Comments on: Understanding exenatide http://www.medrants.com/archives/2725 Internal medicine, American health care, and especially medical education Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:15:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Leslie http://www.medrants.com/archives/2725/comment-page-1#comment-543710 Leslie Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:33:34 +0000 http://medrants.com/index.php/archives/2725#comment-543710 I am starting Weight Watchers tomorrow morning.  I hope to God that I can make it work for me.  I have got to get off all the medication I am on.  BYETTA appears to be the most noticeable in making me feel terrible.  In the beginning the first time I took it, I lost weight quickly for the first couple of months.  Then I got very ill and was in the hospital and nursing homes for 5 months, they did not give me the BYETTA.  I lost a lot o weight, but needed to lose more so went back on BYETTA.  I am now desperate to get off of it due to the stomach pain I suffer shortly after eating.  The pain lasts for two to three hours.  It also seems that the longer I take it the less effect it is having on lowering my blood sugars.  This is just my experience, as I have read, others have much better results.  It is worth trying, but if the nausea continues or gets worse talk to your doctor sooner rather than later. I am starting Weight Watchers tomorrow morning.  I hope to God that I can make it work for me.  I have got to get off all the medication I am on.  BYETTA appears to be the most noticeable in making me feel terrible.  In the beginning the first time I took it, I lost weight quickly for the first couple of months.  Then I got very ill and was in the hospital and nursing homes for 5 months, they did not give me the BYETTA.  I lost a lot o weight, but needed to lose more so went back on BYETTA.  I am now desperate to get off of it due to the stomach pain I suffer shortly after eating.  The pain lasts for two to three hours.  It also seems that the longer I take it the less effect it is having on lowering my blood sugars.  This is just my experience, as I have read, others have much better results.  It is worth trying, but if the nausea continues or gets worse talk to your doctor sooner rather than later.

]]> By: Janna http://www.medrants.com/archives/2725/comment-page-1#comment-531429 Janna Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:01:25 +0000 http://medrants.com/index.php/archives/2725#comment-531429 @ Anne: I've been taking Byetta for 2 months. I take 10mcg injections morning and night. This amount of the drug suppresses my appetite so much that I can eat anytime within the 60 minutes following the injection and still lose weight. My doctor told me 30-45 minutes is optimal, so I do try to stick to that. I've lost almost 20 pounds since starting the drug. My first week was rough, as I had nausea from the Byetta *and* diarrhea from the Metformin, but I was determined to stick it out, and now I'm glad I did. I think these are beneficial drugs. To maximize their effect, I completely restablished my relationship with food; I kept a journal, looked for eating patterns (emotional eating, etc.), learned to view food as fuel for my body (instead of as a friend or an enemy), and reworked my budget to allow for healthier food purchases. Also, I try to pretend fast food doesn't exist. :) For exercise, I do fun things: play at the park with my kids, use the Wii, and record hip-hop dance workouts on FitTV. Best of luck to you on your weight loss! @ Anne: I've been taking Byetta for 2 months. I take 10mcg injections morning and night. This amount of the drug suppresses my appetite so much that I can eat anytime within the 60 minutes following the injection and still lose weight. My doctor told me 30-45 minutes is optimal, so I do try to stick to that. I've lost almost 20 pounds since starting the drug.
My first week was rough, as I had nausea from the Byetta *and* diarrhea from the Metformin, but I was determined to stick it out, and now I'm glad I did. I think these are beneficial drugs. To maximize their effect, I completely restablished my relationship with food; I kept a journal, looked for eating patterns (emotional eating, etc.), learned to view food as fuel for my body (instead of as a friend or an enemy), and reworked my budget to allow for healthier food purchases. Also, I try to pretend fast food doesn't exist. :) For exercise, I do fun things: play at the park with my kids, use the Wii, and record hip-hop dance workouts on FitTV.

Best of luck to you on your weight loss!

]]> By: Anne http://www.medrants.com/archives/2725/comment-page-1#comment-523181 Anne Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:40:08 +0000 http://medrants.com/index.php/archives/2725#comment-523181 I am taking Byetta and sticking to a weight watchers diet. I heard that if you need to lose weight, you should wait the 60 minutes post-injection prior to eating,instead of eating within the 60 minutes. Does anyone know if this is true? Eat within 60 or wait the full 60 to eat? I need to lose about 100 lbs so any info would be appreciated. I am taking Byetta and sticking to a weight watchers diet. I heard that if you need to lose weight, you should wait the 60 minutes post-injection prior to eating,instead of eating within the 60 minutes.
Does anyone know if this is true? Eat within 60 or wait the full 60 to eat? I need to lose about 100 lbs so any info would be appreciated.

]]> By: Jason http://www.medrants.com/archives/2725/comment-page-1#comment-519445 Jason Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:44:41 +0000 http://medrants.com/index.php/archives/2725#comment-519445 I just wanted to let everyone know that I did not have a good experience with Byetta, as it made me so sleepy during the day that I was literally sleeping with one eye open. When the medicine would disperse in my system it was like waking up at the office, like someone turned on a light switch. I took it for 5 weeks at 5 mcg and then went up to 10mcg. That's when it became intolerable. I've been off of it now for several days and I feel fine. I went to my endo and told him that I couldn't stay awake. He had never heard of this, but I see a few posts here where people are saying they have had this. I called Eli Lilly and they were happy to take my info, since they are studying customer reactions and report back to the FDA. They also said that there are a few reports out there. If you are sleepy an hour or so after eating, I urge you to call lilly. You can find thier phone number on www.byetta.com. I did lose 3 lbs, but I rode my excersize bike a little more too. I think there may be some test I think doctors should run before prescribing this, like glucagon levels, liver enzyme levels, etc. I just wanted to let everyone know that I did not have a good experience with Byetta, as it made me so sleepy during the day that I was literally sleeping with one eye open. When the medicine would disperse in my system it was like waking up at the office, like someone turned on a light switch. I took it for 5 weeks at 5 mcg and then went up to 10mcg. That’s when it became intolerable. I’ve been off of it now for several days and I feel fine. I went to my endo and told him that I couldn’t stay awake. He had never heard of this, but I see a few posts here where people are saying they have had this. I called Eli Lilly and they were happy to take my info, since they are studying customer reactions and report back to the FDA. They also said that there are a few reports out there. If you are sleepy an hour or so after eating, I urge you to call lilly. You can find thier phone number on http://www.byetta.com. I did lose 3 lbs, but I rode my excersize bike a little more too. I think there may be some test I think doctors should run before prescribing this, like glucagon levels, liver enzyme levels, etc.

]]> By: Karen http://www.medrants.com/archives/2725/comment-page-1#comment-517127 Karen Mon, 28 Jan 2008 03:37:46 +0000 http://medrants.com/index.php/archives/2725#comment-517127 I have been taking Byetta for almost 2 months. I have experieced weight loss and appetite loss. I take 20mg of prilosec every day in order to have relief from dyspepsia associated with the 1500mg of metformin I take daily and the 10mcg of Byetta. I still need 1/4 of a 2.5mg glyburide in the afternoon in order to get to the coveted (90-130) sugar in the AM. I am already a thin person. My type2 diabetes is genetic. My goal is not to take insulin for as long as possible,as that seems to be the ultimate end for all of us. I am looking to Canada for their research in Beta cell injections that will cure this disease. Currently only diabetics who are in danger of loosing their lives get beta cell injections, which can cause 1000X the risk of Lymphoma. Also they take anti rejection drugs for the rest of their lives. So now we are back to stem cell research and looking to other countries, where the management of diabetes is not such a profitable business. I hope the prilosec tip helps someone else. I have been taking Byetta for almost 2 months. I have experieced weight loss and appetite loss. I take 20mg of prilosec every day in order to have relief from dyspepsia associated with the 1500mg of metformin I take daily and the 10mcg of Byetta. I still need 1/4 of a 2.5mg glyburide in the afternoon in order to get to the coveted (90-130) sugar in the AM. I am already a thin person. My type2 diabetes is genetic. My goal is not to take insulin for as long as possible,as that seems to be the ultimate end for all of us. I am looking to Canada for their research in Beta cell injections that will cure this disease. Currently only diabetics who are in danger of loosing their lives get beta cell injections, which can cause 1000X the risk of Lymphoma. Also they take anti rejection drugs for the rest of their lives. So now we are back to stem cell research and looking to other countries, where the management of diabetes is not such a profitable business. I hope the prilosec tip helps someone else.

]]> By: rose http://www.medrants.com/archives/2725/comment-page-1#comment-516800 rose Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:58:31 +0000 http://medrants.com/index.php/archives/2725#comment-516800 all these wonder drugs..avandia and byetta have side effects..some severe. my husband takes pills, byetta twice a day and lantus at night. 6 years ago he was on avandia and the medication put him into heart failure...scary. he is doing fine but is on coreg for his heart now ...he has been having episodes of nausea and some vomiting in am after first dose of byetta...he has been on byetta for 3 yrs and the morning nausea has never left. he has lost 40 lb but i worry about his quality of life sometimes. all these wonder drugs..avandia and byetta have side effects..some severe. my husband takes pills, byetta twice a day and lantus at night. 6 years ago he was on avandia and the medication put him into heart failure…scary. he is doing fine but is on coreg for his heart now …he has been having episodes of nausea and some vomiting in am after first dose of byetta…he has been on byetta for 3 yrs and the morning nausea has never left. he has lost 40 lb but i worry about his quality of life sometimes.

]]> By: ME http://www.medrants.com/archives/2725/comment-page-1#comment-480395 ME Tue, 29 May 2007 11:17:33 +0000 http://medrants.com/index.php/archives/2725#comment-480395 If you want to read about REAL people who have been taking Byetta for over 3 years www.Diabetes.Blog.com If you want to read about REAL people who have been taking Byetta for over 3 years
http://www.Diabetes.Blog.com

]]> By: Vivian http://www.medrants.com/archives/2725/comment-page-1#comment-477285 Vivian Thu, 24 May 2007 20:59:05 +0000 http://medrants.com/index.php/archives/2725#comment-477285 I have been taking Byetta since January and have lost 31lbs. I had some nausea and abdominal pain early on but nothing really terrible. This went away very quickly and I have not had any problems at all since. My A1C was 8.8 and at last count is 6.7. Fasting blood sugar is under 100 and after eating goes no higher than 115. I have a doctor’s appt. on the 6th of June and am expecting A1C to be in the 6's. I was on Advandia as well until about a week ago when I took myself off because I suspect it gave me two episodes of rapid heartbeats, and the news said it is suspected of retinal edema and heart problems. I do not need a building to fall on my head before I stop a med I think may be causing problems. As far as the Byetta is concerned, I will stay on this medication as long as it continues to perform so well. I have been taking Byetta since January and have lost 31lbs. I had some nausea and abdominal pain early on but nothing really terrible. This went away very quickly and I have not had any problems at all since. My A1C was 8.8 and at last count is 6.7. Fasting blood sugar is under 100 and after eating goes no higher than 115. I have a doctor’s appt. on the 6th of June and am expecting A1C to be in the 6′s. I was on Advandia as well until about a week ago when I took myself off because I suspect it gave me two episodes of rapid heartbeats, and the news said it is suspected of retinal edema and heart problems. I do not need a building to fall on my head before I stop a med I think may be causing problems. As far as the Byetta is concerned, I will stay on this medication as long as it continues to perform so well.

]]> By: Rose http://www.medrants.com/archives/2725/comment-page-1#comment-457304 Rose Sun, 01 Apr 2007 13:59:37 +0000 http://medrants.com/index.php/archives/2725#comment-457304 I've been taking Byetta for a month. I've lost six lbs. but readings are terrible in 200 and 300. I also take metphormine. Hope this improves when I go to 10mcb. I’ve been taking Byetta for a month. I’ve lost
six lbs. but readings are terrible in 200
and 300. I also take metphormine. Hope this
improves when I go to 10mcb.

]]> By: Jada http://www.medrants.com/archives/2725/comment-page-1#comment-370975 Jada Tue, 02 Jan 2007 11:05:28 +0000 http://medrants.com/index.php/archives/2725#comment-370975 My Hubby has been on Byetta for a year and a half and now is on medical leave due to severe abdominal pain, vomitting and nausea. Negative tests on gall bladder leads me to wonder if the slow gastric emptying is catching up with him. I don't trust Byetta even tho' he's lost 55 lbs and doing great, Dr.'s can't find out why he's sick. Anyone else have a similar problem? My Hubby has been on Byetta for a year and a half and now is on medical leave due to severe abdominal pain, vomitting and nausea. Negative tests on gall bladder leads me to wonder if the slow gastric emptying is catching up with him. I don’t trust Byetta even tho’ he’s lost 55 lbs and doing great, Dr.’s can’t find out why he’s sick. Anyone else have a similar problem?

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