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The Question
08/06/09 12:21 PM

"I'm taking 1000mg Metformin 2x day. Dr. wants to add Byetta to help me lose weight. My A1c is down to 7. Would Byetta help that much in weight loss?"
Asked By: cljung  
Category: Blood Glucose Monitoring

Background Info Hide
258# female. Was 290#. Lost 8# in last 2 weeks. I have very arthritic hands and fingers so injections twice a day as suggested by my doc sound troublesome.

Expert Answers (1)

08/07/09 01:11 PM

I have had many patients on Byetta and most have lost a significant amount of weight. In addition, several no longer need any diabetes medicine. Byetta is a twice daily injection. The medicine comes in a pen. A needle (the smallest made in the US) is screwed onto the end of the pen in order to inject it. The injection is not painful.. Byetta lowers blood sugar levels, especially after a meal. It prevents the stomach from emptying its contents too quickly which can result in aftermeal surges in blood sugar. It also sends a chemical signal to the brain that you have food in your stomach and are feeling full. This helps people to avoid overeating. The pen devise is easy to use,even if you have severe arthritis. Since you doctor recommends Byetta I would advise you to give it a try for a few months. You are in charge of your diabetes. I am pretty confident you will be pleased with the results. However, if you aren't, you can decide to stop it. Make sure that if you decide to go on Byetta, that you have an experienced health care professional teach you exactly how to use the device. There are also starter kits available with tape and or DVD, and written instructions. You will also have access to a toll free number to call if you have further questions about Byetta. Good Luck.
Answered By: Donna Yuscavage
Accreditations: RN, BSN, CDE
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Community Answers (5)

06/20/10 08:06 PM

I have been on Byetta for two years and it lowered my blood sugars to a normal range and I lost 35 lbs in the first three months or so. I have more energy. I do exercise three or four times a week which I believe helps. I am 68 years old. If you haven't already done so, you should give Byetta a try. It is expensive, but the company has a card you can get on line to lower your co-pay if you have insurance.
Answered By: easternoregonrimrocker
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11/14/09 05:38 PM

My doctor put me on Byetta two days ago and my readings have gone from the high 200's to low 300's down to being in the 100's or less. I think that this medicine is the greatest. Hopefully the weight will start coming off too.
Answered By: tainawade
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11/14/09 05:37 PM

My doctor put me on Byetta two days ago and my readings have gone from the high 200's to low 300's down to being in the 100's or less. I think that this medicine is the greatest. Hopefully the weight will start coming off too.
Answered By: tainawade
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08/07/09 04:46 PM

Thanks! It sounds encouraging. My doc says I have 3 months to lose some weight. If not then she'll recommend the Byetta again. I used to work in nursing so I don't mind giving injections to myself but didn't realize it was in an injectible pen format. I was worried I wouldn't be able to manipulate a syringe with my arthritic fingers. It sounds like a medication that could help me out a great deal.
Answered By: cljung
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08/07/09 04:35 PM

Oh my gosh......byetta is the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I also was on 1000mg of metformin and a diabetes specialist that i went to put me on byetta 2 months ago. I cried I did'nt think that I could ever give myself a shot. He showed me how it worked and walla......2months later after starting out with 600 bloodsugar count I am now @ 110 and I hve loss 20lbs. This medication is a miracle please,please try it. I really believed it has saved my life, and @ my last visit the dr. said that I may not have to take any meds before long. I have also had to cut back to a half of blood pressure pill due to my weight loss. Try it you'll like it.
Answered By: greendayinhell
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