Out of control

[lewsterr]

This starts my 6th month on Byetta, and I have been doing extremely well on it up until a couple of weeks ago. I’m starting to have lows. We’re talking about low 70s, and I just can’t function down there. When I stop the Byetta, I begin flirting with 200 and higher. I no longer am seeing the endo, because he doesn’t accept my insurance any longer. Going out of network didn’t bother me at first, but when I realized I would have to shell out over $1,000 out-of-pocket annually before my insurance kick-ed, I told him I wasn’t coming back. So, it’s back to my PCP. My appointment with him isn’t until Sept. 14.

I am totally disgusted with all this. Since I haven’t seen my PCP in at least 6 months, I’m sure he won’t prescribe anything for me until he sees me and reviews the numbers. So, do I continue on the Byetta until my appointment and pig out to keep my BGLs in range, or just do the best I can with the diet alone? Too much mental energy is being spent on what to do, and it’s getting to the point where I feel it’s a losing battle.

I can tolerate living with D as long as I’m in control; however, when control is lost, it’s unbearable.

Thanks for letting me vent.

[ant hill]

This starts my 6th month on Byetta, and I have been doing extremely well on it up until a couple of weeks ago. I’m starting to have lows. We’re talking about low 70s, and I just can’t function down there.
How much of Byetta are you taking?.
I am totally disgusted with all this. Since I haven’t seen my PCP in at least 6 months, I’m sure he won’t prescribe anything for me until he sees me and reviews the numbers. So, do I continue on the Byetta until my appointment and pig out to keep my BGLs in range, or just do the best I can with the diet alone? Too much mental energy is being spent on what to do, and it’s getting to the point where I feel it’s a losing battle.
If you can half the dose of Byetta as this will get you in the comfortable range.

[Harold]

Try halving the met 2 X day and see what happens.

[shockme]

hi lou! yeah-this stupid disease sucks...can you inject 5,instead of 10? or maybe try tking 1/2 as much metformin? good luck...trish

[Dan Gato]

Lews, For the lows, take a glucose tablet. to raise it.
watch the carbs.

[Wildbill]

This starts my 6th month on Byetta, and I have been doing extremely well on it up until a couple of weeks ago. I’m starting to have lows. We’re talking about low 70s, and I just can’t function down there.



Low 70s isn't all that low. You can get used to that.

[pdxdennisj]

Are you still taking it Before meals, if so - how long? I've noticed that if I'm running high and then inject before a meal, my BGs really plunge (perhaps this is the reason for the Byetta warning on taking it before eating). I always have Glucose tablets on hand:o .

[lewsterr]

Are you still taking it Before meals, if so - how long? I've noticed that if I'm running high and then inject before a meal, my BGs really plunge (perhaps this is the reason for the Byetta warning on taking it before eating). I always have Glucose tablets on hand:o .

Thanks for your responses, everyone. I'm taking the Byetta within 15 minutes before eating. A little bit of nausea starts to set in if I wait much longer.

I can cut the dosage back to 5mcg/day, but will have to wait until I see my doc to get a prescription for the 5mcg pens. As for cutting back on the Metformin, as some of you suggested, should I be taking it in the morning or night?

[Harold]

From your siggy; Metformin ER - 500 mg 2x/day

I assume you are taking one pill in the morning and one at night. Cut a pill in half and take half in the morning and half at night. Another alternative, take half a pill in the morning and a whole pill at night.

[Larry H.]

If you avoid eating too many carbs do your numbers come down with out that medication.. I am not probably quite in your boat, yet...and I am not on meds. Yesterday though after quite a bit of exercise I got a 73. It didn't make me feel any different than normal. I think 70 up is the normal range? That is one of the downfalls to drug therapy for diabeties, it can cause things that no medicine won't.. but then for those who find it impossible to correct through diet, your more than likely stuck having to take your pills.
I just wonder if perhaps like many others I see you may be taking the pill and eating more like you used to rather than how it needs to be?
I have met several on this forum that had very high numbers and have reduced the levels to near normal with out drugs, so I know that some can do it?

[lewsterr]

From your siggy; Metformin ER - 500 mg 2x/day

I assume you are taking one pill in the morning and one at night. Cut a pill in half and take half in the morning and half at night. Another alternative, take half a pill in the morning and a whole pill at night.

Harold, I guess in my bouts of frustration, I lose my common sense. I have a pill cutter, and will start splitting the pills. Thanks!!

If you avoid eating too many carbs do your numbers come down with out that medication?

Larry, even with the strictest diet and keeping my carbs to a bare minimum, I have not been able to keep my numbers below 200. The Metformin has certainly helped, but Metformin alone is not able to keep my BGLs in the normal range. I suppose after losing 50 pounds since being dxd in Feb. 2006, some adjustments are necessary.

What confuses me, though, is that the Byetta isn't supposed to cause lows. Even their literature says that it becomes inactive when BGLs are in the normal range. It must be something that I'm doing wrong, but I just can't think clearly due to the frustration levels I'm experiencing.

[Wildbill]

What confuses me, though, is that the Byetta isn't supposed to cause lows.

How low have you gone?

[lewsterr]

How low have you gone?

In the past couple of weeks, I have gone as low as 72. Realizing, of course, that this is not considered low by any means, I find it very difficult to function if I'm much below 85. I suppose it's all in what we are accustomed to. I injected one hour before dinner this evening and my 2 hour postprandial reading was 81. I can live with this, and injecting one hour prior to eating may have helped.

I used to take it one hour before eating, but just got negligent over the past couple of months. Oh well, I suppose I just need my friends in this forum to set me straight and keep me on track. I'm still going to half the Metformin and see how that works.

[ant hill]

Keep us posted on your progress Lew, I have just got back inside from useing the chainsaw and moveing wood and had a test and I was 3.3 / 59.4 so had a jelly bean. :D :T

[lewsterr]

Keep us posted on your progress Lew, I have just got back inside from useing the chainsaw and moveing wood and had a test and I was 3.3 / 59.4 so had a jelly bean. :D :T

Thanks Peter. Seeing you at 59.4, I now feel guilty for complaining. I love jelly beans. I couldn't keep them around, otherwise I'd eat the entire jar. :)

[princesslinda]

Hi Lou. I'm sure its frustrating to have you #'s going all over the place like that. Harold gave you some excellent advice. I halved my metformin, taking 4 halves daily and it kept my numbers more stable until I started the extended release (though I seemed to have more gastric symptoms for a short time at first). Keep us posted on how things are going.

[Wildbill]

I'm not trying to minimize your concern, but 72 isn't really very low if at all.

When I get to 72 I need to either take in some carbs, or just test about every 1/2 hour or so. But I take insulin and that can drop you like a rock.

I think maybe you just need to do more testing and see if you can get more comfortable in the 70s. But, you don't want to live in the 70s!!

If you are 72 and further testing shows that you are dropping fast that's a different situation. But if you are 72 and a half hour later you are still close to that, ie; 65-75 you are probably OK. Maybe eat a piece of fruit and see what happens.

[lewsterr]

Okay, with all of you out there giving me such wonderful advice, what in the world do I need a doctor for? :) (oh yeah, for prescriptions). I stopped the Metformin in the morning, and am only taking 500mg at night. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! My numbers are great, and I'm even feeling a little bit better overall.

By the way, I tried cutting the Metformin ER in half with a pill cutter, but only ended up pulverizing the darn thing. I guess since the tablet isn't scored, it isn't meant to be cut.

Oh well, thanks again for all that great advice.

[Harold]

Great! :party: Let us know what the doctor says.

[coconut]

What confuses me, though, is that the Byetta isn't supposed to cause lows. Even their literature says that it becomes inactive when BGLs are in the normal range. It must be something that I'm doing wrong, but I just can't think clearly due to the frustration levels I'm experiencing.

I had severe lows on Byetta down in the 40's and extreme highs (for me) up to 200 - it was a horrible experience.

70 isn't low - it just feels that way because you're not used to it but that's how mine started and just dropped lower and lower.

I hated Byetta.

Yes hated - if there was a stronger word I would use it.

The very day I stopped the Byetta I started to feel better.

Me, I would stop taking it and drop my carbs less than 40 per day and hang tight til the 14th you will also have more data BG wise to show your doc without the Byetta.

[lewsterr]

Great! Let us know what the doctor says.

Thanks, Harold...I sure will.

I had severe lows on Byetta down in the 40's and extreme highs (for me) up to 200 - it was a horrible experience.

70 isn't low - it just feels that way because you're not used to it but that's how mine started and just dropped lower and lower.

I hated Byetta.

Yes hated - if there was a stronger word I would use it.

The very day I stopped the Byetta I started to feel better.

Me, I would stop taking it and drop my carbs less than 40 per day and hang tight til the 14th you will also have more data BG wise to show your doc without the Byetta.

Coconut, I loved it for the first few months. Very few side effects, and I lost a lot of weight. I see your point about going off of it until seeing the doc. I'll give it some thought, but 40 carbs per day? I don't think that's possible for me. I have been spoiled on the Byetta, since it allowed me to consume a more 'normal' diet.