BYETTA

[vivkaroo]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

hi dennis get to know thursday when i see specialist if he is gonna let me back on byetta fingers crossed sure it might be better this time , nine months last time as you know but now think its been the glucoghage got all my blood readings for last 3 weeks for him to see but sugars are quite high all time so hopefully he said he will let me have second try ,think he is bit weery but then he has to be i suppose but with your advice i am lot wiser this time if this doesnt work second time wellat least i have give it a last trywill let you know thursday night fingers crossed cos i really want to lose my weight again i lost stone 4 lbs when i was on it now its all back on here goes for thursday see you dennis

 

[banjo brunette]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi everyone
I found this thread/forum while looking for info on Byetta - I'm maxed out on Rosiglitizone and Glucophage and my bloods are creeping up so my GP reckons it's time to look seriously at the old lizard spit! I'm due to see the diabetologist (terrible word) next week. I've read all thirty pages of this thread (in one marathon session that kept me up 'til 3am BTW) and it's such a useful source of information and experience but I do have one question. Everyone seems VERY proud of the weight they've lost on Byetta - and that's marvellous - but what happens if you already eat your dinner off a side plate and have a 'normal' BMI (mine's 22.5-23ish)? To be frank I'm worried that I might disappear :wink: . Does anyone have experience to share?

I'm not particularly looking forward to the whole Byetta thing as I love my grub, loathe needles and any stressor in life goes straight to my stomach. However, if that's what it takes, I'll give it a go...

Cheers, BB

 

[Dennis]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Viv,

After what you went through last time I think we'll all have our fingers crossed for you.

 

[Dennis]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi BB and a very warm welcome to you. You certainly get the gold medal for perseverance!

Your question is one that I confess I don't know the answer to, but have often wondered myself. I would guess that once you have reached your weight target you should be able to prevent further loss by increasing the calorie content of your diet, but only by enough to stop any further loss. After all restricting calories is one way of losing weight, so the opposite must also apply. But I would guess it could be very easy to overcalculate and start putting weight back on!

In fact it would be a good question to throw at the diabetologist when you see him.

 

[cugila]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi everyone

Everyone seems VERY proud of the weight they've lost on Byetta - and that's marvellous - but what happens if you already eat your dinner off a side plate and have a 'normal' BMI (mine's 22.5-23ish)? To be frank I'm worried that I might disappear

Hi.
Interesting............
I know from the questions I was asked at the Endo Clinic before going on to Byetta that there are very strict rules as to who gets prescribed it. Not wishing to be a 'party pooper' I await the outcome of your Clinic visit with interest.
The NICE Clinical Guidelines are:

1.6.3
Exenatide – GLP-1 mimetic
1.6.3.1
Exenatide is not recommended for routine use in type 2 diabetes.
1.6.3.2
Consider exenatide as an option only if all the following apply for the individual:
•
a body mass index over 35.0 kg/m2 in those of European descent, with appropriate adjustment in tailoring this advice for other ethnic groups
•specific problems of a psychological, biochemical or physical nature arising from high body weight
•
inadequate blood glucose control (HbA1c ≥ 7.5%) with conventional oral agents after a trial of metformin and sulfonylurea
NICE clinical guideline 66 – type 2 diabetes 16
•
other high-cost medication, such as a thiazolidinedione or insulin injection therapy, would otherwise be started.
1.6.3.3
Continue exenatide therapy only if a beneficial metabolic response (at least 1.0 percentage point HbA1c reduction in 6 months and a weight loss of at least 5% at 1 year) occurs and is maintained

I know the guidelines appear to be routinely ignored as and when it suits the medical pro's - but this does seem strange. Dennis, do you have any info regarding this anomaly ?

Ken

 

[Dennis]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Ken,

I agree that it does appear to be an anomaly but it seems that, where Byetta is prescribed or recommended as the preferred treatment by a consultant, PCTs are out-ranked and don't argue - they just sign off the prescriptions! I think that most doctors and consultants who prescribe Byetta work on the principle that if they have tried everything else with little success then they can't very well refuse a treatment that is known to have a very high success rate. If they did then they could risk a legal action for deliberately withholding medication from a patient.

I also believe that the NICE guidelines were very obviously written by someone who knows nothing about how Byetta works. NICE obviously regards Byetta simply as an alternative therapy to biguanides, sulphonylureas and glitazones and, whilst it does do all that each of those does, it's main action is unique - something that no other type 2 treatment does. The GLP-1 mimetic triggers the pancreas to start first phase insulin production but, unlike sulphonylureas, without the risk of burning out the pancreas. Research in the US last year shows that autoimmune suppression of first phase production may be a root cause in as many as 40% of type 2 diabetes cases. So Byetta is not just a replacement for existing meds, but provides a further dimension in treating one of the causes of diabetes that NICE seem to be unaware of the existence of!

The only alternative to Byetta in treating this autoimmune attack on GIP and GLP-1 incretins is a medication called sitagliptin (Januvia). This works by killing of the autoimmune enzyme DPP-4, the enzyme that attacks our incretins. But the treatment is a double edged sword - the main function of DPP-4 is to kill cancer cells, so by stopping DPP-4 from working we are also reducing the body's natural defence against cancer. It is for this reason that many consultants regard Januvia as a high-risk treatment and are reluctant to prescribe it.

 

[cugila]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Cheers Dennis.
I knew I could rely on you for a good answer. I hope BB gets what she needs at the clinic appointment.
Live long and prosper.

Ken

 

[banjo brunette]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Dennis and Ken, thanks for your replies.
Hmmm, I'm looking forward to my visit to the clinic too. I'll look at the NICE guidelines. I've been sent along as my GP, who is our Diabetes specialist in th surgery, is at a bit of a loss as to what to prescribe next. My HbA1c levels are above 8 and climbing so something must be done... This diabetologist may have a jab-free, cunning plan up her sleeve.

Dennis, you were typing at the same time as me. Your reply to Ken's point about NICE giuidelines is very interesting.

Cheers, BB

 

[philipc]

1 week in....

I suppose that I should not be looking for miracles in the first week....

There have been positives and negatives i guess using this byetta.

I Lost 1.8lbs in the first few days - then nothing... I trust this is the body getting used to things and I guess my diet pills still working... but a loss is a loss.

Am now starting to get constipation - which should be normal i guess as the digestive tract slows down...

BMs are getting lower, which is good, and the windy feeling has gone - although it is very noticable...

My head is still in the routine of " Eat at X OClock" - which means that I eat when i did before, and not because I have to - guess I have to listen to my body more....

My Mum ( 31 and live at home lol) - says I smell "funny" - because of the drug... dont know whether to thank her or not...

I trust the weight loss and things come with time and I really should not expect things to happen in 7 days!! - After all the body is getting used to this bloody drug...

Although tonight I feel like death warmed up!!

P

 

[Dennis]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Philip,

Yes it will take a week or two to become acclimatised to it so don't expect any immediate results. Once your body is accepting the medication you should see a steady reduction in both weight and blood sugar each week, although the BS reduction seems to be greater on the 10mcg dose. I can't say I have ever noticed any smell and my wife says I don't smell any different (not sure whether or not that's a good thing!).

You may find that you move away from a rigid pattern of eating and have a meal more when you feel like it. But it is important to have 3 meals a day, even if the portions in each get smaller as the appetite diminishes.

 

[Neilharri]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi I am Neil 51 (British Expat) Living in Abu Dhabi in the uae, I have been type 2 for about 5 years, my local diabetologist is confident that using the Byetta injection system that my glucose levels will level out. He has personally trialed a number of patients and has seen encouraging results. I have had problems keeping my gluco levels stable with oral medications and have dropped cozior and now using just byeeta and glucophage. First day today, will post progress to you all.

 

[Dennis]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Neil and welcome to the forum.

Let us know how you get on with the Byetta and if there's anything you need to know about it just fire away. I suggest that you work your way back through all the various posts on Byetta as they contain a huge amount of information and advice that you may find useful. But I warn you - there are 31 pages to plough through!

 

[fiona35]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Well 5 mths after starting Byetta it is finally starting to do the job regarding the weight loss and appetite reduction!

I am slowly losing weight each week now and am finding my appetite especially in the evening has been greatly reduced. Sometimes I have to force myself to eat a few mouthfuls! I am glad something has finally happened as my review is in April and I was terrified that they would take me off Byetta for not losing 5% of my body weight.

I guess everyone is different and Byetta is going to be unique to each individual, I just wish that when they put you on Byetta they don't hype up the miracle weight loss that occurs in most individuals, its really disheartening to keep going back and have your healthcare team harp on about the marvelous weight losses when you are just staying the same!

 

[cugila]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Well 5 mths after starting Byetta
I am slowly losing weight each week now and am finding my appetite especially in the evening has been greatly reduced. Sometimes I have to force myself to eat a few mouthfuls! I am glad something has finally happened as my review is in April and I was terrified that they would take me off Byetta for not losing 5% of my body weight.

Fiona
It's 5% within 1 year - plenty of time left, and I'm sure it's not critical.
Ken

 

[vivkaroo]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

dennis got the byetta back again today the specialist was a little hesitant but said he will monitor me every 4 weeks i went to hull royal infirmary to get it it is in the fridge now i think cos its mothers day i will start monday as i have ordered the needles as i didnt have any from last time got a 5mg and 10mg so i will start on 5mg for 4weeks then 10 then i see the specialist again if things ok i can carry on with gp prescriptions i am bit wary 2nd time around as you know i was ok first time for 6 months then couldnt keep food down however he said i should recognise the previos sypmtoms if the repeat then i have to come off them for the last time, i said i had been on diabetes uk and felt i was a lot more educated because this has really educated me a lot i will do what i did before injections then 15 mins later breakfast found that helped sickness, oh god hope it has been the metformin not the byetta it is trial and error hoping i can get this stone and half back off i lost when on the byetta gotta take one glucoghage and byetta and one glucoghage and byetta at tea time will keep in touch let you know how it goes sorry its long post but wanted to let other know it was my second attempt before i go dennis why do i always get that edit symbol up on my post new learner at this

 

[Dennis]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Viv,

Knowing what you went through last time I'm sure all of us will be keeping our fingers crossed for you this time - might make typing a bit difficult though! - on second thoughts it might improve mine!!

The edit symbol is there in case you post something and then want to change it afterwards. Just click on the little "Edit" box and it will let you change the text. Then just "Submit" again like you did when you first posted it.

 

[vivkaroo]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

hi dennis got the needles today and sharps bin the latter with bit difficulty anyway we all ready for off but as its my special day sunday you know mummsy day dont want to spoil it so starting monday on byetta then wont spoil weekend i am having alittle prob with my counting carbs i usually have cereal but find it bit difficult to know what to have in place cant keep having eggs still cant get rid that little blighter the edit :?

 

[candy1567]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi everyone

Well 2.5 stone lost since mid Jan, yipee only another 46 to go!!! (joking)

Although i cant see where ive lost the weight, i think ive got very slim toes now

this stuff is great, hope it carries on workin

Juliexx

 

[carolynjw]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

I'm glad everyone sounds really positive - I am going onto 10mcg a week tomorrow and have booked some time off work to monitor my sugars.

Happy mothering Sunday everyone.

:mrgreen:

 

[nabser]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi i am from Waterford in Ireland and was diagnosed type 2 on Christmas Eve 2007.I did not know anything about it until i came round in intensive care three days later to be told that i had died but got me back (obviously as i am still here) there worry was i had about 30 mins left before i went into a full on diabetic coma but thankfully i pulled through.My blood sugars were 96.4 :shock: and knowing what i know now one very lucky chap to be alive,but i have been on byetta from the start was on lantus at night for two months but they took me off that so now i use two 10ml injections of byetta and three 1000mg glucophage a day and one 30mg tablet of zoton,i was twenty one and a half stone now at twelve and a half stone but i dont put much of that down to byetta just change in diet and plenty of exercise,also my blood sugars have not gone above 5.9 since February 2008,so all the changes for me have definitely worked and byetta has played a part in that for sure.