BYETTA

[sixfoot]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Fiona ...... stay with it. You will have stalls along the way but it is worth it in the end . Simply allow yourself a little time and try not to be too impatient.

So pleased you are doing well
Dave P

 

[Linda C]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi , I started on Byetta on Friday. Up till now it has been a bit of a disaster. Initially I got incomplete and disturbing info from one of the nurses. I had to come on the forum to get info advice and reassurance( thanks for that Fergus) Anyway on Thursday I realised that I hadn't been given info about how I should prepare, should I be fasted, should I take my meds priior to the first dose, so I called the clinic, the receptionist said she would check for me, she returned and said there was no need to fast and that I could take my meds. Yes you've guessed, when I got there I was told that I should not have had breakfast, and that I should not have taken meds! She then went on to say that it wouldn't make any difference for ther first dose. I was concerned that all the info said it should not be taken after a meal, but she insisted it was ok. I had the dose and must admit that I did feel quite ropey for about an hour afterward, particularly with headache and epigastric discomfort, I had slight nausea, but not bad, certainly nothing like I was led to believe by the first nurse. When I got home that night I realised I had not been advised as to when I should
take my Gliclazide, and in what sequence, Byetta first, Gliclazide first etc. I decided to call NHS 24 to get some guidance. I won't bore you with the details of how that went, but it took 2 hours to get someone to talk to me. I spoke to a pharmacist who read to me from the patients info sheet and admitted that she didn't really know what to advise. So, as well as the fiasco with the GP and pharmacist not knowing what needles to give me and then giving me the wrong ones. They couldn't give me the ones that were reccomended because they were not on their dictionary? Anyway I have spent the weekend worrying whether I am taking the pills at the right time, and incidentally the only time my BG fell below 10 was when I took the Byetta after food! Any advice info out there re timings? Does Byetta usually have an effect on BG immediately or does it take time? I am finding it quite scary that I don't feel able to trust the health professionals. I would be grateful for any info,
Thanks Linda C

 

[candy1567]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi all

Just a bit of an update, ive now started on the 10 mg and the dreaded sickness has returned with a vengeance, but am coping

My BS are fantastic ive actually had a 5.9 2 hrs after my dinner, now this i find really fantastic as dont think it has ever been that low from birth!!!!

Ive lost another kg so thats 10 in total in 5 weeks, hey this Byetta is good stuff

Juliexx

 

[Dennis]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Candy,
I'm afraid that moving up to the 10µg dose is a bit like starting all over again because your body will have not long been used to coping with the 5µg level and suddenly it's getting twice as much. The good news is that for most people the nausea wears off quicker on 10µg than it does on the 5µg dose. You may find that the weight loss will just continue but not increase, but the BG level will reduce more on the higher dose.

If you do find the nausea becoming a problem don't forget the tips on how to reduce it - inject immediately before eating, no spicy or greasy food, try a ginger drink (like BottleGreen's lemongrass and ginger).

 

[Sammybee]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi,

I thought I would post an update to show people that pushing works.

I have finally managed to get put on Byetta. I have been taken off Novomix 30 and put on a mixture of metformin and byetta. It has taken a long time and I had to see a doctor on private health to get things rushed along, but it has finally happened! They were a bit dubious about putting me on it as they say the side effects of sickness and nausea may be worse with my Lap Band! Worth a try I say!

I have started today and only had one injection so far alls fine now but I will keep you updated with how it goes.

Thanks!

 

[Denis]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi everyone Im new to this forum, been type 2 for over 12 years, started on metformin then gliclazide as well,

However now on BYETTA, my consultant 's been trying to put me on it for a year now, but Ive been refusing each time mainly cause of the side effects and of course the dreaded needle, ( alright I know yes I'm a wouss) that first time trying to inject, anyway been on it now for 2 weeks normal side effects nausea etc soon subsided, already noticed a difference, eating less feel full after a few mouthfulls, don't know how I will feel after I start the 10m dose, but as far as after care goes I cannot fault my clinic, my nurse as been really helpfull,

One thing, my clinic say eat within 15 min, however when I called the lilly customer care team they said no its an hour as stated in the instructions, my clinic say feedback from patients say they feel less sickly if they eat sooner, anyone agree with that.

 

[Hibby65]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Denis

Been on 10 mg of Byetta for about 2-3 months now

My views and experiences are my own and probably not medically correct but I found it made no big differnce personally to be honest I ususally take mines about 1/2 - 15 mins before I eat. As soon as I get back from work it is usually ready to go on the table so I have to tell the better half to hang fire.

What I have found is that later on say 3-4 hrs if I start to feel sick I just drink about a pint of fluid water - juice - beer or cider ( I know I know) and it makes the feeling go away - think its because the stomaches full again - spoke with my Diabetic nurse and apart from the Cider and Beer she was OK with it

Must admit until you find what works with you there can be tough times - but stick with it

 

[Dennis]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

One thing, my clinic say eat within 15 min, however when I called the lilly customer care team they said no its an hour as stated in the instructions, my clinic say feedback from patients say they feel less sickly if they eat sooner, anyone agree with that.

Hi again Denis,
I think you may have misunderstood the helpdesk team's advice. You can have the injection UP TO an hour before you eat, but that is the maximum delay, not the recommended. The leaflet that comes with the pen makes that very clear. In fact it was the Eli Lilly helpdesk who advised me that the shorter the gap between injection and food then the less the nausea, the longer the gap then the greater the nausea. Most people who have experimented with a shorter gap have reported that it has helped them.

 

[Denis]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Thanks Hibby65,

Well if anything, its a fantastic excuse for a drink, now what shall I chose, water, cider, or a beer ????? I wonder.

Did you find much change in moving up to 10m, nausea or anything, or does a month on 5m cushing the jump up.

 

[candy1567]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Denis

I have just moved up to the 10 dose a week ago and the dreaded sickness returned this time for the first 2 days i was actually being sick and wanted to throw it out the window, but i resisited.

I found that if i ate soon after injecting then the sickness was bearable, now a week later i can now leave it for 15 mins before eating. The longer i leave it the fuller i feel

I dont know if this is just me or not but i have found that i am no longer craving the sweet goody stuff your body wants and never finish a full plate of food for eg, last night i had chicken with vedge for tea, now usually give me a peice of chicken and i will do anything you want!!!! but couldn't even finish my meal and have stopped the snacking inbetween meals as well as am just not hungry, i also find that if i eat carbs, bread, potatoes etc they make me feel really uncomfortable full.

Since starting on Byetta at beg of Jan I have now lost 13 kg wow this is fantastic, i am sleeping better, find i have more energy (when the sickness wears off!!) and i feel better in myself. The only thing i do notice is that i feel the cold a lot more now, dont know why as have not read of anyone else reporting this.

So i say stick with it and if i can do it anyone can

Juliexx

 

[Dennis]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Julie,

Sounds like you have adjusted really well onto the higher dose, so it should be all plain sailing from here on! The loss of appetite that you describe is what most people experience to a greater or lesser degree. Your own loss of appetite seems to have developed quite quickly, whereas mine came about more gradually. But I can certainly sympathise about the cold. In the Byetta group in the States that I correspond with feeling the cold, especially in the feet, is a regular complaint, but strangely I don't remember anyone over here mentioning it. Maybe until this year our winters just weren't as cold as they get in the US.

 

[martinbuchan]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi folks

been talking about it for a while. My diabetologist wrote to my GP this week to write me up. Will start in 2 weeks time as I am off work for a week on holiday. We are both not sure what to do with my insulin (levemir 92 units, novorapid 30-70 units per day). We arrived at a reduction of 33% to start with. Let my weight rise over Xmas and my A1c (5.8 to 6.6%). Easier to justify getting it off licence,

Regards to all

 

[Denis]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Thanks candy

I was hopeing the dreaded sickness would not return in such a vengence, when I eventually move up to the 10m dose in about 2 weeks time, but it seems Im wrong, funny you should mention the cold,

Now I dont usually feel the cold and I know we have had a short sharp shock of freezing temps but todays temp has been well into the 10 celsius and still im cold, maybe its me but it does seem odd, I shall have to keep note of this. although I dont want to complain as I have only been on Byetta for about 3 weeks but it does seem to do what it says on the tin.

 

[Dennis]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Denis,

Most people seem to find on moving up to the 10 dose that, although the nausea can return, it is usually less severe and doesn't last as long as it did when first starting. Seems that our bodies are better able to come to terms with the dosage increase than they are with getting started on Byetta.

 

[humph]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Well nearly a week now and no side effects, but no drop in BS.

Has anyone had a duff pen?

 

[candy1567]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Humph

Well am no expert and havn't had a duff pen, but my sugars where all over the place for the first few weeks and i didn't really see any drop until bout the second week.

Also did you prime the pen before using for the first time, if u squirt it up into the air as the used to do it with proper syringes it doens't leave any drops when u use it.

Also can you see the grey stopper thing moving down the pen (where the medication is) if this has moved then u can be sure ur getting the medication.

Am sure Dennis will be along shortly to give u some more advise as he is our expert on Byetta

Juliexx

 

[Dennis]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Humph,

You'll need to be patient. You may find a small drop after a couple of weeks but it's not unusual to see very little significant improvement until you move up to the 10µg dose pen after 4 weeks at the 5µg dose.

 

[Denis]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hello Humph

My BS levels started reducing within days, only been on it for 3 weeks now, and BS coming down nicely, and appitite reduced, course it reacts differently on people, ( you sure your standing close enough to the needle lol)

Try a few practice squirts to see how much comes out while counting to 10, (a very tiny amount will come out ) there's plenty of Byetta in cartridge so lilly told me.

 

[Dennis]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

( you sure your standing close enough to the needle lol)

Nice one Denis :lol:

 

[vivkaroo]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

hi its vivkaroo i was on byetta for 9 months first 5 was ok lost weight could only eat small portions sickness was a problem though but sort of coped then sept last year so very ill could not keep food down every single mouthful came up stomache bloated massive no clothes would fir i bought all smaller clothes as i lost 1 stone on byetta specialist arranged camera down throat stomache had esophagus reflux never had before i went on byetta still very ill took to bed was took off byetta but still took 4x 500 metformin then getting more sick put on glucoghage 4 a daynow to cut my story short put the stone back on stomache massive and now after seeing mt specialist being took off glucoghage probably going on insulin i am 62 type 2 how byetta has wrecked my life had pancreus tests liver tests liver is very enlarged burning pain in stomache if you go on byetta lawsuits .com you will see just how many people are ill on this it is very interesting the site it opens your eyes very much so NO by my experience would definetley never reccommend byetta to anyoneand i am still trying to put my health right good luck everyone luv vivkaroo xx