Byetta

Hi folks, found this site doing a search for Byetta "FAQs".

I just started using the injection pen. It's a sample size 5, I do 2 injections at a time, twice a day. I'm here to watch for tips,etc.

The reason I am using a sample Byetta pen is that I just finished a 6 month trial doing the once-a-week injection. All my numbers improved tremendously on that, and I lost 26 pounds doing very little exercise (I had heat stroke previously and don't do well in high heat, which it's been for months here in Los Angeles).

Having now used both systems, I can tell you that I MUCH prefer the once a week type! Only hassle there is the 12 hour fast before you can inject, plus takes a while to mix the powder and serum and assemble the hypodermic. But it's great otherwise. I did seeem to have one problem , which was about 24-36 hours before the next injection, I would have diarrhea, almost like clockwork.

Thanks to the creator of this site, I look forward to learning more about Byetta.

Thank you for sharing the info about the once a week shot Michael! I've been on the 10 Byetta shot for a couple of years now and the side effects are erratic at best but my A1c levels are wonderful. I eat tiny pieces of ginger root for the nausea and that works great but the feeling of being really really cold and having the flu feelings I don't have an answer for. That usually goes away within 2 hours after the shot. I'm hoping that the once a week shot will be approved soon. Please keep posting and thank you again! I'll check back more often. Where is everyone??? Joann, clee susan????

PS: Now this post is saying I'm in Reno,Nv. I'm not I'm in California. How do I correct that does anyone know??? Thanks Rhonda

Hey Guys!!!
I'm so sorry I haven't been here. I will be from now on. I've been sooo busy and I'm so worn out tired. My internal med doctor wants me to talk to my endo doctor about getting back on Byetta. I have to go see the endo doctor in January so maybe if I don't go back on Byetta, she will put me on Symlin. Has anyone heard anything about Symlin? Let me know.

Hi Clee! It's wonderful to have you back!! I can't remember what I heard about Symlin but I'll look it up again and report back. Keep the faith.....

Hey Joann, where are you? Thank you for the info regarding my stubbed toe. I was really worried before I read your post and you are right it's taken about 4 weeks so far and it's finally feeling better but still sore. I hope I'll be more careful in the future! How are you doing, please check it!

If anyone would like info on the once a week injections, I'm happy to help if I can.

Now that I'm no longer on the experimental (free Byetta) program, I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to obtain my twice a day injection pens at a semi-decent cost? I don't have insurance, so I'll have to pay out of pocket. Anyone know if Costco,for example, has a good price?

Thanks!

Hello,

Where is everyone, hope all is well....been busy.Dr's appts etc....kitchen, company, and my husband had surgery he cut a tendon and a nerve in his arm, needless to say we have been on the roll.

Still very warm here...no complaints on the weather.

I forgot to mention, Dr. was upset about to much weight loss!!!! Can you believe it first I was to heavy and then it's to thin...anyway from the weird appetite that I have and my dislike of meat???, I have a vitamin b-12 deficiency so I got a double dose IM of b-12, on top of that because of the weight loss I have osteoporsis, and need Reclast IV...I can't keep up and my clothes are big, did not realize until I was weighed I lost more this summer without trying....I have been trying to eat meat and more protein, but I guess this a problem that vegans run in to. All other bloodwork was good kidney function is good to, she always worried about that...its tough to get old, my body is but I am not willing....at least I understand why I was so tired all the time....

Michael,

Welcome to the group, hopefully we will get to try the once a week injections, I am on Byetta 10mcg twice a day, the side effects have lessened, I still get very chilly and have little appetite, but I am reminding myself to stop and eat...I have been on Byetta for a couple of years...it seems to pushing me towards long term issues...

Rhonda,

Maybe the server your internet provider uses is in Reno, I have had weird places pop up when we have been traveling....especially using wi-fi.

Hi Joann and Michael!! I'm sorry about your husband Joann but am happy to hear from you. I'm having the same weight loss problem and my doctor is insisting on alot of blood work the first week in December. I tried to put it off until next year but Dec. is as long as she'll wait. I don't eat much meat either and there aren't many calories in veggies so I'm going to buy Atkins protein drinks and try drinking one a day. I'm down to 110 lbs and am 5'4" tall and am still losing slowly.

Michael I have crummy insurance and had to pay for my shots when I first started a few years ago. I called all of the local pharmacies and I think Walmart was the least expensive, but maybe it was Costco. You also might try calling the company and see if they have a cash discount program. Do you think the once a week shot will come in a premeasured pen or will it have to be mixed? Do you think it's going to be approved by the feds?

It still says I'm in Reno, NV but I'm using cable for the internet and am a mile from Pismo Beach, Calif. Anyway Joann, I'm writing to tell you it was 90 degrees here today, can you believe it? I'm right on the ocean and it's the end of October! Is this global warming?

Rhonda,

I believe we are having some of the best weather in the US, we are a mile in from the ocean and it is like summer here...beautiful breeze from the ocean, hard to believe because in the northeast it is cool and rainy....I'll soak it up while I can.

Sorry you and I seem to be in the same boat, it has to be from long usage of the Byetta??? I wonder if there is anyone on it for a length of time with those problems....my appetite is lousy, although I have not had horrible bouts of nausea like the beginning...the weight loss is great but sometimes it takes its toll.

We may head out to California, Oregon, and Washington this summer, I am hopeful that we can do it....maybe we will get a chance to say hello, that would be great fun....

Hang in there it cannot get worse....keep the faith.

Hi Joann! I would love to meet up with you if you get anywhere near us on your travels. It's like summer here also, yesterday was in the high 70's again and it's suppose to heat up this weekend. I'm really ready for the fog since heat is harder for me with MS. I'm not having really bad nausea either, I'm just not hungry. I stopped Byetta for 2 weeks about a month ago just to see what would happen (I used Lantus instead) and I got my appetite back and gained about 6 lbs but couldn't control my glucose with insulin near as well as I do with Byetta. What I'm trying to do now is remind myself to eat whether I want to or not. I'm worried that if I lose too much weight I'll end up sick. Try the Atkins chocolate shake if you need protein, I mix it with coffee and it's pretty good.
I'm thinking good thoughts for you!

Hi Rhonda,

Still warm here, busy week Dr.'s appts 3 days in a row...but all is going as good as it can.

I will look into the Atkins shake because sometime the appetite is just blah!!! Protein is important and I am a perfect example of not enough, I do like the fruits but have to watch the fruit sugar as well and bananas are a favorite and I have been picking them fresh...

Sorry the weather is tough on your MS, hope the fog rolls in for you and you feel better.

Keep the good work up and all we can do is just keep plugging along....take care and will post again.

Hello,

How is everyone? Where are all of you? Anyone close to Ida, so late in the season for a hurricane..weather here has been warm with a wind from the ocean the surfers love it...other than that things have settled down for the time being.

Byetta is the same old Byetta not bothering me to much, side effects have lessened..glad for that.

Will check for posts, take care everyone.

Hey,
I have been on byetta for about a year. I have lost 38 lbs. but could lose more. I have recently started having a problem. After my shot, especially at night, my level will go down into the 70's and I will get extremely sick at my stomach. I don't know how low it would go because as soon as I start feeling sick, I check it. What do you all think?

Hi Donna and welcome! I have had the same problem. I've been on Byetta for a couple of years and the side effects are very irregular. I buy ginger root and eat small slices for the nausea and that stops it right away. Sometimes I'll eat a couple of crackers to bring up my glucose level. I get nauseated but don't get sick anymore. Check with you doctor, you may need to eat more carbs at dinner time.

Hi Joanne! Our weather here is still in the high 70's, doesn't seem like thanksgiving should be on the way so soon. I'm doing better with Byetta and am walking on my treadmill every day since my foot finally healed up. You were right! It took almost 6 weeks and was really painful. I am not walking around my house without shoes anymore-lol!!!! Where are you spending thanksgiving this year?

Hi Donna, welcome to the Byetta gab session. I have expierenced a problem like yours, but I used ginger ale and saltine crackers for the nausea..it worked for me, but my nausea has lessened a great deal. I have been on Byetta for some time.

Rhonda, good to see your post, how are you doing?
We are cooler today, yesterday it was humid we were still running a/c but tonight it is about 65 degrees and no humidity, big difference.

I had a nuclear stress test done today, my heart rate was slow to increase, they asked if I was active??? I guess I am more active then I realized. Waiting to hear the results...they took many pictures, hope they come out good...LOL

I am cooking this year for T'giving...and I am going to de-bone a turkey breast, stuff it with sausage and bread stuffing, roll it and bake it...delicious, and no carving...much easier at the table, I did it last year and everyone liked it, bought a bigger breast this year....are you cooking?

Take care and keep that treadmill rolling, watch your feet, I am the same way and really need to protect my toes, I wonder if they make steel toe shoes for us???LOL.