Byetta 20: April 23 - October 23, 2006 (this forum is now CLOSED!)
As of October 23, this discussion forum for Byetta is closed. Please see Byetta 21: October 23 -, which is the follow-up Discussion Forum for Byetta.
It was the 20th in a series of Byetta Discussion Forums, and 47th Discussion Forum at Diabetes.Blog.com. There is a listing of other Byetta Discussion Forums at a separate webpage: List of Byetta Forums. By the way, you'll also find some information about Byetta at other Discussion Forums, including Traveling with diabetes, odds'n'ends and research about meds.
Also, you can still read the earlier comments (at the earlier weekly and monthly Byetta forums), and search for information throughout those forums, by using your webbrowser's FIND or SEARCH feature while at the earlier forums, or by searching at the advanced search feature that is at the Diabetes Monitor.
Please review and follow our ground rules (at http://diabetes.blog.com/690512/). To share your thoughts, use the "Comments" link immediately below.
Bill the diabetesdoc
wwq@diabetesmonitor.com
Diabetes.Blog.Com is a blogcompanion to our main website, the Diabetes Monitor, which you can find at www.DiabetesMonitor.com
My NP increased me to the 10 Byetta and so far no major problems. I was surprised to find I had lost 5 lbs during my three weeks on the 5 Byetta. My BS still bounces around a bit; but I am hoping that will pass. My thanks to all who post their experiences so that others can learn and benefit.
As to the mail ordering; I think for now I will stick to my local pharmacy and get it each month. I am not sure about maintaining proper temp with the warm temps we are already having here. (Comment this)
Other than that - do feel better eating three balanced meals a day. Damn! My days of eating chips all day may be over - I will mourn for that! (Comment this)
(3) Also: if you haven't yet answered our polls to tell us more about yourself, we'd encourage you to please do so:
(Comment this)Anyone else experience this?
Also, this blog gets pretty long and takes lots of time to go through it. Which prevents me from visiting or interacting as much as I'd like. Is there any discussion about creating a forum for this instead of using a blog? Just a thought. (Comment this)
I've taken metformin for a long time and don't really notice weight or water retention with it. Other meds (Actos) yes. I was on insulin for a while and definately easy to gain weight there.
LINNY RE: WHY 5 AND 10
Since it can cause a big change in digestion they use the 5 pens to get you used to it and then increase dosage to 10. However everyone seems to react different ways to the different doses. Some even have had problems with 10 being too much for them but 5 doing a nice job so they stay on 5. Sounds like for you it might take the full 10 to feel the effects. Until you get there hang in there with the healthier eating. It gets easier as time goes by and you won't miss the junk food as much. (Notice I didn't say you won't miss it, just won't miss it as much). (Comment this)
It doesn't spoil left out for that amount of time but it loses its effectiveness somewhat. Stick it back in the fridge. As for the temp outside - I was told 77 degrees is the max that it should be in when not in fridge.
When travelling around Florida, have a Frio case or some other cool storage. (Comment this)
New to Byetta (I guess I sahould call it "spit", so y'all will know what I'm talking about!!). Been on since April 1st. So far lost 4 pounds and BS has come down substantially, but is still in the 150 range.
My question is this: Nausea has been a big problem...mostly after dinner and not so much after breakfast. Can I take some over the counter stuff that will deal with the nausea? If so, which one have you had success with? (Comment this)
Nausea, very tired-just like I was before. Learned a good lesson, stay on task with eating correctly and timely with byetta and do not skip the synthroid and a mild anti-hypertensive.
Patricia, I notice my morning sugars did not drop as much as the other tests I took during the day. In the past week I have seen the best results..(except when I skip doses!) been on byetta since mid Feb. I went to 10mcg after 3 weeks. The weight loss was slow but the appetite suppression is wonderful and the desire to eat "good" food is great.
Best wishes. Keep up the good work and you will be rewarded. (Comment this)
Also, ask your cardiologist if you can stay on the ACE inhibitor and switch from the Beta Blocker to a simple diuretic like hydrochlorothiazide. If you do, beware the possible withdrawal symptoms from the beta blocker. When my husband switched from From beta blocker to the ACE inhibitor, he had withdrawal symptoms and I masde him go back on it til he could see the Dr. The Dr. said "Oh yes, I didn't tell you about the withdrawal symptoms because i didn't think you would have them." It is my understanding that ACE inhibitors are better for diabetics anyway. (Comment this)
If you Google "beta blocker diabetes" it tells you that beta blockers may cause hyperglycemia or mask low blood sugar. (Comment this)
Nausea helpers, ginger tea,ginger tablets[over the counter]sipping ginger ale soda slowly, wearing sea bands[found in drug stores differant brand names] sipping on real coke if your bgs are low. Low bgs are a sure way to become nausea. sucking on mints or drinking mint tea. If the nausea is very severe you can get a script from your Dr. for nausea. I'm sure others will jump in with more suggestions I may have forgot.
Welcome to the Gilly Club[byetta users]You can be the boss of the "spit" just have to hang in there. Good Luck and health. (Comment this)
Warren: Thanks for the hints. Cindylou and Shari also e-mailed me with instructions. So I think with practice I may handle this but I still don'nt like it.
Welcome to all Newbies I may have missed the last few days.Hopefully you all will have smooth sailing on the "spit"
(Comment this)
Welcome newbiegillyspitkin..If your're not bringing up those inevitable burps, then in addition to all the hints Danielle gave you, which could help with that as well, you need something as simple as a package of multisymptom Rolaids. They take care of bringing up the excess gas that seems to form, as well as neutralizing the excess acid in your stomach.
They really do give instant relief. Here's hoping the lizard becomes your best friend and not a little "Monster!"
(Comment this)
Welcome to all the newbie gilly spitkins who have amazingly somehow managed to find their way to post through all the awful and frustrating changes to the blog that was once so beautifully formatted and easy to access. We have now lost several wonderful long time regular contributors due to these changes, and we will miss them terribly and can only hope this situation will improve so they can find their way back here with us again. In the meantime, we who survived hope to be able to help you the best we can. We now have the forums listed on the side bar (a good improvement) and many of them are very interesting to visit! I would recomment Odds and Ends because if you start at the beginning pages and read through you will find some fascinating discussions in there. There is also a forum to post our frustrations with the new blog changes (aptly named Problems with the blog) and you all can join us for fun and laughs at Jokes and Humor forum to name a few. If you click on the BLOG SEARCH on the right side bar you can type in a key word or words and it will take you to the forum in the archives where that very thing was discussed. So if you had a particular side effect or something you were wondering about, just type it in and see where it takes you! Many gillyspitkins before you have already discussed many of the issues you may be facing and you'll find your answers right there. It's a real valuable tool. So welcome to the Gilly club and we'll try to help you the best we can. (Comment this)
LINNY:
I noticed a post to you earlier in reference to how much of a time frame you have to eat after doing your spit shot. As recommended by the Amylin, the makers of Byetta, you need to eat within one hour. It definitely works best if you do, and I have found, when i did not do so, that it absolutely failed to be as effective, if even at all. (Comment this)
Most of us are shook up over all of this, but we have expressed it from the bottom of our hearts in the best way we can. We love you guys and hope you come back to the GILLY CLUB! I know it is not easy for those of us who are not computer experts.(not talking about you John G) Many of those who are computer proficient don't seem to mind the changes, but we sure need y'all here with us helping these folks who are starting out on Byetta so they can get good and correct information and direction and benefit from our experiences. Ron and John you helped so many folks every day with your posts, and Grandma Jean you are such an encouragement to us all. Please come back to help these new gilly spitkins on their journey with Byetta. We'll try to help you navigate through the new layout. (Comment this)
The pen may be left at room temperature for as many as 144 hours, according to the manufacturer. Nothing has been said in regard to it's losing it's effectiveness that I am aware of as long as you do not excede that. The only warning is that it not be frozen. You should not use it if that were to occur. (Comment this)
If you freeze a pen, or just get it too cold, using it is pointless because it will no longer work. The pens can get too cold without ever appearing to have been frozen. I know because I did it. I moved my pen from the door to the interior of the frig and didn't check the temp until too late. The refrigerator thermometer I put in that spot read 28 degrees, much too cold. The byetta was destroyed. That was an expensive lesson since my insurance won't pay. The moral is to put the refrigerator thermometer in the place you want to test first, then the byetta when you know it's safe! Pat in ID (Comment this)
Good to get your clearly stated suggestions and to benefit from your experience.
MONIQUE
I have been meaning to respond to a post of yours but have had a health problem and a blog problem which interfered. Tingling in the limbs is usually seen as a sign of advancing neuropathy. Tell your doctor about it right away so some steps can be taken to slow the progression. My doctor gave me megadoses (Rx) of vitamin D and the neuropathy began to recede. Apparently the D assisted in nerve regeneration in some way. You can't do it with over the counter tabs because you couldn't take that many in a day. There are high dose tabs that can be prescribed. I also wanted to tell you that I know someone who was about to try gastric bypass as a last resort just before finding Byetta. The bypass was cancelled. The worry was the reports which showed mixed results. I may have mentioned this in my other message to you.
GRANDMA JEAN
Where are you? Please try to navigate this stuff and we will help you if you have trouble with it. With everything else you are still on the Byetta. Like I said before---you've got a large supply of grit!!
CINDYLOU
That was a really good intro to the blog and what is possible here with Byetta. If one finds this to be their first blog, it may be hard to know what a special group is here. Well done!
SHARI AND DANIELLE
Meet me on the island! (Comment this)
Welcome back to the Gilly Club after the blogquake shook us to the four corners of the blog and back! It won't ever be the same as it once was it looks like, but maybe we can muddle through it somehow. We need your advice and research and helpful comments.
Brooklyn Ron and Grandma Jean, please try to post again. We need you! Donna M. from sunny Florida, hope you are doing better now and we'd love to hear from you again too! So many new spitkins have found their way through that awful storm that occured on this blog and posted here with questions and concerns and we welcome them and want to reach out a gilly hand to them. (Comment this)
Lorraine, have you had your thyroid checked recently? I found out my scary irregular heartbeats on Byetta a few months back were actually from my thyroid meds needing to be reduced (due to having lost some weight). Occasionally I still hear my heart beating loudly, but no longer irregularly, so I will be very interested to know what the Byetta connection is!
Erin in CA (Comment this)
Sorry this is so long but I wanted to make the following suggestion.
My blog access solution; once Dr. Bill started breaking up the Byetta blog by the week I saved the current week on the Links bar. The Links bar is located next to the Address bar in Internet Explorer, and is a convenient place to add links to a few Web pages that you use frequently. Just click the link to display the page.
You can add a page to the Links bar in a variety of ways, this is the one I use: click & drag the icon for the page from your Address bar to your Links bar Once you have the webpage on your Links bar you can right click it and rename it, I've named mine Byetta Current. Now I can just click on the Byetta Current link and go directly to the first page for the week. Now that we have those nice big blocks for page numbers (I make a mental note of the page number I left) I click on the last page I read and pick up from there by scrolling.
So the Link name remains the same because now each week I click on Favorites>Add>Links rename the new week to Byetta Current, IE reminds me I already have a link of that name and do I want to override it, I click OK and I'm good for another week.
Thanks again everybody for being here.
(Comment this)
Hello Erin! I know you were posting to Lorraine, but I couldn't help thinking you are not the first I have read about in these forums who has had a definite change in their thyroid levels due to being on Byetta. I could not have mine checked at my last appointment because it was too soon and insurance wouldn't cover it, but I discussed it with my Endo that I definitely wanted it checked on this next appointment because I had read that others taking Byetta were having changes occur in their thyroid levels and needed their Synthroid adjusted. I think it is good for all of us who are Hypothyroid (and maybe the Hyper's too?) to note this and be checked regularly. That is interesting about the irregular heartbeats connection, I did not know that. Thanks for sharing. (Comment this)
What a really thoughtful post you made! Sorry you have been having problems with the awful changes when the blogquake occured, but so glad you came here and hope you can continue to make your way back. You are right, we have to think about our diabetes all the time in order to keep it in control, and it is very hard for those who aren't dealing with this to understand. It is great to have a community here of friendly, helpful folks who all share in this same disease and the desire to control IT instead of it controlling us! Glad you are getting along ok with the lizard and keep checking those bg's! (Comment this)
This group seems like a collective bunch of wise individuals. I need some help with scheduling medication doses and moving to the 10 mg. Upfront I will admit that I have been a very bad patient but I truly want to get back on the wagon. I have off/on with this drug for a month and have gained a little weight back. Not much but enough for me to become really scared so I want to renew my commitment to this drug. O.K. enough about my errors so here goes my problem.
I took the medication on Wednesday around 11:oo am. I had breakfast at 8 am and took my thyroid pills (synthyroid and cytomel), Actos, and Singular, and Dr. Prescribed Diet pill. We are using the whole arsenal at 10:oo. After waiting 15 minutes or a little longer I ate some roast beef, grapes, and some cottage cheese. About one hour later I felt like I had the stomach flu and proceed to "lose" lunch. I then fell asleep with achy muscles. I woke up and did not take the Byetta and had soup for dinner. I went to bed and it took me about 3 days to feel normal. I have gone back on the oral medication but am not feeling real positive about going back on the "juice". Please advise if I should re-intro this medication slowly using a once a day regime or resume the regular schedule on Monday. Do I need to take the stuff in the A.M and take the oral meds later in the day. HELP, I am confussed and feel like I have no freedom to vary the plan. If this is the case then I am in real trouble since I have no set routines. Yes, I did call the doctor but he was not sure if it was a virus or the drug. I did not go in since there is little that can be done for either.
Thank you for your help in advance.
Margaret
Central Illinois (Comment this)
Glad you decided to return. It wouldn't be the same without you. We need your research and intellectual archives! The new users of the juice will soon understand what a treasure you are.
(Comment this)
I suspect your body may not be adjusting to Byetta because you don't take it on a consistent basis.
Were I to find myself in your shoes I would:
1. Take the Byetta 5-pen shots immediately before breakfast & dinner and then gradually extend the time between the shot & the meal to get the most benefit from the appetite supression effect of Byetta.
2. Buy some Sea Bands...and wear them before I take each shot(about $10 in drug stores). They really do work to prevent nausea.
3. Move to Singulair to the evening. This is generally the time this med is recommended for.
4. Take the Actos at lunch... This drug builds up in your system so the time of day you take it is less important.
5. I'd stay away from fried & greasy foods early on and I'd be VERY careful not to overeat.
Leah,
Thanks for your comment & I always look forward to reading your comments.
John (Comment this)
John had excellent answers for you, and I just wanted to add that your symtom of achey muscles is
one of a variety of side effects that other spit users have reported. Some have had on going muscle pain stop as well. A few of us spitkins have researched the ingredients and have found that most of the side effects, including the nausea and lower GI symptoms as well, may be traced to the mannitol. Most have found that the nausea subsides after a while. Multisymptom Rolaids help with the inevitable gas and excess acid problems. Best wishes on this journey. (Comment this)
It has been awhile since I have been here..
I see there have been a lot of changes..
I just wanted to drop by and say HOWDY..
My Dr finally lowered me back down to the 5 Spit since I was having to many problems on the 10..
I have been taking the Byetta in the mornings, And my insulin before dinner. (No Byetta.)
I need to step it up though and start doing the Byetta twice a day again.
BUT it causes me to have terrible sinus problems.
Update on my Husband...
He is doing so much better now!
His BG's have been under 200 for the past month now!
YEA!! He wants to try the Byetta again.. But I am afraid for him...Since he had so many problems while he was on it..
I Have a question to ask...
Since my Husband's BG was SO HIGH when he would inject the Byetta, is it possible that he was getting sick because his BG dropped over 150 points after the Byetta?
His BG would be 350 and it would drop to 200 about thirty minutes later.
Would that drop be enough to make him get sick?
His fasting numbers now range from 140 to 195...
Which is SO MUCH BETTER NOW.. Versus 295/350 range fasting.
Have A WONDERFUL DAY EVERYONE!
SharonB
(Comment this)
Good to hear from you & I think all of us here are glad to hear your husband is doing better.
I would suggest your husband be REALLY careful taking a Byetta shot with bg's near 200. Several of us here have seen dramatic drops...into the 60's even, by taking a shot with high numbers.
It seems to me that the reaction from taking a shot with a bg between, say, 170-250 is about the same as the reaction when the shot is taken during or right after a meal.... BIG drop in numbers.
With the struggle your husband had a month ago Sharon, I'd be REAL careful about going there again..
John (Comment this)
Thanks for the Welcome Back..
John you have been a GOD SEND for so many people that needs advise...
Thanks for caring enough to HELP OTHERS...
I took Byetta yesterday morning before eating.
My BG was 127...(Fasting)
Three hours later, After my meal it had dropped to 75!
I was starting to feel shakey...So I had to eat a few crackers..
I really, really hate those lows...
Had I not eat the crackers, my BG would have gone down even more than that..
I told my Husband that he needed to continue on the Lantus for awhile until he gets his bg COMPLETELY under control for a long period of time...
And then, maybe, he can try the spit again!
Danielle--My Sinuses are NOT getting better after time... I cough I sneeze and I have a runny nose...
All the time.
The Dr gave me some Nasonex spray.. I started using it 4 days ago. It seems to be helping a little bit.
I was off of Byetta for a month and when I started back on it, I felt like I was starting ALL OVER AGAIN.
Within ONE HOUR of the injection I get the chills, and then that sick feeling, and the sinus drainage. I test and find that my BG has DROPPED. sometimes into the 60's. And that is with my fasting numbers being 100/120 ranges....BEFORE injecting...
What to do????
SharonB
(Comment this)
My suggestion would be to try some fresh natural juice with your meal. It is absorbed quicker and may keep your BG from going so low. You may have to experiment with the amount to drink. If you eat to try to bring the numbers up, it will just add to yur nausea. (Comment this)
WATCH those lows they will bring on all side effects.So keep those crackers handy and maybe a few sips of reall
coke will help too. And Welcome to the island club! it sounds like you and your husband can use a few laughs. (Comment this)
I don't have any problems with my thyroid, at least that I know of. All the tests the endo does every 3 months don't show anything wrong with my thyroid. I went from the 5 to the 10 because the endo said I should even because that is the recommended dose from the drug company and because I had lost the appetite surpressant that I had in the beginning. I was going to try to go back to the 5 to see if my heart stops it's erractic behavior but after last night I am too scared to try anything for a week without at least letting my cardio know that I am having a problem. I just printed all the infomation on byetta from it's website to take with me because the last time I went to the cardio in january he had never heard of byetta and didn't seem to question it. I am just plain scared and pray that there is nothing wrong with my heart. I will keep you posted if the cardio feels there is a connection between what is happening and byetta. I need your help now more than ever. Thanks for listening. (Comment this)
Hello Sharon B. southern girl same age as me! Glad to see you posting and updating us on you and your husband! I'm SO VERY glad to hear he is doing so much better! I think what you said to him was good about waiting until he is under control for a long time before even thinking about the spit again. As far as you are concerned, I understand that when you quit the spit like that you pretty much have to start all over getting your body used to the change again, so any negative side effects you may have experienced the first time will likely come back again. For most people the negative ones do slow down and even disappear in time, so you just have to wait it out. I understand the sinus thing. I've had that since I started the spit too, a slight runny nose and now with the pollen here and my allergies I've been REALLY messed up. I'm not a fan of using the nasal sprays though as my ENT Doc strongly warned me of them. He told me to only ever use a saline solution nose spray (that is even safe for babies) and nothing else ever. I think it might be the Mannitol in the spit once again that is the culprit of these sinus issues. Rhinitus and runny nose is a listed side effect of mannitol. I do understand your sinus problems though.
I am concerned about your sudden lows though and hope you and your doc look into your other meds to be sure you are on the right doses. Take care and so glad you made it through this maze mess of changes to continue to post. Wishing you and your husband the best of health... (Comment this)
Good morning Lorraine. So sorry to hear you have been having these problems. I was hoping you and big brother gilly would get along fine. Not to keep on beating this same drum, but when I looked up the side effects of injected Mannitol--the ingredient in Byetta, I noted that irregular heartbeats and angina-like chest pains were listed side effects. I also recall reading in the archived forums of other gillies experiencing rapid heartbeats, rapid pulse rates, etc. Maybe when you were on the 5 dose you were able to tolerate that amount of Mannitol, but not so much on the 10 dose. However, this is your heart you are talking about and you should certainly talk with your doc about discontinuing any doses until you get completely checked out. Please take care and know I wish you the best and hope all is well with you. (Comment this)