My doctor’s visit today re: Byetta usage
I saw my doctor after 4 months of Byetta (1 mth 5 & 3 mth 10 pen). My
HbaA1c got reduced from 6.8 to 6.0. However, what I want to report
here is that for the last 1.5 months I had been using Byetta 10 pen
ONLY once during the day before breakfast and no Byetta injection in
the evening at all. My doctor told me that is quite alright. He said
whatever works is best. He said, maybe in the future you may be able
to tolerate two injections a day, but whatever works is best.
Also, he reduced my daily dose of 20 mg Glipizide to 15 mg of
Glipizide. (In reality, instead of 2000 mg of Glucovance plus 500 mg
of Glucophage, take 1500 mg of Glucovance and 100 mg of Glucophage).
That was the only change.
I also told him that Amylin says that we should discard the 10 pen
after 30 days and mine will last 60 days since I only use it once. To
my surprise, he said that is no problem– Keep using the pen till it
lasts!
I told him that not even Amylin claims that Byetta improves Beta cell
function in a lasting way. He said that it is true they don’t claim
that, but he believes that it does improve Beta Cell function. He has
about 80+ patients on Byetta.
September 9th, 2003 at 7:04 am
Don’t know if I mentioned this before, but as a law student, I have to go to
court about once a week and observe or participate in various activites - sort
of like being treated by a medical intern.
When I went to one court house and took my diabetic testing equipment - one
lancette, the meter and some strips you’da though I was a terrorist with a bomb.
The security guard wanted me to lock it in the car and said, "Well, you tested
this MORNING, didn’t ya?" as if that’s all anyone would need.
I gently responded that I had not heard of diabetics attacking court personnel
with tiny lancettes, that I would not lock my supplies in my car and that she
was more than welcome to contact the Lawyer of the Day program and tell my
supervisor I would not be reporting to work that day. The guards backed down,
but only because I was associated with a mover and shaker in the court system.
Every time I go there we go through the same routine and I refuse to lead off
with "Hi, I’m here to work at the LOD program" because that sets me apart from
every other non-lawyer/law student diabetic in the country. It could be any of
you having to deal with this so I’m testing the boundaries.
I’ve been pondering on this. Now, assuming an insulin dependent diabetic who
requires several shots a day has to go to court. And assuming s/he is not an
attorney then they would potentially be told to leave their insulin in a 120
degree car - or alternately in a freezing car - or somewhere inbetween, but
certainly not within ready access. If they had a problem they’d have to leave
the building, walk to the car, etc. If they had no car (as in went there by
bus) then god only knows where they could keep their supplies and insulin.
I used to have a boss who was a brittle diabetic and she would sometimes be
weaving down the hall and we’d have to find out if she needed sugar or insulin.
One of the teachers in school recently collapsed (hypo) and we’re all hyper
aware of his needs regarding his highs and lows. The lows are easy - glucose
tablets are not fear provoking for security guards. Needles apparently are
right up there with bombs and box cutters.
It has been a problem every time I go to that court. Never was at one of the
courts in Boston I went to all summer. Then again, you’re talking "Republic of
Cambridge" where everyone is laid back. (smile)
I wrote my mentor at the Boston courts and asked where to start with this in
terms of educating the court to the issues so that various chief judges can send
directives to security - or whomever is in charge can do so. I have visions of
someone ending up in the hosptial or dead becasue they can’t access what they
need when they need it due to our national obsession with terrorism or fear of
HIV/AIDS. I can also understand being leery about people with sharp pointy
things, but in all reality, I could stab someone with a ball point pen that I’d
covered in my own blood and we can’t tell people that they can’t have ball point
pens or pencils in a courthouse. This is ridiculous. It would also exclude
people with severe allergies who must carry an epi-pen, which I do.
I don’t mind being told I can’t have a camera phone in the courthouse. Then
again, I don’t have one anyway. I don’t mind being told not to bring in knives
or obvious weapons, although I’ve carried a knife for many years and find
countless uses for it.
Has anyone on the list had problems getting on a plane or through any sort of
security screening because they have diabetic testing or injection supplies?
I’m really intrigued about this and because I tend towards being a disabilty
rights advocate, I’m probably going to end up making a lot of noise about this
with the Massachusetts court system. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of
cure when it comes to someone’s life.
Also, if you didn’t know it could be a problem and were going there, it is good
to know it could really be a problem and you might need to talk it over with
your attorney, get a special pass, a doctor’s note that you have to have your
supplies with you, etc.
Marsha
September 9th, 2003 at 2:25 pm
When we lived in Germany, any time we were flying, I had a new note from my
doctor, which sat in my passport, explaining the need for my supplies.
Thankfully I have never had a problem, even post-9/11. If I ever need to board
a plane, or even a bus or train, for that matter, I will have a note. I have
been in one of the courts in Detroit a few times, and thankfully had no issue
getting past security there. My purse, with supplies, would go through the
x-ray machine, where I’m sure my needles were obviously spotted, and nobody
really said anything. So, I guess it just depends on the people in charge and
how educated they are. Good luck on educating those people, they need it!
Trish
September 11th, 2003 at 2:57 am
I have flown several times with all of my testing and insulin supplies and never
had a problem. Last month I was stopped for my pump but when I told them what it
was they quickly patted me down and let me through. The only place I have ever
had a problem was at a few of the Smithsonian buildings in Washington DC. You
would have thought I was a terrorist when the guards were asking me why I had
syringes. I explained and then they were fine with it. I found it pretty
humorous that they were the only ones who have ever cared.
September 13th, 2003 at 11:31 am
My husband is leaving for Russia soon for business and will be flying
via North Korea. He has already made one trip into North Korea as
part of this project, and while he had no trouble taking his insulin
and syringes into the country, when he tried to board he plane to fly
home they insisted he could not take his syringes. He is
anticipating trouble the end of this month since he flies through
North Korea again to get to Russia. His Russian contact suggested
they have a medical document prepared in Russian to explain his
needles before he leaves Texas. Now we are trying to find someone to
translate the doctor’s document into Russian.
Terry Lawler Early
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September 13th, 2003 at 6:13 pm
Dunno ’bout that, but my doc and PharmD took me off once daily GlucoVance
last week because of the lows and put me on twice a day Glucophage.
Hopefully the juice is stimulating them there beta cells into Happy Baytar
Cells.18 years out here.
September 14th, 2003 at 2:49 am
Well, got down to the end of the month on my 10 pen and still had like 25%
of the lizard juice in there (missed maybe 4 or 5 doses in the month). So,
being cheap and curious (the usual combination), I got the refill, but kept
using this pen. Ten days over I still have maybe 15% of the juice in the pen
and I think it’s finally crapped out. I forgot to meter up this morning
(crazy morning here), but I had no nausea last night or this morning and I
don’t feel bloated after the local breakfast buffet (hey, leave me alone,
down 20lbs and feelin’ just dandy). I also don’t like the itty bitty needles
that come with the pen, prefer the Novo pointies.
Experiences with 31+ days?
September 14th, 2003 at 4:53 pm
All i know is i used mine till it wouldn’t push or turn anymore. i
forgot when i started it hahaha. so thats what happend with MY pen.
Rebecca
September 14th, 2003 at 9:11 pm
ON that subject. why COULDN"T you just use the byetta as a vial and use
a needle to take the 5mcg or 10 mcg out then inject it? Not that i’ve
ever been on insulin so i’m just surmising.
Rebecca
September 15th, 2003 at 7:59 am
When I was running out of pen needles, I decided to try using a syringe with it.
Hmph, yeah right. I took the plunger out of the syringe, and squirted the
Byetta into it. By the time I got the plunger back in all the way, most of the
VERY tiny amount of Byetta was already gone, since it’s not a good idea to
inject air. The actual amount of Byetta in the dose is so small… even those
of us with good eyes would probably have a hard time dosing it into a syringe.
Trish
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September 15th, 2003 at 5:30 pm
Yeh, NO DOUBT. Anyways, really been off the wagon today, so back on the
lizard tomorrow.
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Sad when you know your medicine is bad when it does NOT make you
nauseous. LOL
Andrew
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September 15th, 2003 at 9:48 pm
I scribble the date opened on it and cover with clear tape.
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All i know is i used mine till it wouldn’t push or turn anymore. i
forgot when i started it hahaha. so thats what happend with MY pen.
Rebecca
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September 16th, 2003 at 2:06 am
The company says don’t do it. My diabetes educator days people do. I would
like to have the option of getting in pen and vial.
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ON that subject. why COULDN"T you just use the byetta as a vial and use
a needle to take the 5mcg or 10 mcg out then inject it? Not that i’ve
ever been on insulin so i’m just surmising.
Rebecca
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September 16th, 2003 at 8:44 am
rebecca,
i would assume it is because the dosage is so small. i
have done that with lantus pen refills, but i was
using 1/2 cc. much easier to read. our syringes aren’t
guaged small enough to get the proper dose of byetta
September 16th, 2003 at 2:38 pm
So would I. I am frustrated by having to use a pen when that choice was a
marketing decision to make it a more profitable drug. Pat in Idaho
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ON that subject. why COULDN"T you just use the byetta as a vial and use
a needle to take the 5mcg or 10 mcg out then inject it? Not that i’ve
ever been on insulin so i’m just surmising.
Rebecca
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September 16th, 2003 at 6:39 pm
Okay, I’m curious why would you want to use a regular syringe vs. the
epi pen? I think the Epi is much less intrusive, plus I’d much rather
deal with just the needle head than a full syringe. I think I must be
missing something here.
September 17th, 2003 at 3:15 am
Okay, thanks for explaining Pearl.
Jeanna
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it.
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September 18th, 2003 at 5:41 am
And I’m not convinced the Fisher-Price feel of the delivery system works
100% of the time. I KNOW when the syringe works. It would just be nice to
have the option. I may have to drop back to a 5 dose in the morning and a 10
dose in the evening and that means having/paying for both pens. Either way,
not complaining all that much, pen seems to do the trick.
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September 18th, 2003 at 3:27 pm
ah ok thank you. i had/have no idea like i said.
Rebecca
September 18th, 2003 at 7:45 pm
ON that subject for some reason the Byetta did nothing on my 2nd and
also my 3rd pen until now. it was kind of strange. now my blood sugar
seems to have stabilized and i’m doing better. including the nausea
yucks hahah. i have lost 7 lbs in the past 3 months so thats good.
though i know my Dr is going to say its not. i have no idea what i was
doing wrong or doing better with either.
i do know i started giving the injections above my belly button instead
of below or on the side of. Who shoots above and who shoots below? just
curious.
Rebecca
September 19th, 2003 at 5:30 am
i rotate mine around. sometimes left, sometimes right,
high and low depending on what i am wearing mainly.
but since i take insulin too, i try to rotate with
every dose
October 18th, 2003 at 3:37 am
I would REALLY like to see an article on this. We all hope, of course.
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