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FOR GOOD PRICES ON INSULIN SYRINGES AND OTHER DIABETIC NEEDS VISIT THE MEDICAL SUPPLY SHOPPE AT AMAZON.COM!
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This is where we now have our new message board, the other one was full. Newcomers, be sure to read through all the boards on this blog if you are looking for good information about Byetta.
Ciao!
The Grand Lizard
| | Posted by Greg77 at 10:15 AM - | |
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Thanks for this info. I am not sure I understand how to read all the blogs posted on this site ... from you or anyone who responds to you. Guess I am a little unfamiliar with blogs!!!
I have been on Byetta since March...and have lost a total of about 15 pounds. Sure do feel great when I eat little or NO carbs...truly. However, I miss them terribly. Byetta still does not make me not want to eat. I really have to TELL myself that it does. Guess I may have to go to the increased dosage of 10 mg. Will talk to my endo next visit. What is your feeling? Could really stand to lose about 20 more pounds...then I would weigh what I really would like to weigh.
Thanks again. Any and ALL help regarding blogs will be appreciated.
Jayne
Gosh I love this lizard spit!
Today is my 49th birthday. Thanks to you and the Lizard Spit I am happy and alive! My bg's are kind of high right now - 220 in the morning, but I think it is because my body is getting used to the new Lantus. I meet with the Endo Monday morning, I suspect he will increase my dose of Lantus.
I haven't had nausea in quite a while - can't say that for the burps or farts, but I just feel so darn GOOD. I don't know if Byetta has happy juice in it, but I do know that I feel better than I ever have in my adult life and I know that Byetta is the cause.
I still have MetAttacks. I had one this morning, but like our Dear Leader and Master Lizard said, once every week or two is great.
I found I feel pretty sluggish if I eat a lot of carbs. I just feel better now on a nutritionally solid diet. (I say that as I get ready to eat a birthday dinner of carbs and choc cake!)
Greg, I tried the Dreamfields pasta and that stuff is great! Thank you for the recommendation, it will be in my pantry from now on.
My weight loss is steady, about 4 pounds a month. But I haven't been trying really hard over the holidays. I usually get back to the program the day after my birthday.
Tomorrow my hubby and I are going to the casino for a while, then it's back to the grindstone.
Love you all,
Hope you are all doing well today. I have what may sound like a dumb question to you "veterans." I started taking Byetta on Dec 26th, and I have been suffering with nausea, but it is finally getting less severe!
You need to go back and read the posts. I have so much energy and it gets better daily. I was extra sleepy at first, but now I don't need anywhere near as much sleep.
Yes, this is a miracle drug. It turned my life around.
The choc cake was wonderful, but more importantly, I shared the piece with my hubby (another chocoholic) and still LEFT MORE THAN HALF THE SLICE ON THE PLATE. A never before Byetta.
I had a fantastic birthday!
Love ya'll
BTW, you WILL go up to the 10 mcg dose, there's no choice, the 5 mcg is just for one month to let your body get used to it. Unless your doc decides to ignore the manufacturer's prescribing instructions, which we have seen happen on this blog a few times! Anyway, welcome. Shoot your lizard spit and stay healthy!
JerseyGirl, you're a pistol!
Ciao!
The Grad Lizard
I am learning lots from all of you. Thank you!
Debbie
WOW, Where on earth did all these "new Lizards" come from??Yikes..Where do we begin.?? Debbie, Cookie, Gail..Did you girls get off the Lizard Bus? I hope my stock goes up like all you new Lizards are multiplying. I have been on here with Greg for 9 months and I have yet to see a big stampede like this. Tell me you all all the same person..
PS Greg, Hey Big Boy I need your help
I went to my doctor today for the first time in 3 months. Though I was throwing up for almost 2 months, I only lost 2 pounds. Boy am I disappointed. I eat very little and exercise. Also my A1C only went down a tiny bit. It was 7.9 and now it is 7.8. I have a bruised pin cushioned stomach and I am ready to cry. I told my doctor on how well OTHER people on the blog are doing. She told me to stop reading the blog and comparing myself to others. She says at least I made some improvement and wants me to stick with the Byetta for at least another 3 months. Is there anyone else NOT getting the results they hoped for or am I only one?
I've been on the spit since Dec 23. I might have lost one pound. I haven't really seen any improvement in glucose levels. At this point, I'm glad I'm not gaining weight. I have had some upset stomachs, but no actual vomiting. I am going to stay on this and start my 10mcg pen in Feb when I have a week off because many people on this blog have mentioned that they had to use Byetta for a long time before that got better results. I ain't gining in yet. VP
I haven't seen any dramatic improvement in my BG and I still feel lousy every now and then. I have also noticed more energy and I am not sure why. That I like! I move up to 10 tomorrow. I think I will stick with the 5 (note the pun) for the morning and then go to 10 at night when I am home and can handle it for the weekend. I haven't noticed an appetite decrease but have noticed that I crave sugars a lot less. Good luck!
Cookie, Many people hope to achieve a HGBA1C of 6. I think you are doing very good.
Debbie, I used to think that all Doctors started patients off on the 5mg for 1 month and then moved them to the 10, which is shat my Endo did, but it seems each Doctor has his own prescribing method, but I do that that the protocol is to start on the 5 and then move up to the 10, but if the 5 works why not remain on it.
Good luck to the 3 of you.
Greg, I have been off Toprol for about a month now, and think I am doing okay, though I have had some headache and tachycardia. My BP has been all right, so maybe the DIOVAN is holding that. I have cut way down on caffeine, so that is perhaps the reason for headaches. Thank you for the info on toprol--as I have said before, I really want to reduce the amount of meds I am taking. Getting control of the sugar problem and weight should help a lot. Sugarfreak
Want a laugh? It took me 3 times to actually get it right! Know why? 'Cuz I didn't take the blue cap off the needle! LOL!
Thanks for the support!
~~Debbie
Loreli: I'm going to love smart-mouthing you when I get back. Now take your Byetta and be a good girl.
As they say in southern Italy,
Ciao, y'all!
The Grand Lizard
I think the reason so many of us feel like we have more energy is the fct that we cut down on the carbs and are no longer having having such sharp dips in our blood sugars. I really think the carbs make us sleepy.
hang in there all of you newbies the nausea isnt so bad. It will come back from time to time but it is so worth it.
Greg we will miss you while your away.
Lorelei Im not sure Ive seen you on here before but if Greg says we have to mind you, then welcome and we will do our best to give you and Jersey something to do.
Another thought I had. Uh oh watch out Ive been thinking!
It seems each month we think we dont know what to expect from the new pen, well Im wondering if it is just that the old pen medication has just steadily gotten weaker and so when we start a new fresh one it seems like the medication is different (stronger) and makes us sick. Does anyone get what Im trying to say?
Have a good day everyone and hang in there.
My doc started me on this stuff about 3 days before my Mom, an Alzheimer's patient, had her right hip replaced as a result of a car accident a year ago (that's how we discovered she should not be driving any more). He mentioned in passing that it might cause "a little nausea for 2-4 days" which I now understand was wishful thinking on his part or an outright lie! Of course he said I could stop and start again when it was more convenient but then I would have to go through that AWFUL first 24 hours again... NO THANK YOU!
I run my own business and really have to keep going no matter what so this has sucked and I have wondered if I was doing the right thing but now I see that it isn't so bad. I am pretty wiped out and basically seasick. But I am not dying, My FBS is rock steady around 100. I might go to 140 in the PM and back down again at night. I am taking Lantus as usual but about 10% of the Novolog I usually bolus with! That is amazing.
When I walked into my doc's office about 10 days ago my BP was 198/100 (after 3 med changes in a month)and my FBS was running about 160 on a good day and I was popping up close to 300 more often than I care to admit. I had started a rapid weight gain cycle of 3-5 lbs a week and was up 23 lbs in under 2 months. I was scared and desperate. I had never even heard of Byetta.
I have been a diabetic for 15 or so years and was controlled with diet and excercise for many years. About 5 years ago I got pregnant, miscarried and my diabetes went into overdrive. My HbA1c was 12.9. My FBC was almost 400. I started insulin about 3 1/2 years ago and have been on Lantus and Novolog for almost 3 years because 6 months into it I started a rapid weight gain cycle. I gained 50 lbs in 3 months. My BP went out of control (never a problem before)and everything in my body, joints, organs, eyes, etc. started to fail. I was functionally blind. My shoulders and hips froze. I thought I was dying and perhaps I was. I had problems with neuropathy, gastroparesis, joint capsulitis, retinopathy and a host of other things that you generally only read about. The basal/bolus system saved my life. My weight and BP stabilized. After two years I could fasten my bra again. I have over 2000 dots of laser in each eye and had a conventional vitrectomy in my left eye to save my sight. The neuropathy was greatly improved. The gastroparesis gone and I was feeling pretty damned good and proud of my HbA1c of 6.6. Suddenly it all went to hell. I don't know what happened. First my FBS started fluctuating and it seemed like I could not get a handle on it. Then my BP started going up and then I started gaining weight again. And, naturally, the more upset and scared I got, the worse it got! I was just sitting in my bedroom crying and scared and willing to do anything to make it stop. You see... I have a wonderful life. I have a fabulous husband, a wonderful home and a business I love. It wasn't always like that and I used to think it really didn't matter if this thing killed me. But now I want to live... as long and as well as I can!
I can't say I feel great. I feel seasick! But my weight, FBS and BP all stabilized within 48 hours. I don't think I could live with this nausea forever but it does seem to be getting better. I'm really tired and having trouble focussing but I think I can survive all of that if there is hope that it will get better and you people give me hope. Thank goodness I found you!
BTW... the reason you are seeing so many new people is because the company actually asked docs to STOP prescribing the drug for a while because of production issues. They could not make enough of it to supply the people already taking it. Just recently they have felt that the supply could keep up with the demand and docs are prescibing it so fast I would not be surprised if the problem returns. Those of you taking a flyer on the stock market... keep your eyes wide open. With so many new IPO's for diabetic related drugs and insulin delivery systems out there anything could happen.
I need a miracle and I am willing to pin my hopes to lizard spit. I have had a fascination with gila monsters since I was a little kid and they had a very friendly one at the science museum where I lived. I had no idea until yesterday whatthis stuff really was, what it did or how it worked. Now I feel like there is some wild possibility that it might just work.
I have two questions I cannot seem to find the answers for: What is the deal with dark chocolate and what is the deal with red wine? I know you guys have talked about these things but I have not been able to find where or exactly what.
Well... thanks again and I have you bookmarked and plan to check here daily to keep my spirits up. I believe that a circle of positive thought can work wonders so I reach out my hands to those on my right and left and hope you will all do the same and send all those positive vibes out there for all of us.
Purple, How is Honey doing? Keep me informed, ok? I do know that even if she chews your right toe off, you will put a bandage on it and limp around and not give a damn
Reggie, How are you Sweetie? Haven't heard from you in a while. I miss your "ADVENTURES"]
I tried posting last night, after reading this blog for 2 days, and it showed up then it disappeared. What's the deal, pickle?
I am new to Byetta. I started it 8 days ago. No nausea at all. I do have the gas and loose stools. Not really diarrhea but definitely not constipated!
I havent weighed but my tummy feels smaller! hurray!
I had a lot of energy the 1st few days, even started back to the gym, but the last couple days I have been so sleepy!
I am on the byetta and no other meds. I was on metformin for a while but it made me ravenously hungry so I came off it 3 months ago. Unfortunately my a1c last month was very telling. Went from 6.1 to 6.8, my highest since being diagnosed in 03. Doc thinks if I can lose 50lbs I can get rid of the diabetes as my BS are really good as long as I dont go too long without eating or eat too many carbs.
This does seem like a miracle drug, I hope it is safe! I hate taking something thats still fairly new but the weight loss and BS control yall have posted is all Im thinkin about right now!
I have the high FBS in the AM. I was reading about the chocolate and I cant wait to try it! What kind are yall eating? Is it just dark chocolate? How much of it? I love me some chocolate but not into the dark. I WILL eat it if it helps the FBS though.\
On my post that diappeared into cyber land, I mentioned I was in Alabama and quite the smartass myself, and maybe jersey girl and I could represent north/south wiseassiness
Looking forward to better health and making new friends via the lizard spit!!
HUGS TO YOU ALL !!!
Bama
The reason I joined this blog was because I found it the first time I Googled "Byetta." I soon felt like I fit right in with all of you, due to the similar experiences with the lizzard spit. I didn't know the appetite loss and other symptoms were common. I'm so happy to know that others are in the same boat and are seeing good results from Byetta. I've only been on it since Dec. 22, and had never heard of it before. I'm not sure what made me look it up on the web, but am glad I did. I am looking forward to the next few months to see how I respond. I'll keep coming here to find out how the rest of you are doing.
I'm already missing Greg too. Wonder what it is about that nut that makes him so lovable....good thing he's not reading up on this...he'd "get the big head" as we say in Kentuck. Hey Bamagirl--I'm an original bama girl--born there many a year ago 'cause mom wanted to be home so her mama could hold her hand I guess. But was whisked away to other regions (by train--in a basket I'm told) so I never lived there. I have a host of wonderful relatives in Al. and my ma taught me to say "ya'll" and "yonder" and I still do.
Lorelei, hope I spelled that right--your history is AMAZING. You have been through so much--so you not only deserve the best the Gila has to offer, but also, you have many tips and experiences to help other diabetics along. I'm glad you're with us.
April--love your notes--you always give good advice. How're you doing with the smaller ankle splint? Or is it yet too early for that? BTW, the OB's moved Rachel's due date to July 21st after the ultrasound. We had calculated July 12th by the conventional method, so she must have ovulated later, or the tech doing the ultrasound didn't get a good measurement. Anyway, the babe look hale and hearty and that's the most important thing. Too early to learn the sex, but that's fine.
Happy weekend to everyone--stay with the lizard and don't forget to check your glucose. Another week and another ounce or two GONE!!! The reformed SUGARFREAK
By the way, to answer a couple of questions ... I have 6 children ranging in age from 27 to 10 ... 5 still at home (nobody told me they RETURN home!!) and we raise shihtzu and pomeranian puppies ... currently have 5 dogs in our home, but it has been as high as 7!
Have a great day everyone!
Well I am off to the gym to take a weight training class. It's taken a lot for me to get my lazy ass up and eat and get dressed and be ready to go at 8:20 on a saturday morning. I still feel like I'm asleep. oh, my FBS was 127 this AM & thats alot lower than what I usually had before Byetta. It ran as high as 157.
Later yall !!!
I feel like you do about loving the peace and quiet since the kids left. My son moved in with his dad 2 yrs ago, daughter has been gone 3...I love the empty nest! I love my independence too :)
I feel sorta bad to admit it also but hey-it's the truth, can't help it
It is the most beautiful day here. It's 72deg and sunny!! I am going out and enjoy it....byeeeeee
Jersey - a Honey of a story, kind of relates to Reggie - this afternoon I was reading the paper and had my cell phone on the coffee table beside me. My hubby came in and I talked him into going to supper (instead of ME cooking). When I came home, I couldn't find the cellphone to hook to the charger. I FINALLY found it in Honey's bed. I guess she was talking on the phone while we were out eating.
She's gotten SO BIG. We still love her like crazy, but today she was trying to nibble on the front door. Sure will be glad when the teething stops. My hubby has started putting his shoes on in the bathroom because she either eats his shoes or his toes or steals his socks!
My bg's are way too high. This morning was 220. I'm still waiting to see endo on Monday, I think we will do some adjusting.
For the newbie who "can't take" metformin. It makes me very sick but I had a smart doc who started me this way. Start the first week with 1/4 of the targeted does with NO Coffee and NO milk products. The second week go to 1/2 the dose. The third week 3/4 and the fourth week the whole dose. It's the only way I can tolerate the Met. I still have frequent MetAttacks (had one today), especially if I eat something unusual.
I've spent the last 3 days sleeping all day and staying up most the night. I have my days and nights mixed up.
It all comes from having 3 weeks of 4 days off in a row. I have to get it together soon, school starts back next week and I have to be alert. (the world needs more lerts!)
Byetta-wise, it has helped me so much. I am now beginning to get some confidence that I badly needed. Depression equals low self confidence in my life, and I will withdraw and quit everything. I think that's been the biggest blessing of the Byetta, now I have energy and interest, even on my sleepy days.
Newbies - sleepiness, nausea, gas, and diarrhea are all side effects that get much better as the days go by. My first month was hard, but it has been well well worth it. DO NOT GIVE UP! You didnt' get these crazy blood sugars in just a few days and it will take the same amount of time to reverse the effects. GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO CHANGE!
Gotta go for now, the puppies are snoring...
zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Vice Principal, I really don't see why 2 injections of the 5mg would be an issue, except for the cost. That would run about $400 a month and I don't think any insurance company would tolerate it. I'm also not sure that if you try to renew your RX in that period of time if your insurance won't question it. Other than that, if you don't mind sticking yourself twice, I assume you are getting the proper dosage. If it were me, I would just wait until you finish the 5mg pens. I really don't think you will see that much difference. Apparently some Doctors are keeping patients on the 5 longer now anyway.
Anyone experience this?
Hope you all have enjoyed your weekend. I sure have
Bama- I wait about 45 mins before I eat. I also eat a lot less. Could that be the reason you feel hungry later, just so much less food? Try "bulky" foods. I really love the Weight Control Quaker Oatmeal, makes me full all morning. I add fresh fruit to it. Make sure you eat your 5 veggies and 3 fruits and 8 glasses of water. Try a glass of milk before bedtime.
Also for newbies - if you have probs with diarrhea eat MORE bulk foods, NOT less. It sounds strange but it works better that way.
Love you all
Vice, I don't think you should wait so long to upgrade to the Big Boys. Obviously this is just my opinion, but you'll be okay. You may not even have nausea. You just can't bet on anything.
I'm really needing much less sleep at night, but I take naps in the day. Sometimes I just can't keep my eyes open, then at night I'm wide awake (like now). Frustrating!
My appetite is decreasing again. I am so glad. I hate it now when I get ravenous. I feel so much better eating less.
It has been raining constantly for 5 days. Memphis has 2 seasons - wet and dry. This is the monsoon season. The dogs have been inside, and I'm all gripey. They've been fighting, and I can't let them outside because my backyard is a large pond. At least no ice or sleet.
Take care of yourselves, this byetta thing really works and does wonders for your lifestyle.
I have bronchitis and the doctor is putting me on a week of prednisone, which I understand can make your blood sugar rise. I also need to take it with food three times a day, so should I take it an hour before shooting the spit or two hours after? Right now I am going for before, hope it won't make the byetta not work if I eat an hour before I shoot...
I'm still around and still loving the lizard elixir........I have been reading but just haven't had the time to post......I went from being the newest hire to senior staff in three days (it's a really long story)
I still have had nothing untoward happen...... I did get a really nasty stomach virus I thought it was the spit but it was really a virus that made a local newspaper 75 other people in the same building suffered as well......obviously I didn't take anything while i was sick but after the acute phase i went right back on the 10 pen.
Just started my 3rd pen and April I totally agree with the potency theory I was thinking the same thing just before I had to start my new pen no wonder they say throw it away after 30 days ......my appetite seemed to be increasing. New pen back to "normal".
Since I started on 11/10 I have lost 17 pounds at first didn't think I would reap that particular benefit......but is seems to be working there too I am very happy with the post prandial BS still not crazy about the morning FBS going to try the chocolate idea what kind and how much is the most effective?
Welcome to all the new members hang in there this stuff is the best chance we have to beat this insidious disease.
Take care
Kind regards
Cheryl
The pharmacist told me to take it at lunch and before bed to avoid the whole sitting in your gut thing, so I feel a bit better about taking the prednisone. I am horrified because my blood sugar is 201 right now--and that is a fasting reading. The doctor warned me that my sugars would go out of whack, and not to worry about it, because I really need to take it for six days for the spasms. It really sucks!
I am so sick, I am having trouble eating, so I guess I will try some chicken soup at lunch. Thanks for responding when I asked about how to take it, I hadn't thought about the possibility that having it sit in my stomach might actually be bad for me. Guess I was being a bit blonde (which is hard for me, since I am a natural redhead--lol)
My question is how many carbs should you take in when using byetta? I was on a low carb diet before using byetta and I remember reading somewhere that you need to take in carbs in order for Byetta to work. Is this true? If so, how much? In what form?
My side effects include nausea and _severe_ constipation. It seems that I need to take softeners and fiber to get things moving. Also, it seems that my nausea is reduced if I eat a bread carb w/ the Byetta meals. Has anyone else had this happen?
What tricks have people used for the nausea or constipation? I'm afraid of moving up to the 10mg dose because of this.
I have Metabolic Syndrome as well as Hashimoto's Hypothryoidism. My thyroid symptoms are not easy to manage and my TSH fluctuates 5-6 times a year. My antibodies are over 2500 (they should be below 30) I have been struggling to loose weight (and stop gaining it) for years. I finally found an Endo who "get it" for both problems. I've lost 8 pounds this month!
And, of course, my insurance is squawking about paying for it. My MD has been giving me 5mg samples.
I hope everyone is well and getting better. Thanks for this blog! You all have provided the best info on Byetta I could find on the web!
Cathy - aka Jesse-Dog's Mommy
OK EVERYONE... I need a little encouragement here! I sympathize with Anita as I am also soooo sick. And I am also finding that I can barely function during the day at all. I am working at night because I sort of can but I have tried adjusting my timing and it doesn't seem to matter. I am just so tired during the day that I can barely keep my eyes open. Sometimes I think it isn't so much that I want to sleep as that I want to be unconcious! Comatose, even! Then I wind up awake half the night. This has really screwed with the circadian rythm thing! That's the bad stuff. The good side is that my BS and BP are great and my overall health has improved perceptibly and immediately. My circulation is better and there is marked improvement in neuropathy that I really did not think would improve any more. And, yes, I am losing weight! I just wish someone would shoot me! But I am really trying to hang in there.
Here's the problem... I really have to get back to work. My business is suffering and my husband is doing all he can to pick up the slack but he really needs me back in action at least some of the time. I am willing to try most anything. I am already eating ginger and garlic and trying to stick to no fat foods and small amounts. I saw someone say a bread carb helped and I was kind of thinking that might be true as well. Has anyone found anything, no matter how much of a pain in the butt, that really lets them keep moving? I am 2 weeks in and it is really not a lot better if any better.
I really need a miracle and this offers me my best chance long term. I am new and do not know Greg as yet but I think he and I have some things in common as business people. My business needs me. I almost lost it once because of the destructive effects of the diabetes. I am not going back there again. I got my mind back with good BS control. I have gotten most of my body back as well. But this offers me the chance to get back to something like "normal" so I am really trying to live through it.
Is it really going to get better??? I see where a few people have not gotten any better but most of them seem to be dealing with Metformin issues as well. I was on that for 18 months about 10 years ago. It was the worst thing I can ever remember going through before Byetta. And it didn't work for me. I am much happier on insulin except for the weight gain. I only took it because they told me to but my BS stayed in the 250-300 range and I wanted to die! When I started having cardiac issues I told the doc to stuff it. I am honestly not sure Byetta is not as bad as that. But at least it works and there is hope it will get better... right??? Is it really completely unpredictable or is there some common progression that I might find comforting to know about? Obviously the docs don't know. But you people seem to know more about what goes on than anyone. Stands to reason.
Anyway... I just cancelled a long awaited vacation, a trade show trip and a convention I really needed to be at because I am simply too sick to deal with it. It is all pretty discouraging. It will be worth it if it works long term but I really can't live like this forever. Please... give me hope that I won't have to.
I am sorry to be such a baby about all of this. I think I am just tired. Work is piling up and I have not enough energy to slog through it. ANd there is still no light at the end of the tunnel. All I need is to know that I will soon feel better and I can make it. But it seems as if no one can actually tell me that and that seems so scary.
Well.. thanks for listening. I' will listen to ANYTHING anyone has to offer. Meanwhile I am sucking down organic ginger root and pickled garlic and wearing Sea Bands!
Lorelei--I hate that you are having such a terrible time. You might temporarily need something stronger for nausea (like Phenergan or Compazine) if your Dr. would consider it. Both are prone to making you sleepy though, so functioning at work could still be a problem. I hope that you will be able to stay on Byetta long enough to become acclimated to it and get the benefits. You will be in my prayer