Anybody here take Lizard Spit?
 

I am Diabetic and was just today placed on the new miracle drug BYETTA. It is an injection and was originally developed from the saliva of the Gila Monster, hence it's nickname Lizard Spit. It is supposed to help me control my sugar and it has a nasty little side effect of making you lose weight, and I mean a fair amount!!

I frequently ride alone and cover upwards of 50 miles at 80% - 85% Max Heart Rate for up to 3 hours at a time. I'd hate to bottom out on my sugar and die on the road somewhere. Does anybody else take this drug, and how has it affected your cycling routine? Are there any medical folks on here who know about this? I can find nothing on the Net about heavy exerise and BYETTA.

I have recently started the drug too. I haven't had any problems other than some nausea but I only ride about ten miles a pop! Maybe there are some medical experts that can answer this question.

Okay (not ok), I'm interested in more information on this. It helps regulate blood sugar meaning it helps break (not brake) down the sugar? Or does it somehow just maintain a level of good blood sugar? I'm hypoglycemic and can't imagine that this would also help me but I'd be interested in finding out more about it.

I really don't know. I was hoping some medical folks or Diabetic Riders would be able to answer my question. I just hate to go out by myself and get into big trouble. I live in a rural area and sometimes don't have cell service. I de-hydrated on a ride last summer and that was really scary. If I hadn't been riding with a partner.....I might have been the main subject of a thread on here!!! FYI....The web-site is www.byetta.com

Thanks for the link.

- When BYETTA is used with a medicine that contains a sulfonylurea, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is a possible side effect. The dose of your sulfonylurea medicine may need to be reduced while you use BYETTA.

- Other common side effects with BYETTA include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, feeling jittery, and acid stomach. Nausea is most common when first starting BYETTA, but decreases over time in most patients.

The first essentially answers my question, if it can lead to hypo, it definately will not help the condition. The second I posted for you. I would try to ride with someone at least the first few rides, taking it easy to see how it'll affect you. I would only do this after at least a week on the medicine to see if you're getting any of those symptoms. Of course, that's just my unprofessional medical opinion so it's not a medical opinion.

BTW- with hypo, as I'm sure you know, the side affect of hypo is possibly passing out. I have only experienced this once, which lead to my diagnosis. The only thing I've personally felt though is the tired "bonk" feeling.

Hope this helps.

It causes you to lose weight??? Where can I get some!!!!?

Well, as a diabetic on meds you should always have with you a carbohydrate source of nutrition and never start riding without eating first. Power gels will be excellent, when you start feeling dizzy and you reached hypoglycemia, immediately swallow the gel pack, it will do the trick.

I know people who are inactive and have lost 50 pounds on this drug. I figure that after carrying 230 pounds up and down these North Georgia hills for the last 2 years that if I lost 50 pounds, my power to weight ratio would be better than Tom Danielson's :D . Maybe I'll go drop their Butts on the Fort Mountain climb next year at the Tour de Georgia ;) .

Sandy,
talk about this with your Doc. On long rides you mgit want to bring along
some carbs. Gu and all it's clones work.

interestoing. I wonder what the side effects would be for a person without blood sugar issues. Hmmmm...

I think they are evaluating this as a weight loss drug in some clinical trials right now. I personally know two different people who have been on this drug for 6 months that are total "Couch Potatos" and both have lost over 40 pounds with no exercise routine. I'm thinking that even with my paltry 70 miles a week on the bike that I can be at my taget weight by the end of the summer. :D