BYETTA

[MaddieS]

Hi JPG,

This sounds like Buccastem (Prochlorperazine), available OTC as Buccastem M. It's an anti emetic which is particularly effective at relieving nausea and vomiting associated with migraine.

It doesn't suit everyone, but some people do well on it. If it is this, exercise caution when using as it notoriously can cause drowsiness!

Regards,

Maddie

 

[cugila]

Hi Maddie.
Thanks for your input.

If that is the drug then I think it should be discussed carefully with the person dispensing or prescribing it. there is a long list of people who it may NOT be suitable for beside the drowsiness. I don't plan to post the whole list here.

This is the one that would concern me........do not use if you:

have risk factors for heart problems such as having a family history of heart problems, having metabolic problems or being malnourished or an alcoholic.

Seems to me Diabetes is a metabolic problem........ :?:

Ken

 

[MaddieS]

I absolutely agree Ken. As a Pharmacist, I would be extremely reluctant to advise anyone to take this without prior consultation with their Endo or GP, as with a whole host of other medications.

That's the problem with a drug regime - you take pill number 1, followed by pill number 2 to combat side effects of No.1, then a 3rd to offset side effects of No.2...before you know it, you have a dozen or so tablets rattling around your system with no real idea of what may interacting with which and affecting something else.

Ah, the life of a junkie!

Regards,

Maddie

 

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This sounds like Buccastem (Prochlorperazine), available OTC as Buccastem M. It's an anti emetic which is particularly effective at relieving nausea and vomiting associated with migraine.

Thanks Maddie. That's what it is. I haven't taken any yet as the nausea I've had has been slight and not really affected me that much.

I'm off to see the DSN at the hospital on Thursday, 3 weeks after I started on Byetta.

Progress so far is that I'm down to 10 units Lantus daily from 26 and 6, 0, and 10 units novorapid down from 16, 8 and 22 units. Also I've had no hypos and my bloods are, with the odd exception, in the 5 to 8 range, average is 6.5.

Best of all is the weight, now down to 100.4 Kg from 104.4. 4 kilos (nearly 9 pounds)in 3 weeks! Only another 50lbs to go to get to a normal 25 BMI!

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That's the problem with a drug regime - you take pill number 1, followed by pill number 2 to combat side effects of No.1, then a 3rd to offset side effects of No.2...before you know it, you have a dozen or so tablets rattling around your system with no real idea of what may interacting with which and affecting something else.

Tell me about it! For someone whom I consider basically an otherwise healthy, if somehat obese, 63 year old, the amount of medication I walk away from the pharmacy with is frankly embarrassing. I always have a large shopping bag of drugs and diabetic paraphernalia - I feel sure that I am the talk of the pharmacy and surgery given the veritable pharmacopeia I consume. The surgery receptionists all know me by name as I am there so frequently.

That aside, goodness knows what all these chemicals are doing to my physiology. I must say I don't notice any side-effects although cramp and gout may be due in part to my medication. In particular, high protein diet and use of diuretics pre-disposes to gout. As I am diabetic and hypertensive I guess that's par for the course - and the gout adds yet another pill, albeit temporarily.

I'm convinced that geting back to a normal weight will allow me to ditch some of my medicines, that's why I have been so desparate over the last couple of years to get on to Byetta (or Victoza). My problem has been the good numbers I was getting on my old insulin regime, making the medics reluctant to try me on anything new (and expensive!).

Finally I managed to persuade my GP to send me to the hospital specialists who have put me on Byetta - Victoza is supposedly too expensive for our health trusts. The result is - see my earlier post, a highly satisfactory 9 lb loss in less than 3 weeks.

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[susiewoosie]

Thats great JPG. It's really uplifting when the weight comes down isn't it? I started on the 8th March and I've lost 13lb so not as good as you but I'm still hopeful lol

 

[r newton]

I have been on Byetta, dropping lantus, since January 1 this year and have lost 30 lbs. I am also taking 2000mg Glucophage.
My concern is that my hospital consultant keeps changing my follow up appointment, now i will not see him until August, so thats only one follow up in 8 months.
My concern is although my Bg's are fairly stable at 11.4 ish, with the occasional 5 -8, is this too high ( i know that 5 is the target) and should i be asking my GP to reintroduce lantus?
I have absolutely no appetite and have to force myself to eat and drink.
I am also thinking to go back to the GP's diabetic practice nurse but that will take on another life of its own if her advice conflicts with the consultant?
Confused. Any advice?

 

[cugila]

Tell me about it! For someone whom I consider basically an otherwise healthy, if somehat obese, 63 year old, the amount of medication I walk away from the pharmacy with is frankly embarrassing. I always have a large shopping bag of drugs and diabetic paraphernalia - I feel sure that I am the talk of the pharmacy and surgery given the veritable pharmacopeia I consume. The surgery receptionists all know me by name as I am there so frequently.

I know exactly what you mean, I used to take loads of meds, not all Diabetes related.
I was taking 23/24 tablets per day just over 12 months ago. I too am on first name terms with Surgery and Pharmacy staff !! Helps when you have any problems though.

That aside, goodness knows what all these chemicals are doing to my physiology. I must say I don't notice any side-effects although cramp and gout may be due in part to my medication. In particular, high protein diet and use of diuretics pre-disposes to gout. As I am diabetic and hypertensive I guess that's par for the course - and the gout adds yet another pill, albeit temporarily.

I too am Diabetic and have hypertension (treated and in control)., however I use a reduced carbs/low GI/GL method of diet so have never had the problems you have had with gout and cramp. I have been on diuretics since 2004 after a major Heart Op. No problems there either.

I'm convinced that geting back to a normal weight will allow me to ditch some of my medicines, that's why I have been so desparate over the last couple of years to get on to Byetta (or Victoza). My problem has been the good numbers I was getting on my old insulin regime, making the medics reluctant to try me on anything new (and expensive!).

I agree. Weight loss can have a dramatic effect on the amount of Meds you take. I was almost clear of all but one anti-Diabetes meds and had lost over 5 stone in 12 months, then got hit by Cancer and had to go back on a few Diabetes meds. Now finished all treatment and meds now being gradually reduced again, hopefully off them soon, as before

Finally I managed to persuade my GP to send me to the hospital specialists who have put me on Byetta - Victoza is supposedly too expensive for our health trusts. The result is - see my earlier post, a highly satisfactory 9 lb loss in less than 3 weeks.

Well done on the weight loss. I am sure that will continue.
Ken

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[cugila]

My concern is that my hospital consultant keeps changing my follow up appointment, now i will not see him until August, so thats only one follow up in 8 months.

Why not contact the Hospital or Consultant's Secretary direct and see if there are any sooner appointments. That's what I do, works every time. As you say 8 months is a loooooong time.

My concern is although my Bg's are fairly stable at 11.4 ish, with the occasional 5 -8, is this too high ( i know that 5 is the target) and should i be asking my GP to reintroduce lantus?

My first thought is what are you eating, carbs will 'jack up' your Bg levels very quickly. Take a look at the advice we hand out to newly diagnosed Type 2's. That explains a lot about what foods to avoid or reduce, reduce portion sizes as well. As for Bg levels, not sure where the 5 figure comes from ???

The 2010 NICE guidelines for Bg levels for a Type 2 are:
Waking(fasting) ............between 4 - 7 mmol/l.
2 hrs after meals...........no more than 8.5 mmol/l.
Keeping the post meal levels as low as you can without dropping lower than 4 mmol/l has to be better though. Why go on Insulin which can promote weight gain sometimes when there are possibly other alternatives. Maybe some other oral meds.

I have absolutely no appetite and have to force myself to eat and drink.

Yep....one of the great things about Byetta is that it is a very effective appetite suppressant. therefore you possibley will have to remind yourself to eat and drink at the correct times. I often have to do that. I am not hungry, but I know I need to eat to make the Byetta work properly.

I am also thinking to go back to the GP's diabetic practice nurse but that will take on another life of its own if her advice conflicts with the consultant?

Personally, I would go for the Consultant every time. With the greatest of respect, a Practice Nurse rarely has the skills and knowledge of an Endocrinologist. As for the advice, I can only suggest that the advice you get here will probably be the best you will find unless your Diabetic team are very enlightened. This section in particular gives advice from experienced Byetta users.

Ken

 

[octoberlady]

i have taken byetta for 2 yrs and lost a lot of weight 3stone in all i reduced my dose down to 5mgs aday dor a while and every time i felt sick or vomit i would eat a biscuit and the sickness went or in f cgt eat any thing .i am now trying victoza been on over a week feel great on it no sickness so far i have had a nose bleed dont know if thats connected to the victoza though .

 

[cugila]

i am now trying victoza been on over a week feel great on it no sickness so far i have had a nose bleed dont know if thats connected to the victoza though .

There is a growing thread entitled VICTOZA here in the Diabetes Medication and Drugs Section. Have a read there, there may be an answer there.

Ken

 

[jane22]

Well I'm starting to feel frustrated. My GP's nurse suggested I had Byetta in February, then I had to wait for an appointment with a community diabetic nurse who agreed with the first one. Then I had to be referred to a consultant anbd the appointment was 22nd April. She gave the go ahead and said I had to wait to go on a training course. Today I received a call from a nurse asking me to go and learn how to use a glucose monitor but I said I already had one and she was a bit narked. I asked when I could have the Byetta and she said the soonest appointment would be July as they only give it to 6 people a month. I feel like screaming as if I get it, it will have taken 5 months and now I feel as though I am begging.

 

[cugila]

Well I'm starting to feel frustrated. My GP's nurse suggested I had Byetta in February, then I had to wait for an appointment with a community diabetic nurse who agreed with the first one. Then I had to be referred to a consultant anbd the appointment was 22nd April. She gave the go ahead and said I had to wait to go on a training course. Today I received a call from a nurse asking me to go and learn how to use a glucose monitor but I said I already had one and she was a bit narked. I asked when I could have the Byetta and she said the soonest appointment would be July as they only give it to 6 people a month. I feel like screaming as if I get it, it will have taken 5 months and now I feel as though I am begging.

What a joke this is......it sounds like somebody is telling 'porkies'..... :roll: It takes all of 5 mins to show somebody how to use a glucose test meter, about ten minutes to show them how to prime a Byetta pen and inject so what on earth do you need a 'course' for !!! Sounds like a bit of Empire building going on here ?

As for only 6 people a month......sounds very strange. I think I would want to speak to the Consultant and find out why all this needs to take so long.......I would want proper answers, then again that's me. Never was one to put up with delay and obstacles being put in my way...... :twisted:

Ken

 

[jane22]

It's driving me potty. I seem to have to see so many people before I actually am let loose with this drug. The very nice consultant said I would wait about 4 weeks for it as they like to do it in groups of 6 and we all have to attend a training course. I did try to be a bit assertive with the nurse today and said I was upset about the wait. She was a bit off with me and said they could only manage six at a time and only have time for one training session a month. If for any reason they don't fit me into the July session I am away in August so it could be September before I get it. In the meantime I'm struggling with feeling tired, hungry, thirsty and generally vile. I'm just hoping Byetta will help with my hunger and bring down the BG.

 

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Had my 2nd hospital appointment this morning with the DSN who was pleased with my 3 weeks on Byetta. I have lost 9lbs in weight, have had no hypos, my BMs are good and I have reduced the insulin.

She recommended I stop taking the novorapid and she has given me the 10 microgramme pen to start in a week's time.

Things are going very well. I sympathise with those who are struggling to get their medics to put them on Byetta as I had a similar problem, basically short-termism - not seeing that a little bit of investment in type 2 diabetes treatment now could save enormous costs to the NHS later.

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[cugila]

All references to Lentil's have been removed and the subject is now back on Topic. If anybody wants to post about them in the Food Forum feel free to do so.

BYETTA is what this thread is about.

cugila
Forum Monitor

 

[snowshoe]

Went back to see my doctor after my first week and my weight has dropped by 2 pounds already. i must admit i have had a few upset tmmys and only once did i get a touch of feeling sick also had a few headaches but thats about it i am on 5 mg twice a day.

 

[susiewoosie]

Wow just had my HbA1c results, in January it was 10.9 now its 7. I've been on Byetta since 8th March and I've lost 15 1/2lb. Feeling very positive at the moment. I love Byetta.

 

[cugila]

That's great Susie.......well done ! another satisfied Byetta user.

Ken

 

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After 4 weeks on 5mcg I started 10mcg this morning, feeling slightly nauseous again but nothing to stop me working.

I am currently 99.7 kg, down from 104.4 at the start of treatment. A total weight loss of just over 10lbs so still working well.

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