once weekly insulin injection

[lesleyW]

Please does anyone have any experience of a once weekly injection? I think it may be called Exanatide??? Any info. would be gratefully received. 🙄

 

[Northerner]

Hi Lesley, as far as I know there is no once-weekly insulin available, but there is an injectable medication for diabetes called Bydureon - this is a long-lasting version of Exenatide (which is also known as Byetta and is normally injected twice a day).

Not sure if we have any members on bydureon, but we do have a few who have tried Byetta/Exenatide, so hopefully they will be along to share their experiences 🙂

Have you started on it, or has it been suggested to you?

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

There is a new insulin coming on to the market aimed primarily at T2s I think, that lasts for around 40hrs.

It's called Tresiba.

 

[lesleyW]

Thanks for the info. I'm asking because glucose level was fine in October, then far too high in January (despite no change in diet etc.). Have just had another long range test and am waiting for the results. Diabetic nurse has intimated that I might have to go onto insulin, but the thought of injecting frightens me a lot - if I only had to do this once a week I might feel better about it!🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

If you had asked me before diagnosis whether I could inject myself I would have said 'No'. But try not to worry - over half of T2s need injected insulin, and the needles involved these days are really tiny (usually 8mm or less), very fine and virtually pain-free. I'm sure you will get on fine if that's what you need - after the first few you will wonder why you worried 🙂

 

[Emmaathome]

Hi Lesley
I was put on insulin within 3 months of diagnosis, and same as EDUAD would have said i couldnt inject myself.

Please believe everyone who tells you it is really easy, you barely feel it, and you do get used to it pretty darned quick. When I did my first injection, I couldnt actually believe I'd done it, it was that straight forward.

Good luck xxx

 

[Highlander]

I am about to start using Byetta (Exenatide). Which is a twice daily injection half an hour or so before breakfast and dinner, for much the same reasons as you. However, my doc won't put me on insulin, yet, as he was concerned that I might put on too much weight. This can be a problem for Type 2 on insulin, so I have been told.

As said before, Bydureon is the same medication, but a once a week injection, apparently the weekly on is not suitable for people with heart problems, like me.

If you do get put on Bydureon, I would be interested to see how you get on.

Best wishes

 

[lesleyW]

Thank you all for the info. and good wishes - I feel rather daft being worried about this as I know that everyone else seems to take it in their stride. I am sure I will get used to it if I have to. If it means I can eat more normally, rather than feel hungry all the time because I'm desperately trying to keep levels low it will certainly be worth it. Thanks again.