BYETTA

tinam

Member
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20
Re: Anyone use Byetta?

hiya, thanks for your replies, i didnt think i was feeling quite right after the injection, the nurse did say that the injection wont bring down the blood levels too much may be she got it wrong. i love to read all the messages of how people are feeling really good but im still waiting for it to happento me. im still always tired and cold. i have docs appointment on tuesday so ill see what he says. i think you guys no more than the nurses and docs that prescribe byetta. so its good that you help every one. keep up the good work.sorry ment to ask what is a good level for my blood to be at say after food. thanks x
 

cugila

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Re: Anyone use Byetta?

hi tinam.

The Feb 2009 guidelines for Bg levels are as follows:

Fasting Bg.......................between 4 - 7 mmol/l
2 Hrs after meals...............No more than 8.5 mmol/l

If you can try to remain within those figures, you won't go far wrong.

Ken. :D
 

tinam

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Re: Anyone use Byetta?

thanks ken . just thought i would make sure i think ive taken all this quite lightly but starting to worry now. i thought i could just get better even though i knew i couldnt. i sound quite ignorant to this... not that i ment to though. i probably dont eat the right kinda foods. but all that will change from now on. instead of snack meals it will be proper food. i hope the numbness in my foot isnt anything to do with the diabetes. will see doc on tuesday. thanksx
 

Dennis

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Re: Anyone use Byetta?

philipc said:
Generally things are doing ok - blood sugars have not decreased yet - still at 9-10 before a meal but i feel brilliant. this could have something to do with the fact that I have lost just about 1/2 stone in the first month on the drug, which i guess is ok - but I am not happy it isnt shifting as fast as I would like so have restarted the xenical alongside the drug (apparently you CAN do this - according to the doctors!!)
Hi Phil,

Byetta isn't a miracle weight loss medication! A loss of half a stone a month is pretty good by any standards. Your doctors are right in that xenical and Byetta can be used together, but they have only given you half the story. The manufacturers have stated (and agreed by the European Medical Examinations Agency who tested Byetta for licencing in Europe) that because of the way Byetta slows gastric emptying it reduces the effectiveness of coadministered drugs (in some cases to the point of the coadministered drug being rendered completely ineffective). The recommendation is that Xenical should either be taken more than an hour before your Byetta injection or at least 4 hours after the injection. They suggest that for maximum effectiveness the coadministered drug should be taken in conjunction with a meal where you won't be taking Byetta. That makes good sense to me.

With regards to this - I am thinking of restarting the gym ( I stopped because of the drug side effects making me sick) - would cardio be the best idea or would you stick some resistance training in there??

Am going to the 10microgram probably sometime next week - as I have only had one really bad set of side effects ( 3 days off work with tiredness and all sorts of toilet probs) - would I expect more of the same??
Can't help with exercise advise - not my area of expertise! On moving up to the 10mcg dose most people suffer the same effects they did on starting the 5mcg dose, but for less time. So if you suffered a week of nausea on the 5 dose you may suffer 3 or 4 days of the same at the 10 dose. If you had no nausea at 5 then it is very likely that you won't experience it at 10 either.
 

Pumpkin

Member
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22
Re: Anyone use Byetta?

tinam said:
hiya, hope every1 is ok. just a quick question does any1 ever get really cold after there injection i do about an hour and half after every injection. ive been on the 10mg for a few months and doing ok with it now. nurse was pleased at last visit. my bloods have dropped to an average of about 5 but sometimes falls to just over 3. thanks

Tina I am exactly like you - I was on 5mcg for 4 weeks (no side effects) and have now been on 10 for almost 2 weeks and feel dizzy, nauseus, and COLD.
I suddenly feel very cold and start to shiver, then my blood reading has dropped to 3.4 - usually mid evening. I was on amaryl 4mg (am also on 6x500 metformin but am told they don't give hypos.) I dropped my amaryl to 2mg but still bloods drop to 3's so am now stopping the amaryl altogethr to see if that helps as I hate these hypos and feel poor all day long.
 

cugila

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Re: Anyone use Byetta?

pumpkin said:
Tina I am exactly like you - I was on 5mcg for 4 weeks (no side effects) and have now been on 10 for almost 2 weeks and feel dizzy, nauseus, and COLD.
I suddenly feel very cold and start to shiver, then my blood reading has dropped to 3.4 - usually mid evening. I was on amaryl 4mg (am also on 6x500 metformin but am told they don't give hypos.) I dropped my amaryl to 2mg but still bloods drop to 3's so am now stopping the amaryl altogethr to see if that helps as I hate these hypos and feel poor all day long.[/quote]

Hi pumpkin.
Sorry to hear you are not doing too well with the Byetta.
It may well be that the Amaryl is affecting you and causing you to go into the Hypo zone. It may also be the fact you might not need to take the 10mcg Byetta. Many people stay on the 5mcg with good results.

You shouldnt be adjusting your meds without discussing it with your HCP's who will look at everything, not just one area.
I strongly advise you to go back and see them and get this sorted. Hope you will improve.
Ken. :D
 

Jude

Well-Known Member
Messages
430
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hello to everyone

Just to keep you updated on my progress towards Byetta. My DSN spoke to me on thursday and is coming to see me at home on 21st April with a view to starting me on the Byetta. She has contacted my GP surgery asking them to prescribe the Byetta and I have to chase that up and get the prescription for when Kath comes.
I must say that I am feeling a little disheartened at the moment and pessimistic that the Byetta will be any better than all the other stuff which hasnt worked - any advice - ?? I started on Metformin nearly 4 years ago when diagnosed, then 18 months ago added in Gliclazide and last November DSN put me on to Lantus and I dropped the Gliclazide. Now I am preparing to drop the Lantus and start Byetta - I am determined to live through any side effects (have IBS!!) after all I have worked through many side effects over the years. Am and still will be on Metformin.
I know my diet isnt as diabetic friendly as it could be but the IBS and the diabetes cross swords when it comes to food - I think I should give up food then I might be able to lose my weight and the oral thrush which is being persistent (have posted on Candida thread).
Any help greatly appreciated.

:roll: Jude :lol:
 

cugila

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Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Jude.

I think you are worrying too much - if you get Byetta you will have to see how YOU fare on it. We are all different.

It is probably the best drug around if you need better control of your Bg levels, and also want to lose weight. It does help if you can also sort out a good Diet that you can cope with.

Don't believe all the scare stories you read - that's just things said by ill informed people.
Just take it one step at a time - it will get better. Remember we are all here for you.

Ken. :D
 

Jude

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Messages
430
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Thanks Ken for your encouragement - I desperately need it at the moment.

Jude 8)
 

vivkaroo

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Re: Anyone use Byetta?

HI JUDE ITS VIVKAROO dont be
:( at least wait till you try byetta i spoke with you this my second try on byetta as you know first time really ill second time its been like a miracle so much energy no sick feeling up to now back on the 10 end of the month my ibs is better than its ever been have faith jude it might be what you have been waiting fori do think though diet also plays big part it has to be right but do we ever get it right probably not i went to my sons the other side of the humber bridge and believe it or not they both had magnum ice lollies and you know what i sat there and real good didnt have one but by god i could have eaten one :lol: hope you have all had nice easter :D xx
 

tinam

Member
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20
Re: Anyone use Byetta?

hi pumpkin, thats exsactly the same as me... thought i was going a bit insane he he. i have docs on tuesday if he aint any help ill phone diabetic nurse at hospital they have a drop in clinic most days ill let u no how i get on and u let me no how u get on . take care
 

cugila

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Re: Anyone use Byetta?

tinam said:
hi pumpkin, thats exsactly the same as me... thought i was going a bit insane he he. i have docs on tuesday if he aint any help ill phone diabetic nurse at hospital they have a drop in clinic most days ill let u no how i get on and u let me no how u get on . take care

hi tinam.

If you are in the same circumstances as pumpkin - then the same advice applies to you too.

With the best will in the world, most GP's are not experts on Diabetes. My own Gp freely admit's I know more about it than he does ! Honest man.

Why not get referred to an Endocrinologist if you are not getting sound advice ? They are expert's in this area and will tell the GP what is best. A second opinion is your right and not a criticism of your GP.

Hope this helps.
Ken
:D
 

vivkaroo

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Re: Anyone use Byetta?

HI JUDE my gp didnt understand byetta at all even when i was 9 months on it he would say well mmmm i just write the prescriptions but your diabetic nurse and specialist DO understand gps think it is too expensive but in time they will understand it cant be that bad i am on my second try and feel amazing wether it lasts who knows we have to keep trying you have nothing to lose you can at least say you have tried eh jude nothing is perfect but if it makes us a lot better its worth a try i no you have ibs like me but worry makes ibs worse i have had ibs for yrs most of my lifeplease try not to worry jude and if you can try the byetta i find i cannot have big amount i eat smaller portions now good luck let me know when you start on byetta lots of people on here to help they have all helped me i have just spent easter weekend with my 4 yr ol d grandson it was lovely i have been on my own 17yrs but my grandchildren are my world and keep me going they are very precious to me just thought you might like to know that about me been so good over easter with the chocolate not had any (been a real good girl)bye jude :D
 

vivkaroo

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Re: Anyone use Byetta?

sorry about edit and x cant get rid of them dennis told me how but they must like me (not real good on computer only had it about 1 year so apologies if they annoy annyone i keep trying to get rid of them but dont know how :? vivkaroo
 

cugila

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Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi viv.
Glad to hear you had a nice time with the GrandKids over the Holiday. Also glad to hear the Byetta is working for you this time. :D Time for that break now I think.

As far as your Edit and X problem goes. It isn.t a problem !!
I have sent you a PM explaining all, check your inbox.


Regards
Ken. :D
 

tinam

Member
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Re: Anyone use Byetta?

hiya ken, thanks for the advice i will ask the doc about it tomoz. i can phone the diabetic nurse they have a drop in center at the hospital so i might do that . thanks again
 

Slaing

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Messages
3
Re: Anyone use Byetta?

I started Byetta last Friday so that's 5 days. I don't feel nauseous any more, only had one bad evening with that but I have a lot of abdominal, maybe even chest, discomfort. So I'm worried about whether this is the pancreas. I am also jittery and edgy, which is not like me. That does seem to be a side effect. Anyone else felt like this. I am really hoping it will pass. Will speak to diabetic nurse tomorrow.
 

Dennis

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Type of diabetes
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Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Slaing and welcome to the forum.

The jittery and edgy feeling is typical of low blood sugar (hypo) levels. Have you tested your BS when you experience this?
 

cugila

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Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi slaing.
Welcome.
What Dennis said is spot on. I feel edgy when my Bg drops to around 4mmol/l. I also lose concentration. Any little task becomes a struggle. As for pains etc, Byetta is a powerful drug, it takes a while for your body to get used to it. It usually does pass.

Hope that helps.

Ken. :D