Hello

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

Sir Cumference

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Greeting from Yorkshire!

I have had type 2 diabetes for a number of years now and, at the moment, it is controlled by tablets. I had an appointment with my diabetic specialist nurse yesterday and she wants to put me on Bydureon. It was while researching the medication that i came across this site and forum.

The side effects listed don't sound very pleasant and I wondered if any of you on here was currently taking Bydureon and, if so, how you found it - any information would be helpful before I make a decision as to whether I'm happy to take it.

Thank you in anticipation 🙂
 
Hi Sir Cumference (great name!) welcome to the forum from a fellow Yorkshireman (from Brighouse, now living dahn sarf 🙂

I'm not sure if any of our members are currently taking Bydureon, although we do have members who are on, or have been on, its cousins Byetta and Victoza. My impression is that these types of medication can be very effective for some people, whereas others simply cannot get on with them - either the side-effects are too unpleasant, or they have little of the desired effects, but I don't know from personal experience as I am on insulin.

What is the reason for the suggestion - have your levels been getting more difficult to control recently? What tablets are you on currently? There may be other ways to improve your levels without resorting to extra meds - adjustments to your diet for example. Do you have a meter so you can test your levels before and after eating in order to guage your tolerance for different foods?
 
Hi welcome to the forum.

While I am not on injectables, Bydureon is a long lasting version of Byetta.

Searching around found one article that said Bydureon should only be prescribed once one has tried Byetta as if you don't get on with the medication its takes a long while for it to be flushed out of your system.

I was looking into Victoza another similar injectable to see if it was more suitable to help me with spikes and weight loss as my current meds encourage weight gain.

Experienced users of these meds will be able to give you their advise on what these meds are like to use.
 
Thank you, all, for your welcome.

Northerner: I'm already on Gliclazide and Metformin to the highest dose but my readings remain high - hence the wish by my Diabetic nurse to put me on Bydurean.

If they could only prescribe my a small (or large) bottle of "will power" I'd get on a lot better. I do have a meter but don't take my reading regularly (Yes, I know it's a legal requirement that I do so) and so am not aware of how I am doing.

I know there are many improvements to both my diet and my lifestyle that could (and should) be made but I do nothing about it. I think a lot of the problem is that I don't feel ill if I digress - maybe if I did, that would give me the necessary incentive to be much more disciplined about diet and lifestyle.

So, all in all, I know that I only have myself to blame.
 
I think it's one of those things, a bit like stopping smoking, where you have to want to do it, rather than just being told it will be good for you if you do. Once you get into the swing of regular testing it becomes less of a chore, and you will also need to test less as time progresses and you learn by experience. If you start now then maybe you will not progress to the stage of needing insulin, when you will need to test. Unfortunately, whilst medications can help they are only 'partners' in working to keep your levels under control. Moreover, I think what isn't always realised (I'm not saying you don't!) is that these are powerful drugs that very crudely manipulate your body chemistry. Minimising their use, therefore, can only be better for you in the long term.

Why not start by testing your fasting/waking levels and your bedtime levels? Then maybe pick a meal each day to test before eating and two hours after eating? Small steps with easily attainable goals might help to get you going. 🙂 I know it can be hard to motivate yourself when your levels are high, but hopefully once they begin to come down you will feel better and more inclined to do more.

I suggest having a read of Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S - see what you think 🙂
 
Good name ! & welcome. This forum is full of info on drugs & ways to deal with certain probs. Did you get the answers you where looking for if not ask & someone will be along to help 🙂
 
Welcome to the forum🙂
 
Thank you for your helpful comments - I'm going to make a determined effort to test my levels at least twice a day - morning an evening - and then once I'm used to that I'm going to begin the before and after meals.

I tested myself this morning and it was VERY high - I'm too embarrassed to say exactly what it was but it was well into double figures! My surgery is giving away free test kits and so I have one for the office and one for home - I have NO excuses now :-(

As for the name, you'd know exactly why I chose it if you were ever to meet me 🙂
 
Sir Cumference said:
Thank you for your helpful comments - I'm going to make a determined effort to test my levels at least twice a day - morning an evening - and then once I'm used to that I'm going to begin the before and after meals.

I tested myself this morning and it was VERY high - I'm too embarrassed to say exactly what it was but it was well into double figures! My surgery is giving away free test kits and so I have one for the office and one for home - I have NO excuses now :-(

As for the name, you'd know exactly why I chose it if you were ever to meet me 🙂
Click to expand...

Something to do with Pi? 😉 :D

Sounds like a good plan, keep us updated and hopefully those numbers will start looking much more attractive soon!
 
Hello and welcome to the forum.
Sir Harry Secombe used to call himself Sir Cumference after he developed type 2 diabetes.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top