byetta question

JClipse · #1 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 04:33 PM

I just joined the site and have been browsing through here on things about byetta. My girlfriend's dad takes byetta with the help of her stepmom (her stepmom does his injections) Well from what we can account he has been on it for nearly 3 years now I guess?? Anyway he has the little to no appetite but has lost no weight. But from what I have been reading here you are suppose to take byetta before eating???? She has been giving him byetta after meals. To be exact anywhere from right after he eats to about 90 min after he eats. Or even in the middle of the day around no meal if she tests him and his numbers are high. For example today he ate breakfast and had 180 and she gave him the byetta. I guess my question is what will giving him byetta after meals do?? Obviously there is a reason for the before you eat. And for obvious reasons each time his levels drop dramatically. Any information at all would be appreciated as at this point I am just shocked she is giving him medicine without reading the info that comes with it. If it helps at all she gives him his shot always in the side near the hip and sometimes alternates sides.

Like I said any info would be good the woman even came to visit us with him and froze his shot pen and just left it dethaw and reused it.

parrotletzoo · #2 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 05:36 PM

Byetta should be taken prior to meals. It works by slowing down the digestion of food and thus allowing the pancreas to keep up with insulin production. It also decreases appetite but isn't really going to be effective if you've eatan an entire meal, take the med and then dont feel like eating. By 90 min after a meal a lof of your digestion is going to already be done and your blood sugar will have already spiked. And it won't work like insulin to lower blood sugars when your blood sugar is already elevated. It's supposed to be taken before breakfast and dinner. I've also heard of people taking it before lunch if they are on the maximum dose and still have a spke after lunch time.

If the reason why the injection time varies is because his wife isnt always available to give the injection, well then time for him to be a grown up and learn to give himself the shot. The needles are tiny, the same needles used for insulin injections and if a child can give themselves an injection so can a grown man. If he doesn't inject himself because of disability, then she needs to be a better caregiver or provide someone that will give him his meds as directed. Site rotation is also important to avoid scar tissue build up in the injection area, and my feelings on this one kind of go along with my feelings on the whole caregiver thing....

I'm sure others will disagree with me.

good luck

pdxdennisj · #3 (**permalink**) 01-24-2008, 08:53 AM

Taking Byetta AFTER meals is highly DANGEROUS and is contrary to doctors and manufacturers instructions. It should be injected 45-60 minutes BEFORE meals for it to work properly. Injecting it after meals causes hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and can cause loss of consciousness and in extreme cases, coma. Follow your doctors and manufacturers instructions!

JClipse · #4 (**permalink**) 01-24-2008, 10:11 PM

I have been doing a lot of research on byetta since I posed this and have been reading through some posts. I thought it would be dangerous taking it this way which is what got me looking to begin with. My girlfriend just told me that for breakfast she does inject before but about 30 min or so after he eats she tests him and gives him another shot if hes over 150. We were also just talking and I don't think either of us have ever seen her give him byetta around dinner time. Lately he has been saying he has to lie down at around lunch time (probably because of the second dosage after breakfast) and he feels really light headed and dizzy. Also he has had to have his galbladder removed and has severe acid reflux. How does administering byetta this way effect the system????

Also he is disabled. Very much so. My girlfriend and I have been trying to get him to look into the meds he is taking and understand them more, but her step mom seems to be apposed to it. It seems to be working some though. Thanks for all replies.

pdxdennisj · #5 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 08:22 AM

Why don't you administer it according to the doctors instructions? These kind of questions just blow me away. Drug companies do a lot of research on proper doses and administration and doctors have great education and experience in treating patients. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR!

princesslinda · #6 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 08:38 AM

It seems that the way they are utilizing Byetta, he would be better served on insulin, where they could adjust the dose to match his food intake and blood sugar levels.

Going against the recommended times and amounts of dosing of Byetta, or ANY medication, can lead to all sorts of problems. If you are concerned with his health, get him the help he needs and stick to the recommendations you are given as far as drug dosing guidelines!

JClipse · #7 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 06:26 PM

Apparently his Dr told him to take his medicine this way. They have gone back and asked their Dr several times as he has been having a lot of stomach problems. The Dr told him again to take it that way. Maybe it's time for a new Dr.

xMenace · #8 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JClipse

Apparently his Dr told him to take his medicine this way. They have gone back and asked their Dr several times as he has been having a lot of stomach problems. The Dr told him again to take it that way. Maybe it's time for a new Dr.

Another dumb-*** doctor

Welcome to the site