a_beautiful_disaster

Brooks, I am a fluffy cyster, and typically inject in my stomach as well. What I recommend, is injecting in the area(s) that have the most fat. For me, my middle stomach is the best, and easiest for me. If I inject in an area where there's not as much fat, it does tend to hurt more, and I could feel discomfort when the liquid went it. The best advise I can give, is to play around with injection sites, to find what's the most comfortable for you. If I inject, and it hurts, I move to an entirely different area of my stomach the next time. Hope this helps! :0)


Beachlover-- I was actually a "guinea pig" for my doctor with PCOS and Byetta. I brought it up to her in October of 2005. She was reluctant to try it, because it was so new, and such little information on it. After trying to up my Metformin, to try to lower my insulin (with no success), she agreed to let me to try the Byetta.

You can most definitely use Byetta without Metformin, but you would need to use Actos or something else to help absorb your insulin. The main function of Byetta is to make your body only produce the insulin you need, the Metformin OR Actos would help your body to absorb the insulin that is produced-- thus making your body function "normally".

I didn't change my diet or exercise routine at all. Just the two medications coupled together, making my body function normally for the first time in my life, took the weight off. I've had *majority* of the weight off for about 3 years now.

Now, when I began Metformin years ago, I had the same problems you were mentioning. I violently threw up bile the first month I took it. I couldn't eat anything without having severe indigestion or throwing up. I did have a lot of "bathroom" issues as well, and to this day, can still have them if I'm not careful, but they've gotten a LOT better as well.

As far as Byetta and pregnancy, I'll have to go back and find the links that I had (I just went through and cleaned up my bookmarks about a week ago). The main one I had, though, is this one: http://www.rxlist.com/byetta-drug.htm
What really made my decision to continue use throughout my entire pregnancy was the amount that was given to these poor lab animals to even make a defect in the fetus show up. This is just my opinion, but if they have to give a poor lab mice and rabbits 3 to 12 times the maximum daily dosage to even get a defect to show up, how much would a 300lbs woman have to take to make a defect show up? Certainly not the maximum daily dosage of 20mcg a day.

I used the 5mcg injection twice daily, along with 1000mgs of Metformin XR from day one of pregnancy until I delivered, and my baby was born completely healthy and normal. Granted, NO doctor is probably going to tell you to take Byetta during pregnancy, it's just a personal choice that you will have to make for yourself. Like I said, for me, it was a great decision.

I, also, see you're in TN, as well-- if you don't mind me asking, what part? I'm in the upper east TN area, and would be glad to tell you the doctors I see, and would be glad to refer you to them, if you're in my area (or close). Best of luck-- and don't worry about asking questions, I'm glad to answer them and help in any way I can! :0)

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February 4th, 2009
6:12pm, 7lbs 21 inches


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jessietex

Brooks-

I've had a little pain w/ the injections a few times. Mine's a burning sensation. From what I've noticed it occrus when there is a little of the medication on the tip of the needle prior to injection. I read that the meds cauase burning/ stinging when they touch your skin. HTH!

__________________
TTC #1
4/08 Met 1500 XR
11/08 Clomid 50mg cd 5-9, 1 follie, trigger, BFN
12/08 Clomid 50mg cd 5-9, no bueno follies- bust
1/09 Clomid 100mg cd 5-9, 1 follie, trigger, BFN
1/29/09- SA- Muy Bueno
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4/20/09 Clomid 100mg CD 5-9, 1 follie, trig, BFN
5/20/09 Femara 5 mg cd 3-7, 1 GREAT follie
6/17/09 BFP!
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brooks

a beautiful disaster and jessietex,
thank you both for answering my post! I will try your advice on injecting in the areas with the most fat, not too hard to find on me! :o)
and yes, i do notice that sometimes there is a little bit of medicine on the tip of the needle. I will try to shake it off before injecting. I appreciate both of your advice and again, thank you for taking the time to write back!
Aloha,
Brooks

beachlover

A_Beautiful_Disaster-

Thanks for answering all of those questions for me! I am actually in the Smoky Mountains/Knoxville area, and there is only one Endocrinology group for the whole area.

What would you say is an average weight loss per week? I am just wondering if I asked my doctor if I could try it for a month and see how it goes, or do you think that's long enough to be able to tell if it's going to work?
Since you took in during pregnancy, did it keep your weight in check while pregnant (other than what you would normally gain with the baby)?

Also, I noticed that you stayed on the 5mcg dose (which I am assuming is the lowest dose), while some people have increased the amounts. Just wondering why that is?

Again, I appreciate all the answers to my questions. You have been so helpful!!

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a_beautiful_disaster

You're in the same area I'm in-- I'm from Elizabethton, which is about 1 1/2 away from Knoxville (I'm close to Bristol). I'm not sure who you see, but I'm praying it's not Dr. Kennedy at C.A.R.S-- if it is, PM and I'll tell you all about him.

Anyway, I was on the 5mcg dosage all that time because it worked well. Dr. Crowder didn't want to up the dosage if it was working (which it did) so she just kept me at the 5mcg. I just recently went up to the 10mcg injection, because I began taking BCP and they made me gain weight (which I've since stopped taking). Me and birth control pills just don't agree-- but that's another story *LOL*.

As far as taking it during pregnancy, the main reason I stayed on it was in hopes that Savannah would be born normal, and not insulin resistant like me. My doctor determined that I had PCOS from the womb (insulin resistance which at puberty became PCOS), and I did NOT want Savannah to be born that way. I knew if my insulin levels were "normal" that the chances I'd carry a healthy, non-insulin resistant baby would be better, too-- so I fought to say on the Byetta and Metformin.

During pregnancy I lost a total of 34lbs (which was AWESOME!) Savannah always measured further along and was developing wonderfully, while the excess fat I had was going away. I didn't develop gestational diabetes or preeclampsia (although I did have high blood pressure going into pregnancy).

As for the weight loss-- keep in mind I've been on Byetta for almost 4 years. I can't remember what I lost in the first month, but I'm thinking it was about 10lbs. It's not a rapid weight loss, but it's definitely a loss. If your doctor does prescribe it for you, give it a couple of months-- because the side effects may be rough (they were for me, but for many others, they weren't bad at all). And remember, the weight loss varies from person to person-- you could drop 20 or 30lbs the first month, or only 1 or 2lbs, it just depends-- but if you are IR, once your insulin levels are regulated, you WILL definitely lose weight.

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February 4th, 2009
6:12pm, 7lbs 21 inches


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Beevain

I just stumble upon this site today and am happy that i'm not alone. I had almost no periods in high school and went throught tests for 3 years. At first, they thought it was Cushings, but i didn't have the tumor. Finally, i got the hypothyroidism and PCOS dianosis. Weight kept going up no matter what i did. Started Byetta in Jan. (5mcg x2) and lost about 14 pounds. Now up to 10 mcg x 2 and go back to the dr. in July. I can hardly stand to eat now. My friends are worried but i think i'm doing fine. I have had some back pains which I was associating with kidney stones perhaps from not drinking enough water. do you think it has something to do with the byetta?

ALSO, maybe i will eventually find the answers... there's so much to read here... what does taking chromium do? i see alot of people are on that as well. I am not. should i be?

i am also on synthroid 175 mcg; metformin 1000 x2 (which kills my stomach so i skip some now and then); zocor 80 mg and ovcon 50 (BCP)

Thanks for all of the useful info!!!!

katiebug23

I just started taking Byetta yesterday. I filled my RX at walmart and the Byetta was like $260 and the pen needles were $18. my insurance did cover both. However, I have Tricare military insurance and they cover like everything at an extremely low cost to me, so other insurances may be different. I ended up paying $9 for the Byetta and $9 for the needles. *just an FYI i was super afraid of the needle, but couldn't feel it at all. The med felt a bit cold but thats it. For anyone thats considering it the needle is no big deal at all*

brooks

Ive been on byetta for like a month now. I never felt nauseated at all. I do 5 units twice a day. Ive gained 5 pounds in the last month!!!! Ok, i started a new job so since i start my day earlier, i probably eat more then I used to before. I go back to my doc on 5-6 next wed and Im afraid of what she is going to say!
For those who have lost weight, is it because you feel nauseated that makes you not want to eat? or are you just not that hungry since taking byetta? and by the way, how much byetta do you take? I really need to and want to lose weight. I started walking 3 times a week for about an hour.

I have taken the advice from "a beautiful disaster" and "jessietex" regarding my post on how to inject myself with the least amount of pain possible. It has been helping me and I am not too afraid any more!!! thanks again ladies!!!

If anyone could share their experience reagarding weight lost, I would appreciated it!

Aloha,
Brooks

champagnecholly

Katiebug,
I'm military too. Our base hospital doesn't stock Byetta but I was able to fill it out in town for $30 total. However, they told me for continued use I should use the mail-in pharmacy. They give you 3mos supply per time. Just an FYI!

I have gone up to the 10mcg about a four days ago. I am getting used to it. I didn't have any nausea on the 5mcg 2x/day. When I stepped it up the first day I had nausea and vomited. After that, none. I never ate much to begin with but now I'm even less hungry. Although sometimes I do notice that if I took my shot 5-6 hrs ago my appetite starts returning a bit, never much but I just want a snack.

Regarding giving yourself shots. I bruised myself by giving them above the belly button. I've learned that if you pinch your belly fat and inject that pinched bit, it doesn't hurt. If you let go of the pinch while injecting, it is like the needle touches muscle or something and then it hurts and I will get a bruise. Just fyi! For the first two weeks I had bruise spots all over my stomach, I guess practice makes perfect!!

champagnecholly

Beautiful disaster,
You mentioned taking the byetta while pregnant to prevent your daughter from becoming IR. Did you doctor talk to you about passing IR onto your children? I'm just curious bc in my family it comes from the paternal side, my mother had a very normal pregnancy. My father had IR but without the PCOS bit obviously! Thus I think my children will be at risk for genetic IR no matter how I control my blood sugar during the pregnancy... What are your thoughts?


Also ladies,
I'm new to blood sugar testing? What is your normal range first thing in the morning and then 2 hrs after you eat? I feel like I'm still way off even with byetta... I'm usually 120 when I wake up and around 165 2 hrs after eating with both Met and Byetta! My doctor said normal people are btwn 70-150 but wasn't very clear on that point...

LaBigGirl

Beevain--I hope you're on your way to finding out what the cause of your back pain is! I wouldn't try to guess, but I've had a kidney stone before and that certainly causes back/side pain. It's important to see your PCP and get the ball rolling with tests and so on.

Brooks--I noticed at CVS drugstore they have pre-injection (alcohol) wipes "with pain relief." I use the plain ones but if I had needle pain I'd consider using the relief ones.

I'm 2 1/2 months into Byetta and have lost around 14 lbs. For me, the Byetta has helped me to not overeat. It also allows me time to process my food choices (as opposed to eating the first thing I see because I am ravenously hungry). I don't have much nausea, but two times the food in my stomach didn't empty over many hours and I had to vomit to relieve it. I hadn't overeaten, it was just bad luck with a very gross sensation and awful-tasting burps in the hours before the event. Am I the only one who has had that?

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PCOS w/insulin resistance, obesity, & hypothyroidism
Byetta, Spironolactone, Levoxyl, & Cytomel...Multi-Vit., B-complex, Vit. D, Flax Oil, & Cholest-Off

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Hello, PCOS? Take a flying leap!

jessietex

LaBigGirl-Congrats on the weight loss! I've been on it about 10 weeks too & am down 14 lbs since starting Byetta- 18 overall. I haven't had that exact same thing, but I have been so full that I thought I would pop! It was crazy b/c I hadn't over eaten at all. Shoot, I physically can't over eat, even if I want to since I started the Byetta. And I def have lots of burping, when I get that extra full feeling. I skip doses sometimes, like when we go to my fave restaurants so I can enjoy more. But I've totally noticed that I still get full super fast when I skip doses, YAY!

__________________
TTC #1
4/08 Met 1500 XR
11/08 Clomid 50mg cd 5-9, 1 follie, trigger, BFN
12/08 Clomid 50mg cd 5-9, no bueno follies- bust
1/09 Clomid 100mg cd 5-9, 1 follie, trigger, BFN
1/29/09- SA- Muy Bueno
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3/10/09- HSG- All Clear!
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4/20/09 Clomid 100mg CD 5-9, 1 follie, trig, BFN
5/20/09 Femara 5 mg cd 3-7, 1 GREAT follie
6/17/09 BFP!
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6/17 Beta 401
6/19 Beta 993
10/5 It's A BOY!!!!
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wndytime

For those of you having regular cycles because of your use of byetta...if you stopped taking byetta....did they go back to irregular immediately?

I've had to stop the byetta (and actos plus met) for 3 days because I am getting a scan on Monday and my AF has gotten really bizarre. What seemed to be a normal cycle has been really weird, mostly just spotting when I pee. Anyone else experience this?

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Hubby (34)
Married 03-26-2000

Trying to conceive #1!!
Our first time TTC
April 2009---Confirmed O---BFN
May 2009--Confirmed O--BFN
June 2009--Confirmed O--No Go
July 2009--No O --
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Rx:
Acto plus Met 15mg/850mg---3x/day
Byetta 5 mcg---2x/day (when I'm good)
Vitamin D 4,000 UI--1x/day
Prenatals--1x/day (on hold for now)
Using Clear Blue Fertility Monitor

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brooks

[quote=Brooks--I noticed at CVS drugstore they have pre-injection (alcohol) wipes "with pain relief." I use the plain ones but if I had needle pain I'd consider using the relief ones.

I'm 2 1/2 months into Byetta and have lost around 14 lbs. For me, the Byetta has helped me to not overeat. It also allows me time to process my food choices (as opposed to eating the first thing I see because I am ravenously hungry). I don't have much nausea, but two times the food in my stomach didn't empty over many hours and I had to vomit to relieve it. I hadn't overeaten, it was just bad luck with a very gross sensation and awful-tasting burps in the hours before the event. Am I the only one who has had that?[/quote]

Hi LBG,
Thank you for responding to my post! I didnt know that there was a "with pain relief" alcohol wipes. Im going to search for some. I dont think we have a CVS drugstore on Oahu, maybe only on the Big Island of Hawaii but im sure that another drugstore will carry them!
I gained another 1.4 pounds!!! I bet im the only person in the world that is gaining weight on byetta!!! It's just like when I had my braces put on my teeth in 2006, in 2004, i watch a co-worker put on braces and it was soooo painful to him that he couldnt eat and when he did, it had to be soft foods, he lost over 20 pounds when he took his braces off. I thought that's great!!!s I'll have straight teeth and lose weight at the same time...WRONG!!! my teeth are better but it wasnt as painful as my co-worker's so I had no problem eating even on the very first day!!! hence, no weight lost!!! Im going to the doctor this wednesday so I'll mention this to her. thanks again for answering my post!
Aloha,
Brooks

beachlover

Well, my visit to the endo today for the Byetta was a BUST!! He said since I am not diabetic, that insurance won't cover it, and that it's about $250 per month. I am insulin resistant, and he thinks it might help, but he said Actos was actually the best among the three medications of metformin, Actos, and Byetta, with Byetta being least effective. He said that weight loss can be a side effect, but that he's had people lose from 0-50 pounds on it. He was making a deal about putting in my chart that I was diabetic when I am not-I guess maybe insurance wise it's not a good thing? Anyway, I am bummed because I was really hopeful that I could at least try it. I guess I can if I am ready to fork over the bucks for it. He said he wouldn't mind giving it to me with the Actos, and that it could help with my IR, but I think the deal is my not being diabetic and the insurance not paying for it. I guess it's a deal w/ insurance and being diabetic since Byetta is an injectable?
Oh, well.
I do appreciate you answering my questions and giving me support.
If any of you went through something similar and you have any ideas that might help, please let me know!!

Thanks!
Missy

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