Byetta Users Forum

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Comment by Christalyn on November 22, 2009 at 2:28am

Is it common to use Byetta with an Insulin injection? I went to my Endo and she has started me on this Insulin pen once in the morning. I am to continue with the other cocktail of meds as normal.

Are there any reports about using Byetta with Insulin. I am just wondering?? Thanks!

Comment by Tony S. on November 14, 2009 at 1:54pm

The Eli Lily rep who taight the Byetta classes I attended said not to worry about the air bubble. It does rise to the top when the pen is held vertically, needle down, and poses not problem.

The only trouble I've had with the pen is several drops of the drug coming out of the needle after I've injected and turned the dial. The phone support person said that I hadn't received the full dose and suggested holding the pen vertically and for the correct amount of time, counting very slowly to five.

Comment by Christalyn on November 13, 2009 at 4:45am

hello, has anybody have any problems with the byetta pen? Not the medication but the delivery unit? I noticed yesterday that my pen had about an air bubble the size of a centimeter in it. I brought it to the pharmacy and the just told me to position the pen vertical and use it. I was able to "pump" the air out. I am not sure if I am still getting the proper dose.....


has this happen to anybody and what did you do? Were you able to get new pen?

THanks!

Comment by JerryInPDX on September 24, 2009 at 9:52am

I have been doing a before bed snack (take my metformin at that point too) it seems to help, maybe on adverage about 20 points lower in the am. I typically do almonds or some high fiber toast with almond butter (takes a lot of water to wash that down :) I think im pretty good on protein in general, I make sure its a regular star in all of my meals as well as adding whey protein supps 30g before and 60g after my daily workouts. My doc recommended i set my alarm for a 1-2am snack, but just cant get my head around that, i dont think i get enough sleep as it is.

Comment by Tony S. on September 24, 2009 at 9:30am

Hi, Sarah.

Something you might consider discussing with your endo:

I'm currently under a lot of stress, with a family health crisis [my Dad's just going into hospice next week, after 2 weeks in the ICU and 8 years of severely and steadily declining health]. I found myself nervous-eating again, Byetta or not, in response to this crisis.

My numbers just shot up again, so my M.D. put me on Byetta THREE (3) times a day. That's pulled the a.m. numbers down under 200. [I'm hoping that the 3X shot routine is temporary; bit hard to work into my crazy schedule. [I haven't been on a regular eating schedule, with trips to the hospital and chauffeuring my mom around, trying to rush thru work every day, etc.]

Also, my diabetes educator said that snacks during the day are important and especially important to have a small, low-cal bedtime snack that contains some protein. The system might think it needs to retain glucose because it is starving, is the thinking I believe. I've read a lot of comments from people on these blogs about problems from not eating enough protein. There's something definitely there.

We obviously all have different bodies with different metabolisms. Perhaps we all don't fit the perfect brochure-photo, Byetta-user profile. I firmly believe that we are the most important member of our own health team and we have to educate ourselves and manage our own diabetes on an on-going basis. It's your time, as my endo always tells me.

Wishing you and everyone who reads this so much good luck and hope. And hope you'll find the key to getting those numbers down

Comment by Sarah on September 24, 2009 at 8:09am

Hi Tony - it has been a while since I checked in, thanks for your kind words and advice and encouragement! It is a long haul, I am a teacher and like to be in CONTROL - so the high numbers are what make me frustrated. Plus, you know what it's like - you get older and the weight doesn't come off like it used to! I have lost 27 pounds in the last 13 months - slow but steady, my numbers are still in the 200's but no side effects like with glyburide or metformin. So, that's cool. I feel less frustrated as I lose more weight but for the first time in my life I am scared about the diabetes - scared that even as hard as I am trying, I will end up losing my eyesight or something in the future. I used to be diet controlled. But, who knows? The weight loss is important, at some point it will make a difference. I will try the walking after meals and REMEMBER TO DRINK!!! Thanks again!

Comment by carolyn mcquis on September 23, 2009 at 6:52pm

Has anyone had any experience with Novolog 70/30? I am on it and have joint pain. Endo says it's nothing to do with insulin. Mighty strange I never had this until on insulin.

Comment by Tony S. on September 20, 2009 at 11:18pm

Hi, Jerry --- was having same problem recently, but diabetes educator told me to eat a small protein snack before bedtime. Reason is body is lacking protein and thinks it needs to retain glucose or the body will starve during the 6 to 8 hours of no-food. I suggested a tablespoon of peanut butter and she agreed that would do it. Worth a shot, so to speak. I did this once before, just by chance, and was surprised at low a.m. reading; I knew I'd eaten a late snack, but counter-intuitive as it seemed, it worked, the numbers were lower. good luck.

Comment by JerryInPDX on September 20, 2009 at 9:40pm

Glad I found this forum!

I have been searching and for a few references, but I figured id throw the question out there:

Has anyone seen real improvement in their morning test as a result of using byetta? I seem to be doing pretty good with my 1000MG metformin and exercise during the times im awake to manage things (94 2 hrs after dinner tonight :) but in the mornings and fasting im pushing 140-150's (this reading at a yearly physical led to my T2 diagnosis)

Im not crazy about injections but ill suck it up if there is a chance it will help. Im not even sure the doc will give it to me with most my other numbers in the 80-120 range but... Id loooove to fix that morning number!

So... its it helping your morning numbers?

Comment by Tony S. on July 26, 2009 at 6:21pm

Hi, Sarah Congrats on the good work and results! I started Byetta in April and threw myself into exercise and diet. I'm down 17 lbs. and still losing. My numbers, like yours, are also up there. I saw my endo on Wednesday and he said not to worry about the numbers, the Byetta is working, and was really elated about the weight loss, which he thinks is more important at this stage. He believes if that continues, I may come off of Byetta eventually. His belief in Byetta is that it is regenerating/restoring Beta cells and that that takes time. I really feel great and healthy despite the numbers, which confuse me too. Some tips: drink plenty of water and walk after meals. I'm also trying to eat more low carb and avoid high-glycemic index foods.

When you say you feel miserable, do you mean frustrated at not being able to figure this stuff out? That's how I feel from time to time. I do trust my endo. I got off the drugs like Glyburide which they say wears out your pancreas. I want to get down to only Byetta and then the doc says I may come off that too.

Hang in there and give the Byetta a little more time to work. And stay in touch --- keep up the good work. We all get down about this but it is winnable. Chin up!

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