BYETTA

[cugila]

On a different topic; I have had a splitting headache since I started the Byetta. It's just a vague thing in the morning, getting worse after the two doses and by the evening its a doozy. Ibuprofen doesn't shift it either.

Headache is listed as a common side effect of Byetta......you should discuss it with your GP. There are often prescription drugs which will be more effective than Ibuprofen.

My levels haven't changed any yet - do they take a few days to 'kick in'?

As with anything you have to give it time to start working, in my case it was a couple of weeks before there was a noticeable difference. Everybody is different so you will have to wait and see.
A change in diet and some gentle exercise can also be a great help.......sometimes that in itself makes a huge difference.

Ken

 

[cugila]

Eeek just had the biggest carb binge of ever. Bad bad me. It was mostly fruit, well if you don't count the bread, the picnic eggs and the luxury yoghurt. I don't know want came over me :?

Hopefully I have got it out of my system and I will try and behave tomorrow. On the plus side apart from today my sugar levels have been mostly on the downward trend.

Suzie.

You're baaaaaaaaaaaaaad !!! :wink:

Ken

 

[susiewoosie]

It was fun while I was doing it lol. Even while binging I found I could eat less than half of what I used to. Unfortunately I still cooked the same amount of food, a massive fry up. My dog Sascha was happy though, she ate the other half. I think its taken its toll on her as she's been sleeping almost since eating. Poor little thing, she's only a Cavalier King Charles, there was so much food left and she gallantly kept going.

 

[m4z]

Hi.

I'm another Byetta user, I'm still on the 5 dose, and have been for three months at the end of April. I also take 2000mg of Metformin and half a Gliclazide a day.

I've had my form through from the nurse for my HBA1C, and I've started taking things a bit more seriously this last two weeks, and drastically improved my diet. As a result, I'm getting much better readings, and feeling a lot 'lighter on my feet', and waking up less tired, and with less of the 'hit by a transit van feeling' in the morning.

My dilemma is that although the nurse wants me to test in a couple of weeks time, I'd like to leave it a bit longer, and test once I get all those 'bad eating' times out of my system. I'm a little worried that if she sees there's not much improvement, she will take me off Byetta, and I'm really coping well on it now the initial sickness has passed, and the results are a definite improvement.

I was put on Novarapide insulin a few years ago, but I stopped taking it, because my weight ballooned by 4 stone. I seemed to be eating so much on the minimum dose to prevent hypos. When I lost that weight, I was getting normal HBA1Cs without any medication, but then it started creeping up again, hence the Met and Glic.

She has given me a repeat for 6 months on it, so I've got another three months of just 'ticking the box' and collecting the prescription.

Any advice would be very welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Maz x

 

[cugila]

Hi.
I'm another Byetta user, I'm still on the 5 dose, and have been for three months at the end of April. I also take 2000mg of Metformin and half a Gliclazide a day.

Is there a reason why you haven't been upped to the 10mcg dose yet ?? The normal practice is to start on 5mcg for a month then go to the max dose.

My dilemma is that although the nurse wants me to test in a couple of weeks time, I'd like to leave it a bit longer, and test once I get all those 'bad eating' times out of my system. I'm a little worried that if she sees there's not much improvement, she will take me off Byetta, and I'm really coping well on it now the initial sickness has passed, and the results are a definite improvement.

I would presume that you are talking about a HbA1c test and not just an ordinary finger prick test ? When I first started my HbA1c was done every three months and the improvements were noted. However my daily testing was printed off and that is how they knew how well Byetta was doing, that and the resultant weight loss.

The HbA1c is a test for a three month period of time, don't worry about it, just find out how you are doing and move on from there. they should be giving you time especially as you are only on the low starter dose.

Ken.



Any advice would be very welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Maz x

 

[jpg]

Hi,
just this morning I was put on 5μg Byetta after having had good results using Metformin, Lantus and Novorapid. My main reason for requesting the Byetta (actually I wanted to go on Victoza but the PCT is not too keen on it yet) was to reduce weight and simplify my medication regime. I currently take about 16 pills a day including blood pressure, heartburn and weight reducing (Xenical) ones.

Well, the nurse said I was to continue to take the insulins but at half the usual dosage - currently 30u for the Lantus and 10-30u for the Novorapid. I am to take the Byetta concurrently with the insulin. So much for simplifying my medication - I now gain two injections for losing one tablet (Xenical)!

Even though the Lilly leaflet says NOT to use Byetta with insulin, I'm guessing that the hospital diabetes centre has some precedent for this mixture of medications. I no doubt have a degree of insulin resistance after 11 years since diagnosis so it's possible they think I need some insulin supplement, at least for the time being.

It would be interesting to hear if anyone else has a similar regime to me. I haven't yet trawled through the Byetta thread yet so forgive me for asking at this stage.

Many thanks

JPG

 

[cugila]

Insulin and Byetta is not recommended as it was never trialled prior to issuing the Drug. However there are many Consultants who now prescribe it and basically you are being used to test it out.

We have had members posting on here who use both and one Lady that I know reduced her Insulin to virtually nil over a short period of time. She isn't around now but I know there are other members who are using both. I hope that they will pipe up to let you know how they are getting on with this combo.

As a Byetta user myself I used to take around 20 tablets of one sort or another, went onto Byetta and got completely off Metformin, Gliclazide (which were at Max doses) and lost over 5 stone in weight, got all my Bg levels down to 98% on target back in October 2009.

Unfortunately, Cancer hit me and the medication for that and other treatments decimated my Bg levels to the point that I have had to go back on Met and Glic. However now off the treatments and my levels are getting back to more normal numbers. So, if you persevere with it I am sure that eventually like me your Meds will be reduced and you won't 'rattle' so much........ :lol:

Ken

 

[m4z]

Hi.
I'm another Byetta user, I'm still on the 5 dose, and have been for three months at the end of April. I also take 2000mg of Metformin and half a Gliclazide a day.

Is there a reason why you haven't been upped to the 10mcg dose yet ?? The normal practice is to start on 5mcg for a month then go to the max dose.

My dilemma is that although the nurse wants me to test in a couple of weeks time, I'd like to leave it a bit longer, and test once I get all those 'bad eating' times out of my system. I'm a little worried that if she sees there's not much improvement, she will take me off Byetta, and I'm really coping well on it now the initial sickness has passed, and the results are a definite improvement.

I would presume that you are talking about a HbA1c test and not just an ordinary finger prick test ? When I first started my HbA1c was done every three months and the improvements were noted. However my daily testing was printed off and that is how they knew how well Byetta was doing, that and the resultant weight loss.

The HbA1c is a test for a three month period of time, don't worry about it, just find out how you are doing and move on from there. they should be giving you time especially as you are only on the low starter dose.

Ken.



Any advice would be very welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Maz x

Hi Ken.

Many thanks for the response.

Yes, I was referring to the HBA1C - as earlier in my post (although not quoted by you) I did say I'd had the form through for it

My nurse has not mentioned about increasing me to the 10mcg dose yet, nor did she give any indication that I would 'move up' to the increased dose. She did mention that a 10 mcg dose is available, and that I would be able to increase to this if the 5mcg dose did not work.

I'll mention it to her though when I go and discuss the results of the HBA1C.

Apologies if my earlier post wasn't too clear, and thanks again for the advice.

 

[cugila]

I think your Nurse is taking the BNF59 information regarding prescribing too literally. The normal practice is as I stated before, however she probably has her reasons. Is she a DSN (Diabetic Specialist Nurse) at a Hospital Clinic......?

If you ask any Endocrinologist they will tell you that going to the max dose if tolerated is the best way forwards......you get the maximum effect rather than remaining on, what is in effect, the 'starter dose.'

Can you let me know how you get on when you speak to her next. :twisted:
Ken.

 

[jpg]

I've now taken the first two doses of Byetta, last night and this morning. I have also halved my insulin intake (both types, Lantus and Aspart) and I have stopped taking the Xenical. I did have some acid reflux problems before bed last night but that is normal - I took 150mg Ranitidine for that - usually very effective.

This morning I have the same thing, slight acid reflux but also a slight sicky feeling like you get if the you have overindulged - a very full feeling in other words. Breakfast consisted of a white pitta bread with tinned mackeral in spicy sauce on it - weird I know but I like adventurous breakfasts - I get fed up with toast and Marmite sometimes. I also had a tomato juice (with Worcestershire sauce and celery salt, I did not have the Tabasco in it this time!) to wash down my pills; plus a cup of coffee.

I am at work now feeling slightly unwell but not enough to affect me.

One thing I noticed - for someone used to large doses of insulin I had trouble convincing myself that any Byetta had been injected, so slight was the movement of the piston.

JPG

 

[vivkaroo]

Hiya Jude and Ken sorry I am on the victoza site now but put a letter on for every one but especially for Ken and Jude miss this sight lot read my update on victoza bye everyone and Ken and Jude bye Vivkaroo xxxxxxxxxx :d

 

[cugila]

Hi Viv.
Well, I will be sorry to see you go from here........yours and Jude's 'chats' here kept me busy I can tell you. :wink: Hair do's to extensions.......buildings that is !! Kept me entertained. I have read the Victoza post you have made and will answer you there as well.

I am pleased that you are not leaving us, just moving to a different thread..........hope everything goes well there.

Ken. xx

 

[parageiss]

Hey Pete that's brilliant news, well done and just the kind of thing I need to hear right now. 2 stone lighter would suit me fine. Have you found that your appetite has deminished or do you still get hungry? What has happened to your blood? Have the levels dropped much?

I never feel hungry now, I am eating very little I never snack, my bloods are around, 6-7, I have a lot more energy and one of the main things I have noticed is that I am thinking a lot more clearer, I can do puzzles a lot easier. One of the draw backs is constipation and the cramping that comes with it sometimes its very acute. But the losing of the weight is boosted my confidence, as I am disabled with arthritis its made my joints a little better not having to carry the weight.

 

[cugila]

Susie.

Byetta slows the gastric process down, it is designed to do that. If there are constipation problems you MUST discuss this with your GP as anything over the counter and even prescribed medication may interfere with that process. Not recommended !

Those sort of remedies should usually be taken at night or when Byetta is not being injected, say lunch time.

One safe way is to make sure you drink at least two litres of water a day.

Ken

 

[susiewoosie]

I didn't think about it interfering with the process. I had tried boot natural laxatives but no joy. I shall up my water although I think I already drink 2 litres. Will try and eat more veg as well.

On a down note I put on the 4lb that I lost last week. I think it will disappear by next week but it has made me feel very low.

 

[cugila]

I didn't think about it interfering with the process. I had tried boot natural laxatives but no joy. I shall up my water although I think I already drink 2 litres. Will try and eat more veg as well.

On a down note I put on the 4lb that I lost last week. I think it will disappear by next week but it has made me feel very low.

Susie.
You should always discuss ANY medications with a Pharmacist or your GP when on Byetta. The Boot's natural laxative may be OK as it acts on the Colon whilst the stomach and small intestine are not normally affected by it.

I had to take a laxative whilst I was on Radiotherapy treatment recently. There were several laxatives which I could not take, mainly due to the sugar content, and was eventually prescribed Movicol which uses a sweetener. This was prescribed by my GP and Consultant after some discussion. That had to be taken last thing at night when no Byetta was around and was very effective the next morning......... :shock:

As for feeling low about the weight.......if it makes you feel any better after a recent holiday I too put on 7 lbs.....too much good food !! After getting back home and being strict with my diet again I have lost it all within a week or so. So don't feel low.....it will go if you work at it.

Ken

 

[susiewoosie]

Thanks Ken.

Luckily all my meds including painkillers are prescribed by the doctor so at least I don't have to worry about them. I will steer clear of any laxatives though.

Sounds like you had a good holiday lol

 

[cugila]

Thanks Ken.
Sounds like you had a good holiday lol

Holiday........I think tooooooooo good !!! The least said the better..... :wink:

Ken

 

[jane22]

Woo Hoo it's Byetta Day tomorrow, well I hope it is. My appointment at the hospital is 9.30. It is also my birthday and so I'm hoping Byetta will be the best present ever.

 

[susiewoosie]

Good luck