Hi
I have been on Byetta for a week now and a member of another (non-diabetes) forum asked me to post my experiences here, so here goes!
I am 58, female and have been diagnosed with type 2 for about 10 years but have always been overweight and looking back I was experiencing the signs of diabetes, long before the diagnosis. After initial success with Metformin and diet, My blood sugars came down to an acceptable level but have crept up, with the weight over the past few years- I wish I could blame something other than my own lack of will power but although life has had it's ups and downs, this is about par for the course in everyone's life I guess, so when my diabetes team suggested Byetta, I was keen to give it a try.
For those who haven't heard of Byetta, it is an injectable drug taken twice a day before breakfast and lunch and it helps to control the release of insulin and slows down the digestion of food. It helps to lower the blood sugars and can help with weight loss.
I did a lot of research, not only through medical sites but also on users forums to get the real low down on this drug which has several admitted side effects and some not so obvious. The most common one being the nausea which others have mentioned on here. I had a bad reaction to another wonder drug, Accomplia, last year - this has since been banned by the NHS so I was anxious not to repeat the experience!
Forewarned and prepared for the nausea with a cupboard stocked with sugar-free dry ginger and cider vinegar - tips from other users to combat that sick feeling, I took the plunge a week ago yesterday - literally!
So early days for me but I am pleased to say that my fasting blood sugar has dropped from 13.9 to under 9 over the week and I am expecting to see a weight loss of about 4lb when I go to see my nurse alter this week. The nausea has been there- on days one and two it was quite noticeable and the cider vinegar and ginger did help a bit. I also found myself pole-axed after a light lunch and slept every afternoon for an hour, after which I was full of beans and no sickness-someone likened the nausea to motion sickness so maybe they were right and lie down can sort it out.
Now a week on, the nausea is far less noticeable and tiredness is getting and I feel better. I do feel comfortably full most of the time and have little desire for the munchies. I don't know if this will last but I am taking the opportunity to be very careful with my food and eat a healthy and well balanced diet. Hopefully, this habit will stick this time
I have no problems with needles but if you are a bit worried, I can tell you that the very thin needles tips which you pop onto the pre-filled dosing pen make for an almost pain-free experience. I have not had any problems with soreness after injecting - in fact I have to remind myself which spot I used last time as I can feel it after a few seconds!
Steff09 - have you got your Byetta yet? If so, good luck and I hope that your experience is good - I am keeping a journal of my own experiences so I can look back and see how far I have come - it helps me to to do this but it might not be everyone's cup of (sugar-free) tea of course. If you are getting or have got your injection pen and don't know this, ring the manufacturers on 0125 631 5999 and ask them for a free carry pouch as this doesn't come with the pen and it it is useful to keep the pen and a good supply of the needle tips in.
I will report back as time goes on