Byetta Club 2 - Page 3

P.J. · 12-28-2008, 05:45 AM

I have been on the 5mcg Byetta pen for about 2.5 weeks. I love it! My endo suggested I try it back in August but as soon as he said "injection" I said NO WAY. He suggested it again 2.5 weeks ago and again, I said NO WAY but he insisted. He assured me that it wouldn't be so bad. He told me that people who use it have said that it doesn't even hurt as much as the finger-pricking to test blood sugar. He showed me the needles and the pen but I still freaked out at the thought of giving myself a shot in the stomach. He insisted that it would help me and he even gave me the pen and a month's worth of needles for free just to get me to try it.

...boy, do I feel like a big fraidy-cat for nothing. The needles are literally microthin and very, very short. They're no longer than the width of a pencil and they're so thin you almost can't even see it. As far as pain goes...he was right! I felt nothing! I didn't even feel it go in and was surprised to see the needle all the way in my skin and it didn't hurt at all!

I have had none of the nausea but I also take my shot as close to mealtime as I can and have never gone longer than 10 minutes before eating. I wonder if that may be part of the problem with the users who do have nausea...waiting too long? (I would appreciate some feedback from people who do have the nausea - how long do you wait? Do you get it almost immediately? When does it hit you?)

I have noticed I eat a LOT less. ...sometimes I only eat half of what I am used to eating. I still fill my plate like I am used to doing, but half way through it, I'm topped out.

I love it! I am having to learn to serve myself smaller portions and it does feel a little bit weird to eat so little and not feel deprived.

I have not weighed myself since starting the Byetta pen so I don't know if I have lost any weight. Also, I am on the 5mcg pen with no negative side effects but will start the 10mcg pen next month and I'm wondering if that will go as smoothly. I'll keep you posted!

a_beautiful_disaster · 12-29-2008, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.J.

I have been on the 5mcg Byetta pen for about 2.5 weeks. I love it! My endo suggested I try it back in August but as soon as he said "injection" I said NO WAY. He suggested it again 2.5 weeks ago and again, I said NO WAY but he insisted. He assured me that it wouldn't be so bad. He told me that people who use it have said that it doesn't even hurt as much as the finger-pricking to test blood sugar. He showed me the needles and the pen but I still freaked out at the thought of giving myself a shot in the stomach. He insisted that it would help me and he even gave me the pen and a month's worth of needles for free just to get me to try it.

...boy, do I feel like a big fraidy-cat for nothing. The needles are literally microthin and very, very short. They're no longer than the width of a pencil and they're so thin you almost can't even see it. As far as pain goes...he was right! I felt nothing! I didn't even feel it go in and was surprised to see the needle all the way in my skin and it didn't hurt at all!

I have had none of the nausea but I also take my shot as close to mealtime as I can and have never gone longer than 10 minutes before eating. I wonder if that may be part of the problem with the users who do have nausea...waiting too long? (I would appreciate some feedback from people who do have the nausea - how long do you wait? Do you get it almost immediately? When does it hit you?)

I have noticed I eat a LOT less. ...sometimes I only eat half of what I am used to eating. I still fill my plate like I am used to doing, but half way through it, I'm topped out.

I love it! I am having to learn to serve myself smaller portions and it does feel a little bit weird to eat so little and not feel deprived.

I have not weighed myself since starting the Byetta pen so I don't know if I have lost any weight. Also, I am on the 5mcg pen with no negative side effects but will start the 10mcg pen next month and I'm wondering if that will go as smoothly. I'll keep you posted!

As someone who's been on Byetta for 3 years, let me tell you, you'll be so thankful that you made the decision to go ahead and try it. It's made a world of difference in my life. I've lost over 100lbs, my insulin levels are normal, my hair is growing again, my periods *were* like clock-work, and the second month we tried, I got pregnant. It's definitely a life-saver! Best of luck, and welcome to the club! *hugs*

FLJill · 01-01-2009, 05:45 PM

I have a question for those on Byetta. Has anyone requested financial help through the company (Amylin?) ... I was wondering how it works if you get approved - do they send you the pen or a coupon or ????? Just curious - I applied and am waiting to hear.

I have had great sucess with Byetta over the last 6 months, but i am stalled (lost about 25 #) and need to keep it going. I was VERY faithful the first 4-5 months with my shots, but lately I have been slacking and / or forgetting to take it. Plus i am tring to ration it - since it's so expensive! anyway wondering if anyone has received help from them and if so how did it work!
Thanks!!

MELMCC · 01-05-2009, 02:05 PM

I am just about to start Byetta. Hope it works as well for me!

wndytime · 01-17-2009, 10:22 AM

For those on Byetta, did you have to get off it when you got pregnant? If you did, how much before TTC did you get off of it? I'm interested in this type of info. I just restarted Byetta this month...I don't see the huge results but my Endo swears by it so he made me give it another shot. The first time I used it I used it for lik 4 or 5 months. I had weight loss but I was also dieting. After I went off the Byetta I didn't have as significant of weightloss but i did continue to lose weight.

a_beautiful_disaster · 01-17-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wndytime

For those on Byetta, did you have to get off it when you got pregnant? If you did, how much before TTC did you get off of it? I'm interested in this type of info. I just restarted Byetta this month...I don't see the huge results but my Endo swears by it so he made me give it another shot. The first time I used it I used it for lik 4 or 5 months. I had weight loss but I was also dieting. After I went off the Byetta I didn't have as significant of weightloss but i did continue to lose weight.

I'm 36 weeks right now and still on the 5mcg injection twice daily. My doctor did advise me to stop, since it's a category C drug and not much is documented about it during pregnancy-- BUT I did a lot of research, and from what I had found the benefits definitely outweighed the risks.

As of now, my baby has been developing completely normal and is healthy. My PCOS symptoms have been kept at bay, by using the Byetta and Metformin XR together, and I've had a very healthy pregnancy. It's a personal choice, but I definitely recommend it!

AngelaGrace · 01-17-2009, 03:58 PM

My Dr said once I am given the green light to TTC (hopefully soon) that I will need to stop the Byetta. He said he doesn't support his patients TTC or being pregnant while on Byetta. Just my situation.

wndytime · 01-18-2009, 12:29 PM

Thanks for the feedback on the TTC and Byetta. I go to see my ob/gyn on Feb. 17th, so I will definitely ask him and i'll also ask my Endo but all the info I gather from everyone here also makes for a more informed decision! I"m so happy to have found this site.

Queenzjade · 01-18-2009, 05:23 PM

Hello Everyone, I been on Byetta for 4 days now and its going good for me.

I was just diagnosed January 13th so I am very new to this.
My Doctor said I will be nauscious alot. Since I started taking it I have been nauscious but wasnt so terrible. I have lost 7 lbs since I started thank god!!!! I have gone from 273 to 264.
I can truly say I am pleased with this medication. I want to loose this weight so bad!!!
Since my doctor said I am in borderline diabetes I cant let myself get there!..
I am eager to take control back and control my body.
February 3rd I go back to see my doctor and she said if I am pleased with the medication she will bring it up to 10mcg .

AngelaGrace · 01-18-2009, 08:11 PM

Welcome, Jade! I used 1 pen of the 5mcg and then my Dr upped me to the 10mcg. I was nauseous a little at first, but it wasn't bad. Not I'm rarely nauseous - just "full" which is awesome. I used to be able to eat a LOT and not bat an eye. It's really helped me!

Queenzjade · 01-20-2009, 03:46 PM

Thank You for the welcome ;o) I look forward for feb 3rd when the doctor up my dosage I am doing so well with the 5MCG I know ill do extre well on the 10MCG. I have lost 7 lbs and my size 18 jeans are no longer tight real loose size 16 im on my way lol.

Kalinka · 01-23-2009, 02:54 PM

About a month ago I started on 10mg after being on 5 mg for a year. Sometimes I don't do 2 injections a day or sometimes i skip a whole day on vacation/weekend. Anyways, sometimes after eating I get really shaky. Does this mean too much insulin in my system or not enough? I'm not sure how to avoid/counteract this. thanks!

LaBigGirl · 02-20-2009, 07:20 PM

Hi I'm new to Byetta (5 mcg.) this week. I was already on 1000mg Glucophage XR, but went back to 500mg. while I started the injections 2x's a day. I'm on my third day and so far so good. I have had minimal nausea, but get a little bit of tightness that travels around in the abdomen if that makes sense.

Some good effects for me are feeling less hungry first thing in the morning and just not wanting to eat as much/as often. Also, I've had less digestive upset than I'd get on Metformin alone. The Met diarrhea is why I cannot tolerate that med at high levels. I'm hoping to work back up to 1,000mg Met and stay on the Byetta/5. What doses of Byetta (and Met, if applicable) are you all on?

jessietex · 02-23-2009, 03:39 PM

HI! I'm a Byetta newbie! I just started it today for weight loos. I have about 25-30 lbs that just do not go away no matter what I do so my Internist gave me 2 5mg pens to try out. The first injection was a snap!!

Going through this thread I've noticed many of you talking about Byetta & ovulation. Does it help w/ O??? That's huge if it does, my doc didn't mention that...I've been on Met 1500XR since May 08. I had 3 "normal" cycles right off the bat, but then quit smoking, gained weight & went back to irregular cycles. Aye aye aye...anyway, I love this thread, thanks in advance for your input!

LaBigGirl · 02-24-2009, 08:20 PM

I'm new on Byetta and I have a toilet question.

Is there a reason why my BM's are suddenly lighter in color (almost yellow)? I hit the one week mark today and have started to notice digestive changes such as this. I guess I'm more curious than worried.