diabetics....byetta anyone?

[Karen from Indiana]

Just wondering if anyone was using this for their diabetes. I have heard great things about it (except cost) and I got it today and just gave myself my first shot. Any one with any input?

[Mark N]

Karen, I am not a diabetic but I did want to wish you good luck with this new meds. I hope you get the benefit you are looking for from it. I hope you don't mind me asking but what is the advantage with this med over the regular insulin?

[Karen from Indiana]

This isnt insulin at all. Its to be used by type 2 diabetics which are those who arent insulin dependent. It is actually made from the saliva of a gila monster, lol. I really hope it works cause after this free sample its gonna get real expensive because I have no rx coverage. It runs close to 200 a month. But if I have good results from it I will sign up for part d on my medicare when they have enrollment again.

[Mark N]

Karen, I didn't realize you weren't a type I. I did read about this med in the past. I can't remember much about it other than it came from the saliva of the Gila monster. Good luck, I hope it improves your health.

[sandi1016]

I use it and have found that it helps lower my blood sugars. Remember that you have to eat within a half hour of injecting it. My HbAc1 tests came right down once I went on it, although we did have to go with a higher dose Byetta, but that's the usual outcome. They start you on the 0.5 mg dose and then increase it if your numbers don't come down enough...
Otherwise, so far , it is better than taking pills every day for diabetes.
I've been on it for about a year now.....
Sandi

[Karen from Indiana]

Are you or have you had any of the side effects with using it?

[sandi1016]

Are you or have you had any of the side effects with using it?

Hi Karen,
No, no real side effects. Just make sure that you do eat within that half hour after you inject. That's the only time that I have ever run across any problems with it, was if I waited too long to eat.....
Good luck with it. It's better than having to use insulin at this point although it is an injectable too.
It's a tiny needle, so that helps. :)
Sandi