BYETTA

[cugila]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Trulee.

No need for any apology I assure you. I have had much worse :twisted:

I had a triple by-pass in 2004 so I have a certain knowledge of pain like Angina from before that Op. Last night I was more concerned that you get the proper advice and treatment and that if needed it was from a Professional.

Some people on Byetta have had serious gastric problems and that was my main concern. Your complex problems are not something any of us here could hope to work out. I still think you should discuss it with your GP. I have known some think, 'Oh, it's not important.' Just a nagging pain. Then they ended up in Hospital as an emergency.

Hope everything gets sorted and please let us know how you get on.

 

[Trulee]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Thanks Cugila
Think some of last night was just frustration at having fought so long, the first couple of days being really good - no sickness or anything and then feeling like it was back to square one again.

TBH the problems I was having last night have subsided to a little 'discomfort' and what are generally MY hernia signs this morning - found something early in this thread about someone else on Lanzaprolole which was what I suspected might be giving me the problem, so will definitely speak to my GP about it tomorrow and see if there is another way we can treat the hernia - though until I had the heart attack the hernia never gave me a problem so am convinced some of the heart meds aggravate it anyway :roll: :roll: - but thats another story!!

I also understand that Byetta can cause indigestion, so more indigestion on top of what I already suffer, with a drug that is now being affected by another would seem to be a logical answer to how I'm feeling

I will continue through the thread and I do promise that if anything untoward happens A&E will bemy first port of call.

Trulee

 

[humph]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

If you get severe abdominal pain with Byetta or Victoza, don't ignore it, get medical advice.

 

[Trulee]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

hi Humph - thanks for that but its not 'abdominal' pain that I get - my hernia is in the top of my stomach in the diagphram which is why it presents as chest pain

 

[cugila]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

AaH !

That's what had me confused. I was under the impression that a Hiatus Hernia is where part of the stomach slides up through the diaphragm ? Hence as the stomach is part of the abdomen, we all thought an abdominal problem ?

So the pain you were talking about must have been like heartburn then ? That is the usual symptom of at least one type of hiatus hernia.

For the benefit of others there are some things you can do to alleviate the problem, see below.
1. Eat small frequent meals rather than occasional large meals
2. Try not to have spicy foods, coffee and alcohol as these can make your symptoms worse
3. Don't go to bed on a full stomach
4. Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes
5. If you smoke, try to stop - smoking increases the risks of reflux problems
6. Lose weight if you are overweight or obese
7. Sleep propped up on plenty of pillows or with the head end of the bed raised by about

If symptoms persist then you should always discuss with your GP.

 

[thedame]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi
Looking for some advice re injecting. I have just taken my second dose of Byetta- with the first one, this morning, there were 2 drops on the end of the needle after I removed it (left it in a good 10 seconds) but this time it came out clean. However one both occasions, the triangle was not centered in the dose window but I could rotate the dial ok to reset it.

Is this cause for concern - I can't think why a full dose is not being delivered as I am pressing firmly on the end button? Any advice from other users would be much appreciated - for instance, if I was not receiving any medication can I presume that the end would not rotate at all?

Thanks

 

[cugila]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi.
First of all I suggest that you re-set the pen as per the instructions and check that a flow of Byetta comes from the needle.

The Triangle can sometimes be a little offset, luck of the draw as they say.

Providing, after the re-set, you have flow from the needle, then at the next injection make sure that you turn clockwise AND then pull out the plunger before turning clockwise again till the number 5/10 appears in the window. Then inject. There may well be a small drop at the end of the needle, this is normal.

 

[Trulee]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Cugila
You are right about a hiatus hernia being part of the stomach through the diagphram, but with most hiatal hernias the pain is as I described the lower part of the chest radiating to the back arms, throat and neck, some people get heartburn some dont and I consider myself lucky that I dont :?

The list of suggestions is the 'standard' one for hiatus hernia and one that I have lived by for the last nine months or so.

BUT - and it has taken me all day to think about it as I have now read all 76 pages of this thread :roll: - I think I have found the answer on page 73 :lol: :lol: :lol:

'Who said I have to take Byetta with my breakfast?' :roll: :roll: :roll: They have asked me not to take the Lanzaprolole at th same time as the Byetta, so I - like a numpty - automatically moved the Lanzaprolole to the middle of the day when I know it works best taken first thing. SO - from tomorrow I will take the Byetta at lunch and dinner by adjusting dinner an hour later - in the words of the Meercat 'simples' - why didn't I suss it before :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

thanks everyone for putting up with my bad mood all day today.

 

[cugila]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Trulee.

In my experience a small glass of Red Wine does wonders for the mood....... :lol:

 

[Trulee]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Trulee.

In my experience a small glass of Red Wine does wonders for the mood....... :lol:

unfortunately dont like red wine, but do you think a glass of rose would be OK?? :wink:

 

[cugila]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Why not.... I might even join you. Cheers.

 

[Trulee]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

cheers

 

[thedame]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi.
First of all I suggest that you re-set the pen as per the instructions and check that a flow of Byetta comes from the needle.

The Triangle can sometimes be a little offset, luck of the draw as they say.

Providing, after the re-set, you have flow from the needle, then at the next injection make sure that you turn clockwise AND then pull out the plunger before turning clockwise again till the number 5/10 appears in the window. Then inject. There may well be a small drop at the end of the needle, this is normal.

Thanks for the swift and helpful reply Cugila. I followed your instructions and now the arrow is in the centre of the window as it should be Will report back with progress soon :wink:

 

[Trulee]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Just a quick update - and a thank you to everyone for yesterday.

Lanzaprolole taken with breakfast - hernia is more or less back 'under control' just a little discomfort which could be extra indigestion provided by the Byetta but could just be it settling down again, but whatever it is a hundred times better than yesterday and Saturday

Just taken Byetta with lunch and no sickness or any other problems so will see how it goes.

Just quickie though - haven't felt at all hungry taking the Byetta morning and evening, but by lunchtime today was absolutely starving - have had a tuna roll and a yogurt for lunch but not sure if I really feel 'full' or not - am worried I may get the munchies in a bit - might this be because I've left it longer than usual between doses?

Oooh - and btw, have lost 4lb since Thursday :!: :!:

 

[cugila]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Just quickie though - haven't felt at all hungry taking the Byetta morning and evening, but by lunchtime today was absolutely starving - have had a tuna roll and a yogurt for lunch but not sure if I really feel 'full' or not - am worried I may get the munchies in a bit - might this be because I've left it longer than usual between doses ?

Hi Trulee.

As you are starting a new regimen with the Byetta it probably will take a little while to adjust to your new eating habits. Just keep an eye on the Bg levels and try to avoid the 'munchies', if you do get them try healthy options instead of carby stuff.

Nice to hear about your weight loss with Byetta - ' it does exactly what it says on the tin ! '

 

[Trulee]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Guys - now 6 days into first month on Byetta - no real sickness but have felt 'queasy' all afternoon.

First couple of days really good, then probs with hernia medication - so have moved Byetta to lunch and evening meals - BUT - since I did am suddenly hungry again and BG's seem all over the place

Think I'm going to have to ask Dr/DSN how long I have to leave between Lansaprolole and Byetta - think I really need to get the Byetta back earlier in the morning - even if it means getting up a bit earlier to take the Lansaprolole before it :roll:

Oh - and on the weight issue - lost 4lb initially, Wii fit says I put 2lb back on yesterday and lost a 1lb today :roll:

 

[lynnelink]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi

I started on byetta on friday and already my sugar has come down from 22 to8 the side affects can be quite frightening when you read them but i have had very mild naseau with it but now have so much more energy. I am on insulatard glucophage and now beyetta and would recommend it even though only been on it for a few days.

Lynne

 

[Dennis]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Lynne and welcome to the club!

That's a very impressive drop in such a short space of time, but has your medical team warned you that you will most likely need to drop your insulin dose? The Byetta will be encouraging your pancreas to produce the correct dose of insulin to cope with what you are eating, so continuing to inject additional insulin can often result in too much insulin and too low a BS level (i.e. hypo).

You will need to keep a careful check and test your BS levels at least twice a day to ensure you don't encroach into hypo-land.

 

[thedame]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi

Have now been on Byetta for 5 days and doing well. Thought I would pop back and give an update. BS coming down nicely fasting one was 13.9 when I started and now around 8 - I am aware that this can fluctuate a bit at first but it is fluctuating the right way :wink: I experienced nausea and a feeling of being spaced out for the first few days but this has subsided to a mild sick feeling about 2 hours after breakfast and can be "cured" with cider vinegar in water or some sugar free ginger ale (thanks to other member's suggestions for these ). The only thing which lingers is an overwhelming tiredness after lunch but this disappears after a 30 to 60 minute nap - luckily I am able to do this without much inconvenience.

The full feeling is rather weird- I don't feel bloated at all but can get a few stomach cramps after eating which pass very quickly. Instead of not feeling hungry it is more a matter of indifference to food in between meals and I have not had the munchies since I started. Suits me!

I feel very well in myself and very positive for the future - I am sure I am losing a bit of weight but restraining myself from jumping on the scales every day in the hope of a pleasant surprise when I do next week!!

According to my Diabetes nurse, I am only the second person who has been prescribed Byetta at my GP surgery which caters for around 400 diabetics. Both she and my specialist can tell me the technical facts as printed on the label but can't reassure anyone about the side effects- both physical and emotional. I think it is very important for the future of this treatment and for diabetics that forums like this can spread the word - I just hope that the professionals get the chance to read our posts too.

I decided to keep a journal of my experience- I find this sort of thing therapeutic and nice to look back on later so see how far you have come . I might just pass this on to my nurse so she can know as much about it as I am beginning to! I wonder how it will read if and when I hit the higher dose!

 

[FordPrefect]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Well after a lot of confusion at my doctors as I am the first patient my GP and the diabetic nurse have seen who has been recommended this treatment I have the pen and needles as literally nobody knew which needs to use so they went for the gauge 30 as it was in the middle! Going back to the doctors this afternoon to be shown how to inject myself etc so will probably be starting this evening conviently my appointment with the nurse is at 17:50 so could probably have the injection there and then and rush to get a meal sorted!