I have just finished up my first month on Byetta. So far I hate it. The nausea is killing me. I'm supposed to go up to 10 mg. today. The dr.'s office told me to just do it once a day at 10 mg. and work up to twice a day. I think the nausea is going to be really bad since I throw up on occasion at the 5 mg. dose. I've tried everything to combat the nausea and some days things are ok, but many times things are horrible. I feel like I'm pregnant except I'm not. The phenergen isn't working. I've tried pepto and threw that up last night. I asked my pharmacist if any of his other clients were having these types of issues. He said no. He thinks my side-effects are so bad b/c I'm really thin. I don't know but it sucks. In addition to the nausea, I go from being constipated to having diarrhea. WTF? I used to be completely regular in that area. I don't have diabetes and my understanding is that this is supposed to prevent it. When I first started the drug, I noticed an immediate improvement in my skin, but now it is as bad as it was before. I just feel like my quality of life is suffering and I sometimes wonder if it is even worth it. At this point in my life, it doesn't matter if I ovulate b/c we can't have any more kids. I'm not overweight, in fact with the weight I've lost on this drug, I really don't want to lose anymore. I just don't know. The only person in my family who has ever developed diabetes is my grandmother and she just developed it and she is 84. I just wonder if sacrificing quality of life is worth this.
I was told that if I didn't do Byetta that I could do Actos or Avandia instead. Are the side-effects easier with those drugs? I'm going to try and stick with the Byetta for now, unless I get to the point where I just can't handle it. I go back to the dr. in Feb. I just want to know if switching drugs would help. Thanks for any advice regarding these meds.
For what its worth, I stuck it out w/ Byetta for 6 months, and eventually quit it for the same reasons you're talking about. I was miserable and ill constantly, and it just wasn't worth it to me. Actos, Avandia, or met all treat diabetes and may work, it really depends on what you are taking them for if you aren't diabetic...
good luck!
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I've found that certain foods make me sick with byetta. tomato sauces will make me vomit (but not raw tomatoes). fatty stuff makes me feel like i will vomit. it's been a tough 3 weeks for me learning what i can eat and how much i can eat. i still fail pretty miserably at it sometimes. if i overeat, no matter what i'm eating, and even if i feel like i'm starving, i'll get sick so i make sure that idon't overeat (much...lol)
i've learned that eating 10-15 after the shot, the nausea is less than if i wait 45-60 minutes.
i have some good days and some bad days..i take notes on what i eat so i can look back and see if it was something that made me ill...that's how i found out tomato sauce kills me.
i'm pretty fed up with my weight and having to starve myself to lose a half pound...i drank nothing but 3 slimfast shakes and lost less than a pound. it's frustrating and it's probably going to kill me because i'm only 37 and already have high blood pressure and IR. so it's pretty worth it to me to feel nauseous so i can lose weight. but i will take a day off here and there so i can eat "normally"...which is probably bad eating...lol i was able to eat christmas dinner (whcih was lasagne and salad) and not get sick.
i don't know if that helps you or not...but you're not alone...it does suck. but i'm so frustrated i will allow the suck for a while...lol
I'm finding that if I take it right before bed and immediately eat a small snack, I won't throw up. I get nauseated 45 minutes after the shot and usually 30 minutes after the nausea hits, I can fall asleep.
I still haven't tried the 10 mg in the morning yet. I think I will try it tomorrow. I'm trying to do this until Feb, my next appt. If I am still feeling bad on it, I'm going to ask for Actos.
Byetta rant and questions about other drugs 
