gilly has quit working!!
I’ve been on the spit for 3 weeks now and all of a sudden my bg is
back to my pre-Byetta numbers, no appatite suppression or warm
flashes. I still have about half a pen to go(5mg). Does anyone have an
idea what might be happening? might I jsut be getting immune to the
charms of the monster? I think I’ll call amylin but I want to know it
this has happened to anyone else.
thanks,
Sylett
September 18th, 2005 at 6:31 pm
Agree - pen could be busted - damn Fisher Price delivery system. I have
complained to the rep about them several times. Try taking a couple of shots
in the air to make sure it is working. You won’t waste it, there is always a
bunch of it left in the pen after 30 days - I have stretched to 45 days or
so, but don’t try to save money by doing that. It just made me sick all the
time so I knew when the med was no longer efficacious.
Carl Eugene Moore, MBA
_____
My thought is that the pen might not be functioning normally and
you’re not getting a dose, or less than the full dose. Since you’re
new, you may not have a feel yet for how the pen works, what it is
supposed to feel like when you pull, turn and push the plunger, etc.
Try going through one cycle, squirting one shot into the air, just
to see if the pen is working right and you’re doing things right.
Call Amylin and have them walk you through it, step by step. If you
are convinced you’re getting the juice injected, talk to your
endocrinologist and see if she has any ideas.
September 25th, 2005 at 6:11 pm
I would advise anyone having issues with their numbers [blood sugar or
weight loss] hitting a snag should check their pen first, doubt themselves
second [winking] call their Endo third and the company fourth if nothing
else works. My 2 cents Sharon
—full agreement - and don’t be afraid to waste a few shots - you aren’t.
I am on a first name basis with my entire pharmacy team!
—yeh, me, too, which is why I told Elizabeth the other day if I ever
needed something like Valtrex, I would have to go to another pharmacy out of
town. She said something about Viagra. I said no way. I’d be skipping in and
waving that Rx over my head to let EVERYONE know I was getting some. I have
no shame. And don’t want any.
Carl Eugene Moore, MBA
September 26th, 2005 at 4:44 am
I see many of you mentioning your Endo. Do most of you on Byetta see
an endocrinologist for everything diabetes related? Do you need to
see one? I’m just seeing my regular family practitioner and so far he
doesn’t want me on Byetta and is a cheerleader as long as my bs is
under 140 (which it usually is in my 3 months of taking metformin). If
I can keep it in that range on the first level of meds, do I not need
to see an endo? I really want to try Byetta and want to talk my
doctor into it when I see him this week. I’ve lost 3 pounds so far
this month with exercise (mostly in the last week or so), but only
lost 1 pound all of last month. I know that the weight is at least
moving in the right direction, but I really want to see if Byetta
could amp that up. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Stefanie
September 26th, 2005 at 5:12 pm
Stephanie, I went to an endo after years of just seeing my internist. I needed
to get myself in gear and take my diabetes seriously. This was my way of doing
that. The Endo put me on the Byetta right away and cut my Actos dose in half.
My bg numbers are in the normal range with the spit, but I haven’t lost much
weight. That discourages me, especially when I read the amount of weight most
of the people here have lost. But, I’m trying to stay positive since the bg
numbers are so good. If you’re numbers are good with the oral meds, that’s
good. I can understand why you’d like to try the spit, though, since it does
really seem to help most folks with their weight. I’m sure it wouldn’t be a
problem with your doc if you decided to see an endo for your diabetes. Good
luck. Kathy, MN
I see many of you mentioning your Endo. Do most of you on Byetta see
an endocrinologist for everything diabetes related? Do you need to
see one? I’m just seeing my regular family practitioner and so far he
doesn’t want me on Byetta and is a cheerleader as long as my bs is
under 140 (which it usually is in my 3 months of taking metformin). If
I can keep it in that range on the first level of meds, do I not need
to see an endo? I really want to try Byetta and want to talk my
doctor into it when I see him this week. I’ve lost 3 pounds so far
this month with exercise (mostly in the last week or so), but only
lost 1 pound all of last month. I know that the weight is at least
moving in the right direction, but I really want to see if Byetta
could amp that up. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Stefanie
September 26th, 2005 at 8:19 pm
Stephanie,
You mentioned you see a family doctor for your
diabetes. did you say how long you’ve been diagnosed?
I’ve had it since 1986 and feel I’d not be here if I
didn’t have an endo. So if you feel you need one,
remember it’s YOUR decision.
September 27th, 2005 at 4:34 am
I’ve never seen and endo, but if you feel you need to, please do. If you
want to try the med, INSIST. This is a service you are PAYING for.
Carl Eugene Moore, MBA
_____
I see many of you mentioning your Endo. Do most of you on Byetta see
an endocrinologist for everything diabetes related? Do you need to
see one? I’m just seeing my regular family practitioner and so far he
doesn’t want me on Byetta and is a cheerleader as long as my bs is
under 140 (which it usually is in my 3 months of taking metformin). If
I can keep it in that range on the first level of meds, do I not need
to see an endo? I really want to try Byetta and want to talk my
doctor into it when I see him this week. I’ve lost 3 pounds so far
this month with exercise (mostly in the last week or so), but only
lost 1 pound all of last month. I know that the weight is at least
moving in the right direction, but I really want to see if Byetta
could amp that up. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Stefanie
September 27th, 2005 at 1:09 pm
When I first diagnosed years ago, my GP referred me to an endo, and I
continued to see one until about four years ago, when the one I was
seeing dropped insurance coverage. Then I decided to work just with
my current GP for a while. I quickly became unhappy with him (all he
looked at was my fasting blood sugar, paid no attention to the A1c,
and didn’t even seem to know about the dawn effect!). So I asked to
be referred to an endo - he refused. After one appointment, his
nurse called me to discuss the results of my bloodwork and I asked
her what my A1c was - she didn’t know what I was talking about! He
wanted to put me on insulin, based only on my high morning blood
sugar (dawn effect). I began to suspect I knew more about diabetes
than he did!
So I dropped my old GP and found a new one who was willing to refer
me to an endo. It took me nearly six months to get an appointment
with the endo, but now I feel confident in my doctor again. When he
looked at my blood tests, he said I was in fairly good control since
my A1c was 6 and also found out that I was taking twice the allowable
dosage of one medication! He said I certainly didn’t need insulin.
At my last appointment, my A1c was slightly over target, and that’s
when he recommended the Byetta.
I’m sure there are many competent GPs who can treat diabetes, but
personally I feel more confident in an endocrinologist. I think one
factor in getting a referral is that so many endocrinology practices
are overloaded. Most of them will not accept a self-referral, only
through another physician, and some of them won’t accept new patients
at all. I am now alternating between appointments with the
endocrinologist and a nurse practitioner in his practice.
But don’t assume that an endocrinologist will recommend Byetta for
you either! There are many other oral medications which he/she want
to try first . . . plus it sounds like you are in good control with
just the metformin for now.
September 28th, 2005 at 1:01 am
Carl Said…. "She said something about Viagra. I said no way. I’d be
skipping in and waving that Rx over my head to let EVERYONE know I was
getting some. I have
no shame. And don’t want any."
Lol…Carl…That sounds exactly like my hubby. He went through a bad spell
a year or so ago and had to take it for a few months. Listen…I wanted to
buy stock in that company. I know that diabetes can cause certain problems
in that area so this isn’t too off topic. Does anyone know if Viagra or
Cialis or any of the other ED meds works for men who are diabetic?
September 28th, 2005 at 12:03 pm
Sure wish we had that stuff when my husband was able to live with me.
He would have loved it.
Frances
Lol…Carl…That sounds exactly like my hubby. He went through a bad spell
a year or so ago and had to take it for a few months. Listen…I wanted to
buy stock in that company. I know that diabetes can cause certain problems
in that area so this isn’t too off topic. Does anyone know if Viagra or
Cialis or any of the other ED meds works for men who are diabetic?
Frances
September 28th, 2005 at 4:21 pm
I use an Internal Medicine Doc for all of my care. I found him to be very
knowledgeable, willing to listen as I explore this disease. My labs are done
quarterly of more often if I feel there is a change of any kind. He knows the
medications and knows when I need a change. So far, with the use of Byetta,
Amaryl 2mg. Metaformin 1000, I am doing very well and feel good.
I’ve lost weight, have more energy and follow the Glycemic Index for my food
program. My cardiac problems have stabilized, with the help of Cymbalta my
depression is under control, I have less pain with arthritis. All in all, I’m
happy with the results, If I could just stay in bed at night I’d have better
days. When I go to bed I think, what am I doing here I can sew, read the house
is quiet. Its my favorite time of the day.
Frances
Frances
September 29th, 2005 at 1:31 am
Thank you to everyone who posted information about endocrinologists.
Helpful to know what works for others!
Stef
September 29th, 2005 at 3:51 am
buy stock in that company. I know that diabetes can cause certain problems
in that area so this isn’t too off topic. Does anyone know if Viagra or
Cialis or any of the other ED meds works for men who are diabetic?
Demetria-Beth Hansen
Depends (not the adult diaper). The ED drugs are a facilitator. If, for
instance, there is a neuropathy in "that" area, ED drugs will not work. Not
to get too graphic or indepth, it is my understanding (and, um, experience)
that Vitamin V may not address this specific problem.
Vitamin V helps the arteries that bring blood into the penis do their thing
and everything hydraulicly inflates as designed. If the blood flows in fine,
but the muscles that contract and hold the blood in don’t function properly,
Vitamin V doesn’t help that. Things start to happen, but it doesn’t last.
There are rings of rubber and silicon that do perform this function in some
cases very well rendering the owner fully functional. I used this method
successfully until my issues went away with exercise and weight loss and
glycemic control. I have since used Vitamin V recreationally and (possibly
placebo effect) it basically made everything last much longer than anyone in
the immediate area was interested in. Come to think of it, I would give up
placebos, but it wouldn’t matter.
Carl Eugene Moore, MBA