Byetta for weight loss?

sugardumplin · #1 (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 02:20 PM

I have my appointment soon with the endo on the 19th of this month. And I really really wanna try byetta. I have this hunger that I cannot control. I feel like I need to eat every 2 hours. I have read over and over that byetta has an appetite supressant. i really wanna get off of insulin. i dont want to be dependent on it. So my question is this, how do I go about asking the doctor for Byetta without sounding like a diet pill hunter?

lewsterr · #2 (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 02:32 PM

While the Byetta is an excellent appetite suppressant, it also stimulates insulin production. If, with the Byetta, you are not able to produce an adequate amount of insulin on your own, then it's not worth considering. You'll have to ask the doc if you are a candidate for it.

princesslinda · #3 (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 02:36 PM

Byetta certainly isn't what I would consider a "diet pill." I've been on it since August...and really haven't lost that much weight. It does help with the hunger, you fill up faster, but for me, its a temptation to eat more carbs than I did on just the metformin, because it keeps the post meal blood sugars down. On just the metformin, I had to eat much more strictly to get the same results as I get with the Byetta.

Also, there are side effects with the Byetta. The first 7-10 days that I took it I had the most incredible nausea i'd ever experienced...regardless of what I ate. I would actually have to go and lie down with a cloth on my head...it was almost like being "car-sick." I had heard others talk about this and that it only lasted the first week or so, so I'd planned to try it for 2 weeks and if it didn't go away, I was going to stop it. Fortunately, it did go away for me.

I know many have lost lots of weight on it...I think I ate so low carb before starting it that I couldn't really eat much less, so I didn't get the same results. Also, I'm still on the 5 mcg dose, standard being 10 mcg, though they start you on the smallest dose until you adjust to it. My doctor felt my blood sugars would go too low on the 10 mc; indeed, when I eat very low-carb, I often skip the shot, as if I don't, its easy for me to hit 70 post meal with the shot.

If you are still considered a T2 at your endo appt, just ask to try it and see if it helps you...or ask if he thinks it would be an option, why or why not?

pdxdennisj · #4 (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 09:40 PM

I'm honest with my doctor. Most doctors want their diabetic patients to loose weight, if appropriate. I think that the commenter above about not producing enough insulin with Byetta is mistaken. As you can see from my sig , I have been on Metformin/Insulin/Byetta for about a couple of years now. This is getting to be a fairly common practice for people not responding well to Glucotrol. Medicare part D over-rode my insurance companies denial of the insulin/Byetta combination.

alicat61 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-14-2008, 12:36 AM

Hi, I have been on Byetta for 6weeks now. I started on the 5mgs and found my appetite is decreased by heaps. I don't feel hungry all the time like I used to.Evan when i serve up my evening meal it looks to large (it's 2/3 the size it used to be)
I lost 3.2 kilos in 2 weeks and my Hb1c went from 9 in November to 8.4 after 3 weeks on Byetta. (before I started my sugars wern't good) also my cholestrol and triglycerols came down also. I watch what I eat but if I want a treat I have it. but not as much. I'm finding I don't need to use as much insulin and I feel great.
As for side effects I have been really lucky couldn't work out if it was Byetta or my different shifts at work LOL
Byetta is only new over here and not cheap but it is worth every cent in my opinion. My Doctors hadn't heard of it so I have educated them !!

Take care from Alicat61

morrisma · #6 (**permalink**) 03-14-2008, 06:08 AM

Dumplin,
The byetta works better for some than others according to my endo. He feels many do lose weight initially but gain it back eventually and, as with all drugs, the liver can be affected.

I wish you luck on your quest to get off insulin.
Mike

Gabby123 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-14-2008, 06:36 PM

I have lost over 40 lbs since being on byetta. I also have worked very hard to get the weight off. I will say it was alittle easier but don't think it is magic. The first 10 lbs were easy but after that it was very hard wok. i am on the 5mcg dose and have been with metformin.