About to start taking Byetta (for type 2)

[tapero]

Hi,

The doctor asked me months ago if I would switch to Byetta or try it. I was worried about several things. A needle, I'm not scheduled at all, no structure, and a few other things so said no at the time.

She had told me it was good the way it worked, better than another I take, and how it works differently.

She's an awesome diabetic professional, a nurse practitioner.

On Christmas talked with my sisters b/f who takes it. He told me it doesn't hurt to shoot it in. He said, he doesn't desire to eat much and is losing weight (another benefit the doctor had mentioned.) He showed me the pen and explained it all.

So saw doc two weeks back said I'd take it, and it's still sitting in the bag, untouched. She told me that even though unstructured, figure one meal and then at 12 hours later at 2nd meal approx..and I can do that, no matter what hours I'm up..so that sorted that out.

I just need to start taking it.

My a1c is very good 6.4. Was 9.4 only 5 months or 4 months back. I hadn't been on avandia or actos which was the problem and it creeped up but then got on actos dropped right down.. to that 6.4.

My blood sugar tho a bit high, tho really not to bad, but 150 on a fast.

So that's what is happening with me.

Mainly just a little scared of the needle, even though they say doesn't hurt at all.

Just never used one before.

take care,
tapero

 

[Kristen.NewCreation]

My doc mentioned this med to me, but because I'm so sensitive to any medication change, it's something we vetoed. At times I've considered asking for it because of the side effect of weight loss.

I take Lantus at bedtime, and I have found that when I pinch the skin before I stick in my needle, it's never an issue of hurting, nor the med going in. The most I've ever experienced is a tiny burn when I wasn't paying attention and moved the needle! lol I was being sleepy and inattentive at the time.

Sounds like you're doing good overall... your AIC change is great! Awesome job.

BTW... when they first put me on the Lantus, they had me try there for support.

Keep us posted.

 

[tapero]

Hi Kristen!

Thanks for that idea you gave to pinch first.. I'll try that if I ever get the courage to even start it.. lol

Ah, are you sensitive to medicine change as in sugars or as in side effects?

They did have me shoot the needle into a ball in the office to try..but..hehe..

hugs and thanks for writing,
and meanwhile..the byetta sits..
tapero

My doc mentioned this med to me, but because I'm so sensitive to any medication change, it's something we vetoed. At times I've considered asking for it because of the side effect of weight loss.

I take Lantus at bedtime, and I have found that when I pinch the skin before I stick in my needle, it's never an issue of hurting, nor the med going in. The most I've ever experienced is a tiny burn when I wasn't paying attention and moved the needle! lol I was being sleepy and inattentive at the time.

Sounds like you're doing good overall... your AIC change is great! Awesome job.

BTW... when they first put me on the Lantus, they had me try there for support.

Keep us posted.

 

[Kristen.NewCreation]

Okay, so now you have the Byetta.

First, tell yourself that you CAN do this, and get it ready (or dial it up or whatever). Now, take a deep breath and slowly release, telling yourself you can do this - you'll be fine.

Pick an area that's not so senstive (lower belly or thighs).

Take a deep breath again, and while you are breathing, stick yourself - don't think about it - just do it. You CAN do this! You CAN do this!

And that's it - you're done.

Until you get that accomplished, do you have someone who can get you started? Give it to you?


RE med sensitivity - they make me really sick or they really tend to mess me up - I've ended up in the psychiatric hospital for over a week because they've changed my meds. I don't remember which one it was at this point, but it took them a while to find a diabetic medication I could handle. However, it's not limited to diabetic medications. They put me on Lasix once (strong water pill) and I quit urinating totally.

 

[tapero]

Dear Kristen,

awww (((HUGS))))

okay... i forgot to tell you that there's 2 steps i've yet to do..

watch the dvd

and i think i have to put it in the fridge overnite.

so will work on that step tonight..

oh man..i'm such a baby stepper

and then come back

and see if I can do how you said...

such great advice to pinch first...

you are so sweet to write...

okay, i'll pop dvd in now..

and see if have to refridgerate the thing for a day..

and let you know ...

hugs

you're helping me carry this..

thank you friend,
tapero

 

[Kristen.NewCreation]

You're welcome.

I'll look forward to hearing your next step!

 

[tapero]

I did it!

watched video..

watched again on pc..step by step

and put that needle in, after pinching like you said, and didn't feel a thing.

and I did it!

thank you so much!

I couldn't have done it without you Kristen!

 

[Kristen.NewCreation]

I'm so proud of you!

You go girl.

 

[tapero]

Thanks!

 

[bydluv4Jesus]

How are you doing with the byetta now? I have been on it for 2 years and have lost quite a bit of weight...

 

[tapero]

How are you doing with the byetta now? I have been on it for 2 years and have lost quite a bit of weight...

Hi! That's great! I'm very glad for you.

I have no appetite at all on byetta, it's amazing.

But as an overeater to begin with I notice I still try to eat like I did before byetta, so I imagine; that psychological bit or habit bit will stop as I've gone to bed sick from over eating on byetta.

I think I've lost weight since my last visit to doc, I can tell.

And the way it lowers sugars? Wowie..

normally say 150 fast , now 85..most fbs are 85 and one hour after eating 110..2 hrs 95..

my a1c is 6.2 on last visit and that's after being on it a bit, so that's dropped as well.

How do you find it with blood sugars?

With my first byetta they had a coupon inside, for a free carrying case, and got that and was neat when had to bring with me one day, so that was nice of them.

What I would like to find is an alarm clock I can set for an hour that beeps, and as well 2 hours.. so that i can get those bs results at those two intervals.

I wrote to the maker of the onetouch ultra that would be nice if could find it somewhere and offer to us for little or whatever.

the kitchen timers don't work ever, and are now either $9.00 or 15.00 both which is way to much for something that never works.

i can't afford the little timers I see on the net and i'm sure there are cheap ones..

hour glass wouldn't be any good as I wouldn't notice that..so i need something that beeps.

lol

Take care and thanks for writing,
tapero

 

[scraparcs]

Do you have a cell phone with an alarm clock function?

My doctor is contemplating me going on Byetta. I have an appointment mid-May to see. I think I'll try to lose weight before then too

 

[tapero]

Hi Lel!

No, I don't have a cell..

On byetta you wont want to eat..

takes about a month to kick in, they start you at 5 mcg or mgs..first month, and then 2nd month to 10mcg or mg.

once it kicks in, you rarely eat as used to..

so will help alot if trying to lose weight.

I hear from my pharmacist that byetta is not covered by many insurance companies.

I hope whatever plan you have covers it.

 

[scraparcs]

Seems my plan covers it but as a specialty medication...so that means while my other meds are under $10/month copay, this one's $45 a month. Ouchie. But I do have my first dose going so now it's time to find food.

 

[tapero]

Seems my plan covers it but as a specialty medication...so that means while my other meds are under $10/month copay, this one's $45 a month. Ouchie. But I do have my first dose going so now it's time to find food.

ow, that's a high co-pay. I'm glad you're starting it. I had no problems what so ever with it, no side effects at all.

Starting dose is 5 mcg's and the 2nd month 10 mcgs (if is how your doc plans it out, I think 10 mcg is the regular dose and 5 is just to work up to the 10.)

When you go to 10 mcg's, well what happened to me, is I wasn't getting the full dose. The reason is, that once on 10 mcgs it's a different feel and touch, byetta explained to me, and so I had to be sure I was holding down the plunger very hard. Once I got used to it, had no problem and no fluid was coming out after turning the thing as done after the shot.

Byetta is very nice to talk to. Also, if you got a coupon for a carrying case, get the case, it's free. I didn't know I had a coupon for it for a few months. So, now when I'm going to the diner and a few errands before that, I take the byetta with me, and take it in the car at the diner.

Byetta also has 2 tutorials on their site. I used them at first, and then just saved a paper that came with the kit, and that goes thru it all and of course now I recall all what to do.

I'm glad you got it and wish the co pay wasn't so high for you, but I notice when comes to eating I am not spending near as much on food, as never hungry. At first I had to get over the psychological of wanting more food, and that's gone now.

hugs,
tapero

 

[scraparcs]

Oh my...just tried it at work for first time. I feel like praying to porcelain gods....

 

[tapero]

Oh my...just tried it at work for first time. I feel like praying to porcelain gods....

What do you mean? It hurt?

 

[scraparcs]

No, makes me nauseous.

 

[tapero]

No, makes me nauseous.

ah... oh I'm sorry.. I hope it passes quickly

My doc told me is main side effect at start up of byetta

I never got it.. She also asked me when I had been on 10 mcgs if had nausea and no..

I think reason they start at 5 is due to that side affect, so will probably pass..

just found this blurb on it, on their site:

Nausea is most common when first starting BYETTA, but decreases over time in most patients.

so will probably go away..

it doesn't give an approximate time, but with my experience with other drugs, can be a week or two, but that's just in general with meds when starting new..ususally a week or two and then it's gone.

hugs, and I hope it passes quickly Lel!

 

[Kristen.NewCreation]

What are other typical side effects? As I've been reading this, I've considered if it might be a good change for me as well. I'd love the reduced appetite, though I have to admit I'm an emotional eater big time.