BYETTA

[Dennis]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Although the nausea can come back on moving up to the 10mcg dose, for most people it tends to be less severe and/or last for less time than on the 5mcg dose. The hardest thing seems to be for our bodies to become acclimatised to Byetta in the first place. It seems to be easier to adjust from a low to a high dose than the initial acclimatisation.

 

[thedame]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Although the nausea can come back on moving up to the 10mcg dose, for most people it tends to be less severe and/or last for less time than on the 5mcg dose. The hardest thing seems to be for our bodies to become acclimatised to Byetta in the first place. It seems to be easier to adjust from a low to a high dose than the initial acclimatisation.

That's good news Dennis as the nausea was bearable and only last a few days initially - thanks

 

[FordPrefect]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Well have been on 5 micrograms of byetta for just over a week now and can already see the difference in blood sugar for months before starting on byetta I was averaging around 8.0-8.5 over the week, and spiking upto 13-14. Now I am rarely over 8.5 and my average is down to 6.4 and I test more reguarly atm as I wanted to see what effect the drug was having on me. I havent weighed myself as that just depresses me slightly but I can tell I have lost some weight already. I rarely feel hungry main problem is now that I forget to eat and end up hours later thinking oh **** I forgot lunch and feel awful as have dropped quite low for me into the 4s and once into the 3s.

 

[cugila]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Fp.
Sounds like you are doing great and reaping the benefits of Byetta. Well done.

Try and make sure you keep out of the hypo zone, anything below 4 mmol/l. Make sure your food is regular and that you stabilise the levels better. Avoid the 'drop'.

 

[SUSIEP]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi every one
Just checking in with a progress report.....
Went for my annual diabetic review last week - my doc has not seen me for 12 months (try to keep away as much as possible :wink: )
Well she was rather suprised to say the least - since starting on Byetta at the end of January have lost 4 stone and in total now 8 stone - told i am looking very different
My HB1Ac is now down to 6.5 and my BS rarely get above the 7.5 mark
I go back to the hospital next week for my Byetta review (think they will be pleased :wink: )
To date I have quartered my insulin going from 80 units of Lantus in the evening right down to 20 units - dont seem to be able to go any lower than that but hey it is not the end of the world.
Think I mentioned in one of my previous posts that I had started my diving qualification - well this last weekend i gained my advanced diver status - I am so chuffed :lol: - there are so many things that I am doing these days that I would not have even considered even last year!!!!
Life it is a changing for me AND I really like being able to go out and be able to buy clothes of the rail and not head for the bigger sizes WHOOPPEE. Only a few weeks ago I purchased my firsy pair ever of girlie sailing salopettes - they are great - no more going to the male XXXL rail.
Better go and stop my bragging - but Hey I am well pleased!!!!!! :wink:
Byetta rules

 

[cugila]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi SusieP.

Glad everything is going well for you now after your previous trauma. (slipped in the shower and stone cold sober.......yeah right. :lol: )

Congratulations on your Advanced Diving qualification. I know it means a lot to you.
Well done girl...!!!

Ken.

 

[tabnoakes]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

hi all,
been following the byetta forum all 78 pages and found it a great source of imfomation!!
i have been on byetta 5 for 2 weeks and lost 8 lb, which is great!!
i have tried so many times to loose weight, have been a diabetic since 2005.
had all the sickness but seems to be calming down now depending on what i eat the blander the better and smaller amounts seem to help aswell, BS are down and not taking so many gliclazide and stopped pioglitazone tablets which is very good in its self, hoping the weight keeps coming off too from what i have read on the forum i hope it will work for me too.

 

[cugila]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi tabnoakes.
I think a belated welcome to the forum is in order here.

If you have read all 78 pages since joining on Oct 9th you deserve a medal for dedication. Well done. Any questions you might have, then we will be pleased to answer them.

 

[tabnoakes]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

hi again,
i have some questions that are bugging me :-

is byetta something that you can take always once started or do you have to stop at a certain weight? or is it like other meds take indefiniatly, who has been on it the longest and what results do you have now? do you still loose weight?

what do you do with the sharps box when full?

in hot weather do you keep byetta in the fridge?

why does my 2nd injection of the day make me feel sick and my morning 1 dosent?

 

[Dennis]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Tabnoakes,

is byetta something that you can take always once started or do you have to stop at a certain weight? or is it like other meds take indefiniatly, who has been on it the longest and what results do you have now? do you still loose weight?

I have contacts in the US who have been on Byetta for more than 4 years now and they have reached their target weight and have stable BS. What most are finding is that they no longer need other meds (like metformin) and don't need to be so strict about their diets. They can cope with a little more carbohydrate without it wrecking their BS readings. So they are simply using the Byetta to remain stable at their target levels.

what do you do with the sharps box when full?

It depends where you live. Some GP practices allow you to leave sharps boxes with them for disposal. Some chemists offer the same service. Some local councils will collect them (and leave you an empty replacement in the case of my own authority). Some councils will collect but charge for doing so. If you phone your council's environmental health office they will be able to tell you what is offered in your area.

in hot weather do you keep byetta in the fridge?

Yes. Once it is in use you can keep it at room temperature, but room temp in the summer can easily go over the safe limit (25ºC or 77ºF).

why does my 2nd injection of the day make me feel sick and my morning 1 dosent?

I wish I knew the answer to that one as it is a question that often crops up. The food that you have at opposite ends of the day is usually very different, and what we eat for an evening meal is often a bit spicier than the more bland dishes we tend to have for breakfast, so that's a possible answer.

 

[Heather Eyles]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi everyone,

I am type 2 diabetic, diagnosed in March 2008. I am currently on 2g glucophage and 15mg pioglitazone but my last hba1c was 8.6. This was no surprise to me as I have been having readings over 10 for the past month and feeling very lethargic. I have also been putting on weight recently (and wasn't skinny to start with :roll: )

My practice nurse (I have never been to hospital diabetes clinic - all dealt with at my GP practice) rang me on Monday to say she has arranged an appt for me on 12 November with a diabetes specialist and her with a view to putting me on byetta. This is how I found this forum as I googled Byetta.

Over the past 2 evenings I have read through the 79 pages on this thread and have picked up so much information. I don't think I could have got all this from any diabetes specialist.

Armed with this knowledge, I am certainly going to give it a go. Unfortunately, I go on holiday to Torremolinos on the 15th November. Do you think I should start the Byetta before I go or wait until I am back off my holiday? I am just worried in case I am really ill.

Anyway, sorry for the long post, and thanks to each and everyone of you who has contributed to this thread (especially Dennis and Ken - who seem to be the "authorities" on Byetta)

Heather x

 

[Dennis]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Heather,

You probably deserve a medal for perseverance if you have read through the whole thread! But you will also have learned a huge amount about Byetta from all of us who have experienced it.

The statistics that Eli Lilly publish state that around 40% of patients suffer from nausea when first starting Byetta. This can last from a few days to four or more weeks. What the stats don't say is that very few men seem to experience nausea, probably no more than 10%. That means that the 40% figure is mostly female patients. On that basis, if I was in your shoes, I would accept that my chances of nausea are probably greater than my chances of not experiencing it, so I would hold off until after the holiday.

 

[Heather Eyles]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Thanks for such a rapid response Dennis.

You've just confirmed what I thought too, but obviously will discuss at my meeting on 12th November. My practice nurse said I had already been approved and could probably start it immediately but will hold off until after my holiday if I can.

Cheers

Heather x

 

[thedame]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Heather

I am now in my 3rd week with Byetta and feeling great most of the time. I did feel a bit "grotty" for the first week but I am pleased to say that the nausea has subsided. I have found though, that if I change my eating pattern too much or eat something a little unusual (eg like the lamb and salad kebab I had with loads of onions and green chillis!), it can make me feel a bit rough for an hour or two.

Whilst every one reacts differently, I think you are wise to consider putting off starting until after your break - the change of routine and food might not give you the best chance of an easy transition to the new regime. As I had lapsed a bit with my diet over the past year, I did make an effort to prepare for the treatment by watching my intake and generally eating more healthily for a couple of weeks before starting. I reckoned that the jabs were going to be enough of a shock to my system without trying to cut out those little treats as well :wink:

One thing I wanted to raise on here was the issue of taking the Byetta Pen on a plane- I think I read somewhere that it was wise to get a doctor's letter about this to show you could carry one legitimately? I guess this could be the same for insulin so maybe someone can clarify this?

Best of luck and enjoy your holiday

 

[kay957]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

I want to go on Byetta, it was mentioned to me when I saw a dietician last week and they said it had good results, especially for those who are gaining weight from taking certain diabetes drugs. I am on metformin and Januvia and I am gaining weight rather than losing it, I eat a healthy diet and keeping carbs to a minimum. Is this only injectable? or is it taken via tablet?

 

[sugarless sue]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Byetta only comes in injectable form.

 

[peecee]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi kay957, i'm afraid Byetta is only injectable, but the needles are small and thin and you will barely, if at all, feel them going in. I use the 8mm long x 31 guage size. Good luck with the weight loss, i've lost 14.6 Kg in 3 months without drastically changing my diet

 

[sugarless sue]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

One thing I wanted to raise on here was the issue of taking the Byetta Pen on a plane- I think I read somewhere that it was wise to get a doctor's letter about this to show you could carry one legitimately? I guess this could be the same for insulin so maybe someone can clarify this?

Anything that is injectable needs a doctor's letter if you are going to take it on a plane. You would have to take it in your hand luggage as the hold of an aircraft is too cold for Byetta and Insulin.
This is a security concern on any aircraft. Check the airlines web site for information on carrying medications etc on board a plane.
You may never be asked to produce the letter but if asked, you will have one.

 

[Dennis]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

I couldn't agree more strongly with Sue's comment about carrying your Byetta in hand luggage and making sure you carry a doctor's letter stating that you must be allowed to carry the medicine in your hand luggage. Until the last year my work has necessitated me flying frequently and I have been challenged to produce a doctor's letter on most occasions. It is not the airlines who dictate this but the airport security authorities.

 

[Gerbil]

Re: Anyone use Byetta?

Hi Everyone, First I must say what a fantastic site this is. I have found the answers to many of my queries in the 70+ pages of this thread.
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes back in 1998 and have had an increasing number of medications (Acarbose – 200mg, Glimepiride – 6mg, Metformin 2000mg) along with heart medications simvastatin, Doxazasin, Enalapril, Furosemide and Dilzem. Quite a concoction !
As my Hba1C will not go below 8.8 I have been prescribed Byetta at the Hospital and started injections on Thursday (I was told to stop the Acarbose & Glimepiride). I am a little concerned as the Hospital (after a quick demonstration of using the “pen”) discharged me with no follow up action ? I’ve read this forum and the leaflets, I hope I’m doing it right but am a little worried as my BS have gone up to 19.8 two hours after meals.
I was told to inject 1 hour before morning & evening meals, how critical is this timing ? What happens if you do it 30mins before etc. ?
Ps I’m male and 126Kg at the moment – weight loss will be a bonus.