

I also have a small bubble in my pen. Personally, I am not concerned about it as it will not harm anything or you. There is not enough air in it do cause any problem even if it was injected into you.

If you want to get rid of it, when you take your shot, cock your pen and hold it with the needle pointing straight up and slowly push in the plunger until the bubble is gone and a drop of fluid comes out. Then inject yourself with the balance. The directions say not to store your pen with the needle attached. (Comment this)

31 - I'm in Denham Springs,Louisiana about 90 miles from N.O.
just got back elect. yesterday. For the about two days I did my best to keep my Byetta at the right temp. Most times it was closer to 50 degrees when I checked the temp. I've tried to call cust. ser. can't get through. I'm still injecting I hope it's O.K. Maybe I'll get through on Monday. (Comment this)

32 - According to comments made on this Blog in August, Byetta is stable at room temp for a cumulative 144 or six days over the 30 day use of the pen. This information came from Byetta customer service. If you wish to verify, call them.

For answers to questions about BYETTA, please contact the Amylin Lilly Customer Support Center toll-free at 1-800-868-1190. (Comment this)

33 - If it burns when you inject yourself and you use an alcohol wipe you may not be letting the alcohol dry. (Comment this)

34 - Gayle, I was having trouble with stinging also. I mentioned to my endo and she said to let the Byetta warm up a little before the injection. I have been letting the pen sit out on the counter for about 10 minutes and it has greatly reduced the stinging. Also has anyone used the pen past the 30 days, what are the risks of using it for a couple extra days? I sent my prescription into Caremark and think it may be a day or two after the 30 days on the pen I have, before I get the new one. Does anyone the self life of Byetta, I noticed that Caremark is going to send 3 pens. Thank-you (Comment this)

35 - Donna near Chicago -
I was using a combo of 5 and 10 mcg beginning my second week; as a result, I still had medication in a pen beyond 30 days, in fact, I used it for 41 days and I was fine. I do want to note however, that I constantly maintained the temperature the whole time that I had the pen.

I'm originally from your area, so hello to a fellow Illini:-) (Comment this)

36 - Regarding the burning and the alcohol swab..... My Endo. had me STOP using an alcohol swab all together. Not only was it burning when I used them, but I also had hive-like reactions that itched like crazy. It went away as soon as I stopped using the swabs. Hope this is helpful to you somehow. (Comment this)

37 - I am in week 10 and the symptoms have come back with a vengeance. Twice this week I have thrown up my dinner. I have spent alot of time nauseous. I have tried Pepto Bismol and also tried the Max Strength Pepcid AC (thanks to a suggestion I read on this blog). I am very concerned about my long term use of this drug. I was hoping that the symptoms would be gone by now - didn't really have too many problems in the beginning. I tried the call Byetta 24 hour hotline - they are NOT open 24 hours a day! I'll try them again in a couple of days.
 (Comment this)

38 - I started Byetta this evening. My BS was 271 before dinner, I did the injection (not bad at all) and at 2 hours my BS was 136, at 3 hours it was 99. I am impressed. I have not noticed any side effects, but its probably too soon. I have read some posts that suggest only one dose the first week instead of two....has anyone else tried this? (Comment this)

39 - Dr. Bill hasn't gotten around to posting all the links that are on the August Blog. For those of you who are new, I wrote an article that summarized a lot of information from the blog and answers some of the questions that are being asked here. The link is http://www.diabetesmonitor.com/m60.htm

There is so much information here on Dr. Bill's pages but sometimes you can get lost when you start clicking.
The Lilly help line is not answered 24 hours a day and the hours are posted in the article as well as a lot of other links to sites you may or may not have seen. The question about starting shots with once a day doses is also answered in the article. I think it makes some sense especially if you have a history of being nauseated with pregnancy or easily nauseated or are trying to work. But all clinical decisions need to be made in conjunction with your physician. When nothing else works for the nausea try real Coke. I know you haven't had any in years but it saved Nancy's life. The new Coke zero comes close too. I eat a small Dole fruit cup immediatly after my shot, the cold sweet fruit seems to help and they are 60-80 calories. I still do it evem though the nausea isn't really a problem any more because I've gotten to like them and I'm afraid to stop. (Comment this)

40 - Well this is day 5 for me. BS is better but still having some highs. Does a pain pill affect your BS? I am on Hydrocodone and I noticed last night that an hour or two after having sugar free pudding and my pain pill it went from 119 to 170. Pudding or pain Pill? I really need the pain pill, but I could give up the pudding, what do you think? thanks (Comment this)

41 - Wow, I am glad I stumbled on this forum. I have learned alot from everyones questions and answers. I was prescribed the Byetta pen on Monday Aug 29, 2005. It took my pharmasist two days to get the pen in at Walmart. Then they forgot to order the needles so gave me what they had hoping they would work. I had everything I needed by Thursday evening. I had hoped to start Friday morning and got nervous. I have been told by my doctor how new this drug was, my pharmasist didn't even know much about it and couldn't answer my questions. So I began to feel like a guinea pig. So I told my self I would begin Sat. Morning and I have come down with a severe sore throat and cough. I was affraid again to start. Labor day weekend and no doctor to call until Tuesday and not sure what the history was on the Byetta and sicknees while taking it. Also I have been taking cough medicine and Tylenol, plan to see the doctor Tuesday if not better. I have been running a fever too. Any opinions, should I hold off on the Byetta or has anyone been sick before or during taking the Byetta. I am excited, especially since reading the forums here. I look forward to my BS becoming lower, and the possible weight loss too. Any suggestions are welcomed. Thank you. (Comment this)

42 - Beth,

I don't know anything about Byetta and illnesses. But in my opinion, I would hold off before starting it if you are not feeling well. You don't know what side effects you might have from the Byetta.......it seems most people have some....and why do that to yourself if you are already not well? If I were you I would wait until you are well and then start. It will also be easier to figure out what is causing any side effect you might have if you don't have your other symptoms complicating things.

Good luck.....and feel better! (Comment this)

43 - I agree. Don't start sick.

Those sugar free puddings do have calories. I can't think of a valid reason for hydrocodone to elevate Blood Glucose off the top of my head. Leave off the pudding and check again if it's still up I will do some research for you. (Comment this)

44 - First time - long time like the radio talk shows. I am a Type 2 diabetic since early 1994. Currently 54 yrs old. A bit of background - been through the gamut of pills, some worked some didn't. Last October, the endo finally put me on a bedtime shot of NPH insulin. A1c at that time was 9.1 and average blood sugar was running ~ 220. Pills included amaryl (4 mg daily), avandia 4 mg twice a day, and metformin at 1000 mg twice a day. Pills were not working. In April, same regime, A1c dropped to 7.3. Kept the same program going - In late July the A1c dropped to 6.9. Average bg was 148. All cholesterols in good shape (20 mg lipitor daily contributed to that) and BP real good too. Pretty good eh? Not so fast my friends - weight had increased to 254 lbs (only 6 ft tall). Have had fat ankles for about 4 years (avandia the culprit. Endo took avandia out of the program in late July to reduce the swelling and changed the BP medicine from Diovan 160 + 12.5 HCTZ to Diovan 160 + 25 HCTZ and suggested that I try byetta. Also, dropped the NPH out on August 4.

My experience with byetta has been horrible. I started on byetta on August 4. I was on the 5 mcg dose for a week with no real side effects but no real impact on the bG readings as well - they increased to an average of about 165-170 during this time. I called the endo and they suggested that I move up to 10 mcg dose since I was not having any problems with the 5 dose and the sugars were climbing. Started the 10 dose on August 11 and have been feeling terrible since. The bG readings have come down to just slightly above where I started this (low to mid 150's). Foul taste in my mouth, appetite has been killed, eat about 1/3 of what I used to (probably a good thing), but like so many of the other posters here, I can't take it. I lost part of my dinner last night and that was the final straw. The good news - I have lost 20 lbs this month. I will talk with the endo on Tuesday, maybe I would consider going back to the 5 mcg dose, but maybe not. I am leaning to quitting the experiment and resuming insulin. Bad, bad experience. Will let you all know later what my final choice is. (Comment this)

45 - I am on my second month and have moved up to the 10 Mcg dose.
Nausea has been mild, appetite has decreased and I have lost a few pounds. More to the point I have stopped gaining weight.

Prior to Byetta I was taking Metformin, Actos and Amaryl and my blood sugars were in the 120s to 150s.

I have dropped the Amaryl and replaced it with Byetta. My blood sugars are now in the range of 170 to 220.

Despite higher blood sugars, I have more energy than before.

I am using an 8mm ‘short pen’ needle, and I’m 410 lbs most of that in the gut. Does anybody think a longer needle might help?

 (Comment this)

46 - just wondering, does the 10mg dose take the same size needle? (Comment this)

47 - At the end of my 4th week of Byetta 5mg dose. Mild nausea peaked after day 10. No more nausea, unless I eat something really greasy. I go to the 10mg dose later this week. A note on traveling and cooling for the pen: I traveled from Alabama to Phoenix and back this past week with a Diabetic Travel Kit that I bought at a Wal-Mart pharmacy for $15.00. The kit contained storage for the BG meter, syringes, several bottles of insulin and insulin-type pens (also included a bag for used sharps). Most importantly, the kit contained two (gel) bags for freezing. The frozen gel bags, inside the moderately insulated kit, keep my Byetta pen cold for around 10 hours (from time I left hotel in Phoenix til time I arrived at my home airport). Excellent kit for traveling with Byetta! (Comment this)

48 - Augie, why not go back to insulin, add symlin, drop byetta, and keep metformin? Worth a try?

Carolc, yes, same size needle. You use the same size needle no matter how much insulin you shoot, same with byetta. Also, I think yours was the pudding question. What did you make it with? There are a lot of carbs in milk, even more in lower fat milks. Some people use skim milk to combat lows. You might try a low carb milk, like Hood or soy milk for the pudding.

Billy B, I assume you are a man, therefore would tend to have less fat in your thighs than a woman. There is supposed to be no difference in absorption between thigh and tummy. Give it a try and see what happens.

Helen (Comment this)

49 - Thank you Debbie and to Betty, I have decided to wait until I call my doctor on Tuesday. I am just so nervous and excited all at the same time. I also have read here about some of you who have been on the Actos and the weight gain you had experienced. I too had been taking it for 4 months and blew up like a balloon. I was excited to read it wasn't me. Since being fiagnosed with Diabetes 2 2y ago I have been so sickly feeling, with the spikes in sugar. The only time I have ever felt great, was when I eliminated carbs completely. I honestly felt like a young teenager...I lost 60lbs, was feeling great, but I couldn't stay on the diet, it became boring for me. I also felt like I would never be able to eat " normal " again...what ever that is really. I don't over eat, I am a single mom, working full time and never have a chance to sit down. I am always exhausted, feeling like I have morning sickness all day, irregular periods, and boy PMS has evolved. I don't know much about this Byetta pen, I can't wait to try,but no one in my area has ever heard of it. The doctor is so excited because I am the first. That scares me so thanks for all of you here. I will be visiting regularly. I fell some what better today, so I hope to start Wednesday. Good luck to all and thanks for the support. (Comment this)

50 - Helen

On the sugar free, it is from walmart made by jello with splenda. It does have 14g of carbs though. I woke up this a.m. and I was 202. This stuff doesn't seem to be working so well with me. My fastings aren't that good and even during the day, my readings are jumpy. I wanted so much for this to work, does anyone think going on the 10mg would do better? Has anyone had any better luck? (Comment this)