Delta Burke Talks About Type 2 Diabetes and BYETTA

I had the opportunity to speak with Ms. Delta Burke. You know, from Designing Women. That show rocked! One of my small guilty pleasures, it is the little things in life! I also spoke with certified diabetic educator, Ms. Virginia Valentine. She is touring with Ms. Burke on the BYETTA, Let’s talk campaign.

KJ: You were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 10 years ago, what made you want to talk about this publicly?

DB: I think that whatever you are going through in life, I like to talk about it and share it with others. I talked about the weight issues and depression issues, and now living with the diabetes, I like to talk about it and test myself in public with it and try to live as normal life as possible with it.

KJ: When you were diagnosed, was it a routine visit or did you show signs and symptoms?

DB: I noticed I was tired, fatigued, trembling. I saw many doctors and they kept saying I had that chronic fatigue syndrome, and finally one of the doctors diagnosed the diabetes for me.

KJ: What were your immediate life changes, did you go on medication right away, or did you try to control it with diet and exercise?

DB: I started on oral medications right away. I wasn’t paying attention, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer so I was taking my medicine but was focused on my mom and did not pay attention to my diet or exercise. The doctor said if I didn’t get serious, I would be put on insulin, that is when I focused on my diet, exercise and medicine and started to lose weight and get my blood sugar under control.

KJ: Like you mentioned, you have spoken about depression publicly in the past. Did you have any feelings of hopelessness or were you overwhelmed?

DB: I remembered being very afraid, that this was it, it was over. I didnt know much about it and didn’t know how to deal with it and I thought my whole world was going to change.

KJ: You are currently taking BYETTA. How long have you been on it?

DB: Yes, I have been on it for a year now.

KJ: Did it make an immediate difference in your blood sugar?

DB: It did make an immediate difference. It was wonderful. I was having trouble keeping it steady and when I went on BYETTA everything steadied out and it was truly wonderful.

KJ: With the BYETTA being injectable, do you think it will be appealing to other type 2 diabetics?

DB: Yes, when the doctor gave it to me in the office, it hurt less than pricking my fingers. It wasn’t so bad.
KJ: How is BYETTA dosed?

DB: It is twice a day, 20 minutes before meals.

KJ: I haven’t seen it personally used in practice at the hospital that I work, is it being prescribed a lot?

VV: It is the 4th largest brandname prescribed drug in the USA for type 2 diabetes. In Albuquerque, everyday I start patients on it. Probably a third of my patients are on it.

KJ: Tell me about the campaign that is being launched on March 14th, BYETTA, Let’s Talk?

DB: We want to get people talking about their diabetes. We know about diet and exercise, there are other options out there. It works great for me, so it could work for others as well.

KJ: Who is touring with you and the BYETTA, Let’s talk campaign?

VV: We have a chef, Nickki from Ballys, a personal trainer and me, a certified diabetic educator. And of course Delta, to talk with others about diabetes.

DB: If you aren’t in one of the 10 cities that we visit, you can go to BYETTA.com.

So here is my soapbox about BYETTA. I still haven’t formed a concrete opinion. I really think with it being an injection, it will be a tough sell for type 2 diabetics. A type 2 diabetic usually takes oral medication, and focuses on diet and exercise. One of the reasons this type of diabetic is strict with these things is out of fear of the use of insulin, which is an injection. I just have a hard time thinking that diabetics will stay focused on their diet and exercise if there is an easier answer out there . I am not saying that all patients can control their diabetes with the above mentioned things, there are some that need additional help, hence the drug BYETTA.

For more information, please visit http://www.byettaletstalk.com/.