When you take Byetta, your stomach empties slower. That’s a good thing, because it helps you lose weight and reduce your blood glucose levels. A common complication of diabetes called gastroparesis– literally paralyzed stomach – also causes food to remain in the stomach. That&rsquo...
Byetta and Paralyzed Stomach
8/22/06 3:49am
You have no idea how many people I have sent a copy to of this page about Byetta and Gastroparesis. I had a little bit of GP before Byetta, but of course, none of the doctors, ERs, Urgent Cares, specialists that I went to could figure out the simple truth that my constant nausea and vomiting and feeling full were gastroparesis! I was misdiagnosed with the stomach flu, "stomach acid," and of the course, the all-popular, "You must be having some stress at home" (which is the medical key words for "It's all in your head and you are nutz." I found out that Gastroenterologists know very little about gastroparesis. Most of them wouldn't recognize a case of it if it hit them in the face, but Endocrinologists suspect it right away with stomach symptoms in Diabetics.
After stopping the Byetta (and having my high hopes dashed horribly in the process), I could actually eat again. I still try to stay away from lettuce, raw vegetables, whole grains, everything that is good for you - in favor of babyfood like canned pears that go down easy. But at least I'm not in agony anymore from a paralyzed stomach.
Oh and just try to call Eli Lily/Amylin Pharma co. and tell them. They love to hear it and you will get laughed at.
From one very disappointed and bitter ex-Byetta user, now an insulin use.
David's Response:
I am so sorry that you are not able to use Byetta because of your gastroparesis, Kemila. But I am glad that my article may have helped you and others.
9/ 6/06 4:33pm
David, I am sorry, too, that I can't use Byetta but it should be noted that I had *very little* gastroparesis before Byetta! After 2-3 months on Byetta, the gastroparesis worsened to the point where I could not eat at all. After discontinuing Byetta, my gastroparesis seems to have disappeared, I went off Reglan, but now I'm on insulin.
9/21/06 8:59pm
Update: Just talked to Amylin Pharmaceuticals again. They are very concerned about both Amylin and Symlin now. They said the problem is how to get this information out to the doctors. They said they will take my itemized statements of medical bills for the iatrogenic gastroparesis under consideration! :-)
9/21/06 9:04pm
10/12/06 11:49pm
David, YOU NEED TO CORRECT YOUR COMMENT. I did not really have gastroparesis before Byetta. After stopping Byetta, I have had absolutely NO symptoms whatsoever. I can eat normally again, as I could before Byetta. You are mistaken that I had gastroparesis to begin with. I don't think I did. There is no evidence and no diagnosis that I ever had it before BYETTA.
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