I saw an internist yesterday at a headache clinic to treat migraines. We talked about PCOS and how he wants to try and treat everything instead of just one thing. We talked about my weight (5'5 and 210) being a problem and how my migraines are only a problem when I am this heavy. I used to weigh about 150 but have been this big after a miscarriage in 2005. He had talked about using byetta (injections for people with type 2 diabetes) to help me lose weight with the PCOS. I have been unsuccessful at losing weight and I can't workout and get too overheated at this weight or I end up in the ER with a terrible migraine. Just wondering if any of you ladies had used these injections or have heard of them being used for this reason?
I am currently taking byetta as an off label treatment for PCOS. It seems to be helping and I have lost some weight while taking it 2 x's daily, in addition to lots of exercise and healthy (well semi-healthy, lol) eating. I've had migraines off and on throughout my life so I can really sympathize with you-- they can be completely debilatating. However, I would really encourage you to continue to find some sort of exercise that doesnt exacberate your headache. Have you considered swimming possibly? That might keep you from getting overheated?
Here is a link to a group of cysters taking Byetta. Lots of individual feedback and info in this thread:
Thanks for the link to the group! I would love to do swimming but the pool in my town is in terrible shape and they are building an aquatic center that won't be done until 2010. I have been trying to walk everyday but not very far because it is just too hot out. Think I am going to check the Y for some aerobic classes.
Do you have an indoor mall around you somewhere? If so, walk the mall. That will keep you cool and maybe won't cause your headache to get worse. The Y may have an indoor pool too, also you might check with a local college. If they have a pool, sometimes they let people swim for a small fee...I use byetta for weightloss and also type 2. It hasn't helped me with either one, that I see. I haven't lost any weight and I haven't gained any either. When I see my endo again, I am going to ask him if it is really helping me. If it isn't, then I'm going to ask to be taken off it. I hope it helps you.
__________________ DX 1994-told to lose weight by GYN,Suffered 12 years before seeking treatments: REDX 2006 by a family doc sent to endo July 31, 2006 and glad I went; Byetta, 2000mg Metformin, 28 units of levemir, fish oil, 1000mg calcium. Type 2 diabetic and high cholesterol dx March 05, psoriasis dx 1992. Married 20 yrs 2 kids: girl 19 yrs old and boy 17 yrs old.
I can't comment on its usage for PCOS, but my husband took it for his type 2 diabetes. He was also on 2000mg of Metformin at the same time and he was constantly having his sugar drop to very dangerous levels so be careful if you take both. He has stopped taking it and hasn't had his sugar bottom out in since. I'm not saying this will happen to you, but keep this in mind until you know how your body will react.
__________________
Carrie
PCOS with Insulin Resistance
Hypothyroidism
DX April 2008
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ME (26) DH (26)
Furbabies: Oliver, Bo and Cooper
Last edited by CarrieBerry; 07-18-2008 at 03:22 AM.
Reason: spelling mistake
I can't comment on its usage for PCOS, but my husband took it for his type 2 diabetes. He was also on 2000mg of Metformin at the same time and he was constantly having his sugar drop to very dangerous levels so be careful if you take both. He has stopped taking it and hasn't had his sugar bottom out in since. I'm not saying this will happen to you, but keep this in mind until you know how your body will react.
Good point Carrie-- my MD reduced my Metformin doseage by half (from 2,000 to 1,000) when she upped my Byetta to the 10mcg doseage.
And Wicked1128-- what about using some Walk Away the Pounds Videos at home in the airconditioning?
__________________ Me: 30 DH: 31
Diagnosed: May 2007
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The lady I work for is a pharmaceutical sales rep. and works with all of the time. I finally told her about a month ago that I thought I had PCOS...... I was told by a dr beforehand that everything was just caused by stress. Anyways, she told me about the study that was taken using byetta for people who have PCOS! In this study, it was found that byetta did happen to work. She went on to tell me that it was either just recently published or getting ready to be published that it does. Alot of the Drs. are having their pt(s) try this due to the study just to see if it'll work on them and now that its going to be published, i think alot of Drs. are going to start using it!
I cant remember everything that she was telling me about it. Im going the natural alternative route since I dont have insurance so im not trying the byetta but if you want anymore information, contact me and I'll see if maybe the lady I work for can talk to you about it as she has more info on it than I do!
Thank you all for the responses! They have helped a lot! I didn't know anything about byetta before and will be doing some more research before my next appointment.
hey I agree with the ladies above.... I was on Byetta but recently I am having some money problems so....... I am switching to a new medication my doc can get lots of samples of (I currently have a six month supply?!!????!!!!??) I just wanted to make two suggestions... 1. when doing your shot count to at least five to sure you are getting a full dose and 2. if you use an alcohol wipe prior (depends where I am) let it dry frist as you will get a burning sensation under your skin (not bad, but why not just wait a few more seconds and avoid it LOL)
On the exercise thing.... check with your Y and see if they have a plan where you can pay a discounted price and take all of the water fitness classes you want... also just walking in the pool would be great (I walk forwards 10 lengths, backwards 10 length, lunges for 5 lengths, and jump outs for 5 lengths (just moving your legs like a jumping jack while propelling yourself forward)..... oh and I walk the short width of the pool so that I can stay in the 3 ft depth the whole time so I don't have to wear a float belt.... good luck & best wishes!!!!!!!
__________________ And I choose to be the best that I can be. I choose to be authentic in everything that I do. My past don't dictate who I am.
Just saw your post. I was on Byetta for about a year - and it helped me lose 20 pounds.....except, my dr. just took me off of it because there are new studies that have just come out suggesting it can greatly increase your chances of developing pancreatitis. The drug is so new that a lot of the long term effects of it aren't known....so now I am just taking metformin and trying to come up with another way to help get these pounds off. Another thing you might want to keep in mind with byetta is that it takes awhile for your body to adjust to it and can make you feel naseous a lot. I suggest you talk it over with a specialist before you start taking any new medicine. Good luck
Byetta for PCOS?? 
