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Hey! I've just finished reading the comments concerning byetta. Diagnosed with type II diabetes since 1999--although who knows how long I've really had the disease. I'm starting byetta on 11/22/05 and have concerns about the nausea because I must work and really can't afford to be "sick" around my patients. I'll be using byetta as a stand alone therapy mainly to control fasting bs and hopefully have a good run at some adequate weight loss. I'm taking amaryl 1 mg am and 0.5 mg hs but will discontinue this regimen 11/21/05. I'll let you know how my first days of therapy go.		|<   <<   >>   >|
by char (PM , CC ) on Thursday November 17, 2005 @ 1:03 PM

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Welcome Char. I was a little nauseous for the first month on 5 mcg, then about one week into the 10 mcg dose during second month I felt miserable for a few days, then poof it just went away. Now I feel great. Hang in there, you'll make it. You won't puke, as far as I know no one does, you just feel nauseous but there's no reverse peristalsis, no emesis. I've been battling hypertension for years, and the Byetta has lowered my blood pressure so low that my internist cut my Toprol XL and Norvasc both in half. My fasting sugar used to be consistently high for years despite 500 mg glucophage daily, now it's textbook normal and I'm losing weight. Far as I can see, it a miracle drug, this century's penicillin. I even bought stock in Amylin Corp, I think it's going to zoom. Best of luck, keep in touch. Ciao!		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Greg77 (PM , CC ) on Thursday November 17, 2005 @ 5:07 PM

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So glad to find this BLOG . - Thanks - All of the discussions are very encouraging to a Day 1 person. I have already felt nausea all day. I will deal with it if I can get my levels down. I will be back to find out how others are doing and let everyone know how it is working for me.		|<   <<   >>   >|
by mgr (PM , CC ) on Friday December 2, 2005 @ 8:02 PM

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I thought I put a comment on here yesterday, but I am not at all familiar with the way things work in cyber space and I don't see my comment anywhere. I have been on Byetta for about six weeks now. It has worked well with my blood sugar - pretty well, anyway. It is the first thing that has done anything. However, it makes me so sick that I am non functional - nausea, headache, joint aches, fuzzy headed, fatigued to the point that I spend most of my time in bed. I have had to stop taking it in order to have my life back. Am I the only one out here with these kinds of problems? I am very disappointed. I thought this was the answer. Does anyone know of anything for the side effects? I take a boatload of high quality food supplements. I eat healthy foods, though I also eat stuff I shouldn't. It seems that I am stuck between long term decline because of the diabetes or being an invalid now. Avoid the holiday rush? Karin		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Karin (PM , CC ) on Tuesday April 18, 2006 @ 8:19 AM

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Hi, I am so glad that you have this site for people that are on Byetta. Thankfully no real side effects from it (it has been 6 weeks)and the weight loss results are great. Last night however, I had taken two bites of dinner when I realized I forgot my shot. I went to the fridge and took the shot and did not seem to have any effect on me even though the literature says not to take it if you forget before you eat. I was wondering if you had a similar experience or maybe they mean don't take it if you have had a full meal. I am also on the Amaryl and this has done wonders for my A1c numbers, down to a 6.7 from a 9! Any other tips for a beginner? Grannie Annie		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Grannie Annie (PM , CC ) on Monday May 8, 2006 @ 4:11 PM

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Hi, I must say thanks to starting this blog. I have really learned a lot from you and other people who post questions here. I Will be starting my first does next week. I have been a diabetic for 7 years. I have tried oral drugs but have too may side effects from them. I have been on and off insulin then totally changed my diet and was able to get off of it. I lost 40 pounds too! That was a great feeling. Not too long ago I had a check up and my A1c was up from last year from 5.4 now to 6.5, my diet is still the same so im not sure if my body has now just gotten used to the new foods. The only thing that is making me nervous about this drug is the nausea. I really hope it doesnt last long for me. Anyways I dont want to bother you too much just wanted to thank you for your help.		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Abigale (PM , CC ) on Saturday May 13, 2006 @ 10:48 PM

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Hi Abigale, welcome to the blog! Good luck with the Byetta. If you have trouble with nausea or other side effects come to the blog and bitch about it and we will provide encouraging words, sympathy and advice. Let us know how you make out. Ciao! Greg		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Greg77 (PM , CC ) on Monday May 15, 2006 @ 12:56 PM

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Hi everyone, Today is day 4 with Byetta. It is the first time ever on a blog. Don't know much about either. Is or does Byetta help right away with weight loss? How does it help. What should or shouldn't I expect? Doc. didn't tell me much, or I didn't hear much being told I was a type 2 diabetic. I was happy to find this place for infromation. Any help would be great. Thank you, Kathy		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Kathy (PM , CC ) on Friday June 9, 2006 @ 11:50 AM

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Hi everyone, Today is day 4 with Byetta. It is the first time ever on a blog. Don't know much about either. Is or does Byetta help right away with weight loss? How does it help. What should or shouldn't I expect? Doc. didn't tell me much, or I didn't hear much being told I was a type 2 diabetic. I was happy to find this place for infromation. Any help would be great. Thank you, Kathy		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Kathy (PM , CC ) on Friday June 9, 2006 @ 11:20 PM

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Hi Kathy, welcome, and good luck with the lizard spit. Byetta kills your appetite and makes you feel full after just a little food, which helps you lose weight. It has helped me to lose about 30 lbs since I started on it in October 2005, plus it made my blood sugar and blood pressure go to textbook normal levels. I have been able to cut most of by blood pressure meds in half! Don't be discouraged if you get nausea in the beginning, most people do and it goes away after a few weeks for most folks. Some puke, some don't, some can't eat at all and a very few can't take it at all it makes them so nauseous and pukey. But you'll be ok, those that have to get off it usually start with violent nausea from the first injection, and that's not you. Keep the pen refrigerated but don't panic if you leave it out accidently, it can take up to six days (cumulative) at room temp, just don't let it get hot like in the bright sun. This is not easy here in Florida! I got a kick-ass double wall Rubbermaid "X-treme" cooler with lots of blue ices for the car, and I'm ok. You need to inject it into fatty tissue so for most of us that's the tummy. Good luck and keep in touch, let us know how you are doing. Caio! Greg		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Greg77 (PM , CC ) on Monday June 19, 2006 @ 1:25 PM

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I have been on Byetta for 3 months and i have lost 52 pounds. My DR has said my bloodwork doesnt even look like it is mine. It has changed so much. I take Actos in the morning with my Byetta.I still get sick from it (nausea) . I can live with that.		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Maggie Rose (PM , CC ) on Thursday June 22, 2006 @ 10:16 PM

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Hi Maggie Rose, welcome to the blog. Hope you keep doing well with the Byetta. I'm doing ok since October 2005, my numbers are very good but I've only lost 30 lbs and I need to lose a lot more ..... after about 7 months my appetite seemed to come back, so watch out for that. Otherwise it's like I got a new life!!! Stay in touch. Ciao! Greg		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Greg77 (PM , CC ) on Friday June 23, 2006 @ 1:57 PM

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Just began with Byetta today. Am happy to find this spot with all the helpful comments from experienced users. Feeling full. No nausea. Thank goodness! Virgina in Ohio		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Virginia (PM , CC ) on Sunday June 25, 2006 @ 2:45 PM

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Yes, Virginia, there IS a lizard! Good luck with the Byetta and welcome to the blog. Lot's of good folks here to share your Byetta experiences with. Stay in touch. Ciao! Greg		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Greg77 (PM , CC ) on Monday June 26, 2006 @ 12:56 PM

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Well, the lizard bit me this morning......such a wave of nausea and dizziness! Took it easy, and began feeling better before long. At least I know that I got the juice in correctly. Question???? Is the belly the best spot for injecting? How about the butt? VA.		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Virginia (PM , CC ) on Tuesday June 27, 2006 @ 2:55 PM

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Hi Virginia, hang in there, it will go away. I was nauseous for exactly six weeks then poof! it just went away. My doc says Byetta has to be injected into fatty tissue, so the butt should be a good place but how do you reach around back there to give yourself the shot? Most of us use our stomach and thighs. If you use your arm you've got to get around to the back of the upper arm where there's a bit of fat on most people, and that's very hard to reach as well. The stomach is so easy, even if you're out at a restaurant you can just open up a button or two of your shirt and you're in! Good luck with it, stay in touch. Ciao! Greg		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Greg77 (PM , CC ) on Tuesday June 27, 2006 @ 4:08 PM

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Hi Greg, Thanks for the answers and the encouragement. Reading the messages from so many Byetta users is certainly helpful to a 'newbie'. My doctor didn't give any advice on injections. Just said it was easy to do, and had the nurse show me a sample Byetta pen and the way it works. So, I was really in the dark. My daughter has MS and injects medicine every day, so she helped me learn how to do this. She does her injections in her "derrierre" because they use a pretty good sized needle and go in deeper than the Byetta. She gets help from her husband, so doesn't have to be a contortionist. Well, the Byetta is easy to use, and the needle really doesn't hurt. It's just a strange feeling for me when I'm ready to poke it into myself. But gets a bit easier each time. Will keep using the tummy. As you pointed out, it is an easy spot. It sounds like you really have this under control with your travels and all. Thanks for providing this way for us to share! VA		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Virginia (PM , CC ) on Wednesday June 28, 2006 @ 9:41 AM

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OK Virginia, you'll be a lizard spit pro in no time! Hang in there. Ciao! Greg		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Greg77 (PM , CC ) on Wednesday June 28, 2006 @ 11:12 AM

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Hi Greg, Found your blog doing research on Byetta and I must say this will be cool to trade stories and hear other experiences. I've been on the lizard spit (I just love saying that ) for 3 weeks now and don't really have any bad reactions. I got nausea the first couple of days but haven't suffered any ill effects since then. I am on the 5mcg dose and will move up to 10 in another week to ten days. I figure that's when the nausea will set in. I haven't noticed much weight loss yet but it's early. I also probably haven't been taking it as I should, I forget and sit down to eat, then it's too late. I've read that some people have visual aids sitting on their table or in the kitchen to remind them to take their shot. I'm going to put a lizard on the dining room table to remind me . I'll check in from time to time, glad to be here.		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Tennman (PM , CC ) on Monday July 10, 2006 @ 12:59 AM

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Yo Tenman, welcome to the blog! Sorry for the late response but I was away in Miami from the 7th until just now. I'm an old fart of 58 so I don't bother to travel with a laptop, so when I'm away I'm "dark" on the web, I think is what the kids say. Anyway stick with it. If things get rough turn to this blog for advice, a lot of good folks no here who have been through it all with the spit. Good luck with it and hang in there. Ciao! Greg		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Greg77 (PM , CC ) on Monday July 10, 2006 @ 11:40 AM

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Hi there. I'm a brand new diabetic... I guess.... and brand new Byetta user. Question. I travel a lot, and I'm out away from home/work a lot even locally... lots of dinners and lunches away, etc. How do I carry my Byetta with me when I'm going to be out about around the local area? And how do I carry my Byetta with me with I travel by car, and by air (especially in the post London terror plot era with the crackdown on liquids and meds in carryon bags)?		|<   <<   >>   >|
by BigTex (PM , CC ) on Tuesday October 3, 2006 @ 5:22 PM

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Pretty Rubble floatin' thru at 3:50pm Don't have diabetes but your blog is an interesting read! I love your Ode To Pasta! I love pasta...kind of a downfall food for me. ..."There's no such thing as coincidence, it's God's way of remaining anonymous." Namaste!		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Pretty Rubble (PM , CC ) on Wednesday October 4, 2006 @ 3:49 PM

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Hi Pretty Rubble, this is Greg, the guy who founded this nut house. You're welcome to chat with us on the thread "Back From Vacation". That's become our unofficial chat room. The Grand Lizard		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Greg77 (PM , CC ) on Wednesday October 4, 2006 @ 5:07 PM

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Is this blog still functional? You mention a chat. Is it still there? How would I access it? I am a newbie--have been using the spit for three weeks. Moi		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Moi (PM , CC ) on Thursday December 28, 2006 @ 1:35 AM

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I'm so glad I found this blog- very helpful. My dose just increased to 10mcg. Its a NASTY DOSE--Oh my gosh!!! I'm having a hard time with the nausea and major headaches. Hopefully this will go away soon. Byetta is the only medication I take right now- hopefully its all I will have to take from here on out! Its hard adjusting my eating proportions though- this stuff really sneaks up on me. Its like "Poof" I'm really full. I've been making a big effort to cut back on my portions, still haven't found the right mix, but I'm not giving up!!! It seems the less I eat, the less the nausea seems to be. I don't seem to have issues with the nausea in the morning- only my evening dose??? Is that typical?? Have a great one!! Mrfsgirl		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Mrfgirl (PM , CC ) on Friday January 12, 2007 @ 2:59 PM

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Hi, I have been frustrated by Type 2 diabetes since 1995, constantly fighting my weight ...which keeps going up and blood sugar count which goes up and down alarmingly. My cousin who is an Endo., suggested I try Byetta, in November 10, 2006 I talked to my Dr about it...she was less than thrilled that I suggested a different med. But she acquised and gave me a perscription which she said wouldn't be paid for by my Insurance...well after much wrangling with her..not my insurance (Blue Cross had no problem) I finally started my injections 1/24/07. My "sugar scores" as I call them have been 100 or less everytime I have tested. I am not nausious . I have been browsing the web looking for whatever I could find...and low and behold I found you. Thank you for the site.. I don't know how much I will read or write but I have found all the postings very helpful and inspiring. I do feel like Byetta is a miracle and am happy to have other people to talk to about it and other things. Thank you Lynn Anderson		|<   <<   >>   >|
by ALynn (PM , CC ) on Friday January 26, 2007 @ 4:57 PM

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I'm a 64 yr-old who started the Spit one week ago. The comments here have helped me not consider stopping. I haven't had nausea, but my stomach has been unsettled a few evenings and my blood pressure dropped unusually low a couple of afternoons. I am amazed at how my hunger has diminished and I've learned to have a very small evening meal to remain comfortable at night. Kawg		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Kawg (PM , CC ) on Monday March 5, 2007 @ 8:18 AM

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Hi Greg--As with all others--Thank you for being so considerate to start this web blog. Your wit and great info along with info from all the groupies you've attracted helps beyond belief. When I was going through breast cancer with a mastectomy and chemo I was part of 2 BC support boards--I learned so much from everyone and received so much support. I was fortunate to be able to give a lot of support too. Even though I have stopped posting--those two years made a wonderful life chapter to cherish. I still have 2 or 3 great friends from that experience. I'm in a waiting period really. Went to Internist Monday-April 23 (2007) and A1C was 7.2 up from 7.0--not good at all. My LDL was unacceptable also for a TYPE 2 diabetic. My weight is REALLLLy unaccepatable--running back or linebacker status at 5'3" and 238. I have initial appointment May 16 with nurse practitioner--we'll see. Very nervous about the nausea since I still work part-time at school 4 days a week as a reading coach in high school---really can't afford to be sick or not "on my game"--meds are such a dicey issue--everyone is different. Anyway--THANKS SO MUCH for starting your blog--it's so worthwhile. Hope you continue as long as is practical for you. lone wolf		|<   <<   >>   >|
by lone wolf (PM , CC ) on Wednesday April 25, 2007 @ 5:14 PM

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Hi Greg and everyone I found you by looking into Byetta I have been on it a week for typeII diabetes. I really appreciate all of your post and it is so exciting to see just about everyone is doing really well with it. I have been sick and nauseated a couple of times and I found it worse when I inject in my abs. Has anyone else found that to be true. I have had no other problems though with it. It took 2 days for my blood sugars to go down and that is even after decreasing my metformin from 3 tablets daily to 2 when I started the byetta. I love your blog and I am going to try to keep checking in. Many Blessings Donna If anyone wants a psychic reading I just started a website aspasiaspsychicsalon.com email me and tell me you are from Gregs blog and Ill give you a discount. Thank you guys for being here.		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Donna (PM , CC ) on Tuesday May 15, 2007 @ 1:51 AM

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I am new to "lizard spit" and my first 3 weeks were a little crazy. The first day I was nauseous and dizzy, but I'm blonde and a nurse so no one noticed at work, until we compared blood sugars and mine was never above 70 all that first day! Sometimes the only way to get a little ole lady to let you stick her finger is to let her see what happens when you stick your own! Then my sugars started climbing and I added metformin 1000 twice a day. This week I am on the 10mcg dose with the same metformin and I have be flat sick! I "barfed" all weekend and slept most of the time. Back at work today and food doesn't smell good or taste right. Is there some way my pen is giving me too much? I seem to belch all of time and I was NEVER this sick. Please just tell me it will all go away! I have lost 6 pounds in my first 3 weeks and I have so much more energy! I am grateful to have found this web site and just want to say thank you to Greg77		|<   <<   >>   >|
by debi majo (PM , CC ) on Tuesday September 4, 2007 @ 7:51 PM

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Howdy! I'm new to this thread. Glad to meet you. I've had Type 2 Diabetes for 25 plus years, and was on insulin for about five years. I was able to get off the stuff and switch to Byetta about a year ago. Like everybody I started on 5mcg and now am on 10mcg. I had a big problem with nausea when I went to 10, but after a month or so I tolerate it pretty well. The big trade-off is that I went from 235 to 165 lbs in that time. Gotta say all my numbers are great, and I'm thrilled.		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Teddy (PM , CC ) on Friday September 21, 2007 @ 7:16 PM

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I have had type 2 diabetes for about 5 years. In September I started the Byetta. I was only sick for 1 day and in three weeks I lost 21 lbs! I think it's great! I was really overweight, so I have a lot more to go. I have now lost 56 lbs! About three weeks ago I was sick and had to go off the Byetta for about a week. When I went back on it again I was really sick to my stomach. After 8 days of feeling like I was going to vomit at any minute, I called my doctor. Now I am back on the 5mcg for a month. I'm still a little sick, but not bad. I'm in hopes that I can make it back on the 10mcg. I hate to give it up entirely when it's such a big help with my weight loss!		|<   <<   >>   >|
by Gina (PM , CC ) on Tuesday February 5, 2008 @ 10:27 AM