- Messages
- 947
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
2 months after going of jardiance and decreasing my victoza my Hba1C had gone up ever so slightly to 41 (5.9), and my kidney number (whatever units they're measured in) had come down to 91. Just one point above range. I didn't even know they'd been raised a couple of months ago ...
Anyway, for a moment there I felt sure I was with a DN in the UK, as she reminded me of the many stories I've read on this forum. I know this post is going to be a bit messy, but I hope you'll bear with me.
DN "How about having some porridge for breakfast. You've really got to eat more carbs. Carbs are essential"
me "why?"
DN "Because you need them for fuel"
Me "I'm in nutritional ketosis and use my fat for fuel"
DN "But you're stressing your body. Your kidneys won't thank you for it"
Me "But my kidneys have improved. You just told me so yourself. "
DN "Well, that could have to do with your fluid balance"
Later, when I came home and googled around for victoza and her equally dangerous relatives, such as Ozempic, which the DN wants me to switch to, I realised this about victoza, and I quote from bloodsugar101
"There have been postmarketing reports of acute renal[kidney] failure and worsening of chronic renal failure, which may sometimes require hemodialysis in Victoza®-treated patients [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)]. Some of these events were reported in patients without known underlying renal disease."
So might it just be that my improved kidney function is due to my lowering the dose by one third? And why oh why didn't I know enough to ask her this question when I had the chance? So typical me.
Also according to Bloodsugar 101 victoza isn't really all that effective when it comes to blood sugar control, so I'm wondering if I should just ditch it altogether and see what happens. Go for more walks instead ...
DN "Why did you decide against switching to Ozempic? It'll help you lose weight too".
Me "How? By reducing my appetite?"
DN "Yes"
Me "But I don't need my appetite reduced. I'm not eating enough as it is"
DN "But you'll only have to inject it once a week"
Me "I have no problem injecting myself. I hardly feel it".
Anyway, she gave me a bunch of leaflets or ads, as it were, filled with happiness, and very uninformative too. wrapped in a charming red zip wrapper which I'm sure will be useful for something else, but the leaflets will fill my paper recycling bin.
I also asked her about SR Metformin, and told her of my fear of going to sleep to wake up in the middle of the night with a tummy upset. She'd never heard of SR Metformin, and wondered if it could be called something else in the UK ...? I wonder too? Being afraid of going to sleep is really no fun at all.
Then she told me that I was on the waiting list to see the endo doc in about 18 months time, but that I was very welcome to give them a ring and ask to have my blood tested for cholesterol levels, as I hadn't had that done this time around.
Me "18 months!?!?!"
DN "Yes, the big wigs (she pointed upwards, clearly thinking of our beloved government), have decided that well controlled T2s such as yourself, are going to be referred to their GPs for future treatment, and you may well be one of them".
I quipped that I'd go back to my old cake eating ways, but I don't think she heard me.
So that's me, probably on my way to be discharged from the endo out patients clinic, not knowing when I'll be having my next Hba1C - oh, should I mention that she also told me not to test my bloods very often?
Anyway, for a moment there I felt sure I was with a DN in the UK, as she reminded me of the many stories I've read on this forum. I know this post is going to be a bit messy, but I hope you'll bear with me.
DN "How about having some porridge for breakfast. You've really got to eat more carbs. Carbs are essential"
me "why?"
DN "Because you need them for fuel"
Me "I'm in nutritional ketosis and use my fat for fuel"
DN "But you're stressing your body. Your kidneys won't thank you for it"
Me "But my kidneys have improved. You just told me so yourself. "
DN "Well, that could have to do with your fluid balance"
Later, when I came home and googled around for victoza and her equally dangerous relatives, such as Ozempic, which the DN wants me to switch to, I realised this about victoza, and I quote from bloodsugar101
"There have been postmarketing reports of acute renal[kidney] failure and worsening of chronic renal failure, which may sometimes require hemodialysis in Victoza®-treated patients [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)]. Some of these events were reported in patients without known underlying renal disease."
So might it just be that my improved kidney function is due to my lowering the dose by one third? And why oh why didn't I know enough to ask her this question when I had the chance? So typical me.
Also according to Bloodsugar 101 victoza isn't really all that effective when it comes to blood sugar control, so I'm wondering if I should just ditch it altogether and see what happens. Go for more walks instead ...
DN "Why did you decide against switching to Ozempic? It'll help you lose weight too".
Me "How? By reducing my appetite?"
DN "Yes"
Me "But I don't need my appetite reduced. I'm not eating enough as it is"
DN "But you'll only have to inject it once a week"
Me "I have no problem injecting myself. I hardly feel it".
Anyway, she gave me a bunch of leaflets or ads, as it were, filled with happiness, and very uninformative too. wrapped in a charming red zip wrapper which I'm sure will be useful for something else, but the leaflets will fill my paper recycling bin.
I also asked her about SR Metformin, and told her of my fear of going to sleep to wake up in the middle of the night with a tummy upset. She'd never heard of SR Metformin, and wondered if it could be called something else in the UK ...? I wonder too? Being afraid of going to sleep is really no fun at all.
Then she told me that I was on the waiting list to see the endo doc in about 18 months time, but that I was very welcome to give them a ring and ask to have my blood tested for cholesterol levels, as I hadn't had that done this time around.
Me "18 months!?!?!"
DN "Yes, the big wigs (she pointed upwards, clearly thinking of our beloved government), have decided that well controlled T2s such as yourself, are going to be referred to their GPs for future treatment, and you may well be one of them".
I quipped that I'd go back to my old cake eating ways, but I don't think she heard me.
So that's me, probably on my way to be discharged from the endo out patients clinic, not knowing when I'll be having my next Hba1C - oh, should I mention that she also told me not to test my bloods very often?