BYETTA

[cugila]

Me too.........good to hear another success for Byetta, as for the Gila, check out my avatar....

Well done to you. It really does turn peoples lives around, most anyway ! :|

 

[kahliala]

Hi I've been taking Byetta for 3 years now and was involved in the trials previous to me taking it as an active diabetic.

I've lost a good 2.5 stone and my food intake is child size meals instead of adult. I take metformin along with the byetta and have had now side effects from it at all.

You can only take Byetta if you are a type 2 diabetic and not taking insulin + plus a maximum of 2 types of tablets to control your diabetes. I was on avandia and asked for it to be removed and replaced with something else (Byeta was being trialed so I gave it a shot best thing that ever happened to me).

I would recommend this drug to any diabetic and the quicker the better if you can persuade your doctor to prescribe it.

 

[weeblexx123]

Byetta and hypo's

Hi, I have been on 5mcg of Byetta for the last fews days, I have been left on Gliclazide 80mg morning and evening and 2 x 500 metformin morning and evening. They took me off Pioglitazone. Over the last few days my sugar levels have droped to hypo levels and I have had to correct it. My sugar is much more controlled though. In 3 weeks time they want to increase the dosage of Byetta to 10mcg. I am assuming this will probably cause even more hypo's. This am I only took 1 metformin instead of 2 and I havent had a hypo. I also havent felt as hungry these past fews so hopefully Byetta will help with getting the old weight off. Anyone got any tips for balancing out food v medication ?

 

[jane22]

Hi, I use Byetta and have had a few hypos. I manage it now by having small mid morning and afternoon snacks, Either a piece of fruit and/or an oatcake with a small cube of cheese. It helps me avoid them. When I was first prescribed Byetta my consultant said to reduce the gliclazide and not the metformin. She explained that the gliclazide with Byetta can cause hypos not the metformin. So now I have 40 mg each morning. My metformin is the slow release one. She has said that once I have lost more weight and my pre meal readings are consistently in the 5's I will be able to drop the gliclazide completely. I think you need to discuss your hypos with your team before you tinker with your meds.

 

[stuartclose]

Can anyone tell me how long Byetta is effective, is it years rather than months. I have been using it for 2 years and now find that I have no full up symtons anymore. My eating habits haven't changed in all that time but I don't feel the same as when I first started using it.

Pauline

 

[cugila]

I have used it for around the same time and still have the appetite suppressant effects. Never feel hungry. I have never felt 'full up' just not hungry, that's all. Have you lost weight in the meantime.....that may be changing the effects. I was on the 10ug dose but due to persistent hypos in the evening had to drop it down to 5ug which is still working very well for me.

A puzzle if you say you haven't changed anything.......?

 

[topcatt53]

Hello - been a member for yonks but only recently started on the byetta and have gradually been working my way through all the posts BUT I am a bit confused at the moment so hoping that you will be able to help. I worked my way through the 5mg pen with very few problems, no nausea respectable weight loss (about 1-2 lbs a week) and great BS readings (always under 7 and usually between 5 and 6) which I was well happy with. However when I started the 10mg pen I have noticed that I am having far more spikes and a few hypos (between 3-4) and often readings over 8 first thing in the morning - in fact BS levels seem to be a bit all over the place. Weight loss seems to have stalled although I am still eating much less than before, low carbing mainly and definitely not snacking in between meals as very little appetite. Also I did suffer from the nausea feeling for a couple of weeks when I first started the pen but that has worn off now, still feeling very cold and tired though. But I am due to have my Ha1bc next week(the first since starting on byetta) and I am concerned at these erratic readings. Has anyone experienced anything like this. Any advice gratefully received! :roll:

 

[cugila]

TC.
Are you on any other anti-Diabetic drugs still ? If so what are they and doses.

 

[topcatt53]

Hello yes gliclacide 30mg mr 4 a day, pravastatin 20mg 1 a day and ramipril 2.5mg 1 a day

 

[cugila]

Hello yes gliclacide 30mg mr 4 a day, pravastatin 20mg 1 a day and ramipril 2.5mg 1 a day

That would appear to be the max dose of the Glic if it is Diamicron MR. You may want to discuss lowering the dose with your HCP as that may be contributing to the hypo levels you are having. The dose of things like Glic should always be adjusted when starting Byetta. As you lose weight the dose may also need adjustment as it will change your Insulin Resistance.

The higher readings may be connected if you are over medicated and the levels drop too low......you will then 'Liver Dump' and the levels will rise........

See you GP about this.

 

[topcatt53]

Thank you - am due to see the consultant on the 17th so will discuss it with him then - it was just worrying me because I did so well on the 5mg and then it all went haywire when I went up to the 10mg. Have to say I am finding out so much by reading through all the posts even tho some of them are several years old! Being cold has now been explained as has my poor brittle nails!! Always used to have such lovely nails and now I am ashamed of them but thought that might have been down to the arthritis!! Learn something new everyday!

 

[cugila]

Should also say that sometimes you might stall a bit when moving up to the higher dose. After a week or two providing the diet is still good hopefully you should find things start moving again. Just the body adjusting.

BTW, I have been on Byetta for some time, over 2 yrs. I have now had to reduce back to the 5ug pen as I too was getting too many hypos, especially in the evening when my Insulin production appears to be higher. Plus the fact I have lost over 5 1/2 stone with the drug.

Glad to hear you are taking the time to read the thread. Some don't search through it so many answers are repeated. It's basically a 'One Stop' shop for Byetta users........most of the questions and answers are in here.

 

[BADFAIRYSHAN]

How quick is byetta

Hi I haven't been on here for quite some time now was just plodding along with my bloods still high but they have now put me on Byetta so i came on and read the threads on here about it very helpful,now i've only been on it for a few days but i read about a full up feeling but as yet I haven't had that, does it take a time for that to kick in,thanks,shan

 

[cugila]

I have been on Byetta for 2 yrs or so and the initial dose is only a starter to allow your body to aclimatise to the drug. Hence the reason you start on the 5ug then after a month should normally move up to the 10ug dose.

As with anything it takes a while for the effects to happen........a few days is nowhere near long enough. In my case the reduction in appetite did not seem to take effect until I had been on it about a week or two. Didn't make me feel full......just made me not want to eat much. If I did eat too much, too many carbs, I often felt ill, so you soon realise that small portions are the way forward. A reduction of carbs and the Byetta helped immensely.

Welcome to the Forum BTW.......were you a member here before ?

 

[BADFAIRYSHAN]

Hi Cugila, yes i was a while ago Then I was Badfairyshan,thanks for the info very helpful,I'll pop in more,shan x

 

[peecee]

Just wondering if any other Byetta users here have noticed their pens suffering contamination, this is the third time in the last 9 months that i've found my pen contaminated. They look like tiny pieces of the material the needle base goes through every time a needle is screwed onto the pen, its definitely not a "blood" contamination. Anybody else noticed this or doesn't anyone check :?:
Phillip

 

[cugila]

Phillip.
In 2+ years I have never had any contamination of any sort ? I do check my pens all the time as well. Maybe you should check with your pharmacist as it may be something to do with a particular batch ?

Other than that, no ideas. Lots of very tiny bubbles sometimes which soon go if you tap the pen but nothing else.

 

[peecee]

I've had 5 pens contaminated now, one was with blood getting drawn back into the pen (my fault) and the other 4 with these tiny specks which look totally different to the blood contamination. The diabetic clinic at my local hospital were told about previous contaminations and the pens returned to the drug rep but i heard nothing more so this time i've contacted Lilly directly, it will be interesting to see what they say.

 

[cugila]

Keep us informed please Phillip.

 

[purplecrystal]

hi all I just thought i would update you all since my last post back in aug 2010.
The byetta was working for a while but didnt help with any weight loss.think it is a number of reasons.1 being having poly cystic ovaries and double insulin resistance.
However the injection isnt bringing my bms down or my hba1c which was 8.6 then went down to 8.4 and now its 9.my diabetic dr said he would be thinking of trying me on the victoza as its much better than byetta.however this will depend on if my gp will subscribe this also.
I feel if this new injection doesnt work then i will be put on insulin.but im waiting to see my consultant which is in may.to see if he is going to put me on the victoza.however the head of the diabetes department at the hospital is my husbands specialist and i asked him about the vcitoza and he wants my specialist to refer me over to his weight management program and that he will help get my diabetes under better control.but when i asked him regarding what my own specialist said about putting me on victoza this dr seemed to be reluctant as the cost for one for gps is an issue and that its not licenced yet.but i will have to wait to see my own specialist and i concerned my hba1c that was took at my gp surgery was 9.should i go to my gp and see if he could help until may or try and rush me a sooner appointment?
i take 6 a day metformin hydrochloride 500mg
simvastatin 1 a day for cholesterol
gabapentin 300mg 6 a day for neuropathy in feet
perindopril 4mg 1 a day for blood pressure
medroxyprogesterone 10mg 1 a day (21days only) hormone pill to thin the womb
mirtazapine 30mg 1 a day for depression
lansoprazole 15mg gastro- resistant capsules 1 a day for acid reflux
byetta 10 pen twice a day.
im 5ft 4 weight is 15st 7
age 35
diagnosed with type2 sep 2009
does anyone know if the medroxyprogesterone pill does infact effect bms?because i was told it would effect the blood sugars and i should have a coil iud fitted.to give the hormone direct.but i dont like the thought of it.