Byetta Question

[Sheralyn]

I'm a newbie also and not sure how to use this forum correctly, so please forgive me if I commit a faux pas here or there! I started Byetta today and was a little disappointed; I guess I expected it to work wonders, but two hours after supper my sugar was 171. THEN -- I ate NOTHING ELSE for about 2 hours and my sugar was 191! What gives? I'm very discouraged.

[pdxdennisj]

Did you start on the standard 5mcg dose? Don't expect that to work wonders. Your system needs to acclimate itself to the Byetta and you need to become familiar with it. When you get up to the 10mcg dose and eat one hour after injection you will see results. It is pretty standard practice to be on a second drug like Metformin along with the Byetta.

[lewsterr]

Sheralyn, did you prime your pen first? The first time you use a new pen, you must prime it; otherwise you will not be injecting anything. The literature that comes with the pen will explain how to do it, or look on their website @ byetta.com.

[gasparama]

I've been on Byetta for about 2 years and can add very little to the previous post. However, the wanted results can take several days to show up. Many bodies take a while to lower the bg levels unless insulin is used. Please don't give up. I only used the 5mcg dose for one month before going to the 10mcg. This along with the metformin and watching my carbohydrate intake has gone a long way toward normalizing bg. As good as Byetta is, you will probably have to limit your carb intake. I'm not here to advocate a Bernstein or Atkins type diet, but it will probably be to your advantage to experiment with different types and amounts of sugars and starches. Please let us know how you are doing!

[Sheralyn]

dennis -- thank you -- yes, I'm on the 5 mg dosage and I'm a bit disappointed that my sugar isn't lower, but you've sure made me feel better. Thanks so much!

[Sheralyn]

lewster, yes, I followed the directions exactly and primed the pen, thanks.

[Sheralyn]

pdxdennisj -- I'm also on glyburide and metformin.

[Sheralyn]

gasparama - Thank you and I'll surely keep you posted. Your info is very encouraging.

[princesslinda]

Sheralyn: What did your meal consist of? If you eat enough carbs, the Byetta will not bring your blood sugar to normal 2 hr levels.

Have you had any nausea with the Byetta? I had a LOT Of nausea the first 7-10 days, then it resolved. I found eating about 20 minutes after the dose works best for me, your results may vary.

[rreno]

I've been taking 5 mcg of Byetta since November 2007. It took about 24 hours before I saw a major change in my BS numbers. I was also taking 10 mg of Glucotrol. After about a month, I was too low in the morning (BS numbers in the 50s and 60s). I tested 4x per day and was usually under 100.

A few days ago, my doctor told me to discontinue the Gludatrol and move up to the 10 mcg Byetta dose. I am alternating between 5 and 10 mcg (5 in morning, 10 at night) until my 5 mcg pen is done. So far, I have had no side effects. I also had no side effects when I started the 5 mcg pen. Since I stared on Friday, I have noticed my numbers go up slightly, but now I'm in the 85-110 range instead of 60-90 range. I can definitely live with that.

We'll se what happens when I switch to 10 mcg 2x per day in about a week...

[Gabby123]

I eat 20 min. after injecting and am on the 5mg dose and have been for about 6mos. I have had diabetes for atleast 6 years more like 7 . I take metformin and byetta and my fasting numbers are in the 90's my a1c is in the 5's. I have had very good luck on byetta even on the low dose.Plus lost about 40lbs on it.

[mpgutierrez]

I've been on Byetta for about 2 years and can add very little to the previous post. However, the wanted results can take several days to show up. Many bodies take a while to lower the bg levels unless insulin is used. Please don't give up. I only used the 5mcg dose for one month before going to the 10mcg. This along with the metformin and watching my carbohydrate intake has gone a long way toward normalizing bg. As good as Byetta is, you will probably have to limit your carb intake. I'm not here to advocate a Bernstein or Atkins type diet, but it will probably be to your advantage to experiment with different types and amounts of sugars and starches. Please let us know how you are doing!

Hey Gasparama, in your two years of using Byetta have you ever gotten any white flakes or films inside the pen? I have and I've been on Byetta for more than 6 months. They've told me it's related to when the needle pierces the skins but I constantly get this problem with pens every now and then. I'm just curious if it's just me or it's happening with other folks too.

[lewsterr]

Hey Gasparama, in your two years of using Byetta have you ever gotten any white flakes or films inside the pen? I have and I've been on Byetta for more than 6 months. They've told me it's related to when the needle pierces the skins but I constantly get this problem with pens every now and then. I'm just curious if it's just me or it's happening with other folks too.

I never experienced the white flakes or film that you are referring to. Are you keeping the pen within the recommended temperature range (<78 degrees F)? I don't know if temp has anything to do with it, but it's something to consider.

[Sheralyn]

I'm off the Byetta now and on Lantus and metformin. 20 units of Lantus - started with 14, sugar still high. Is 20 units at night a lot? Just wondering.

[siamesegrin]

Hi, this is my first post. I just started Byetta two days ago, and it seemed to work, but then the next day didn't seem to work as well as I had expected in lowering my BS level. I'm on 5 mcg, twice a day, with Metformin. Its best feature is appetite control. I'm on Weight Watchers already, but adding Byetta has really diminished my appetite. I'm nervous about the BS levels though. I try to avoid carbs and sugar, but it's been difficult to get a smooth handle on things. I feel like it's trial and error with my diet. It's frustrating, but I make sure to exercise almost every day to help with the BS levels. I hope the nausea diminishes soon though. Byetta makes me nauseous about an hour or two after I inject it.

[PoopOnDB]

I was DXed at te begining of the year.

I started with glyburide 5mg 2x day, metformin 1000mg 2x day, and 20 units of Lantus increasing by 2 units every other day. I was up to 70 units of Lantus at night and still struggling with spike after eating. A month ago I started 5mg of Byetta 2x day and got greater control and just increased to 10mg a day. The upside is I started to get lows, so now I am backing off on the Lantus and am down to 45 units at night. I have not seen any weight changes, but I am hoping that the decrasing Lantus and increasing Byetta I may see some weight drop. My endo said she usually sees the number change first, then will see the weight come off second. She also did not expect to see big changes with the 5mg byetta as most people see the changes with the 10mg Byetta. Give it time and I think you will see the changes..

Also forgot to mention I get to take Lipator and Lavoza to work on those Lipids and cholestoral.

I am find with having DB, but I struggle with the embarrassment as I walk out of the pharmacy with a shopping bag of perscriptions. In fact, can't use the drive through cause the bag won't fit. Grrrr.... I will live, but geeze I feel akward!!