Hi Hazey,
As Hana said, you are very lucky if they are actually offering Byetta to you - most people have to fight tooth and nail to get it. It is one of the newer treatments for type-2s and and is taken by injection twice a day, before breakfast and before your evening meal. Unlike most diabetes meds, Byetta works in a variety of ways:
- it triggers the pancreas to start producing insulin, which results in the release of a more appropriate amount of insulin that helps lower the rise in blood sugar from eating
- it stops the pancreas from releasing glucagon in response to eating, which helps stop the liver from overproducing sugar when it is not needed
- it slows down the rate at which food passes through the digestive system, which in turn helps to slow down the rate at which carbohydrates convert into blood sugar
- it reduces appetite, so weight loss is a very common side effect (without really trying!)
- it reduces liver fat content, which helps to improve cholesterol levels.
I was one of the first in the UK on Byetta and have been on it for 14 months now. There is quite a bit about it in various threads dotted around the forum - just look out for any thread with the word "Byetta" in the title and have a good read. I think what has been posted in the past will probably answer any questions you might have, but if not then please fire away.