Byetta vs insulin and need more info on insulin

[river-rat-sam]

I am type II diagnosed five years ago. Started out on diet only, then metformin which was increased and then metformin and byetta.

The first few months with byetta were good. HBA1C went down and lost weight but then it seemed to slow down and stop working. Was put up to 10mcg but just made me vomit and feel constantly sick like pregnancy sickness so was put down to 5mcg which I could tolerate but not controlling BG enough.

Tried this twice and both times got very sick on 10mcg so gave up and went back to 5mcg and metformin and dramatically changed my diet. BG was between 14 and 26. Felt dreadful as you can imagine.

After a while on the drastic diet change have got BG down to between 9 and 14 so still not good enough.

Doctor wants me to take insulin but I really don't know anything about it apart from negative scare stories and the 'once you go on insulin, its a dark road of no return' type comments from helpful people who aren't diabetic!

So I'm turning to you guys. What DOES it mean to go onto insulin. Does it definitely mean I will put on weight. Does it definitely mean I will be shortening my life expectancy? Is is going to damage my pancreas and knacker out my body? and how do we know anyway what Byetta is going to do to us in the long run?

Am really confused. All I know is I am 100% SHATTERED and I am a homeschooling mum of four young children so I need to get my BG back to normal so I can have some energy.

Is insulin the way to go for me? I am scared.

 

[SueR]

I have gone from Byetta to insulin and I love it..

Like you Byetta made me very ill, but insulin has given me my life back.

Yes I have put weight back on - I lost about 2 stone on Byetta but that was because I just wasn't eating anything. I know that I do have to sort out my diet and get in more exercise, but hey, Rome wasn't built in a day, so it's all work in progress and I am making progress.

I have - fingers crossed - got through a cold without it turning into a major chest infection. This is a result of better BG's and being healthier as a result of the insulin.

I was scared and still am, but this forum has helped me no end.

 

[anna29]

Hi river rat sam.
Totally get where you are coming from !
Could you let us know 'what' meds you are taking aside the byetta ?
Or the meds you took previous to byetta?
What are your current BG levels sitting at?
Take a look at my signature, I went mental at the beginning as was" terrified " when they were insisting
I 'needed' insulin . . . ! [am so tiny limbed and was n still am weight gain phobic!] - [plus have severe medical intolerances] Was fighting against their advice to begin with . . .
Now on my hypurin porcine isophane, am finally able to start living a life!
It does seem and feel so overwhelming to begin with.... I know this one so well !
Now am on the RIGHT insulin for me, and getting there with my basal only dosage, am feeling 'TONS' better
clear headed, more energy and focus, with finally seeing my BG levels coming down to much more
acceptable levels.
I dont pick up every bug,cold, virus doing the rounds like I always used to !
It is a journey living with diabetes, it takes time, to get sorted out and settled on the right meds needed just for you.
As it IS very much an individual thing to each person, how you will react and take to a med therapy for your diabetes.
Your fears are so understandable , but it IS true, once you get on the RIGHT meds therapy, food n diet plan [your own style and way] plus a active lifestyle suited to your neeeds.
You will be smiling once again!
Use the time to read up, wander,through on all your questions on starting a new life as an insulin user.
I did this. It was 'invaluable!'
Ask anything you wish to here, there is always someone who will help support and steer you along.
Hope this helps?
Anna.x

 

[loopylyn1]

hi, I have been on insulin and metformin and pioglicazone for years with fairly good control. weight has been an ongoing issue as no matter what i do i couldnt loose the weight,eg excersize at the gym 6 nights a week doing hard excersize plus on a 800cal diet ...still no weight loss couldn't cope with just eating 800cals and told diabetic specialist so !!! so upt it to 1,300cals. ....still no weight loss so he then suggested going on Byetta 5units to start and still on all my other meds. I have been on it for 7 weeks and my long term sugars are great as well as my dailey sugar control and i have lost 7kg !!!!!!!!! almost unheard of for me. Its still hard work but at least i feel i am achieving something i just hope it continues and my sugars continue to be good.