BYETTA

[tizzzzy]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

I've found this site very useful - http://www.diabetesexplained.com/byetta.html. I'm sorry I'm not sure how to do links, maybe someone will convert it for me, else just copy into search engine

Hi tizzzzy.

Had a look at the site after travelling a roundabout route.

Whilst there is some good information there it is not by any means up to date. Please check back here for correct up to date info.

I don't think you read the actual page I was refering to - The Use And Side Effects
Of Byetta.
This page gave a very good introduction to the use of Byetta, giving an explanation as to the basics of Byetta in an easy to read and understand format. It also gave several hints as how to combat the feeling of nausea, which I thought would be of use to those that were suffering this, there was also several pointers re other side effects some may experience, i.e. gas, constipation, hair loss, sleeping problems, bruising etc. and help regarding these. All in all I thought it was a positive article and there were no areas that could be 'up or out of date'.

 

[cugila]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Tizzzzy.

YOU have misread what I said.

I stated that it was a good site for information and that SOME of it was out of date and incorrect. I stand by that comment. I could give chapter and verse of the information that is wrong or outdated but what is the point. You say it is OK, I don't. We will have to agree to differ.

I am not in the habit of giving people outdated or incorrect information on this website.

I DID read the page you quoted and it is very good. I also read much more than that. You have directed us to the website. Your link is not 'clickable'. If you check on the last date it was updated it was 2007 ! Things have moved on in Diabetes and the Byetta world too.

My comment to you about the WHOLE site was no criticism of you or the Byetta page ?????

 

[tizzzzy]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Ok but in my defence I did say I could not work links, and I only read the page I quoted.

 

[cugila]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Ok but in my defence I did say I could not work links, and I only read the page I quoted.

OK, fair enough. Here is a 'clickable' link to the page you recommended.

http://www.diabetesexplained.com/byetta.html

 

[jansouth]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi All
My DN specialist nurse has contacted me to say that Byetta is now available once daily, and she wants to see me to move me on to it. She said it is much more refined to be in tune with the human body so less side effects. Anyone have any advice?
Best regards
Janet

 

[cugila]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi All
My DN specialist nurse has contacted me to say that Byetta is now available once daily, and she wants to see me to move me on to it. She said it is much more refined to be in tune with the human body so less side effects. Anyone have any advice?
Best regards
Janet

Hi Janet.

Was a bit surprised to see this ? Byetta once daily is NOT available in the UK yet as it has no approval here. I have spoken to a contact at the Lilly HQ who assures me that is still the case and there is no projected launch date until approval is granted. So. watch this space.

I wonder if the Nurse means Victoza (Liraglutide) which is once daily ?

 

[heatherb]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi

I'm new to this site and was wondering if anyone can give me some advice/tips. I'm a type 2, taking insulin and metformin, who has now been prescribed Byetta. This is my second week on it, and haven't really seen a need to drop the amount of insulin i'm taking. I'm quite insulin resistant, take 50, 50, 70 Novorapid and 70 insultard and 4 x 500g metformin daily. When should i expect to see a drop in insulin requirement?
Comments much appreciated.

 

[cugila]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Heatherb.
Welcome to the forum.

You should be able to start dropping the Insulin once your Bg levels start to come down. When that happens is an individual thing. You haven't been taking the Byetta very long so you must give it some time. Diet control also has a large part to play in this. Carbohydrates need to be reduced quite drastically - then you will see a change.

Have you discussed reducing your Insulin with your GP/Nurse at all ?

 

[Sammi]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Can anyone give me any advice?

I learnt of Byetta at least five years ago when I used to see a doctor at the London diabetes centre (where I was diagnosed). This was a private arrangement before my care passed to the NHS.

I currently take 4 x 500mg of metformin and have reasonably good control but my consultant at the London diabetes centre said it would be beneficial for me in helping me to lose weight. Anyway, since that time I've worked my butt off and lost some weight doing weight watchers and gym 3 times a week. But then I plateaued and the weight has started to creep back on even though I am still very careful about what I eat and still do lots of exercise. I have my diabetes review next week and would really love to try Byetta to say if it can help me. I have my diabetes review next week and plan to ask about Byetta. Can anyone give me any advice on how I can persuade my care team to prescribe it for me?

 

[cugila]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Sammi.

There are some quite strict guidelines which are the criteria GP's/Consultants use when prescribing Byetta. Here is the relevant info from the NICE 2009 guidelines. There is also the attitude of the PCT to factor in as well. They are sometimes reluctant to pay for it ?

1.6.3 GLP-1 mimetic (exenatide)
1.6.3.1 Consider adding a GLP-1 mimetic (exenatide) as third-line therapy to first-line metformin and a second-line sulfonylurea when control of blood glucose remains or becomes inadequate (HbA1c ≥ 7.5%, or other higher level agreed with the individual), and the person has:

• a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35.0 kg/m2 in those of European descent (with appropriate adjustment for other ethnic groups) and specific psychological or medical problems associated with high body weight, or

• a BMI < 35.0 kg/m2, and therapy with insulin would have significant occupational implications or weight loss would benefit other significant obesity-related comorbidities.

1.6.3.2 Only continue GLP-1 mimetic (exenatide) therapy if the person has had a beneficial metabolic response (a reduction of at least 1.0 percentage point in HbA1c and a weight loss of at least 3% of initial body weight at 6 months).

Byetta is very good but diet HAS to be changed as well. It will then work much better.

 

[eken95]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi

I'm new to this site and was wondering if anyone can give me some advice/tips. I'm a type 2, taking insulin and metformin, who has now been prescribed Byetta. This is my second week on it, and haven't really seen a need to drop the amount of insulin i'm taking. I'm quite insulin resistant, take 50, 50, 70 Novorapid and 70 insultard and 4 x 500g metformin daily. When should i expect to see a drop in insulin requirement?
Comments much appreciated.

It took me quite a while for numbers to drop, months not weeks, It's still not right but getting there especially with the weight loss - 3 stone and still dropping

 

[AliB]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

I was on it for three months from July to October 2007. I think I was a bit of an experiment. Apparently though, according to Eli Lilly I shouldn't have been put on it because I was already on insulin. I did waver a bit when I told the DS I would do some research on it and let him know if I would go ahead and take it and he said that in that case when I came back for my next visit I would probably know more about it than him!!!! Some specialist.

What I read seemed to be ok, and who doesn't want to lose weight if they can do it without dieting!

I did lose weight - about a stone and a half. It did nothing for my blood sugar - probably because I don't put out enough on my own, and boy, did I have stomach problems.

The Doctor took me off it after 3 months because, as he said, the 'sacrifice' wasn't worth it.

My stomach pains didn't get any better even off it and three months later my digestion collapsed. It has taken me 18 months to rebuild it, and I am not out of the woods yet.

I have struggled with Candida issues most of my life, and I now believe that something in the drug caused the Candida and/or other gut bugs to proliferate. I was a walking fungus-factory.

Perhaps those for whom Candida is not an issue, or not much of an issue are ok with it, but it didn't do me any favours at all. Stomach problems do seem to be a pretty major issue with it - I was on a forum at the time with others who were on it and I wasn't the only one with issues. Whilst I had one of the more extreme experiences, many seemed to have very unstable energy levels and digestive issues. Some did seem to be ok with it though.

I think it just depends totally on the individual and how they react. These days I am highly suspicious of any drugs and if I could get off the Metformin and Insulin I'd drop them tomorrow. Certainly though the low-carb diet is keeping my sugars a lot lower - and getting to grips with the Candida into the bargain.

 

[thedame]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi

This is my first post and I would like to say thanks to all those who have contributed to this thread which provides a good insight into the real highs and lows of Byetta

I am 58 and have been overwight all my life. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about 8 years ago and at first regained good control of my blood sugars with diet and Metformin but since then I have had a lot of ups and downs - more 'ups' when it comes to weight! I think you could say the main cause was "life", you know the usual stresses we all face from time to time plus an ingrained compulsion to comfort eat.

So when my diabetes nurse mentioned Byetta I was keen to know more, especially as last year I had a very bad reaction to a drug called Accomplia - a weight loss drug with the side effect of lowering blood sugars which was prescribed by my specialist. I am about to start on Byetta and thanks to people like the contributors on here, I am well aware of what to look out for and not to despair if I suffer from some of the common side-effects. Here's hoping I will get along with this new medication and see some good results. I will come back and let you know how it goes.

 

[cugila]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi.
Welcome to the forum. Have a good look around the other areas and if you have any questions then just ask away ?

Hope you get on OK with the Byetta. There are plenty of experienced users on here keen to help.

 

[Trulee]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Sorry all -haven't been around for quite a while, BUT the good news is I have now managed, with the help of my diabetes clinic, to persuade my PCT to prescribe Byetta for me.

I started on it on Thursday this week, but have a question if anyone on here is in a similar position to me.

I have been type II for 12 or so years, had a heart attack last December and have a hiatus hernia (the pain from which is the most similar 'mimic' to heart attack pain you can get - can you see my dilemma??)

I take Lansaprolole to control the hernia, which it has done successfully for th last nine months, and was asked by the diabetes team to change the time I take it so that I dont take it with the Byetta, which I have done. Unfortunatly since starting the Byetta on Thursday morning I have had constant pain and discomfort from the hernia, making me wonder on more than one occasion if it was heart pain or not.

I really dont want to go to A&E because I know their automatic reaction will be to admit me and carry out tests.

Does anyone else take the same meds as me, or has had a similar 'reaction' to Byetta as this?

Am getting to my wits end with it - win one battle and start another war at the minute is how it feels

 

[cugila]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Trulee.

This is something that you need to get checked out ASAP.

If that means A & E then so be it ? At the very least you need to discuss this with a GP or even NHS Direct....0845 4647. Byetta has some side effects which you need to have checked out.

 

[Trulee]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

sorry Cugila - which side effects were you thinking of - I cant find any other than the nausea that might be a problem?

 

[cugila]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Trulee.

I am not trying to frighten you, but there are some serious side effects that can happen. Now if you want to trawl through all the previous posts they are listed there and I could pm you with them as well. Nausea is the least of the problems.

We cannot diagnose here, that is why I suggested you get some medical advice ASAP. That is still the case.

You are new to Byetta, please trust me it MUST be checked out properly. Hanging around, waiting for answers is not what you should be doing ! I would much rather you were safe than sorry.

 

[FordPrefect]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Cugila has a point here. I am younger and dont have any heart problems and my specialist advised me to stop treatement immediately and get an appointment back with him asap if I encounter any problems. I havent started yet as having to wait to see my GP on tuesday, and no doubt then back to the diabetes clinic to be shown how to inject etc before I can start on byetta myself.

 

[Trulee]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Cugila
Sorry - was in a foul mood last night and shouldn't take it out on others - so I apologise.

I am going to see how it goes today - I appreciate your comments, but I also stand by something my doctor told me many moons ago - that most of the time I know my body better than he does. If the pain changes or gets worse, then of course I will do something, BUT at the moment it is giving me MY classic hernia pain so I will wait until I can speak to him tomorrow before I do anything else.

I was just wondering last night if anyone else was in the same position as me and had had the same problems.

I have had a four year fight for Byetta - I introduced it to Sir Steve Redgrave;s consultant before it was licenced in this country, so I do know a fair bit about it, but it just seems that every time I take a step forward with my treatment (and it seems to have had an 'instant' effect on my BS) then someone goes 'can't have that, now what can we throw at it to spoil it'.

I will have a trawl through the thread, but I'm sorry I 'bit' at you last night, thats not my normal demeanour, it had just been a very long day.

Trulee