Calling Wanda Van Winkle!

[Dana Grant]

Wanda,

We had a discussion a while back about the new injectable meds for diabetes. Symlin was one and Byetta was another, I think.

Well, I started Byetta today. So far I've given myself 2 injections. The needles are so small you can't feel them! It's just a small subcutaneous injection that takes about 5 seconds. Once in the morning before breakfast and once in the evening before dinner. I can do this.

As you probably remember, I've tried at least six of the oral antihyperglycemic medications, and all of them have had the effect of raising my blood sugar rather than lowering it (my doctors scratch their heads..). So for the past 8 years my diabetes has been controlled with diet and exercise alone. And while I've done a very good job at controlling the blood sugars for the most part, over the past year I have had a lot of other health problems (pneumonia, valley fever, shingles......good grief!!!) that have interfered in the diabetes care. So, for a while at least, I'll be using this medication if it works.

SO FAR SO GOOD. I just took my blood sugar and it was 100 points lower than it was this morning (yes, it has been running too high for the past few weeks, hence the decision to go on something). Mine tends to go up as the day wears on.....so this is a good sign.

Over the past few weeks, even diet sodas with Splenda have been sending my blood sugars too high. Yes, it was time to go on something. I have a peace about it now. I am just praying that this works.

I'll let you know.

Dana

[Ann Smith]

Dana,
My husband is on Byetta. The doctor said it is supposed to control your hunger and help you lose weight. It seems to be controlling his hunger and his blood sugars are stabilized too. I haven't been able to convince him to try to give himself his shots. He has become too dependant on his nurse wife. I have an appointment with my doc next week. I am going to ask her about starting me on Byetta.
Ann

[Dana Grant]

Dana,
My husband is on Byetta. The doctor said it is supposed to control your hunger and help you lose weight. It seems to be controlling his hunger and his blood sugars are stabilized too. I haven't been able to convince him to try to give himself his shots. He has become too dependant on his nurse wife. I have an appointment with my doc next week. I am going to ask her about starting me on Byetta.
Ann

Ann, are you diabetic, too?

The shots are SOOO easy. Of course, I've never really been afraid of needles, so that part doesn't bother me.

I've heard about the weight loss side effect; I'm not really concerned about that so much as I am getting the blood sugars under control. But yes, it is a nice side effect! I wouldn't take it just for that, though. I'd hate for my blood sugars to plummet!!

I'm glad to hear that someone has had success with it. My doctor gave it to me to use alone, not with metformin like it is usually prescribed. Metformin causes elevated blood sugars in me, so we didn't see the point in putting me back on metformin (my blood sugar went up to 600 on metformin!!). So I am taking it a little differently than the normal patient does.

So, we shall see.......I'll report in and let you know how it goes.

[Ann Smith]

Yes, I am a diabetic too. My maternal grandmother was a diabetic ever since they discovered Insulin. She lived to be 991/2. My mother was a diabetic. She was almost 86 when she died. My sister has been a diabetic for about 25 years. My brother has been one for about 10 years. I was just diagnosed about 3 years ago. I should have been more serious about keeping my weight down. Maybe I would have delayed it a few more years. I am just now gettng serious about my diet and exercise. I am lazy.
Ann

[Dana Grant]

Yes, I am a diabetic too. My maternal grandmother was a diabetic ever since they discovered Insulin. She lived to be 991/2. My mother was a diabetic. She was almost 86 when she died. My sister has been a diabetic for about 25 years. My brother has been one for about 10 years. I was just diagnosed about 3 years ago. I should have been more serious about keeping my weight down. Maybe I would have delayed it a few more years. I am just now gettng serious about my diet and exercise. I am lazy.
Ann

That is amazing about your family history, Ann! My grandmother is the only one that I know of who was diabetic in my family. I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant with my second child, and then 7 years later was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Well, you should try the Byetta then -- my blood sugars have been normal this afternoon. ALREADY. TWO DAYS. I am impressed so far. And no side effects so far. And the shots are NOTHING. This is a good thing -- so far!!

[Wanda Van Winkle]

I'd like to hear how it progresses.

I don't know if my doctor would be willing to try a different medication if the one I have is working, but the weight loss side effect would be a great help for me.