Hi, I am a first timer, it having been decided that I go on Byetta and I am waiting for the Diabetic nurse to contact me and show me how. Is there anything I should be concerned about. Any tips for the future on Byetta
I was a first timer about 12 weeks ago after being on Lantus and Novorapid for some years. I have now kicked the insulin and have numbers almost entirely between 4.5 and 7.0 and I have no hypos.
Best of all, I have lost nearly 2 stone down from 16st 6lb to 14st 9lb. My BMI is just about to drop to below 30 and take me out of the obese region.
I still have a way to go, weight-wise, but it's a promising start.
The weight loss is down to reduced appetite and a drastic reduction in carbs - I can no longer cover over-indulgence with an enhanced dose of insulin so I have to exhibit a fair amount of self-discipline to keep my BGs in check. I have found some foods that I used to like and eat copiously, I can now no longer stomach. Among these is eggs and breads of all types except for whole wheat dry breads such as Ryvita.
Symptoms are mainly a background queasiness rather than full-blown nausea. This has not materially affected my normal functioning, fortunately. I have had, although rarely, more significant nausea but no actual vomiting. Other changes when I went on to Byetta have been a tendency for more night-time urination but better bowel regularity.
My weight reduction has also reduced my blood pressure, and I may be asking my GP to reduce my dose of blood pressure medications.
I was discharged by the hospital at my visit with the diabetic specialist nurse last Tuesday and am now under the supervision of my GP's practice.
Effectively the Byetta has returned me to my early days of diagnosis 12 years ago, when I was managing on diet and exercise with Metformin. Byetta does not return you to a non-diabetic status, but it's the next best thing.
Thank [select favourite deity, if appropriate] for evidence-based medical science.
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