Tips for Injections?
Hi! I just joined this list today. I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes
about 6 wks. ago and had my 2nd Dr. visit yesterday. He prescribed
Byetta in addition to the Avandamet I am already on. The problem is I
am a BIG wimp. I almost faint just getting blood drawn. I really have
my doubts whether I will be able to give myself injections. I started
crying as soon as I got in my car at the doctors office. Do any of you
experienced Byetta users have any suggestions to help me get through
this? Thanks!
February 25th, 2007 at 11:12 am
First i would like to say that we understand. We have all been in the same
place that you are in right now. Some of us have less needle phobia than
others, but it is still stressful to think about.
I would suggest that you go to www.byetta.com and watch the video that shows
you how to set up the pen and then goes on to show you how to give the shot.
I also want to tell you that it doesn’t hurt. I promise it hurts worse to
stick your finger for testing your blood sugars. Especially if you shoot
into the lower tummy area. The needles are so sharp and so thin that you
care barely feel it. Most of the time i feel ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!!
I want to tell you this too. My dr. didn’t show me anything about how to
give myself an injection, however i am a former nurse, so i knew how to. If
you are really nervous about this, call your dr.’s office and tell them that
you would prefer giving yourself your first injection at their office so
they can walk you through it. They shouldn’t have a problem with that.
Good luck and please feel free to ask us anything. We will be honest with
you. So…trust me….it’s not bad at all….and that is from a fellow
wimp!!!
Demetria-Beth
_____
Hi! I just joined this list today. I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes
about 6 wks. ago and had my 2nd Dr. visit yesterday. He prescribed
Byetta in addition to the Avandamet I am already on. The problem is I
am a BIG wimp. I almost faint just getting blood drawn. I really have
my doubts whether I will be able to give myself injections. I started
crying as soon as I got in my car at the doctors office. Do any of you
experienced Byetta users have any suggestions to help me get through
this? Thanks!
February 25th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
I’m such a needle phobic that when I was diagnosed as T2 last
summer, instead of testing on my finger/forearm, I would do so on
some scar tissue on my abdomen leftover from surgery a few years
ago since I no longer have any feeling in that area. Finally I
was able to do regular BS testing on an approved site but when my
doc wanted me to go on Byetta, the fear of needles came up again.
I really wanted the BD Ultra-Fine III Mini which are for children,
skinny folks, and those with fear of needles (OK, I meet one of
the three) but the doctor insisted I try the Shorts since they are
extremely thin. Only twice have I hit a nerve when giving an
injection in the 4 months I’ve been on the spit and quickly moved
to another less sensitive area where I’ve not been able to feel it
at all. Recently I broke down and tried the Ultra-Fine Original
designed for those with excess body fat or who require higher
doses of insulin. I’ve only used those for a few days so far but
I’m convinced that I’m finally getting maximum benefit from the
medication. Everyone kept telling me how I would have nausea and
lack of appetite but those side effects never occurred until I
started using the larger needles. It seems that it is injecting
the medication into the area of my skin where it will get maximum
absorption. I haven’t noticed any change in my numbers but
hopefully I’ll now experience some of the weight loss associated
with Byetta.
–Michael
February 26th, 2007 at 7:17 am
When I started on Byetta they walked me through it at the doctor’s
office. They had a kit with a pen showed me how on a square terrycloth
like pillow thing and then had me hold it to my stomach and practice.
The had me squirting it into the air and putting a needle on it and
everything. They gave me a kit with a booklet and video, which I’ve
never watched. The doc told me for the first shot to eat five minutes
after my shot and to back it up five more minutes each time until I got
to around 45 minutes before eating. She said this has helped a lot of
people not have so many side effects and cuts down the nausea with
most. I guess because you build up a little at a time and not waiting
45 to 60 minutes right off the bat. Anyway this seemed to help me as I
didn’t really have any nausea until I went to the 10 pen. Then as
someone on here suggested to me I bought some ginger root extract
supplements (250 mg)and that helped. For some reason every now and then
I will have a wave of nausea (could be stress with the Byetta) and I
will take 1 Walmart brand of pepcid, it’s just called acid reducer and
1 ginger supplement and the nausea goes away very quickly. I’m usually
thinking I’m going to throw up before I can swallow these but it really
works that fast for me. I’m not sure which one is doing the trick but I
get too freaked about being nauseated to try one without the other so
I’ll stick with both. Anyway hope this helps and sorry this is so long.
Saundra
February 26th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Okay!!! So another person who thinks the larger gauge is giving better
benefit! Michael…i find that if i use the larger needle below the belly
button line, it doesn’t hurt at all. Above that and it "pinches" a little.
Would you mind keeping me posted on how the larger needles are working? If
you start having weight loss, then i think we can safely say that it MIGHT
be because of the larger needles. I told my endo that i was doing an
informal experiement…lol…so i will let her know about the 3 here who
have noticed a difference.
Demetria-Beth
_____
I’m such a needle phobic that when I was diagnosed as T2 last
summer, instead of testing on my finger/forearm, I would do so on
some scar tissue on my abdomen leftover from surgery a few years
ago since I no longer have any feeling in that area. Finally I
was able to do regular BS testing on an approved site but when my
doc wanted me to go on Byetta, the fear of needles came up again.
I really wanted the BD Ultra-Fine III Mini which are for children,
skinny folks, and those with fear of needles (OK, I meet one of
the three) but the doctor insisted I try the Shorts since they are
extremely thin. Only twice have I hit a nerve when giving an
injection in the 4 months I’ve been on the spit and quickly moved
to another less sensitive area where I’ve not been able to feel it
at all. Recently I broke down and tried the Ultra-Fine Original
designed for those with excess body fat or who require higher
doses of insulin. I’ve only used those for a few days so far but
I’m convinced that I’m finally getting maximum benefit from the
medication. Everyone kept telling me how I would have nausea and
lack of appetite but those side effects never occurred until I
started using the larger needles. It seems that it is injecting
the medication into the area of my skin where it will get maximum
absorption. I haven’t noticed any change in my numbers but
hopefully I’ll now experience some of the weight loss associated
with Byetta.
–Michael
On Wed May 23 13:36:01 PDT 2007, cklamb7 <cklamb7@aol.
<mailto:cklamb7%40aol.com> com> wrote:
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
February 26th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
i did get nauseous again last night thought it was about 8pm and i took the
a bit long huh? and uh none of those professional
shot at 5:30pm. it may have been due to watching the season finale of
american idol though
singers would have made it to the final 10 on the show. bette midler cannot
sign live! carrie underwood can’t either
but as to the weight loss, have been taking those diet pills doctor put me
on and lost 14 pounds the first 30 days. won’t weigh till next appt but am
still losing. last year after i first started byetta i had lost about 50
pounds. i quit cigs november 14th and gained like 60 so now i need to lose
even more!
jodi
Okay!!! So another person who thinks the larger gauge is giving better
benefit! Michael…i find that if i use the larger needle below the belly
button line, it doesn’t hurt at all. Above that and it "pinches" a little.
Would you mind keeping me posted on how the larger needles are working? If
you start having weight loss, then i think we can safely say that it MIGHT
be because of the larger needles. I told my endo that i was doing an
informal experiement…lol…so i will let her know about the 3 here who
have noticed a difference.
Demetria-Beth
February 27th, 2007 at 1:01 am
Demetria, I’ve got a personal question. Are you overweight? I am by a good
150 pounds. That was the main reason I wanted to try using the larger
needles. Everything I had read said that for those of us who are heavy, the
bigger needle was best.
February 27th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
Yes it is scary when you first find out, heck i’m still learning and
i’ve been diagnosed for 2yrs. I started on byetta 6wks ago. the first
shot i was very nervous but then you get the hang of it. If you are
using the smallest needle it doesnt hurt. Try your tummy area first,
then try your arms or thighs. I find the abdomen hurts less. but i
stumbled a bit my first week and yikes even drew blood. If you are too
squemish, can someone do it for you? Good luck!!
February 27th, 2007 at 9:59 pm
Michael what size of needle are you using? i too have thought that i
was no longer receiving the byetta effect cuz the needle was too
short and it wasn’t being absorbed because of all the fat in my
tummy. i might want to try a bigger needle. thanks!!
February 28th, 2007 at 2:17 am
phentermine which is the phen part of phen fen.
jodi
What diet pills are you taking?
Signe
February 28th, 2007 at 7:07 am
I had been using the BD Ultra-Fine III Short (31ga and 5/16") but
I’m currently using the Ultra-Fine III Original (29ga and 1/2").
Even though the needle is bigger and longer, I still can’t feel it
if I inject into my lower abdomen.
–Michael
February 28th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
from what i can tell, the byetta is supposed to be given sub-q……or
sub-cutaneously. that means under the skin so i don’t think it matters how big
the needles are…….just my opinion………..baz
Demetria-Beth
_____
I’m such a needle phobic that when I was diagnosed as T2 last
summer, instead of testing on my finger/forearm, I would do so on
some scar tissue on my abdomen leftover from surgery a few years
ago since I no longer have any feeling in that area. Finally I
was able to do regular BS testing on an approved site but when my
doc wanted me to go on Byetta, the fear of needles came up again.
I really wanted the BD Ultra-Fine III Mini which are for children,
skinny folks, and those with fear of needles (OK, I meet one of
the three) but the doctor insisted I try the Shorts since they are
extremely thin. Only twice have I hit a nerve when giving an
injection in the 4 months I’ve been on the spit and quickly moved
to another less sensitive area where I’ve not been able to feel it
at all. Recently I broke down and tried the Ultra-Fine Original
designed for those with excess body fat or who require higher
doses of insulin. I’ve only used those for a few days so far but
I’m convinced that I’m finally getting maximum benefit from the
medication. Everyone kept telling me how I would have nausea and
lack of appetite but those side effects never occurred until I
started using the larger needles. It seems that it is injecting
the medication into the area of my skin where it will get maximum
absorption. I haven’t noticed any change in my numbers but
hopefully I’ll now experience some of the weight loss associated
with Byetta.
–Michael
On Wed May 23 13:36:01 PDT 2007, cklamb7 <cklamb7@aol.
<mailto:cklamb7%40aol.com> com> wrote:
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
February 28th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
What Weight Loss Pills?
Demetria-Beth
_____
i did get nauseous again last night thought it was about 8pm and i took the
a bit long huh? and uh none of those professional
shot at 5:30pm. it may have been due to watching the season finale of
american idol though
singers would have made it to the final 10 on the show. bette midler cannot
sign live! carrie underwood can’t either
but as to the weight loss, have been taking those diet pills doctor put me
on and lost 14 pounds the first 30 days. won’t weigh till next appt but am
still losing. last year after i first started byetta i had lost about 50
pounds. i quit cigs november 14th and gained like 60 so now i need to lose
even more!
jodi
Okay!!! So another person who thinks the larger gauge is giving better
benefit! Michael…i find that if i use the larger needle below the belly
button line, it doesn’t hurt at all. Above that and it "pinches" a little.
Would you mind keeping me posted on how the larger needles are working? If
you start having weight loss, then i think we can safely say that it MIGHT
be because of the larger needles. I told my endo that i was doing an
informal experiement…lol…so i will let her know about the 3 here who
have noticed a difference.
Demetria-Beth
March 1st, 2007 at 1:11 am
Unfortunately yes, i am overweight. Actually, I am probably considered
Morbidly Obese. I could lose 100 lbs. I would be thrilled with 50lbs
though.
Demetria-Beth
_____
Demetria, I’ve got a personal question. Are you overweight? I am by a good
150 pounds. That was the main reason I wanted to try using the larger
needles. Everything I had read said that for those of us who are heavy, the
bigger needle was best.
March 1st, 2007 at 2:05 pm
I am not michael, but we have been doing the 29 gauge, 1/2 inch. It’s the
ones with the pink label. The very smallest needle has a lavender needle,
The mid size (31 gauge) has a blue Label and the largest a pink.
Demetria-Beth
_____
Michael what size of needle are you using? i too have thought that i
was no longer receiving the byetta effect cuz the needle was too
short and it wasn’t being absorbed because of all the fat in my
tummy. i might want to try a bigger needle. thanks!!
March 1st, 2007 at 9:48 pm
The only reason I asked such a personal question is because I’m "morbidly
obese" as well and that was the main reason I decided try the larger pen
needles. When first Dx’d the doc had me on the Protein Power diet and I
lost about 35 pounds but I got off it over the holidays and have yet to find
the motivation to go that route again. I’m not following more of the ADA
recommended meal plan but hope the Byetta can help since I’m not eating
nearly as much by using the longer needles.
March 2nd, 2007 at 2:06 am
yep, same ones I’m now using
March 2nd, 2007 at 5:52 am
phentermine.
jodi
What Weight Loss Pills?
Demetria-Beth
March 2nd, 2007 at 3:52 pm
it doesn’t how big around they are….what matters, i think, is the length.
The longer needle with people who have lots of excess fat, may deposit the
medicine into more viable fat…in other words better able to absorb the
medicine. I don’t know…it’s just a theory of mine. But it seems to be
holding true.
Demetria-Beth
_____
from what i can tell, the byetta is supposed to be given sub-q……or
sub-cutaneously. that means under the skin so i don’t think it matters how
big the needles are…….just my opinion………..baz
Demetria-Beth <daladypaints@ <mailto:daladypaints%40bellsouth.net>
bellsouth.net> wrote: Okay!!! So another person who thinks the larger gauge
is giving better
benefit! Michael…i find that if i use the larger needle below the belly
button line, it doesn’t hurt at all. Above that and it "pinches" a little.
Would you mind keeping me posted on how the larger needles are working? If
you start having weight loss, then i think we can safely say that it MIGHT
be because of the larger needles. I told my endo that i was doing an
informal experiement…lol…so i will let her know about the 3 here who
have noticed a difference.
Demetria-Beth
_____
I’m such a needle phobic that when I was diagnosed as T2 last
summer, instead of testing on my finger/forearm, I would do so on
some scar tissue on my abdomen leftover from surgery a few years
ago since I no longer have any feeling in that area. Finally I
was able to do regular BS testing on an approved site but when my
doc wanted me to go on Byetta, the fear of needles came up again.
I really wanted the BD Ultra-Fine III Mini which are for children,
skinny folks, and those with fear of needles (OK, I meet one of
the three) but the doctor insisted I try the Shorts since they are
extremely thin. Only twice have I hit a nerve when giving an
injection in the 4 months I’ve been on the spit and quickly moved
to another less sensitive area where I’ve not been able to feel it
at all. Recently I broke down and tried the Ultra-Fine Original
designed for those with excess body fat or who require higher
doses of insulin. I’ve only used those for a few days so far but
I’m convinced that I’m finally getting maximum benefit from the
medication. Everyone kept telling me how I would have nausea and
lack of appetite but those side effects never occurred until I
started using the larger needles. It seems that it is injecting
the medication into the area of my skin where it will get maximum
absorption. I haven’t noticed any change in my numbers but
hopefully I’ll now experience some of the weight loss associated
with Byetta.
–Michael
On Wed May 23 13:36:01 PDT 2007, cklamb7 <cklamb7@aol.
<mailto:cklamb7%40aol.com> com> wrote:
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
March 3rd, 2007 at 1:36 am
LOL no wonder I have no problems!!!

Life is not measured by the numbers of breaths that we take,
But by the moments that take our breath away!
——-Original Message——-
it doesn’t how big around they are….what matters, i think, is the length.
The longer needle with people who have lots of excess fat, may deposit the
medicine into more viable fat…in other words better able to absorb the
medicine. I don’t know…it’s just a theory of mine. But it seems to be
holding true.
Demetria-Beth
_____
from what i can tell, the byetta is supposed to be given sub-q……or
sub-cutaneously. that means under the skin so i don’t think it matters how
big the needles are…….just my opinion………..baz
Demetria-Beth <daladypaints@ <mailto:daladypaints%40bellsouth.net>
bellsouth.net> wrote: Okay!!! So another person who thinks the larger gauge
is giving better
benefit! Michael…i find that if i use the larger needle below the belly
button line, it doesn’t hurt at all. Above that and it "pinches" a little.
Would you mind keeping me posted on how the larger needles are working? If
you start having weight loss, then i think we can safely say that it MIGHT
be because of the larger needles. I told my endo that i was doing an
informal experiement…lol…so i will let her know about the 3 here who
have noticed a difference.
Demetria-Beth
_____
I’m such a needle phobic that when I was diagnosed as T2 last
summer, instead of testing on my finger/forearm, I would do so on
some scar tissue on my abdomen leftover from surgery a few years
ago since I no longer have any feeling in that area. Finally I
was able to do regular BS testing on an approved site but when my
doc wanted me to go on Byetta, the fear of needles came up again.
I really wanted the BD Ultra-Fine III Mini which are for children,
skinny folks, and those with fear of needles (OK, I meet one of
the three) but the doctor insisted I try the Shorts since they are
extremely thin. Only twice have I hit a nerve when giving an
injection in the 4 months I’ve been on the spit and quickly moved
to another less sensitive area where I’ve not been able to feel it
at all. Recently I broke down and tried the Ultra-Fine Original
designed for those with excess body fat or who require higher
doses of insulin. I’ve only used those for a few days so far but
I’m convinced that I’m finally getting maximum benefit from the
medication. Everyone kept telling me how I would have nausea and
lack of appetite but those side effects never occurred until I
started using the larger needles. It seems that it is injecting
the medication into the area of my skin where it will get maximum
absorption. I haven’t noticed any change in my numbers but
hopefully I’ll now experience some of the weight loss associated
with Byetta.
–Michael
On Wed May 23 13:36:01 PDT 2007, cklamb7 <cklamb7@aol.
<mailto:cklamb7%40aol.com> com> wrote: