Hello again
Hi all,
I am the newbie who was asking for info on getting a prescription for
Byetta. I did have an appointment with the diabetic management clinic team
on Monday, where the question of "what can they possibly do they do with you
for four hours" was answered — they make you wait a lot . The doctor and
the pharmacologist (a PharmD) were reluctant to prescribe the Byetta ("it’s
so new") and I’m pretty sure I now have a notation in my chart of being a
"difficult patient" but they ultimately decided to humor me and I walked
away with a prescription for a 5 mcg pen and nothing else. No instruction,
nothing, even though I had never injected anything before. Probably that’s
my punishment. Anyway, I’m teaching myself and so far so good. My blood
sugars have been very good, below 100 both before and and after meals most
of the time. My "dawn phenomenon" is still there but it’s now in the 130s
rather than the 160s - 190s, so there’s definite improvement. There’s been
a bit of vague nausea but nothing really dramatic. My worst problem has
been a bit of localized reaction at the injection sites which is probably
due to poor injection technique, it seems to be improving as well. My
appetite has generally been down, which is a blessing, but I’m thinking
there’s a strong psychological element there — I want so badly for this to
work my mind is making it work. Which is fine by me, whatever the mechanism
as long as it works. I know I’m eating less and I’m sure that’s got
something to do with the better sugars too.
I basically wasted my dose this morning though, I got up and took the dose
then decided I’d just close my eyes for a while until it was time to eat.
And woke up an hour and a half later. Grr.
I’m experimenting with ways to keep it cold as I need to take a dose in the
evening at work and I’m not comfortable with keeping it in the communal
refrigerator in the break room — and I’m afraid I’m going to forget to take
it home with me if it’s in there. I bought a small thermos and will try it
in there wrapped in bubble wrap with some ice cubes, we’ll see how that
works. I don’t have a thermometer to check on the temp, though. (I did
request the carrying case from the Byetta website but I understand that
won’t keep it cool for an entire work shift — anyway it hasn’t come yet.)
I’m enjoying reading everybody’s posts, thanks for being there.
Debbie
December 20th, 2003 at 2:12 pm
I did eat and it was a bit high. Not as high as it probably would have been
in the past, though. It’s good to know I probably got some good out of it.
Thanks
_____
I don’t think you wasted your dose, unless you did not eat. Betta has
December 20th, 2003 at 10:53 pm
Debbie, I’m sorry you had to go through a hassle getting your Byetta.
But good for you for sticking to your guns!
I have the carrying case from Byetta. They sent it quickly. I found it
useless to keep my pen cold the amount of time I needed it to, so I use
it to store my meter, strips, etc. A thermometer is useful to keep track
of the temperature. You don’t want to freeze your pen in the thermos.
<g> I bought a fridge thermometer at Target and have it in the fridge
next to my pen, and put it in my thermos or whatever container I end up
using to carry my Byetta in.
December 22nd, 2003 at 12:36 am
That’s why I wrapped it in the bubble wrap, to keep it from touching the
ice. I’ve also got the reservoir at the top of the thermos to minimize the
contact with the ice (but it’s lying on it’s side in my bag so I guess that
wasn’t too bright). My fridge thermometer won’t fit in the thermos, darn
it. (The the pen and the ice just barely fit in there — 3 cubes fit, 4
don’t.)
Debbie
December 22nd, 2003 at 5:59 am
That’s why I wrapped it in the bubble wrap, to keep it from touching the
ice. I’ve also got the reservoir at the top of the thermos to minimize the
contact with the ice (but it’s lying on it’s side in my bag so I guess that
wasn’t too bright). My fridge thermometer won’t fit in the thermos, darn
it. (The the pen and the ice just barely fit in there — 3 cubes fit, 4
don’t.)
Debbie
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Anything posted in this group is the opinion of the person who posted it.
a.. Visit your group "Diabetes_And_Byetta" on the web.
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December 22nd, 2003 at 1:35 pm
Debbie, I bought a Frio wallet when I first started on Lantus. You’re
right; they are great, but for insulin and not Byetta.
December 22nd, 2003 at 5:47 pm
If the cubes don’t work I’ll try crushing the ice. I think they probably
will, though. Debbie
December 27th, 2003 at 1:22 am
I found putting those small sq ‘ice-cubes- refreezable ice in the outer
pockets, then putting it in a small ice insulated bag (mine would carry
like a 6-pack but it has the hard plastic liner which i like) keeps it
cold enough for like 8-9 hours.
Rebecca
December 30th, 2003 at 6:21 am
I’ll pick up a thermometer and check it to be sure, but the ice hadn’t even
melted at all when I got home last night — after about 9-1/2 hours.
Assuming it got cold enough in the first place (I’m pretty sure it did) it
was certainly the same temperature at the end of the day. Obviously,
ambient temperatures will cause this to vary (like when it’s 95 degrees here
in the summer), but probably the Medicool pack has a similar problem. And
bulky is a problem for me. (Even the small thermos is bulkier than I’d
like.) There’s a big difference in cost (my $15 versus their $50+) but of
course if the cheaper solution doesn’t work I’ll try the Medicool pack.
Debbie
_____
December 30th, 2003 at 1:48 pm
The thermos will work for as long as you keep it supplied with a little ice. I
have used mine for about 18 hours so far, but have heard of others who have used
theirs for extended periods of time (days). Pat in ID
The thermos idea will work, but I"m not sure for how long. You can buy a
thermometer at the supermarket - can be an oven one - just check, to make sure
the temp goes down to that 36-40 area. There are also small fridge
thermometers. I’ve used this method for a few hours and it’s fine.
Medicool.com sells a case that will keep the byetta at fridge temp for 12
hours. I ordered the thing, and while it’s big, it apparently works, and
solves the problem of being away from home for long periods.
December 30th, 2003 at 11:38 pm
Stacey, I use a big stainless steel-lined thermos and my husband timed
it at over 20 hrs w/o refilling the ice. I make sure I have a
thermometer in there so the temp stays within 36-40 degrees. It can get
colder, too, and freeze the pen.
January 2nd, 2004 at 3:13 am
I’ve used my thermos for a week at a time…just last week, I used it from
Wed - Sunday while on a camping trip. I only had to add ice one time during the
5 days and that was Friday or Saturday… it works great for me.
January 3rd, 2004 at 9:18 am
Reba, this is consistent with the time we got with the thermos. I"m
trying to figure out how to take the Byetta backpacking. I might have to
carry my thermos with me. <g>
April 20th, 2006 at 11:45 pm
I joined this group late last spring while researaching whether or not
to go on Byetta. (In general, I have needle fear). I have been on gila
juice for about 7 months now and wanted to share my experience, since
I’m sure there are a lot of new folks here. (And HOWDY to all those I
"knew" before I stopped posting, due mostly to a life spun out of
control having nothing to do with diabetes).
First, I’ve lost 49 pounds. Second, my A1c is 5.5. I’ve travelled with
Byetta, and both it and I survived. I have missed several days in a row
a few times (either due to illness, or funeral attendance) and my blood
glucose still didn’t spike above 120 post prandial.
I think this thing is a miracle drug.
Just wanted to share.
Jessica
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