On Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:44:49 GMT, "Karen in NC" <sickofspam@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
wrote:
><x{yz}enophil44@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
>news:8348i4pajk17qfgphadl0n6fsqvfh033ss@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> Forgive me for diving straight in to the group, but I have a question
>> which somone on alt.sup****t.diabetes.uk suggested could better be
>> answered here.
>>
>> I'm an obese arthritic 64 year old Type 2 diabetic with heart failure
>> and find it extremely difficult to manage my blood glucose, since it's
>> virtually impossible for me to take proper exercise, owing to the knees
>> and the breathlessness.
>>
>> My diabetician has now suggested that I should try Exenatide (Byetta)
on
>> the grounds that it would control my blood glucose and also help me
lose
>> weight. Losing weight would be great for the heart failure and the
>> wonky knees! The diabetic nurse says that common side effects are
>> nausea and vomiting, which I don't much fancy, and that this can last
up
>> to a fortnight.
>>
>> I've Scroogled for it and find that some people also experience
>> pancreatitis.
>>
>> Does anyone have any experience of taking this stuff either themselves,
>> or among friends and family? I'd be really grateful for anyone's
>> experiences with this before I make up my mind.
>
>Welcome to the group, and diving right in is good! Sorry you're in the
>diabetes club, though.
>
>I'm a six-year Type 2 veteran, and I'm disabled with severe arthritis and
>moderate lung obstruction. I hear you loud and clear about difficulty
>exercising.
>
>I've been using Byetta for 2 1/2 years and have lost 36 lbs. The weight
>loss has slowed down, but I'm still losing, which is a good thing. I try
to
>move around as much as I can - every little bit helps. As the weight has
>come off, it is indeed easier moving around.
That sounds very encouraging!
>
>I started with 5 mcg. twice a day, and when I had no side effects other
than
>mild nausea after a month, I graduated to 10 mcg. twice a day. My doctor
>told me to be sure to eat within an hour after taking Byetta. I've
noticed
>the longer I wait to eat, the more likely I am to experience nausea.
>Generally I eat about 30 minutes after taking the shot. There are times
>when I still experience mild nausea, but I've found drinking ginger tea
or
>eating a small (1/2" square) piece of crystallized ginger works very well
to
>control the tummy upset.
>
>My doctor also said that the risk of pancreatitis in Byetta users is
higher
>in people who abuse alcohol. You can check with your diabetician about
all
>of the risk factors for pancreatitis.
Oh well. I hardly drink at all. I've got out of the habit and often
think "Oh! I'd like a G&T" and then forget all about it till I'm in
bed, when I really CBA to get up and have it at that point!
>
>I wish you the best of luck! Keep us posted on how you're doing.
Thanks so much for this information. It's helping me to think that
maybe I should try it.
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