Byetta Club 2 - Page 4

CarCar · 02-25-2009, 02:29 PM

I just wanted to ask the original poster of this thread, if she has asked her Dr. about what studies have been done that would indicate that Byetta loses it's effectiveness after 3 yrs. I think that it has been on the market now about 4 yrs and there is long term data out there that indicates sustained improvement in weight, etc.

LaBigGirl · 03-06-2009, 08:00 PM

The droopy side of Byetta

Anyone else experiencing breast de-flation on Byetta? For me, it seems to be a combo of water weight loss in the breasts themselves and maybe the upper abdomen shrinking a little and providing that much less natural support from below. I'm fine with a bra on, but without it's a whole other thing, just so noticeable to me. I've been taking the medication for 2.5 wks and have been eating dramatically less and more balanced diet.

wndytime · 03-07-2009, 12:18 AM

Just wanted to share with everyone that i didn't see what was so big about Byetta when I was on the 5mcg pen...about 2 or 3 weeks ago my endo switched me to the 10 mcg pen and i can see the difference. I am fuller and I feel that I have lost some weight my abdomen is definitely smaller. Since Wednesday of this week was my last day on BC I'll let you all know if I have a regular period with met and byetta...i really hope so!! =)

LaBigGirl · 03-18-2009, 11:27 PM

Hello, last night I moved from Byetta 5 to 10mcg. two times a day. I spent a lot of time today in the bathroom with frequent bowel activity, even though I ate lightly last night and today. I actually called in sick from this and the queasiness. I left off the Glucophage tonight (500 mg. XR tab) in hopes that there would be less trouble tomorrow. Have any other Byetta users had a bad digestive reaction while moving up to 10, and if so did it pass by after a while?

a_beautiful_disaster · 03-19-2009, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarCar

I just wanted to ask the original poster of this thread, if she has asked her Dr. about what studies have been done that would indicate that Byetta loses it's effectiveness after 3 yrs. I think that it has been on the market now about 4 yrs and there is long term data out there that indicates sustained improvement in weight, etc.

I'm not the original poster, but I've been on the 5mcg injection of Byetta for almost 4 years, and it's still working great for me. I took it through my entire pregnancy, didn't develop gestational diabetes, and delivered a full-term, healthy baby. For me, Byetta has definitely worked longer than 3 years.

LaBigGirl · 03-19-2009, 11:16 PM

I feel better today on the Byetta 10 (day 2). Hoping it will be ok again tomorrow.

luv4deliah · 03-23-2009, 12:33 PM

Hello Cysters! I have been on Byetta (5mcg 2xday) for the past month. It has worked great up until a couple days ago. I have lost 14 lbs. so far. At first I had a bit of nausea and when I overate I felt often like I would be sick but never did throw up. But as of a couple days ago I started having bad stomach cramping, strong nausea and dizziness. I have heard that people have developed pancreatitis from using Byetta (30 people have developed it as of Dec. '08...maybe more now) 2 of those people died. One of the symptoms of pancreatitis is severe upper abdominal pain, especially after eating. I am going to see my family doctor today and tell him of these new symptoms. I am scared. What do any of you know about the link between Byetta and pancreatitis? Anyone else scared of the long term effects of this med? I'd really appreciate any info that anyone may have about this. I really want this med to work for me, especially for the weight loss. I feel like my weight is going to kill me and I am too afraid to get the gastric bypass. But I also don't want this med to kill me either! So I am so lost as to what to do.

LaBigGirl · 03-23-2009, 08:18 PM

It's good you're seeing your dr. about this. Does your back hurt at all, or just abdomen?

cemomster · 03-23-2009, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Have any other Byetta users had a bad digestive reaction while moving up to 10, and if so did it pass by after a while?

I too just moved up from 5mg to 10mg the other day. I have been on it almost a month. I did have some nausea the first two days, but found if I ate less, (right before becoming full) it took it away.
I have read pamphlets on this and info, but does Byetta cause dehydration? I have noticed I am dehydrated more, no matter how much water I drink. I had to up my water intake a ton! But I have lost 12 lbs!

LaBigGirl · 03-24-2009, 09:16 PM

Hi Jenny, I'm not sure if Byetta makes you lose water, but I have noticed that I am less thirsty overall on it and have to remind myself to drink enough water. Probably because the stomach is emptying so slowly with breakfast/dinner meals when you inject. But your comment caught my attention because I've had tremendously DRY skin for the last month especially face and legs. It is much worse than dry skin I got all winter from the cold. I started Byetta 5 wks ago. I guess I'd better drink more water.

champagnecholly · 03-27-2009, 03:56 PM

Okay my question is twofold!

I just learned about Byetta today. I've been on 1500 mg of Met for six months and most of my symptoms have cleared up. The 70 lbs (despite diet and exercise) from when my PCOS was getting really bad hasn't gone away despite following the IR diet, exercise, 1200-1400 cals/day (I was 1000 but dietitian said I needed to eat more...) etc etc. So today my Endo suggested Byetta. I'm nervous about long term complications, anyone experienced anything or have any insight?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meta888

Hey Ladies -- my endo suggested that I go on Byetta. I have lost 26 lbs through diet/exercise since first going on meds almost 2 years ago. It's so hard to take weight off and I figured I have nothing to lose by trying this med - I'm doing the work anyway.

I was curious about diet though. What have you all done to reduce the possible side effects? If you eat right and exercise, does it help? How long do the side effects usually last for? Do you have any other tips for making sure this drug works for you?

Also, does anybody else have any Byetta success stories? How long do you usually have to stay on this drug in order to see results?

Any info you can give me would be greatly appreciated!

Okay so I did ask my Endo the same question. He said there is nothing you can do to reduce the nausea, it is just part and parcel! I asked if any specific activity level or dietary content has been found to reduce those side effects, he said there is no way aorund it.

champagnecholly · 03-27-2009, 03:58 PM

Oh I forgot the second part of my question!
My Endo suggested that people have seen dramatic results even with just a few months... okay this sounded too good to be true. Has anyone experienced that?

Also like I asked before, any lasting, long term side effects? I'm just worried about it taking a toll on liver/kidney/heart function etc etc

LaBigGirl · 03-27-2009, 08:13 PM

I can share my 5 1/2 wk experience on Byetta. My dr. put me on it because I can't tolerate enough Metformin to help my IR even with diet and exercise (though I'm not formally diabetic). Byetta for me produced immediate reduction in my appetite, from the first shot onward. For me, that was the drama of it all: allowing me to eat less and more balanced, and telling my body when to stop eating. If you are insulin resistant, you understand how amazing it is to have that hunger in check. It's as close to effortless as I've ever felt on an eating plan or diet. I'm eating well, just eating a lot less at meals and I snack rarely. I also have to stop eating AT LEAST 3 hours before bed, or else be up all night with heartburn. As a former night-snacker, this is a handy deterrent to late night eating.

On the 5mcg. pen, I had very little nausea but I had mild acid reflux especially at night. I started taking a 75 mg Zantac each night before bed and that keeps it down so it doesn't disturb my sleep. I also feel that I sleep more deeply on the Byetta. On the 10 mcg. pen, I was sick the first day then was fine. I'm still on that dosage twice a day.

I've been on Byetta for 38 days and I have lost 11 pounds. My blood tests are reflecting some improvements, too. Hope this info. helps.

IslandChild · 03-30-2009, 03:26 AM

do most insurances cover byetta

wndytime · 03-30-2009, 08:14 AM

I have Aetna and they cover it and not even under the most expensive co-pay. I would say it depends on your insurance plan. Usually, insurance plans have a cost estimator on their website and that would be a good way to find out if they cover it or not.