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Posted 4/18/2006 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Gail,
Thanks for the words of encouragement! I give shots on a daily basis to our various animals, dogs, goats, horses but the thought of giving on to myself is not thrilling me!
I'm scheduled for training at the Diabetes Care Center Thurs. Not looking forward to this at all.

When you say nausea what exactly does that mean....do you just feel it or do you actually need to vomit? I hate be gross but just really want to know what I'm in for!

Yes, there is a Type 1 diabetic I work with and she has been very supportaive and helpful and she prefers her stomach also.
A B&D 31g needle was suggested to me for comfort, maybe that would help with the bruising?

Thank you again for the feedback! It helps to know I'm not alone.
Posted 4/19/2006 2:19 PM (GMT 0)

Hi JoAnne,  please don't take my word as 'Gospel'.  When I say I have nausea... I have that feeling that I am going to vomit, but I have not ever.  I have read many posts on here of people that have not had any ill side effects, and I will pray that you don't either.  I am using the smallest needle, that I have heard others using on here.  I will survive!  as I am a survivor!  Good luck to you... know the first time is the hardest!! 

I encourage everyone to keep posting in here... y'all probably don't realize how much you are helping others...  I can contest to that!!

gail yeah

Posted 4/19/2006 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
Gail and JoAnne,

Want to offer you an official welcome to HealingWell in case you didn't get one yet... You two just jumped right in which is awesome! I hope you feel right at home. I'm on Lantus and have found that injecting myself in the tummy just causes waaaay too many bruises. I have started injecting almost exclusively in my hip sides and buns. Most of us women have a bit of extra padding in those spots and there appears to be less nerve endings there for even feeling the injection site. I have to watch myself in the mirror to be sure the needle actually goes in because I seldom can feel it. If it's allowed for Byetta that may be the way to go for you ladies.

One of these evenings I'm gonna get organized and visit the chat rooms here again.. maybe we could meet up and have a good yak.
Posted 4/20/2006 8:17 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Gail,

The pen is tricky to use for belly injections in that when you move your hand around to push that button down (mine goes through 3 clicks) you can inadvertantly put a lot of pressure on that little needle and move it around in your skin.  Also if you push the button to fast and it really just rams that liquid into the tissues, that too can cause the bruising.  I routinely do belly shots with Byetta but Im very carefull about not putting extra pressure on the needle to push the pen button and I do the 3 clicks slowly.  I've had bruising once, and this was what led me to suspect I was manhandling the needle. (its so tiny and painless you really can't feel it most times if you move it around inside).  One caveat however.  If you begin to slide the needle in and it stings; STOP, find another sight.  At that point, I've discovered through trial and error, the whole injection is going to be uncomfortable AND you are gonna run the risk of bruising!!  Find that point where the needle is painless even if it means moving the site around a few times.

As a guy, my thighs and butt are so lean that its more difficult to find fat over the muscle but I still do the thigh injections no problem.

scool Warren
Posted 4/20/2006 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Warren -

Thank you for the advice!!  I bet you are right, I know that I am beginning to get 'more comfortable' with the injections (which in itself is a scary thought) and I bet that I am moving the pen around and being careless!  I will pay more attention to that.  I did learn that if there is pain initially... the whole injection is going to be uncomfortable, so I do move the injection site.

I am interested to see how this weekend goes... I am going to Las Vegas so this will be the first time I travelled since taking the Byetta.  My schedule will be sporadic and I will need to learn to be consistent.  Wish me luck!!

Thanks again!!

gail  yeah

Posted 4/26/2006 1:33 PM (GMT 0)

Well I did it! Took my first injection of Byetta last night! So far so good. The woman at the diabeties care center was impressed with my knowledge & my questions....and I owe alot of that to the help & support I've gotten from all of you here! tongue

So far I just have a headache but 1/2 of that is more then likely nerves and anticipation of starting this new medication.

Well I'll keep you posted on my progress and I'll keep reading here for more information! Thank you again for all your support.

JoAnne

Posted 5/3/2006 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
I have been unable to get my 10mcg pen approved by my insurance.  I've been off Byetta for 2 weeks and my glucose is back up.  Any suggestions?


Posted 5/3/2006 11:07 PM (GMT 0)

Nandee,

Who is your insurance provider??

scool Warren
Posted 5/4/2006 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
Blue Sheild
Posted 5/4/2006 11:35 AM (GMT 0)

Does the manufacturer have a Patience Assistance Program you can qualify for?

It's something to look into, good luck,

JoAnne

Posted 5/4/2006 12:21 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Nandee,

I have Empire Blue Cross / Blue Shield as my insurance provider.  They use "CAREMARK" to fill their prescriptions.  So far I have had no problems with them providing my Byetta, in fact, they provide me 3 pens at a time for the cost of a copay for 2 pens.  If you're "Blue Shield" is not using Caremark, email me and perhaps I can give you more direct assistance in getting them to approve your pens as a formulary drug.

scool Warren

PS - email is in profile

Posted 5/4/2006 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
Warren... I will make some calls today and see if they use Caremark.

JoAnne... I don't think I qualify for the PA program, but I'll check on that too!

Thanks so much for the suggestions!!
Posted 5/4/2006 5:40 PM (GMT 0)

I've been on 5g Byetta for 2 weeks now. My numbers are slightly better then before starting. Does it take a while for things to start looking better? I'm still 150-185, although I will say I rarely go into the 200's any more.

I did have a session with the dietitian and I MUSt not skip snacks. My morning number is usually my highest as I thought I was doing a good thing by not eating anything after dinner! She said I must have a 1 carb snack around 10:00pm.

Do most people go to the 10g pen? I am only 1 of 3 people at the local diabetes care center on byetta so they are really watching me but not having much to offer me in advice.

Thanks,

JoAnne eyes

Posted 5/4/2006 9:15 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Joanne,

MOST people migrate to the 10mcg pen, myself included.  My numbers weren't as bad as yours with the 5mcg pen but they weren't sub 100 either.  I went to 10mcg a twice a day and VOILA!!  I was able to pretty much cut my oral meds in half and achieve numbers that run pretty much under 100 all day long.  Sometimes when I don't eat enough carbs, I have to remember to cut back on my oral meds or the Byetta will actually push my blood sugar down into the low 60's and high 50's and thats not a good thing.  All in all though, the 10mcg pen will show you a dramatic improvement over the 5mcg pen.  Hopefully you will miss the nausea part!

Also, Byetta is PARTICULARLY potent when used with metformin (glucophage).  If you aren't already taking this, ask your doctor about prescribing it to go along with the byetta. 

scool Warren
Posted 5/5/2006 11:43 AM (GMT 0)

Good morning Warren,

Yes I am on Glucophage 1000mg/2x a day. The nausea seems to have gone except when I eat something that isn't the best choice or too high in fats/carbs. I've been really trying to stick to the diet finding the timing to be the hardest part. I often skip snacks. I actually have to force the 10:00pm carb snack but the number in the morning is under 200 and seems to be going down. I have a follow up with my doctor on the 22nd so I will see what she has to say.

Thank you again for this wonderful forum. I know I can always come here for answers and support!

Have a great day,

JoAnne

Posted 5/5/2006 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
Warren.... I made some calls and found out it is my Endo who is holding up my prescription!  Blue Shield is waiting for him to fax or call in some additional information.  I have filed a complaint about the doctor. 

Posted 5/8/2006 11:13 AM (GMT 0)

I am 3 weeks into my first 5g pen and over the weekend I started having injection site reactions. Everything from a slight redness to a whelt the size of a dime, similar to a bug bite. The first time I noticed the reactions I had gone above my waist, so I returned to below my waist line. My last injection I think I hit a blood vessel and instantly got that black bump/bruise mark which is now a black & blue mark!

What am I doing wrong and why now, 3 weeks into it? Now that I am comfortable with injecting am I being too rough? I do the "prick test" you all suggested, I hold the needle still & count to 5 but this is a "new" issue and was looking for some suggestions?

Thanks and a good day to all,

JoAnne sad

Posted 5/8/2006 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
Wow!!  Thats terrible!!  I don't know what to tell you.  I find my thighs to be much more accomodating than my belly.  I try to alternate but I find that over the long run I have much less "sensitivity" to injections in my thighs.  Now as to whats happening to you, for the most part it sounds like you may be having a reaction to the meds, not so much to the injections.  If this reaction happens in both your thighs and your belly its probably one of two things.  EITHER, you have developed some sort of an allergic reaction to the meds OR your meds have somehow become contaminated and they are giving you a minor reaction. 

Try the thighs and see if your still getting a reaction.  If you are, call LILLY the manufacter, explain what is happening and tell them you suspect your Byetta may have become contaminated and they will probably offer to send you a new pen for free. 

scool Warren

 

Posted 5/10/2006 3:39 PM (GMT 0)

:-)  Thanks for the advice.

I did call Lilly and they said I was doing everything right and to contact my Dr. I did that and she said unless the injection site felt warm or bothered me to continue.

As fast as the reactions started they have stopped! The past 4 injections have nothing! Not even a spot! I'm moving forward and doing my best!

Well, hope you are having a wonderful day & thanks again,

JoAnne

Posted 5/15/2006 5:28 PM (GMT 0)

Well I had my 1 month followup appointment and the doctor was VERY pleased with my numbers & my weight loss to date. She was very impressed with my knowledge and uderstanding of my treatment....and that I owe alot of the credit to the wonderful help I have gotten from all of you!

I am going to the higer dose pen. I have sent in my scripts, as my insurance company has a mail order prescritpion plan, so as soon as the new pens arrive I will start on the higher dose pen.

I am please to report the side effects have gone for the most part although when I am not as careful as I should be w/ carbs & fats I do notice an unpleasent feeling in my stomach! This helps to keep me "on track"!

Have a wonderful day,

JoAnne tongue

Posted 5/16/2006 3:31 AM (GMT 0)

JoAnne... I'm glad you are doing well!  Keep up the good work!!

My Endo finally got the additional information to Blue Sheild.  They denied the request because I'm on Avandia.  It took the Doctor 3 weeks to get this far, so I decided to just purchase the 10 mcg pen myself ($208.00).  I have changed medical groups, so on June 1st, I will be able to get a referal to a new Endo.  I haven't seen much improvement in the fasting numbers, yet.  At least I'm not having any side effects. I feel like this fight with the doctor has really set me back.....

Posted 5/16/2006 5:08 AM (GMT 0)

I don't know where your doctor came up with that, but Im on Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield and was on Avandia when I started Byetta and they paid for EVERYTHING!!!  I don't think the doctor is telling you everything. 

Incidently, the 10mcg pen made it possible to drop the avandia completely so that I now take only metformin and glipizide.  This was really nice in that Avandia had the worst side effects of all the meds I take.

scool Warren
Posted 5/16/2006 5:24 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Warren. This Endo has been a pain. He was 2-1/2 hours late for my last appointment. The pharmacy told me I can get a refund if Blue Shield approves it.

I still have some Avandia. Do you think I should take it until I see the new Endo??
Posted 5/16/2006 12:00 PM (GMT 0)

I have cigna insurance and had been on avandia too! I've never had a problem with things not being paid for. Avandia made my numbers even worse. You need to find a doctor who you are comfortable with. Being late & untimely is very upsetting! My doctors office is actually splitting into 2 private practaces and one of my big issues is their customer service! So much so I've actually submitted my resume to be their office manager!

My morning number is my worst also but I often pass the late night carb snack (much to the aggrivation of the dietian) and this they claim is why the number in the morning is high.

I do have an additional question: When going to the 10mcg pen do the side effects come back like when you first start?

Well todays a new day...make it a good one!

JoAnne

Posted 5/16/2006 1:24 PM (GMT 0)
JoAnne... Both Blue Shield and PacifiCare told me they would not cover the Byetta if I was on Anvandia. They told me they had not done studies on patients taking both and didn't know if it was safe. I think they didn't want to pay for 2 expensive medications. I don't like the Avandia either.

I was surprised last night I had 1/2 bagel with cream cheese and my fasting this morning was 125. It's ususally 150'ish. (This is without the Avandia.)
I guess that late night snack is important!!!

I am lucky. I don't have any bad side effects. I get a little nausea, but It's fleeting. I sneeze and it's gone... LOL
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