Diabetes.Blog.com

1 - Need Byetta pen expert info
When I injected my Byetta this morning, a small drop of blood erupted from the injection site - no big deal. However, as I was putting the pen away, I notice a drop of blood had migrated up the needle into the Byetta serum. Is this a problem? Can I continue to use this pen? Do I need to get a new one?
HELP!!!!!
Thanks!!! (Comment this)

2 - Okay, deep breath. I reached Amylin and they are arranging with my pharmacy for me to get a new pen today. They were very pleasant and easy to talk to. Lo and behold, as I am typing this, the on-call doctor has already called me back!!! I must be living right! (Comment this)

3 - Just started Byetta before dinner last night. Second dose before breakfast this morning. Feel absolutely no different than before. I have a business trip coming up in two weeks, four days in Atlanta. Anyone have any advice on how to keep the lizard spit cold for four days with no access to a freezer? Cold packs only last about 18 hours at best.
Ciao!
Greg77 in Tampa (Comment this)

4 - Greg, search the very end of the September Byetta Blog archives. There was a discussion on using a stainless steel thermos with ice. That worked best for a few of us. (Comment this)

5 - Some messages from our sponsor:

(1) Please spend a few minutes at the Diabetes Monitor website (CLICK HERE) and read more about diabetes. (2) Also: if you haven't yet answered our polls to tell us more about yourself, we'd encourage you to please do so: How did you find this blog? Tell us about yourself! (3) Finally, if you like to answer polls, there are lots more at the Diabetes Monitor, at Polls. Many thanks, from Steph & Bill Quick

 

 (Comment this)

6 - Third day on Byetta and now I'm having side effects. Really bad nausea and having to run to the bathroom several times last night and today. Intestinal pain, the kind you have with Irritable bowel. I'm on a narcotic pain med, so I haven't had much trouble with IBS in a long while. The Byetta seems to have stirred things up. I get nauseaous if I don't eat within 15 min of taking the Byetta. Good side: Bg is great! without Insulin! Lowest it's been in a long time. I'll suffer through the side effects to have my bg under control and as low as it's been in years. (Comment this)

7 - Liz: About nausea...anything you can do to feel better is OK. If you need Tums or Pepcid AC, they are effective for some of us. Tea+toast is helpful for others. Or crackers+ginger ale. The GI malarky is made worse by fat and/or spicy foods, the definition of which varies from person to person--for me, pizza has become the worst thing I could eat (even when I make it myself from scratch and control everything on it). The nausea does eventually go away, so stick with it! (Comment this)

8 - Finally got my byetta pen and took my first shot last night. Because I am prone to nausea we will be going slow, one shot per day until it is obvious I tolerate it well. I also take protonix three times a week and will step it up to a daily dose until I titrate up on byetta.

I am starving! Went to bed hungry, woke up hungry and I am never hungry in the morning. True I had a salad last night because I wanted to eat lightly, just in case. Ate a more robust meal tonight, albeit low carb, and am hungry again. But I am not sleepy. Had six hours last night and woke up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and hungry, this morning. BG was 91 at bedtime and 91 this morning. Morning rise was after I got up and avoided with two units of Humalog.

I will never lose weight if I continue to be this hungry. Anyone else got the starvies?

Helen (Comment this)

9 - Report on Medicool Special Protecall Blue Holder for Byetta Pen: I was on the road for 14 hours and the Blue Pen Holder was at 36-46 for almost 8 hours. It is recommended for 8 hours and that is what it does. Cost: $54.00 with mailing and tax in California. You need to freeze the Blue Pen Holder for 8 hours, let stand for 10 minutes outside the carrier. Then you are set to go. Very handy bag designed for carrying over shoulder and many pockets for supplies. You have to look for the Byetta designed carrier and they don't exactly make it to easy. They must have just added this carrier. You can find it on the Home Page as a short note, which is clickable, indicating a special Protectall Blue Holder. Conclusion: Good for short hauls, not reliable beyond those excursions. Expensive and not something I would recommend since you can get more distance from home made devices. But I will use for going to dinner and out for the evening. John Dodson (Comment this)

10 - Flip, always call for assistance and don't wait on us. Boards have their purpose but emergency help is not one of them. (Comment this)

11 - Helen, nothing about my appetite has diminished either, and the other day I was hungry enough to eat luch twice. Haven't gained or lost any weight.... I keep hoping that will come... miracles happen!

I also haven't had any of the other side effects.

From what others have said, I guess I can expect my MD to raise the dosage after I fax him my numbers from the first two weeks, so maybe things will change. (Comment this)

12 - I started Byetta 5 mg yesterday. I will do it once a day for a week and up to the 2 times daily next weekend because of what I have read on this blog. Have had some belching, and a slight headache but otherwise nothing I can't handle. I have taken Pepcid before taking the shot, which has probably helped.
I have been on Avandia for 1 1/2 years and Glucophage for about a year. I quit the Avandia a week ago and have lost at least .5 pounds a day. My assumption is that it is water. I wonder if there is a connection to stopping the Avandia and the weight loss, maybe not so much the Byetta. I have been working with a trainer for about a year to help with weight loss and BG, know what portion size should be and what I should be eating. Follow a pretty strict regimen. When I started gaining weight instead of losing, it was time to call the doctor and get some answers as to why no loss.
Just happened to be at the Diabetes Center for my yearly check-in with them and when I was up to the highest I have ever been, I guess I kind of cried on their shoulders. They mentioned the Byetta and the rest is history. Called the Doctor the next morning and by the next day, had the goods in my hands.
It has been a real help to me to read all of the comments and encouraging words here. Thanks for being there.

 (Comment this)

13 - Is anyone afraid of long term effects from Byetta. I was just told about Byetta, so I do not how long it has been available. I am going back to my dr. on Thurs. with a decision. I am like everyone else, nervous about the side effects and a little freaked out about the gila monster salvia. Thank you. (Comment this)

14 - I too worry that down the road a ways we will find out that there is something really bad about the Byetta. With other meds that after being on the market for a while are taken off because they are dangerous. I am hopeing that the weight loss will be enough to make it all worth it. I haven't had the appetite reduction that a lot have talked about. I really didn't eat all that much to start with though. A diatition pointed out that in my efforts to cut carbs that I picked up a lot of calories in cheese, sore cream and vegie dips and things like that. You just can't win. I have only lost about 6 or 7lbs in 2 months. I am hopeing that with slow weight loss though that skin will shrink up with loss instead of having a lot of excess hanging everywhere. Also maybe people won't notice and have people making a lot of comments about "how good I look" I hate that. I think I am just fine the way I am and I don't like that others think that I'm not. Weight loss is to feel better, not look better. But I'm venting now. I still at times have some high sugar readings, but readings are usually down. I am about to start my 3rd 5mg pen expecting doctor to raise it to 10mg in a couple of weeks when I go back in to see her. I haven't had much in the line of side effects either. A little more headachy, nothing that an adville doesn't take care of. Hopefully weight loss will continue and the sugar levels will stay down. Losing eyesight or limbs or having heart problems does not appeal to me. (Comment this)

15 - Strangely my daughter-in law who was here for the first time in a long time said something about my going to need a tummy tuck with all this weight loss and I hadn't thought about it before but it it not weight loss that is unhealthy or unsightly. I have now lost 22 pounds since July 14 but I am down 4, count them ladies, dress sizes. I bought two new outfits not in the plus size :))yesterday. Both my "daughters" ganged up on me and insisted. I have two sons so I never had daughters so shopping with girls is very different. The point I'm making is no unsightly skin folds. The body seems to be reabsorbing fat and reproportioning itself. I am exercing some but not enough because it has been so hot. But I will soon not have that excuse. (Comment this)

16 - I started 10 mg of Byetta last week and am concerned b/c after 2 mos on 5mg I am not experiencing any changes- i feel the same. I was expecting to get really sick. Im cautiously thinking this is great but hope it is owrking - anyone else not feel a differnece after moving up? thanks!
mollie. (Comment this)

17 - My first and only comment on this blog was on 9/24. New to Byetta and I'm very grateful for this site; what a lot of information!

Visited my Diabetes Care Center on Friday, two weeks after starting Byetta 5mcg 2x a day. My BG readings have been stable for the past week with very acceptable numbers. I am testing a lot more - 4-5 x a day. Blood pressure is down and lost 7 lbs. Swelling in ankles has not returned. I am completely off Avandia! Still taking 500mg Metformin 2x a day. Energy is definitely improved. My PA was so pleased - I will start on 10mcg next week and when I return for my next visit in a month, they will do an A1C, LDL, HDL, and Triglyceride. If all goes well, we may be able to cut my BP med dose in half and also statins. I must admit to shedding a few tears of joy and relief during my office visit.

To anyone who is contemplating Byetta as an addition to their diabetes II meds, read all the info you can find and if your doctor believes you should try it, don't be afraid to give it a chance. The injections are not painful - the lancets we use on our fingers hurt more.

I am a "happy camper". (Comment this)

18 - Hi Sharon way all the way in California, this mircle byetta is all over the country.I was so happy reading how well your doing. I to am beginning to have side effects improve. Wow hope the worst is behind us. Lost 18 lbs. so far just hope I keep going down. All my # inproved at my checkup except my BP was higher than normally is 130/80 noy real high but higher than usually.Dr. was happy with everything concerning byetta. Shes keeping me on the 5mg not sure I can handle 10mg 2x day. I don.t even take second shot every night. Only If I start feeling hungry.Some one mentioned being hungry on byetta most days Im not but every 4 or5 I notice I eat more...?? don,t know why? Well hang in there my fellow lizards...talk soon, Danielle,N.J. (Comment this)

19 - Just alittle added note. I think long term use and effects are in the back of all our minds. I guess when you in need of our kind of help, we all decided to be brave.Lets keep the faith the boat were all in, byetta, sails safely into port.Good Health everone, Danielle,N.J. (Comment this)

20 - I just started my 10 mcg three days ago. I was on 5 for about two months - mostly because I was traveling and not in a place where I could catch up with endo phone calls to up the dose. I was also off Byetta for about a week between month 1 and month 2, due to being out of state.

I found that the loss-of-appetite "feeling" disappeared in my second month, when I resumed the Byetta. Also, I not only did not lose weight, I gained 3 lbs after my first month on Byetta. But I had a feeling I had lost inches because my clothes are fitting looser. Go figure.

So far, on the higher dosage, I am back to having that loss of appetite after I eat. I have only gotten a small bit of nausea that goes away before I begin to look for some dramamime (which worked for me before). My nausea did not return at all when I was off the 5 mcg dose for a week and then went back on it.

Today I did feel that the Byetta really worked for my breakfast. I started with 130 before breakfast; had crepes (several) - one with real brown sugar and also had an omelot with chili. Two hours later I was at 84 and an hour after that, I was at 74. I did do some gardening.

As to the one month after starting Byetta, I happened to have some labs done (for my nephrology appointment). My A1c had dropped from 7.3 to 6.9. My overall cholestorol went from 135 to 120, but my "good" cholesterol was the same - still too low. My Triglycerides had dropped as well, but still need to get lower. So, considering that I was off Byetta for one week, I think the labs show positive results. I will be able to tell better after the next labs, which will be done in a month. Since I have kidney disease, I get labs done frequently. By the way, my creatine level has stayed steady. I also feel that I am suffering less edema in my ankles.

I am eager to see what the higher dose will do and also how I will do now that I am going to be on the med more consistently.

I did struggle with cold storage during my 3 week drive through Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico - as well as California, where I live. Much of the drive was in 100+ temps. I did get a car fridge. It only worked when I was driving. The hardest part was 1) stopping while on the road to do sight seeing or gambling for extended times and 2) not always being able to get a room with a fridge and a freezer. I used a combination of blue ice and the car fridge. I would have to cool down the fridge at the beginning of the day. I used two insulated bags. One was just for carrying the meds with frozen blue ice from the car to the motel and back. I carried a thermometer, so I could keep track of the temp at all times. On the nights without a freezer, I did a bag of ice cubes (much less effective) Overall, I think I stayed within my 144 hours.

ON a related subject, when I went to the pharmacy to pick up my 10 mcg pen, they had it hanging with the rest of the pill bottles instead of in their refrigerator. I know it had been there at least two days because I had been out of town and couldn't pick it up the day after the endo called it in. I questioned them. They went to the pharmacist who told them it was OK because it had just been in the pharmacy and wasn't subject to excess heat. I said that wasn't good enough - it couldn't be above 46. They found another one that was refrigerated and gave that to me. I wonder what poor patient is using dead Byetta??

An ever ending adventure.

Judi
 (Comment this)

21 - Even though I haven't lost a lot of weight on the scales I also feel that my clothes fit a lot looser. I got into an outfit that I haven't been able to wear for 2 years. My feet are smaller. I got out a pair of shoes that I bought last spring before it was warm enough for sandles. With temps getting cooler again, I got them out and they were way too big. I could not wear them and keep them on my feet. Maybe that is because I am not retaining water anymore. (Comment this)

22 - I am not raging with hunger the way I was after the first shot, but I am still hungrier than normal. I too am a somewhat small eater, but have a lot of edema. I wanted byetta for weight loss and to get off actos and lessen this edema. My endo wants me to get off insulin. We compromised and I cut dinner and snack time insulin out and am cutting the 45mg pill of actos in half. My control has been fine. Last A1c was 6, tho I would like it lower.

Have a little queasiness, but not the nausea I was so concerned about. I still will wait at least another week before I go to a second shot.

Helen (Comment this)

23 - Day 17
Little to no side effects. Loss of appetite is great. Still on the 5mg. I have only had one instance of bad cramps from food. We had went to a Chinese buffet. I did not eat alot but when I was done, I felt like I had eaten Thanksgiving dinner twice. Had cramps all night and most of the next day. So I don't know if it was the amount or the type of food.

Numbers have been great for me. Fasting 120 - 136 down from 168 - 180. PP numbers are from 79 - 114.

So, all in all I think I am doing good for a start.

A big Thank You to Dr. Bill for this Blog. It has been a daily stop for me since I have found it.

Bruce (Comment this)

24 - I really appreciate this blog too! I don't think I will have time to read both this blog, and the wisdom-filled blog from the more experienced users. That sort of sucks.
Anyway, I have been on 5mcg of Byetta for 8 days now. I am still only doing the morning shot, with few symtoms. One day I had nausea for a few hours, one day I had a real lack of energy. My numbers are really good, but I have also had several crashes around lunchtime. I am going to cut my morning Glyburide in half and see what happens. I will start the evening shot today and see what happens. (Comment this)

25 - Day 24
Back a few weeks several people mentioned a newly acquired aversion to Diet Coke. It took about 3 weeks for that to catch up with me. Now I know what they meant. I think it must be the artificial sweetner because I also can't drink diet ginger ale. Have also stopped using artificial sweetner on my cereal. Just flat out has a nasty taste as well as after taste. I miss my diet coke!!!

Speaking of aversions. I really don't want salad. I think it is the lettuce because I eat everything else that usually goes in a salad. Weird.

Good week to all. (Comment this)

26 - My sister asked me if I was afraid of the long term effects of Byetta... She acted surprised when I calmly told her no, I have no fears about that at all. I explained to her, and this may help some of you as well, that while it's true that the long term effects of Byetta are unknown, the long term effects of blood sugars that are out of control are very well known. I'd rather take my chances with a drug that has kept by blood sugars in line than let my blood sugars remain high and end up blind, on dialysis, and eventually dead at a young age like my father (he was only 64)...

my .02
Mark (Comment this)

27 - Morning! Well I've been on the 5 mg pen for about a week and have been nauseus with every dose. Threw up several times this past week. Has anyone had these symptoms and did they go away? I hope so...I'm really excited about this new drug but not so excited about feeling sick all the time....I find I'm super super tired too. (Comment this)

28 - Ok now I am worried, I took my sugar this morning after eating breakfast and it was 145 this is the highest since starting Byetta and that scares me do you think eating the apple this morning could have done it.
ASLO: I accidently left my Byetta out of the fridge for about 3 hours in my room do you think that it affected it at all with my BG being 145?????? (Comment this)

29 - Tips for new Byetta users:

Pause frequently during larger meals (restaurant) where you might tend to overeat. Try to let your body tell you when enough food is enough. I find the over-full misery has a time lag before it registers and by then it is too late. I have felt miserably over-full for hours sometimes on Byetta. And hold back on the carbs until you can see what you can handle. I can only hand about 20 grams of carbs per meal. (Comment this)

30 - Hi... I'm a T2 on Lantus only since Dec 2004. Been reading the Byetta posts from the first blog thru to this month. Saturday nite I forgot my Lantus injection. Was up to 90u's nitely since July. I'm insulin resistant plus have had an extremely stressful year. 2 weeks ago finally managed to get back into my easy-does-it exercise routine and started lowering my lantus dose. (With docs OK) Was down to 82 with marginal success controlling BG. Always in 100's; middle #'s fasting and, high #'s bedtime but, middle to low the rest of the day. Last nite I forgot the shot. By the time I remembered it was two hours after lunch today and BG was 176. Before dinner it was 110, 2 hours after dinner BG was 166, an hour later it was 160. 2 hours after that BG was 154. I am so confused! The same #'s as if I'd had my shot the nite before!

I want to take Byetta (wish somebody would tell me how to pronounce it) and have asked my doc about it. He said he needs to read up on it more and I told him about this blog. My experience yesterday with what have been kinda normal (for me) BG's makes me think I could really cut way down on my Lantus or even eliminate it and go for one of the oral meds. I'm 5'5" and weigh 220 and have a myriad of other immune problems some of which might also improve with weight loss and lower, more consistant BG #'s.

I sure have learned heaps from this blog and really, really want to try the Byetta. (Comment this)

31 - For those who are suffering from side effects I offer my experience after 4 months. I had to deal with the nausea etc. for about 2 months, though 10 pen cycle. Now the last two months relatively free of side effects. Maybe two or three times a month at the most. The first two months I had every side effect reported on the blog. I am lucky I am retired and not sure I could have made it if I had a demanding job. But if you can keep on keeping on, it eventually goes away, almost.

A report from my Endo this morning is that he is beginning to test those who have finished 4 months for C-peptide and will report his findings as soon as he is done with all of us. He has 113 on Byette. He is wondering if we will see Beta cell growth. The 4th month is the end of the natural time of GLP-2 growing beta cell in babies. If anything significant happens I will report it here, you can count on that. As I said before, it does not yet appear what is going to happen with Byetta, we will find out along the way together. John Dodson (Comment this)

32 - This is my 6th day on 5mcg. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, it really helped me to commit to this. The Glucophage and Avandia both make me really nauseous so I was leery about taking Byetta. I have had very few symptoms, a little queasyness, a slight headache...I found the "SeaBand" worked for me (accupressure). The longer I wait before eating, the worse the nausea gets. I also use the sugarfree peppermints someone suggested in the July forum. I too had the munchies for about two days, then I found I wasn't craving as much. I can't handle any grease, although I can use olive oil sparingly...no mayo, no butter. Spices haven't been much of a problem. My BG levels are within "normal" for the first time in over a year, (today I tested at 107!) I've lost about 3 lbs. I notice my ankles are not swelling, and my feet don't burn anymore! My eyesight has also changed, I saw the leaves on the tree outside my livingroom window for the first time in 9 months!! I'm hoping I can get off the Avandia soon. Does anyone else read higher in the morning? (Comment this)

33 - I forgot to ask this question for those of you who had bowel problems when starting Byetta.
Were the majority of you experiencing diarrhea or constipation? I know constipation is listed as a side effect but I wondered if I need to buy stock in Depends since I have diarrhea predominate IBS. Bumex, Spirolactone and Toprol XL all have diarrhea listed as side effects and my cardio has me on all three. UGH! If I can keep my BG #'s down PLUS loose weight with Byetta I'll happily wear Depends! (Comment this)

34 - I have experienced the constipation and I do not like it. But my nubers are looking great! So it's something I have to deal with. (Comment this)

35 - Chula... I'm hoping I'll be able to stop taking Lotronex and Lomotil for my IBS if I can get started on Byetta. That will more than cover the cost of the Byetta. (Comment this)

36 - Chula, According to the manufacturer, Byetta can be at room temperature for up to 100 hours of its 30 day lifespan before it affects the medicine. I'm confident that 3 hours had no effect on it.

Also, apples make my BS readings spike even though they have a lot of fiber. I would tend to think the apple had something do to with it. (Comment this)

37 - Question - what's the difference, if any, in glucose intolerant and insulin resistant? I've noticed a few people here say they are IR and wondered about it. I looked at the "new to diabetes" blog and didn't find the answer there. Half the time my doctor calls me glucose intolerant, and other times he calls me diabetic.

Anyway - I'm beginning my third week of Byetta (5mcg) and I'm starting to notice that my appetite is increasing in the afternoon. When I first started Byetta, my appetite went way down and I was full all the time. I am hoping that when I increase to the 10mcg at the end of the first month that will suppress my hunger again. (Comment this)

38 - There is a difference between glucose intolerant and insulin resistant. I'm not sure about the glucose intolerant but the insulin resistant is when your body does not use the insulin effectively. I think the Byetta is supposed to be helping alot with that. When you do not use your insulin effectively your sugar goes higher and that makes you make more insulin. Polysystic ovarial syndrom is common for women with the IR, men often have what they call syndrom X. Causes infertility, acne, weight gain, facial hair, hair thinning on the head and all sorts of wonderful things. I think this is also why a lot of our diabetic medications make us gain weight is because the more insulin you have that you don't use causes more weight gain. I would imagine that is why the byetta is causing weight loss. (Comment this)

39 - I had a rough 2weeks also but the nausea will get better. try to stick with it its worth the effort.Danielle (Comment this)

40 - **Greg**

Thank you so much for answering my question. You know I think that is what it was. And since I am so new to Diabetes I didn't even know that an orange would do worse damage I ate an orange, give me a break I am trying to eat more fruits and veggies just I need to learn how and what and when and all that stuff! (Comment this)

41 - **Gloria**

Can you go over to the Odds n ends? I have a question. (Comment this)

42 - Eileen, I have had IBS since I was 11 years old and it has just disappeared. I have been on Byetta for 2 months and have not had one single episode since starting. Just for that alone, it would be worth taking it:)

But my blood sugars are now normal, both fasting and after meals and I have been able to discontinue Actos, Lantus, and Metformin since starting the Byetta. Currently I am suffering through the side effects of moving up to the 10 mcg Byetta, but knowing that they disappeared after 3 weeks when I started the 5 mcg pen is keeping me going:) (Comment this)

43 - Has anybody had any luck with getting Humana to cover Byetta if you are on insulin? My BS has improved, appetite is down, but $240 a month is painful. Humana's Medical Director said byetta was not FDA approved for use with
insulin and denied my claim. I am appealling the denial,
but I was hoping someone had some advice.
Chip (Comment this)

44 - Dr. Bill - thank you so much for this blog. It is very very useful. It's great to talk to a community of Byetta users - and to feel like I really am in a community with this new drug to treat diabetes!
I just started my 10 mcg pen over the weekend. I have been really tired and sleepy - last night I slept 10 1/2 hours! I wonder if any others have had this side effect. Just a little nausea, and I have never vomited, but the tiredness set in also when I started the 5 mcg. So far I have lost 7 lbs. and my sugars have gone down from fasting 235 to 160.
 (Comment this)

45 - 2 months using Byetta, last 30 days on the 10 mcg - side effects continue albeit not consistant, nausea can be extreme, headaches added to the mix, muscle and joint pain also added, mostly in the shoulders and extremities - weight moving down slowly, very slowly, even though it makes me sick to eat and I've cut the intake of food to a third of what I used to eat - the end of my seventh week the fluid turned pink in the pen - sent it back and got another, last injection with the pink stuff made me incredibly sick - the less I eat, the less sick I get, go figure! I did manage to talk to a tech at Lilly about Byetta - the cold pack thing is being blown out of proportion, I was told that Byetta can withstand up to 77 degrees for up to 7 days total accumulated for the pen - everyone seems fearful of the temperature, not an issue according to Lilly - and no, I never let the pen get over 55 degrees when it turned pink, no-one knowa why it turned - my question to anyone who has been on this stuff as long me - are you still suffering the nausea, headaches and joint/muscle pain?

My message to all who are taking the medication is, call Lilly/Byetta and ask about the temperature tolerances, it should put your concerns at ease. Also, I have discovered that Byetta was tested using 5/16 needles, my doctor prescribed 3/16 needles and I constantly have bruising and bleeding from the injection - the tech at lilly told me to ask for the 5/16 needles - if your bruising or bleeding this might be a question to ask your doctor.

Anyone, please respond in relation to side effects, I am getting worn out! (Comment this)

46 - Hey y'all!! Got my Tri-G #'s today. In 60 days on Byetta, Chol down 50 pts to 148, LDL(Bad chol) down 20 pts to 89, and Tri-G down 53 to 183. Amazing drops, considering the accompaning bs drops to normal range, and the 35# weight loss. On the verge of having to buy new clothes. Needless to say, I'm tickled and so are my Dr.s. (Comment this)

47 - Gosh George I am sorry your feeling bad. I just wanted to tell you that I too got scared because I left my pen out for 3 hours and freaked but I called the 800 number and they told me it was no big deal.
I hate to say it (since your having a bad time and all) but I have not experienced bad side effects. Maybe a headache here and there but that is it. I feel like I am so hungry I start to eat and feel "full" after a few bites so yea I can relate to you on that note. I hope you get to feeling better. (Comment this)

48 - For those of you who have asked about taking Byetta with no reduction in bs levels:

I was dutifully following all the rules: temperature, timing, etc. taking byetta for 2 months with no improvement with my bs levels. Doctor was stumped, but said i should keep trying. I changed the timing of my avandia and metformin from breakfast and dinner to lunch and evening snack with IMMEDIATE results. My guess is the slowed absorption was somehow keeping the avandia and metformin from working. Now everything is fine. My endo says he has over 100 patients on byetta and I am the only one who cannot take the avandia and metformin at breakfast time. I don't understand, but am happy it works now. (Comment this)

49 - I too have experienced a lot of fatigue since starting Byetta. I have struggled with fatigue for a long time, a side effect of IR. But it has gotten a lot worse with the Byetta. I have thought the last week or two has gotten ore back to where I was before the Byetta though. I'm hoping that if I lose enough weight sleep apnea will no longer cause problems and maybe I will have more energy. (Comment this)

50 - George, Until I was in the third month I found the side effects difficult although not as great as you are experiencing them. I now am starting my 5th month and really have not had many, if any, side effects. Once in a while indigestion or a bit of nausea but not much else. I am losing about 5 lb a month. I will be taking the C-peptide test later in the month and I will know how I am doing. Be sure to let your MD know about your distress. Mine prescribed some medication to help me though the tough times. John Dodson (Comment this)