great to find this forum with so much info and advice. Was diagnosed type 2 four years ago and have struggled with lowering glucose levels & weight since then. Metformin in both regular and slow release just didnt suit me (side effects became known as doing the metformin mambo as id dash to the bathroom...) Was taking rosiglitazone and gliclazide but had been warned by my DN that id probably have to go onto insulin in the 'near future' so was a little worried when i received a phone call from my GP two weeks ago asking me to go see her to discuss changing my meds. But she went on to say she wanted to discuss this new treatment called Byetta with me and would it be ok if there was a nurse from the hospital diabetic clinic there with her. she asked me to record my glucose readings 3 times a day till the appointment to give her an idea of my levels since my last HbA1C.
At the appointment last week my GP & the nurse explained what Byetta was, what the benefits and side effects were and asked if id like to try it. They demonstrated priming the pen for use, how to inject etc and gave me the chance to try (injecting into a latex-type penguin...i felt sooo cruel) The appointment lasted a good 50 minutes and i really felt informed and supported by the end of it, and was urged to ring her if i had any questions or worries at any time. She withdrew the Rosiglitazone (which she said she would have done even if i had declined the Byetta) and halved my gliclazide dosage and iv been amazed at how my glucose readings have dropped and stabalised, even yesterday. iv also noticed a huge drop in appetite and cut out lunch altogether as breakfast just seems to fill me till late afternoon. I have suffered quite badly with nausea tho, with a few occasions of quite violent vomiting, but having read the advice from other posters here im gonna try injecting immediately before eating, and having some ginger cordial to hand. The first time i injected i was quite nervous but actually have never felt a thing, only by seeing have i known iv stuck a needle in myself.
Having read thro every single posting here ( do i get a gold star??
) i have to say its such a shame that some people have really struggled to get this drug and have had to do so much research themselves. i guess im lucky to have a proactive and supportive GP! Persevering thro the nausea will be a struggle but the positive comments on here have given me the hope that it wont last forever! thanks everyone on here for sharing your experiences
A Gold Star for you
cugila
Moderator.
At the appointment last week my GP & the nurse explained what Byetta was, what the benefits and side effects were and asked if id like to try it. They demonstrated priming the pen for use, how to inject etc and gave me the chance to try (injecting into a latex-type penguin...i felt sooo cruel) The appointment lasted a good 50 minutes and i really felt informed and supported by the end of it, and was urged to ring her if i had any questions or worries at any time. She withdrew the Rosiglitazone (which she said she would have done even if i had declined the Byetta) and halved my gliclazide dosage and iv been amazed at how my glucose readings have dropped and stabalised, even yesterday. iv also noticed a huge drop in appetite and cut out lunch altogether as breakfast just seems to fill me till late afternoon. I have suffered quite badly with nausea tho, with a few occasions of quite violent vomiting, but having read the advice from other posters here im gonna try injecting immediately before eating, and having some ginger cordial to hand. The first time i injected i was quite nervous but actually have never felt a thing, only by seeing have i known iv stuck a needle in myself.
Having read thro every single posting here ( do i get a gold star??

A Gold Star for you
cugila
Moderator.