BYETTA

Michelle.
Phew.....thanks for that. :shock:

If you still have problems there is no reason why you cannot stay on the 5 mcg dose until such time as it settles down. You should discuss that with your GP. Have you had a search though this thread about the nausea. There are some simple remedies which mainly involve Ginger, in some way or another. Biscuits, Cordial, soda, fizzy drinks etc. They have helped many members here cope with it.

As for testing.....as you are on a new med you should really keep more records such as fasting, pre-meals, and at least 2 hrs after meals. That is what you really should be doing as Byetta especially in combo with other meds is a hypo inducing drug. You need to keep a close eye on the levels at this important time.

All sounds good so far, stick with it. Do not give up at the first hurdle. I can assure you it is well worth it......

Ken

Hi Ken,

Thanks so much for your advice, the nausea was starting to get me down and even affecting my work, I will stick it out though and i will ring my doctor on monday and ask for another 5 mcg pen instead of going on to the 10.
I will start and keep more records on my sugar levels too as i suppose when i go back to hospital after the 3 months they will know how it has affected my blood sugar levels.
I'm off to read through this thread now, as any help with the nausea would be great!

Thanks again for your help, i feel a lot better about it now

Michelle.

Hi all, well I'm assuming that as I have my Byetta training course this Wednesday that I will be given the drug then (at least I hope so). The thing I'm wondering is, I'm flying to Zurich for a couple of nights on Friday. Is it a sensible idea to start on Thursday or shall I wait until I'm back on Monday? Sod's law has it that I will be flying to Turkey the following Thursday for 10 days. So I'm wondering just when will be the best time to start. I don't really want to start when I get back on 27th as my second appointment is on 30th and I suppose they will expect me to have been using it for most of that time. I will discuss it with the nurse of course but as I have been waiting for this since January I am keen to start as soon as possible. What do you folk who are using it think?

Personally if I were you.....start on the Monday. Sooner you get into it the better.

Ken

Thanks Ken thats what I was thinking. I shall be rushing around in Zurich and staying in a hotel but in Turkey I will be in my own home and can take it easy there and also eat at home. My only slight worry is that I will be at least an hour away from an english speaking doctor but I suppose I can always phone UK if I get really worried about anything. It will be very hot there and the journey takes around 12 hours. How shall I transport the stuff? Shall I get one of those little cool bags I spotted at the pharmacist? Or is it OK in my hand luggage at whatever the temperature is? I spend at least 2 months a year in Turkey in a place that is quite remote. There is no private hospital nearby only a state clinic for emergencies. They usually do not have English speaking staff and although my Turkish is OK for non emergencies I'm not sure how I would cope if I was really worried about something. The nearest private hospital with translaters is about an hour away. I'm thinking it might be a good idea to carry information about Byetta and get it translated into Turkish. Now I'm wondering where the best place to get the information from is. I have looked on the Byetta web site, do you think something from that is a good idea or is there an information sheet that comes with the drug? I'm wondering how common this drug is in Turkey. Sorry for all the questions but now the reality of it is coming closer I think I'm getting a little nervous about the practicalities.

does anyone know why my diabetic consultant will not put me on Byetta ?

he wants to put me on medication that is know to put weight on you.i need to lose about 6 stone in weight.went on victoza but it gave me migraines so he took me of it.

jane22 said:

It will be very hot there and the journey takes around 12 hours. How shall I transport the stuff? Shall I get one of those little cool bags I spotted at the pharmacist? Or is it OK in my hand luggage at whatever the temperature is?
Any of the cool bags that are designed for transporting Insulin etc will be OK. One particularly good one is the Frio. Try http://www.friouk.com/ for information and purchase online. Byetta MUST be kept cool in transit and must never go over 25 deg C or below 2 deg C so has to travel in your hand luggage if flying. Make sure you have all the paperwork from your GP signed in case you are asked to produce proof as to why you are carrying drugs, needles etc. Saves any possible hassle. Unopened packs should be stored in a refrigerator before use, thereafter at room temperature with the proviso as above. Hot countries can be a problem.

I'm thinking it might be a good idea to carry information about Byetta and get it translated into Turkish. Now I'm wondering where the best place to get the information from is. I have looked on the Byetta web site, do you think something from that is a good idea or is there an information sheet that comes with the drug?
Inside every package box there is a Package Leaflet: Information for the User. This has all the information you will need and you might be able to get it translated by a local interpreter, you could ask at the nearest Turkish Embassy or even a Turkish Centre for details of translators. I am sure they will be able to help. One other option is to contact Eli Lilly in the UK and ask if they have a Turkish Package Leaflet they can send to you. They are usually very helpful.
Phone: 0125 631 5999

I'm wondering how common this drug is in Turkey.
That, I am afraid is a question I cannot answer. Something you might have to find out when you get there.

Sorry for all the questions but now the reality of it is coming closer I think I'm getting a little nervous about the practicalities.

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Nothing is insurmountable. I am sure all will be fine. Enjoy........

Ken

jane22

I travel a lot on business and I'm hoping that Byetta will be easier to handle when changing time zones than the insulin I was on previously.

Also don't forget to get a doctor's letter stating that you need to carry needles on to the plane, although I guess depending on the flight you might not need to have the Byetta pen and needles with you - they could go in the hold.

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tracey72 said:

does anyone know why my diabetic consultant will not put me on Byetta ?

he wants to put me on medication that is know to put weight on you.i need to lose about 6 stone in weight.went on victoza but it gave me migraines so he took me of it.

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There is a strict criteria regarding the prescribing of Byetta and like drugs. If you do not fit that criteria and you cannot persuade the Consultant to make an exception then that is what you are stuck with unless you change Consultant's. Your BMI has to be over 35, you must have been on max Biguanides and Sulphonylureas and have been unable to control your Bg levels before you will be considered. There is another criteria but I don't think it is applicable in your case from your previous posts.

One other consideration is that he may think as you couldn't tolerate Victoza there is no point in putting you on a similar, but different, drug. This really is something where you will have to ask the questions of the Consultant. There may be something in your medical history or a condition which precludes your use of this drug. He/she will have the answers.

Ken

jpg said:

jane22

I travel a lot on business and I'm hoping that Byetta will be easier to handle when changing time zones than the insulin I was on previously.

Also don't forget to get a doctor's letter stating that you need to carry needles on to the plane, although I guess depending on the flight you might not need to have the Byetta pen and needles with you - they could go in the hold.

jpg

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NEVER........put Byetta, Victoza or Insulin into a planes hold. They are usually unheated and are way too cold. You will destroy the medications.

Ken

Thanks ken and jpg
Well I have stopped off at the chemist and bought a Frio bag in readiness. The pharmacist seemed to think it would keep it cool enough for the 12 -14 hours it takes to get there. A friend knows the official translator for the town so I can easily get the information translated. I think it might be a good idea as the medical services there are minimal. I may try one of the pharmacies there first though as they may have the leaflet if they sell the stuff. Another reason I would not put it in the hold is the possibility of losing it. I have had bags go missing. I read jpg's comment as the needles could go in the hold but I shall ask the doc to give me a letter and then I can keep it all with me.
I have decided I'll wait until Monday to start and then I'll have 3 days to get used to it before I head off for Turkey. I can take it easy if I feel a bit queazy there. In Zurich it will be more of a problem as I will be rushing around.
So Byetta, bring it on, I am ready - after 5 months waiting for you, you'd better be good!

NEVER........put Byetta, Victoza or Insulin into a planes hold. They are usually unheated and are way too cold. You will destroy the medications.

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Sorry Ken, I have to disagree with you there. I'm pretty certain that nowadays commercial aircraft holds are heated - not to the same extent as the passenger cabin but enough to stop liquids freezing. If there are live animals in the hold the heating will be somewhat more.

The problem with medications in hold luggage is more likely to be heat, not cold, especially if travelling to a hot place, where the luggage is often left on carts in the full sun.

I have often put spare insulin in my hold luggage with no ill effect.

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jpg.
Well we will have to agree to disagree then. Check with the Airline in question. If the plane has a heated hold then ask what the temp is throughout the flight. It would need to be kept between 2 deg C to around 26 Deg C depending on the drug involved.

That is the current advice which even the Manufacturers of the medications dish out. Dependent on the altitude the Aircraft flies at it can even freeze.....definitely dead meds there, they would probably not be as effective whilst looking OK. Insulin, Byetta or Victoza has to be kept in carefully controlled condition in aircraft.

This is from the Boeing 737 Technical Guide for Pilot's:

The holds are sealed and pressurised but have no fresh air circulation. They have no temperature control but are heated by exhausting cabin air around their walls.

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Not exactly centrally heated then.....

You may just have been lucky. We have had members on here before who have destroyed their Insulin by putting it into the Aircraft hold. It is not what you should do.

A couple of the many links about this subject:
http://74.6.146.127/search/cache?ei=UTF ... mQpkyItg--

http://74.6.146.127/search/cache?ei=UTF ... swDE7V1Q--
From our friends at Diabetes UK...... :shock:

Air travel and insulin
People with diabetes can still take insulin with them onto aircraft despite new security restrictions. Those traveling should bring a letter from their doctor explaining their need to carry syringes/injection devices and insulin. The doctor’s letter explaining your need for insulin and injection devices should be presented to the airline staff, and if you do encounter any problems you should request to speak to a manager or senior member of staff. Some GPs will make a charge for writing a letter. If you travel frequently therefore, it would be a good idea to ask your doctor to phrase the letter in such a way that it can be used more than once.

A number of airlines bring in restrictions in emergency situations about what items can be brought onto their aircraft in hand luggage. This leads to concern about traveling with insulin and a number of people have been advised that they must put spare insulin in baggage in the aircraft's hold. Our advice based on information from insulin manufacturers has always been to avoid storing insulin in baggage which goes into the hold, as travelling at altitude may cause the baggage to freeze, which would damage the insulin. We have spoken to an insulin manufacturer and they have advised, in emergency situations, to place insulin that has to go in the hold, in an airtight container (such as a flask) in the middle of your suitcase. Alternatively, if an airtight container isn't available, wrap in bubble wrap, then in a towel and again place in the middle of your suitcase.

On arrival you must examine the insulin for crystals and discard the insulin if any are found. Even if it looks ok, you should test your blood glucose levels more frequently and if they appear abnormal, discard the insulin as it may be damaged and ineffective.

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If I am wrong I will apologise.

Ken

Just thought I would let you Byetta fans know what's been happening to me at the moment.

I have been on Byetta 10 mcg dose for around 15/16 months now and had my Diabetes well controlled using that, levels between 4 - 7's most of the day. No Metformin, no Gliclazide or any other drugs except Byetta until Sept/Oct last year when I was diagnosed with Cancer.....all my excellent control then went out the window despite all my best efforts. My Bg levels rocketed to 24+ and plummeted to 2+ all because of the 7 months of anti Cancer treatment and side effects of the drugs.

Long story short, finished treatment etc and now battling to get back that good control again. Had to take 4 Metformin and 4 Gliclazide in addition to Byetta for several months......now I find that I am getting hypo's virtually every day especially over the last few weeks. This has caused me many problems as I have felt dreadful most days in the evenings. Hypo's are not pleasant things. Didn't matter how much I adjusted the carbs etc, had to reduce all the oral Meds to the point that I now only take 2 Metformin in the morning and NO Gliclazide.

I have been testing and experimenting over the last few weeks and found that the dose of Byetta in the evening is just too much. So today I spoke with my Endo and SDSN by phone and have asked for and got a 5 mcg pen to try in the evenings. They, like me think that I am now over medicated and are backing me in my attempts to conquer the continual hypo's. So it's 10 mcg in the morning, 5 mcg in the evening for now. Frequent testing of course and meticulous records. Will let you all know how I get on.

I have lost over 5 1/2 stone in 12 months and that we believe has dramatically improved my Insulin resistance allowing me to drop meds. So my reduced carbs, low GI, low GL diet has also helped. I did low carb back in January 2009 but couldn't cope with upped fats for various reasons. That is what has allowed me to get where I am today, so those that rubbish this drug and those that rubbish their Diabetic Teams, think again. My Team and the drug Byetta are stars.......proof in the pudding....
as they say !
Low carb of course.......

Ken

If I am wrong I will apologise.

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Absolutely no need to, Ken. I think we just get our information from different sources and have different experiences, and there is not a consensus even amongst the professionals in some cases - carb/low carb is a case in point.

Maybe I have been lucky. I guess entrusting valuable medications to someone else is probably not a good idea anyway - I did it once with Air France and they lost my bags. Fortunately the French NHS were very helpful and replaced all my medications (I wasn't on insulin then, though).

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My Team and the drug Byetta are stars

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My nurse specialist at the hospital prescribed Byetta for me even though officially the only criterion I met was the BMI of 35 Kg/m².

I have to thank her for that as I can honestly say that this drug is the best thing since not having diabetes. Thanks also to my GP who finally got the message after a couple of years of pleading.

Advantages:

Lost 1st 4lbs since 15th April
Not had a single hypo since the same time.
Rarely get spikes > 8
No more insulin.
Blood pressure is dropping.
Have more energy.
Dropped total medications from 16 to 10 a day.
All medications now fixed dose and time.

Disadvantages:

Some slight nausea – now almost tailed off.
Can’t stuff myself and cover it with insulin any more.

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Cugila, many congrats on your recovery, hope you're feeling better soon. I think Byetta has changed my life. Since I started it in Dec 2009 I have lost more than 4 stone, following the GL diet and my last HbA1c - done last week was...........5.8!!!! I'm absolutely over the moon. Last test done in Feb was 7.2!!! I can't believe it, and it's only through smaller portion sizes and cutting out the starchy carbs!! Where have you been all my life GL and Byetta???

Well done Ken and all the others whose stories fill me with hope. I really can't explain how vile I have felt for all of this year, although I'm sure most of you know. I work part time through an agency and although there is plenty of work for me and I would like to do more, if I do more than 3 days in a row I am so exhausted I cannot function. My Hba1c has been 10.5 since last October, prior to that with actos it was 6.5 but the hypos and weight gain were just more than I could cope with. I take Glucophage and gliclazide and am always hungry, thirsty and tired. Anyway at last it is 'Byetta Day' tomorrow and I must admit I am a little nervous. I hope that in a few weeks time I too will be able to report back in with tales of weight loss and feeling great.
Ken I hope you continue to make a great recovery. Battling cancer must be hard enough without the diabetes on top.

Sue and Jane.
Your kind words to me are much appreciated. You have made my day today. Reading such nice comments here from members is such a tonic and makes a change from the comments I have received from elsewhere. It is people like the both of you that makes me realise why I do what I do.

Why I shall continue to do what I do here.

Thank you.

Ken

Oh Ken it really is you who must be thanked. I know I get wrapped up in my own little medical dramas and don't always think too much about others and what they must be going through. Your prompt answers to all my questions have kept me going along with all the other positive stories about Byetta. Your work on here is so very worthwhile.