Thinking of asking Dr. about Byetta...

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thinking of asking Dr. about Byetta...
21
Thu, 06-28-2007 - 5:59am

It's been almost a year since I was diagnosed. I was put on Actos and I have great readings. I was warned that I might gain weight, but I lost 30 lbs. Then I hit a plateau and have actually gained 5 back. I havne't lost any, just gained in the past 6 months. I'm about 70 lbs overweight. I had ankle surgery last November and have some complications. I have BAD Bursitis in one of my heels that is horrible painful. I have a congenital defect of shallow hip sockets that leads to hip, back, and sciatic problems. My extra weight is NOT helping any of these problems. I am very busy, very active, ride my stationary bike 30-40 minutes nearly every day, work a LOT in the garden, run around with the kids, and I can't lose weight.

I have done some research online about Byetta and the benefits of weight loss due to helping the insulin resistance. I would love to give it a try, but my BG levels are so good on Actos that I hate to "rock the boat" with my medications. I just don't know. I do know that I can't change meds right now. I am prone to lows and Byetta is known to cause more lows. I'll be having a new baby placed for adoption in the next few months, so I don't want to mess with anything right now. BUT, I am thinking that once things are going well with the new baby, I'll broach the subject with my doctor. My insurance does not cover Byetta unless you get prior authorization for medical necessity. With my orthopedic issues and the benefits of weight loss on Byetta, it shouldn't be hard to get approval.

Does anyone have a success story to share about Byetta? Tell me the good, thebad, and the ugly please. What would you suggest?

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Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 06-28-2007 - 6:29am

Ok, maybe it is because it is soooo early and I managed not to sleep so well, but do you mean you are adopting a baby??


iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2005
Thu, 06-28-2007 - 10:18am

You previously wrote:



 

Amy

Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 06-28-2007 - 1:07pm

Hi Amy and welcome to the board!


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 06-28-2007 - 4:02pm

Actos is an oral Diabetic medication. My postprandial (2 hours after meal) levels never go above 160(when I'm VERY naughty) and are usually between 120-140. The Actos did a good job on my lows too. I used to regularly wake up at 60-70 and now am between 90 and 110 in the morning.

Google is your friend. Look up info on diabetes. There is a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 06-28-2007 - 4:16pm

Yes, I am an adoptive mom. I adopted two of my children through a foster/adopt agency. They were both placed with us as babies. We are recertifying as foster parents again and should be waiting for placement in a month or so. We're specifiying a boy under one year old and I"m hoping for a newborn. My 2 were 4 and 6 months when placed with us. We're a "prime" family for a baby since I'm a SAHM and DH works from home 3 days/week. The county social workers love us. We were matched with our boy just 2 weeks after we were certified and 3 weeks with our daughter. It often takes months for a match with families that don't have a SAHM. We're available at a moment's notice.

Here's my three kids: http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y235/jennyfoo2you/s41156cb105434_21_1.jpg They are 9, almost 4, and almost 5. They 4 and 5 y/o will both be in school this coming year, so we figured it was a prime time to adopt another one.

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Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 06-28-2007 - 5:14pm

Love the picture!


iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2005
Thu, 06-28-2007 - 9:18pm

In regard to:


 

Amy

Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 06-28-2007 - 9:32pm

Amy I am surprised she had you go to her instead of suggesting you go to your regular dr.


Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 06-28-2007 - 10:41pm

Hi,


Congratulations on the getting the new baby. Aren't you a lucky lady.


Some doctors believe that Byetta should be put in the water of diabetics! It doesn't cause weight loss in everyone but it certainly does help. One caution and that is don't put anything about weight loss on the prescription or the presciption will be denied by most insurances. There are very few side effects. If you don't like giving yourself shots twice per day, there is the oral version which is called Januvia. It doesn't promote as much weight loss (shucks!) but it also has almost no side effects.


Another comment about weight loss, I have found that when you can't lose weight even when you are exercising that a visit to the dietitian for a meal planning tune up is in order and most insruacnes will pay for this. You may be eating too much of the wrong thing without realizing it. Also put yourself back using using your food scale and measuring cups and keep a food diary. You amy be able to determine why you aren't losing weight.


Glad to see that you are back visiting us again. Hope all goes well with you,


Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 06-28-2007 - 10:52pm

Amy,


You need to see a doctor and have some more tests done. Your bladder infection could cause your blood sugar to be abnormal also. It may be possible for you to be managed with medical nutritional therapy and exercise. I am not a doctor so I can't tell you for sure. And depending upon how much you weigh you need to lose, you may be able to get this under control with just losing 5-7% of your weight.


In the Hanging On Folder there are two posting by me with articles attached to them. Please look at these articles. One of the articles is entitled "Eating to Beat Diabetes". It was written by a Certified Diabetic Educator and a Dietitian and it explains diabetic eating very well. Print it out for yourself and save it!


So please let us know how you are doing and what you new doctor has to say. Please feel free to ask your questions and post your comments. We are here to help in anyway that we can.




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