Byetta 5mcg isn't working

TNT · 08-30-2009, 11:12 PM

So I finally caved and told my doctor I'd take the Byetta she's been recommending for the last 2 years. I started on Friday night because I wanted the weekend to learn what my reaction to it was going to be and figure out a game plan if I was one of the 44% that got the crazy nausea.

The first night I waited the full 60 minutes since that was what my doctor wanted me to do. I was very cautious and ate only half what I normally would, waited about half an hour and then ate the rest. Didn't feel any change but we did eat late.

Yesterday I was watching for any changes and I didn't experience any except a little light headedness right around 60 minutes after I took the shot and for about an hour or two more. Nothing I can't live with.

So, good news...no nausea. Bad news....also doesn't seem to be suppressing any appetite. I seem to eat the same amount and be hungry at the same interval I normally do without the Byetta.

So getting around to my questions....should I be feeling a difference already? When did the effects fully kick in for you? Was there an appreciable difference in the efficacy when you switched to the 10mcg dose?

Does where you inject seem to make a difference? My thigh is much easier for me than my stomach because waistbands tend to hit in all the wrong places, and well, it's just a psychological thing for me. But if that makes a difference I'll give it a go.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice you can offer!

pcospublisher · 08-31-2009, 05:57 PM

I got to talking to my mom, who is both a retired RN AND an insulin-dependent diabetic who used to take Byetta. She said the hypoglycemic episodes (I had a whopper episode a few days ago) is because the injections aren't far apart enough. My doc also told me to take the dose 30 mins, not 60 mins before the meal. I haven't had much issue with that. My mom was very insistent that the doses be 8-9 hours apart at least (12 hours is better). She was really hitting hard on a morning, breakfast dose, and a dinnertime, late afternoon/early evening dose.

I've had mild nausea, but nothing that's stopped me from eating. I have to "force" (not really, but sorta) myself to eat during the nausea. Also have noticed almost instantly how this is controlling my appetite, which my doc said it would.

I've been doing the injections in the muscle close to the back of my upper arm. Hardly feel the needle, and it seems to work fine.

My understanding of the efficacy of the drug (from my RN mom, the doc, and the research I've done on my own) is that it takes a little while....2 weeks to a month at least. HOWEVER, I won't switch to the 10 mcg dose for another 3 weeks. So, there's my .02.

--- Linda

TNT · 08-31-2009, 08:20 PM

Thanks for the response Linda. I'm a bit discouraged that I haven't seen the appetite suppression. But I'm going to stick with it through the next couple of months and see what happens after I get on the 10mcg.

With any luck, I just need the boost.