[mooncat]

I may be able to join one of two medication studies through my doctor's office. One is the Emerge/Byetta study, and the other is the Harmony/albiglutide study.

I had already decided I didn't want to do the Byetta study because of the relatively high percentage of people having nasty side effects and more importantly, the injections were too frequent to be able to do it at my workplace due to my job responsibilities, i.e. can't leave my desk at will either for the injections or because of the side effects, and have both varying work hours and varying lunch hours.

Then I read about the Harmony study, and I was encouraged by the fact that the injection is only once a week, and they apparently use smaller needles and smaller amounts than Byetta. What I'd like to know is how the negative side effects compare with those of Byetta. Do people suffer just as much nausea, bloating, vomiting, etc., or is there significantly less? Anything else anyone can tell me about the Harmony study or using albiglutide would be appreciated - thanks!

[wizard_cne]

Originally Posted by mooncat

I may be able to join one of two medication studies through my doctor's office. One is the Emerge/Byetta study, and the other is the Harmony/albiglutide study.

I had already decided I didn't want to do the Byetta study because of the relatively high percentage of people having nasty side effects and more importantly, the injections were too frequent to be able to do it at my workplace due to my job responsibilities, i.e. can't leave my desk at will either for the injections or because of the side effects, and have both varying work hours and varying lunch hours.

Then I read about the Harmony study, and I was encouraged by the fact that the injection is only once a week, and they apparently use smaller needles and smaller amounts than Byetta. What I'd like to know is how the negative side effects compare with those of Byetta. Do people suffer just as much nausea, bloating, vomiting, etc., or is there significantly less? Anything else anyone can tell me about the Harmony study or using albiglutide would be appreciated - thanks!

You can get all your questions answered by making an appointment at a screening office near you. The documentation is about 25 pages long and describes everything:
1. how the test is run.
2. who is running the test.
3. type of test (e.g. double blind).
4. obligations and notifications.
5. how to opt out at any time.
6. privacy.
7. remuneration and how paid.
8. length of the test.
9. exams required.
10. who may qualify.

There is no obligation to review this information and you can after deciding choose not to participate.

[mooncat]

Originally Posted by wizard_cne

You can get all your questions answered by making an appointment at a screening office near you. The documentation is about 25 pages long and describes everything:
1. how the test is run.
2. who is running the test.
3. type of test (e.g. double blind).
4. obligations and notifications.
5. how to opt out at any time.
6. privacy.
7. remuneration and how paid.
8. length of the test.
9. exams required.
10. who may qualify.

There is no obligation to review this information and you can after deciding choose not to participate.

Um...thank you, but I have already read extensively about the studies online myself - I want to hear people's personal experience with the drug.

[heme]

Originally Posted by mooncat

Um...thank you, but I have already read extensively about the studies online myself - I want to hear people's personal experience with the drug.

I just injected myself today. It was a very easy simple process. I was injected around 10:00AM. Its now close to 5:00 and I don't have any side effects. I'm normally hungry for a snack about now and I'm not hungry at all. I'll report back in a few days but so far so good.

[mooncat]

Originally Posted by heme

I just injected myself today. It was a very easy simple process. I was injected around 10:00AM. Its now close to 5:00 and I don't have any side effects. I'm normally hungry for a snack about now and I'm not hungry at all. I'll report back in a few days but so far so good.

Thank you for posting!

I'd love to know how things go - esp whether you have any nausea or other GI problems.

[Livewire]

I had my baseline office visit yesterday. Because this is a double blind study, I have no knowledge of which particular medication I will be receiving. Listed below are the percentages as to the probability of which type of medication will be provided during the study:

Algiblutide (30%)
Sitagliptin (30%)
Glimepiride (30%)
Placebo (10%)

I acknowledge that I need help as my last A1C was 7.5. I sure hope that I don't get assigned to the Placebo group.

[hellokitty]

I'm very curious about others' experience on the Albiglutide studies. I'm in the phase III Harmony 2 (dosing) study (alternatives are high dose, low dose, or placebo). I liked the idea of injections since I understand it can limit the GI side effects and it's once per week, so it's doable with a high-powered job where I can't always control break times. This week will be the first time I inject at home instead of in the office.

[heme]

Its been seven weeks since my first injection. My blood sugar readings are great. I'm averaging around 120 on my wake up fasting reading. I've lost 15 Lbs and feel pretty good. The only side effect I'm experiencing is when I consume a larger than normal volume of food. After eating a larger than normal meal I have a very quick and strong bowel movement. Sometimes this occurs with diarrhea. I'm going to try adjusting my meal patterns to avoid this problem. Anyone else experiencing the same problem?

[wizard_cne]

Originally Posted by mooncat

Um...thank you, but I have already read extensively about the studies online myself - I want to hear people's personal experience with the drug.

Unfortunately, I was dropped from the study has my A1C was too low (6.3). They tried for 4 weeks testing my A1C and it never got above 6.7 so, I am out.

[Serif]

I'm about 8 weeks into doing the actual injections for the study.

I'm not really sure whether I am shooting live ammo or just using a placebo. Not all of the different studies are like that. I think there are 5 different ones and some of them let you know exactly how much of the drug you are using. The study I'm in is double blind though.

I do have to say I am quite pleased at how easy it is to self-inject. I thought that would be the most difficult part of the study but it's no big deal at all with these tiny needles. It hurts more to do a finger stick!

[mooncat]

Originally Posted by hellokitty

I'm very curious about others' experience on the Albiglutide studies. I'm in the phase III Harmony 2 (dosing) study (alternatives are high dose, low dose, or placebo). I liked the idea of injections since I understand it can limit the GI side effects and it's once per week, so it's doable with a high-powered job where I can't always control break times. This week will be the first time I inject at home instead of in the office.

That's one of my issues too, not being able to leave my desk any time I want. That's what attracted me to this drug. Might just do it!

[mooncat]

Originally Posted by Serif

I'm about 8 weeks into doing the actual injections for the study.

I'm not really sure whether I am shooting live ammo or just using a placebo. Not all of the different studies are like that. I think there are 5 different ones and some of them let you know exactly how much of the drug you are using. The study I'm in is double blind though.

I do have to say I am quite pleased at how easy it is to self-inject. I thought that would be the most difficult part of the study but it's no big deal at all with these tiny needles. It hurts more to do a finger stick!

Thanks for your input! It's all good to know, esp about the injection part ;-(

[KHP501]

I’m going to take my first practice injection Tuesday which will start my 170 weeks in the Albiglutide study. This is my second study that I’ve been in. The first one was with the once a month injection of Byetta. I was on a placebo so I have no idea what helped me lower my A1C from 7.5-6.9. That was approximately 10 months ago when I was in the first study and now my A1C is back up to 7.5. I was on Januvia for the 10 months and developed several unwanted side effects. I am now on Actos (30mg) once a day.

I guess my first question would be, how long will it take to know if I’m on a placebo or the real thing? I advised the study doctor that if I don’t see any results, I will not stay in the study. Are the benefits from Albiglutide the same as Byetta? Does it have some of the same side effects.

Del

[minneaklaus921]

I am on my second Albiglutide (for sure) injection. I suffer some nausea some of the time and have developed an itchy slight rash where I have given myself the last injection. Was advised to take Claritin for the itching (which has helped immensely). I have lost 5 pound since I gave myself the first injection two weeks ago and notice a definite reduction in appetite and do not miss food at all like I usually do. I am pleased with the progress and hope that the slight rash does not affect my eligibility to be in the study.

[KHP501]

I just injected myself for the third time with Albiglutide. Not 100% sure it's the real thing but my readings have been 130 or below since I started. I'm also on Actos (30mg) and the only side effect has been a reduction in my appetite. Does your pen have a large amount of powder in the end prior to mixing? This may be the sign that shows your on the real thing. I'll keep posting with any changes.