Exenatide for Diabetes, Type 2 User Reviews (Page 3)

• Rawkl...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 4, 2016

Bydureon (exenatide) "On Bydureon since January 2016. The most significant problem from the beginning r the small hard lumps at inj.site. It has improved since I 1st began. I find the plunger is difficult to press down firmly. Tap gently 20x then 1/4 turn till 80 to mix. It's recm'd to hold in place for 10secs. I put my foot on a low step stool to firmly keep a 45 degree angle from hip to knee. For mths no symptoms only lumps. Now I'm here sharing my story bcuz I'm suspicious it's responsible for these bouts w/severe nausea w/VERY LOUD STOMACH/GUT NOISES. I'm taking Metformin too. I've lost 53lbs.Size 14 to 8. A1C pending. Can't confirm nausea/growling stomach/belching r caused by it. Stopped ALL WHITE FOODS/MOST SUGAR. Need2know if I'm hurting myself 2b cont'd"

• cpram...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2013

Bydureon (exenatide) "Just like another reader said, I could not get enough to eat the first two weeks on the medication. Now I'm nauseous all the time and having difficulty eating anything at all. I don't find the needle that big but I do have bumps where I've injected. I'm hoping they go away. I'm also concerned about the thyroid issue - just praying all is well."

• Smitty
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 1, 2019

Bydureon BCise (exenatide) "Love the medication when I can use it, I have had 6 pens malfunction in the last month. Four in the last week. I have been without my meds for two weeks. They keep replacing them but the new ones don't work either. Been injecting myself for years it's not operator error."

• Kelly...
• October 14, 2015

Byetta (exenatide) "Byetta has helped me lose 32 lbs in 63 days. I have kept my sugar levels in the 100 range since starting this medicine. I was 253 pounds at 5 foot 9. Diabetes was not something I ever thought I would get but my glucose numbers were in the 300 range and fasting they were 250! The doctor put me on byetta and metphormin. I will be honest, at first, I ate the same bad foods and was throwing up every time! Now, I keep my sugar grams to 22 grams a day and 110 grams of carbs. Once I controlled the sugar and carbs, the nausea stopped! You just need to re-train your brain! My eyes wanted to get lots of food but I couldn't eat it after byetta! Just know your body and if it's too much, tell your doctor."

• Dalla
• January 30, 2020

Bydureon (exenatide) "I have been on bydureon now for 8 weeks, I inject every Saturday evening. Sunday I'm fine, Monday I'm a little unwell, Monday evening a bit more & dazed. Tuesday when I wake, I can barely move, my body is so sore, it take all my strength to walk a few paces. I sleep from sheer exhaustion & this continues Wednesday & Thursday. Friday was my good day but even that has been taken away. I don't know how much longer I can keep up with this total shutdown of my body. It has made me totally useless, I struggle to stand long enough to make a cup of tea."

• Downw...
• March 18, 2016

Bydureon (exenatide) "Started Bydureon 2mg in May 2015. It's been 10 months and my A1C is 5.7. I've dropped 60 pounds, went from a size 15 to a size 8, feel great. The nausea realllllly gets me some days and I just can't eat much at all. But, it does do its job. I was on metformin for 2 years before Bydureon and I had constant diarrea. I'll take the nausea over the #2s."

• Energ...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 3, 2016

Byetta (exenatide) "I started my Byetta experience in August of 2012 wearing a size 18/20 and standing at 5'2. Before April of 2013 I was wearing a size 14. I was feeling good, looking good, and energized! I had nausea but it didn't last it took two weeks to go away. I experienced the thinning of my hair and hair loss with a different texture so I stopped Byetta because that was a No No for me to lose my hair. When I stopped the Byetta I gained more weight than I lost but my hair grew back and the texture was never the same again but I tell you this; I choose Byetta over hair loss, I just wear a short pretty hairstyle. On Byetta, my A1C has gone from 8.4 to 6.9!"

• Red
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2020

Bydureon (exenatide) "I'm in Australia. I've only had the one Bydureon dose, 5 days ago. I am so sick. I have constant nausea, with painful indigestion. I get confused, and dizzy. I can't see properly to drive, and I have to wear incontinence pads. My temperature skyrockets and I'm getting shortness of breath. I'll never use this again. I just wish I knew how long it will be until it's out of my system."

• Lilylou
• December 6, 2014

Bydureon (exenatide) "Took first dose. Had some mild nausea and indigestion. Took second injection and within 24 hours was violently ill with horrible diarrhea and vomiting. This went on for 10 hours. I feel awful still and its three days later. Reported it to my Dr and Astra Zeneca. Both agreed it was the medicines and have advised me not take any more. "

• cpram...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2013

Bydureon (exenatide) "Update: Am now on wk 6 and considering stopping the med due to constant nausea and generally not feeling well at all. The med is great for curbing my appetite but it's hard to eat or drink anything-even coffee. As soon as I eat anything I immediately feel bloated and sick. I ate 3 shrimp for dinner & was in bed by 7:30 due to nausea. Love the appetite suppression but not sure how long I can put up with this feeling. My clothes still fit the same, too. On another forum a user said that they felt nauseous whenever they ate any fat. I'll watch this and see if that has an impact. Good luck everyone."

• Helani
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 12, 2014

Byetta (exenatide) "Been on Byetta for 2 years & it is fine except the nausea in the morning after the injection so my doctor told me to have it 15 minutes before my breakfast & it works wonders. No more nausea. I also have it 15 minutes before dinner also. My weight stays the same as I am not overweight."

• Lorrie
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2017

Bydureon (exenatide) "I have been on bydureon for 4 months now. I have so far with low carb diet and exercise I have lost 44 lbs. I encourage if you are on this meds take advantage of it even if you are on it for diabetes still follow a low carb diet and exercise for 30 minutes a day. You won't believe how the weight comes off."

• Lorrie
• March 28, 2017

Bydureon (exenatide) "I am now on bydureon for nine weeks now. So far I lost 30 and a half pounds. I am eating right and exercising with the injection. I have some nausea the first 2 days after injection but not real bad. Also at injection site I was getting lumps but took someone's advice on here to apply ice for 15 minutes after injection and it works. I am very grateful to have this meds."

• Catlady
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2020

Bydureon (exenatide) "I took Bydureon for 8 weeks. The nausea built up every week. My blood sugar did drop. But the nausea got so bad I could not continue. Stopped 2 weeks ago, I am still sick, can't look at food even the thought of eating makes me sick. Yes, I lost 22 pounds so far. Because I can't eat. This is not good. I get light headed and cold and very tired. Sorry I ever tried this medicine"

• teige
• June 28, 2009

Byetta (exenatide) "I was on Byetta for two years. It was a nightmare with a very bad ending. Perhaps it did control my sugars, as the A1C's were stable during this time, but the first 6 months was miserable with the constant nausea and vomiting. Sometimes in public places. The nausea was acute and non-manageable except to throw up and get it over with. That was slowly conquered and then wore off after my body got used to it. I became aware of the FDA reports that this drug can cause pancreatitis. I had my pancreatic enzymes checked (I'm a medical technologist in a hospital laboratory) and my lipase had shot up to 2000 u/ml. The normal is around 200u/ml. Had my Doctor change me to Januvia. Okay now."

• Ceryl
• July 27, 2015

Bydureon (exenatide) "I was prescribed Metformin 1000mg twice a day and Glicazide 40mg 4 times a day. I took this for 4 years but constantly had an upset stomach and my blood sugar readings were always between 10 and 15 mmol/L and I was gaining weight even though I eat healthy foods. I was then advised to take Actos 30mg once a day instead of Glicazide. Although this helped initially my readings were still high and I was gaining weight. I then saw a Diabetic Consultant and he suggested trying Bydureon 2mg injections once a week. I have been on these for 9 weeks now and my readings are down to 5-6 mmol/L and I have lost 1st 2lbs and feel much better. I get occasional nausea. I have to pay for the injections and they are expensive but well worth the money."

• tomto...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2012

Bydureon (exenatide) "I found it to be extremely helpful and love the fact I only have to take it once a week. I am on my 3rd week now. The needle size is bigger yes but it does not hurt me to stick myself. It hurts about the same as poking my finger for my blood sugar meter. I found through the Bydureon website you can get a card to help with the copay. Its wonderful to know there are manufacturers that are willing to help those who take their medicines. Also if you use the freestyle meters you can sign up through Abbot to get a free meter and card to save money on the test strips. "

• dweaver
• October 14, 2008

Byetta (exenatide) "Byetta is my life saver. It not only lowered my blood sugar levels but has helped me lose weight with only mild side effects (nausea). I have lost 28 pounds in three months and my appetite it way less than it used to be. It is expensive but as they say you get what you pay for."

• rlock...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2015

Bydureon (exenatide) "I am on my 5th week of taking Bydureon. So far I have had no reactions to my injection sites. I usually inject same time every Monday and I am good on the first day, but on the 2nd and 3rd day, i feel so nauseous that i can hardly eat. I also find that i have diareahea alot. I have not really lost any weight but have not gained weight either. Best of all I went from 414 (my highest blood level) to 99 (my lowest level) so far. So there is a major difference in my blood sugar. I can not wait to see what my A1C reading will be when i get my blood work done in a month."

• upand...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 20, 2015

Byetta (exenatide) "As a prediabetic, I am anxious to not hit a "tipping point" into full diabetes. I asked my GP for Vitroza, but could only get insurance to cover Byetta. Three weeks later and 25 pounds less, I am thrilled. I still lap swim 3 times a week and lift weights with no hunger or sweet cravings. Also I inject in my thigh with no side effects. WHEW! Thanks Byetta!!"

• Momot...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2015

Bydureon (exenatide) "I have been on Bydureon for 7 weeks after fighting my doctor about using an inject-able for about a year. I have previously been on Metformin and Xigduo (still taking these) after adding the Xigduo my numbers actually went up. However after adding the Bydureon I have seen an amazing turn around. My fasting glucose has been between 190-210, now it runs between 113-149, depending on what I have eaten the day before. Even better is that I am down about 14 pounds. I told my doctor that I wish I would have agreed sooner, but the medication wasn't available before then. I did have diarrhea in the first couple of weeks but that has gone away. No nausea but I am not nearly as hungry, and most importantly I don't have cravings like before."

• deech...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 10, 2015

Bydureon (exenatide) "I love it. I've been on it since July 2014 since then I've lost 17lbs down from 240 to 223 yes I'm loving it. Only downside is the thick needle but I deal with it. My A1c levels are perfect ....it's working for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2012

Bydureon (exenatide) "I'm on my fourth week of Bydureon. Last 5 days I'm so nauseous. I love the fact that is once a week. I have had no lumps at injection site. The needle is a bit fat, but it is real short. Hard to get it to go in the skin so I kind of go at it fast. It sure has curbed my appetite. But I don't know how much longer I can handle this nausea."

• noraf
• July 18, 2014

Bydureon (exenatide) "Final update - see previous postings. My A1c went up to 7.9. It is clear that it did very little for me in retrospect. My good A1c of 6.0 and weight loss was from following Paleo plan (low carb) fairly strictly. I went back to eating carbs and my A1c jacked up and so did my weight. My dr. took me off Bydureon and I have started slow acting insulin. Hope you have better results! Good luck."

• drago...
• June 14, 2013

Byetta (exenatide) "I too am experiencing hair loss and want to know what to do about it. I had been taking 5mcg of Byetta twice a day with only minimal side effects for about 3 months. Then the specialist recommended increasing to 10mcg and that is when I noticed the severe hair loss. I had been losing my hair before in small amounts but after taking 10mcg it started really falling out in great clusters. Once I realized that it must be the Byetta I stopped taking 10mcg and have gone back to 5 but am still losing hair - not as much but still happening. Does anybody know what I should try - I have read some other blogs and this has been great because now I know I am not alone. I too have this dilemma - stop the Byetta and gain several stone or no hair?"