Itching

I have been on Byetta around 6 months now with relativly few side
effects. Lately I have had itching of my skin around my chest, neck and
head. I have also noticed red marks at my injection sites which I never
had. I suspect it may be the Byetta but not sure. Anyone had anything
like this?
Thanks
Jim

17 Responses to “Itching”

  1. Kraig Caren Says:

    *I would be most concerned about the red marks near your injection site - as
    that could be an infection. *
    **
    *As for the other itching, I have had it on the left side of my chest really
    bad - enough to cause irritation from my constant scratching and generalized
    itching. Unfortunately, I am allergic to Benadryl. If you are not, then
    you should try taking that at night to see if it gives you some relief.*

  2. Francisca Nan Says:

    Hi Jim,
    Same with me…I remember posting about it also…
    Itching and redness at injection site. I called my Endo he said to inject in
    my leg for awhile then back to the belly. It worked. Now when I get a
    welt/itching I inject next time for a few days in my leg. He said it was not an
    infection but a reaction to the meds. I even called the manufacturer and
    reported it to them…THEY HAD NO COMPLAINTS OF THIS HAPPENING! According to
    them I was the FIRST. hmmmm, i tend to think NOT.
    Hope it goes well.
    Alice

  3. Neva Marjory Says:

    Thanks Nita I will try the benadryl

  4. Neva Marjory Says:

    By any chance are you also on blood pressure medication? I was going
    out of my mind with hives due to an allergic reaction to ACE
    Inhibitors. It was stress-related, so it only hit me at work, which
    led me to assume that it was something in my work enviroment.
    Matters came to a head when my face started swelling up and I went to
    the emergency room. I brought along a jackknife in case I had to
    trach myself on the way, it was that bad. I had remembered to bring
    along all my medications, and they singled out two blood pressure
    meds as the culprits. I’ve had no trouble since.

  5. Kraig Caren Says:

    On 1/13/07, graham_toquer wrote:

    << By any chance are you also on blood pressure medication? I was going
    out of my mind with hives due to an allergic reaction to ACE
    Inhibitors. It was stress-related, so it only hit me at work, which
    led me to assume that it was something in my work enviroment.
    Matters came to a head when my face started swelling up and I went to
    the emergency room. I brought along a jackknife in case I had to
    trach myself on the way, it was that bad. I had remembered to bring
    along all my medications, and they singled out two blood pressure
    meds as the culprits. I’ve had no trouble since. >>

    *I am on blood pressure medicine - Cozaar but have been taking it several
    years. My severe itching problem started the very day I started the
    Byetta. I have found that the side effects that I have with Byetta are

    gradually becoming less of a problem. The nighttime diarrhea stopped and
    the afternoon is tamed by taking Lomotil late morning or just skipping lunch
    altogether or only eating yogurt. The itching is still intense but not as
    frequent. I am anticipating them possibly coming back with a vengeance when
    I up to the 10 in 2 weeks and will discuss better strategy with my doctor at
    my next visit.
    *

  6. Neva Marjory Says:

    Find out if that Med of yours is an ACE inhibitor. I didn’t develop
    my bad reaction until I had been taking it for quite some time. One
    in ten thousand do get that facial swelling, my GP said as much when
    he put me on it. Mine was apparently triggered by job stress, yours
    may have been triggered by the stress of going on Viagra. Changing
    meds might solve the problem.

    Also, if that stuff is an ACE inhibitor, beware of any sewlling in
    your mouth and face. If you have it, get to the Emergency Room
    immediately because it can get into yout throat and choke you.

  7. Neva Marjory Says:

    Anybody have itching with Byetta? My ankles and feet especially, but
    all over sometimes, too.

    I stopped the Byetta for a few days on my own…no itching…then
    started the Byetta again, and sure enough the second day, right back
    to the itching.

    Also having that "bumping and pounding" heart thing! I didn’t even
    connect that to Byetta!!! Thank you for mentioning it here.

    This board is really good for info. I see doctor on Friday and will
    ask about these issues and also the Janumet.

  8. Kraig Caren Says:

    I had the itching for the first month - especially within an hour of the
    injection - but it gradually went away.

  9. Neva Marjory Says:

    does the heart pounding effect go away for some of y’all or is it a
    constant thing? I start the 10 pen in a few days and now i’m worried
    about having the heart pounding…kinda scary. But i know everyone
    one feels different things..like i didn’t get the itching thing.
    Have a great day..

    veronica

  10. Goldie Rana Says:

    Talk to your Doc. You could be having an allergic reaction to one of the
    ingredients.

  11. Neva Marjory Says:

    Seeing doctor on Friday…I’ll ask about it then. Have stopped the
    Byetta for now. Day two off the spit…no itching…

    Mary

  12. Jennifer Stark Says:

    I don’t recall having any itching, unless you mean immediatly after the shot,
    where I have irritated the skin.

    And I have had "heart" issues for a while, long before going on Byetta, so I
    corelate anything to the drug. A little over two years ago I went to the ER,
    and was admitted to the hospital for chest pains of unknown origin. They
    determined it wasn’t a heart attack. I have had some pains since, but not the
    same. Yesterday I went to my cardiologist for my annual check up. When I told
    him of the pains (I guess I forgot about the previous pains, if it didn’t happen
    yesterday or I don’t write it down, I forget) and now I am scheduled for some
    catscan like test next month. He’s hoping to narrow down the source of the
    problem. And for the test I have to stop taking Metformin for a bit before the
    test and 48 hours afterwards. I love the concept of a noninvasive test that can
    make my body explode. :)

    Paul

    veronica

  13. Neva Marjory Says:

    The itching I am talking about is all over. And all day and night
    long. I’ve recently been getting hives, too, on my arms, face and
    legs. And the palms of my hands swell and itch and feel bruised.

    Off Byetta for two days now and itching is much less. May be a
    coincidence, but I’m staying off it until I see doctor.

  14. Kraig Caren Says:

    Hives combined with itching is almost always a sign of allergic reaction to
    something.

  15. Jonah Curtis Says:

    I’m so glad to read this about "itching", not glad that others are suffering,
    but I thought I was crazy! Mine is the lower extremities - knee down, and elbow
    down. I have shredded my skin, I’m covered with scratches and scabs–it’s
    AWFUL! My Dr. did’nt think it was the Byetta and told me to take
    anti-hystemines when I felt it coming on. Does anyone know if the pill form,
    Januvea I think it is, has the same side effect???

    Lisa

    [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

  16. Kraig Caren Says:

    On 5/16/07, Lisa wrote:
    << Does anyone know if the pill form, Januvea I think it is, has the same
    side effect??? >>

    There is no pill form of Byetta. Januvea (sp?) is a totally different class
    of diabetes medication.

  17. Ted Tosha Says:

    Could it be a reaction between Byetta and other medication you are
    taking? This is a fairly new drug and I am always looking for
    indications of any reaction or side effect.

    Jim

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