VICTOZA users

frazzledcat

Member
Messages
11
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Bills and needles
Re: VICTOZA

well day 2 and feeling fine, I went to my gp this morning with my letter from hospital and i am the first one in my surgery on Victoza...hence to say the chemist never had it so got to collect tomorrow. My doctor is very interested in my results, here's hoping i do well.

I am not feeling hungry at all, pleased about that!. I made a boo boo tho got some probiotic drinks and i got muller vitality as it was on offer thought they'd all be much of a muchness..well after drinking one i found out there is 10.9g of sugar in tiny bottle :shock: ...WOW....shall be passing those on to my non diabetic mother to consume i think.

Really pleased so far, i was dreading spending a month with my head down the loo..done plenty of that whilst pregnant to last a life time :lol: .
 

Annb

Expert
Messages
7,202
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Re: VICTOZA

Hi

Just found this forum - it's a bit worrying seeing all the possible problems with Victoza. I'm type 2 but neither diet nor insulin have controlled the diabetes. I was put onto Victoza about 10 days ago, starting with 0.6 and now up to 1.2. This is alongside insulin (at first Novomix and then a single dose of slow acting insulin) because the Metformin I was taking was causing all sorts of bowel problems, inlcuding a malignant polyp which might or might not have been caused by it.

I see from the information sheets that Victoza and insuln shouldn't be taken together - worrying ...

I am stil feeling very sick for most of the day but slowly the mornings are clearing and I start feeling nauseous around lunchtime. Then it lasts until some time during the night when I sleep it off. My nurse is hoping to put the Victoza dose up to 1.8 shortly, so I daresay it will start all over again. However, nothing else seems to control by blood sugar levels - this week they are falling down to the low teens for the first time in ages. My appetite hasn't changed much - once I do overcome the nausea and start to eat a meal, I feel hungry. It is easier, though, to tell myself to keep the meal sizes small - trouble is, I'm having to take 5 snacks instead of 3 meals a day and I think that could get out of hand.

I would like to know - if anyone has the answer - how is Victoza meant to work? I'm apparently resistant to insulin, so it can't be doing anything about that, so how does it get rid of the blood sugar - and how do my cells actually get enough energy to keep working (however inefficiently)?

Any ideas?

Ann
 

Hobs

Master
Messages
11,797
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
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Re: VICTOZA

Victoza ia something called incretin mimetic.
Basically, in a nut shell, that means it does what natural body hormones would do. It will increase insulin production as food is digested and will reduce the amount of glucose produced by the liver.
Victoza is also supposed to slow down the rate the stomach empties, so that is why most users will eat less. . . . I hope this helps explain a little for you.
 

vivkaroo

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Re: VICTOZA

hi this vivkaroo here been on byetta 10 months came off back on byetta another 10 months come off g etting victoza tommorrow at diabetic clinic will let you know how i get on like to hear from others on this thread i was always on the byetta thread now having to change to here it seems bit strange but hope i am going to be ok will let you know how it goes bye for now vivkaroo x :D
 

frazzledcat

Member
Messages
11
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Dislikes
Bills and needles
Re: VICTOZA

Victoza day 4 ...Nothing major to report really, touch of the runs today but sort of been expecting that and had far worse on metformin whilst taking xenical/orlistat :oops: :lol:. No other side effects, i seem to be waiting for them to start. My blood sugar was 8.3 this morning lowest it's been first thing for months, cant wait for my next HbA1C, my last was 10.6 in january.

I am keeping off the scales until monday so shall let you know on that score..3 stone loss be great :lol: . Need to up the exercise, but am currently doing the garden..total transformation as was a wreck when we moved in, also decorating the lounge so cant fit that much else in at the min!.

Being as i have not been sick i'm hoping i wont when the dose increases, what's the chances :wink:
 

vivkaroo

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Re: VICTOZA

hi this vivkaroo new to this site had 2 goes at byetta but after probs i am about to start victoza for the first time on tuesday pick it up monday from the hospital i live in hull so it is the hull royal i go they had to order it apparently they say it has to be ordered mostly as it is new very worried about starting had ct scan camera down liver test pancreus test everything seems fine after 2 yrs on and off probs with byetta now moved onto here so would like to speak to anyone that might like to help i am little scared of starting victoza i have read some of your treads some seem to get sickness others dont suppose that happened sometimes when i was on the byetta my bloods are not too bad between 7 and 10 quite good i take 4 glucoghage (metformin) i glicklazide and nortrytolyne for my neuropathy blood pressure tabs and lansoprazole for my stomache everything has been checked before i start victoza on tues the reason i am going on this is because i have struggled 2 yrs on byetta but here is hoping to tues at least only once a day thank you to everyone who has taken time to read about me been type 2 for 20 yrs i am 64 lost stone and half on byetta but slowly some come back on hopefully after being so ill i might feel better soon on the victoza thanks vivkaroo will keep on here now please anyone would like to reply i would like that very much :D x
 

cugila

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Re: VICTOZA

Hi Viv..........guess who !!!

Listen here Viv. This stuff is working for a lot of people now and many are not getting many side effects. It has to be worth a shot and don't forget I shall be around to 'chivvy' you along..... :lol:

So, keep us posted how you get on and don't forget we are all 100% behind you with this new venture for you. Any questions or worries give me a shout ! :D

Ken. xx
 

PatW

Member
Messages
11
Re: VICTOZA

Hello Viv
Just a few words to wish you well on your new adventure with Victoza. Lets all hope that this will be the medication for you and you will soon be singing its praises.
I started on Victoza on 15th January 2010 and after one week just had a sickly feeling but was never sick. This passed after a few days and I have been fine ever since. It certainly reduces your appetite at first so you will feel very full quickly. It soon gets BG levels down which makes you feel better. I have lost 21 lbs so far without too much effort. I do eat a lot less than before Victoza and try to stick to a varied fresh food diet. I always felt hungry previously but now my bloods are in normal range this feeling has gone.
I felt apprehensive at starting this new drug especially the injecting as I had not even done any BG testing previously, but I do now. At least you have experience of this.
I have gained a lot of useful information from this site and thank members for sharing their experiences and knowledge.
Good luck Viv, stay positive.
Just a quick note to Ken - missing your "words of wisdom". Hope you are feeling much better and things are going well.
Take care.
Pat
 

cugila

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Re: VICTOZA

PatW said:
Just a quick note to Ken - missing your "words of wisdom". Hope you are feeling much better and things are going well.
Take care.
Pat

Hi Pat.
I am doing fine thanks. I am taking some time out as you have noticed. I will be back in a week or so as per normal. Thanks for the kind words.
Ken
 

vivkaroo

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Re: VICTOZA

oh ken it was so nice to hear from you had a little chuckle thought oh look who has answered me soooooooo nice thank you so much yes got the victoza today starting wed morn bit scared but should not be really when you have been on the byetta site for 2 yrs it seems very strange but hey thankyou from pat w for taking time to send bit of advice thankyou hunny :D anyway will let you know how i go wed night my gp s receptionist said i am so lucky as it is very expensive and heard good results about it so onward and upwards so bye ken and patw please keep in touch vivkaroo xx :) xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 

frazzledcat

Member
Messages
11
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Dislikes
Bills and needles
Re: VICTOZA

Day 8 on Victoza and upped to 1.2mg. Was waiting for the sickness to hit me but nothing, am so pleased and sugars are so good....weight down 4lb and have to say not tried really.. just cant eat as much. Hubby back to work thursday so shall be able to get more organised food wise as i'll get my routine back...back to rosemary conley too :wink:. I do find it hard to decide what to cook for tea as i'm not hungry i dont fancy anything :lol: small price to pay though.

Anyway onwards and downwards
 

Jude

Well-Known Member
Messages
430
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Re: VICTOZA

Hi vivkaroo - have jumped ship!! No not realy am still on the byetta but am wondering if I may need to try victoza as I do struggle with having to take the byetta before 2 meals of the day and i will find out tomorrow how bad all my results are when I go for my annual check with the practice nurse (she has been a wonderful support). You must keep me informed of how you are getting on with the victoza. I last saw the consultant in September and was supposed to see him in 4 months but when I chased the hospital up recently the first appointment is 14th July so if |I do need to change meds I guess I will have to wait until then!

frazzledcat - nice to see someone geographically closer - I am in Coventry just off A45 - unfortunately vivkaroo is in Hull so we are just friends by computer!!

Speak tomorrow Viv when you have had your first day and I will know my results :) Jude xx
 

vivkaroo

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Re: VICTOZA

hi jude yes i have jumped ship (sorry) but nice to hear from ken on hear yes short note had first dose today touch wood felt fine bit of headache could be because i am bit anxious yer came off byetta as you know 2 months gap then asked if i would like to try victoza you have to order it in at the chemist well they have to apparently because its fairly new i will be ok once i been on a while get into routine this is sort of my last chance but had it this morning doing it once a day but has to be every morning apparently cant swop to afternoon or night you can have food take it after food before or in between bit scared today but hey if it works better than byetta 2 times a day felt fine up to now today but hey you know my past history on byetta so fingers crossed please god let it work and i stopped my glicklazide today must say dont feel hungry but think thats good sign i have spoke to a couple of nice people on here so thats nice i will still keep in touch with you jude dont worry dont know what its like were you are but if i need to see my specialist the dn can arrange it for me they have all been very good as you know i was quite ill so lovely to hear jude keep smiling we have to dont we bye hun :D let you know how i do in few days xxxxxxxxxxxx vivkaroo (PATSY)
 

dawntilduskuk

Newbie
Messages
1
Re: VICTOZA

Hi I have been on victoza for 4 weeks now, I am suffering from eggy burps (well had them 3 times), but my major concern is migraines including the dazzle!! I have not suffered from these since i was a teenager, now im 39 so it is a bit worrying having gone that long, then to get 2 in 8 days... Just wondered if anyone else has been suffering migraines....
 

cugila

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Re: VICTOZA

dawntilduskuk said:
Hi I have been on victoza for 4 weeks now, I am suffering from eggy burps (well had them 3 times), but my major concern is migraines including the dazzle!! I have not suffered from these since i was a teenager, now im 39 so it is a bit worrying having gone that long, then to get 2 in 8 days... Just wondered if anyone else has been suffering migraines....


These are listed as common side effects of Victoza, however not actually as a Migraines but as headaches and possible vision disturbances. There is a list of the known side effects earlier in this thread.

If you are concerned then please discuss this with your GP.

Ken
 

kay957

Well-Known Member
Messages
177
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Re: VICTOZA

dawntilduskuk said:
Hi I have been on victoza for 4 weeks now, I am suffering from eggy burps (well had them 3 times), but my major concern is migraines including the dazzle!! I have not suffered from these since i was a teenager, now im 39 so it is a bit worrying having gone that long, then to get 2 in 8 days... Just wondered if anyone else has been suffering migraines....

Hi, I have been on Victoza for a quite a number of weeks now, I have suffered a few symptoms but they do subside after a while. I had the eggy burps (still do at times) I actually stopped having the bad headaches once starting Victoza (previously I was on Januvia). For me since taking Victoza it has transformed my life, I have more energy and less problems than I had before. I am due my regular 3 month check up soon and hope the BG levels have gone down from 6.2, I am aiming for 5.9 [fingers crossed]. I sincerely hope that all goes well for you but I would mention the migraines to your DN or GP.
 

researchlady

Newbie
Messages
1
Re: VICTOZA

Hi, I am new to the forums although I have been diagnosed for a good year and a half now I think. I apologise now for what is likely to be quite a long read.

When I saw my diabetes and endocrinology consultant in February he offered a trial of Victoza and I have an appointment with a specialist nurse at the hospital to show me how it all works in mid April. I have done a bit of research on it, including reading some people’s posts on here, and have a few questions/concerns.

Firstly, I am allergic to additives that are found in the flu and swine flu vaccines. I don’t think it’s eggs because I can eat eggs perfectly well so surely it can’t be that. I don’t have any real food intolerances either. The only one I could find in the list of ingredients for both vaccines was an additive called Polysorbate 80, which I was pleased to see Victoza doesn’t have in it. The only thing is I have no proof that it was that ingredient that caused me problems. So I’m just hoping the Victoza doesn’t give me a similar reaction.

Secondly, I suffer from evening nausea with no known cause. I take the prescribed equivalent of Motillium 10 (Domperidone) to help with this every evening before I go to bed. This speeds up the digestive process to get whatever’s causing the problem through your system quicker. I read in the patient information leaflet that the active ingredient in Victoza slows down the digestive processes. Is it likely that Victoza and Motillium will conflict?

I already take Metformin slow release (2g daily) and Glimepiride (4 mg daily) as well as Pioglitizone (otherwise known as Actos) 30 mg daily. The leaflet says to take special care when taking drugs such as Glimepiride with Victoza because of the risk of hypoglycaemia, and my consultant has made no mention of adjusting any doses when I start.

I take a lot of other medication, which as far as I know my consultant is aware of. In case anyone knows of any conflicts I will list them here (without dosages)

Cinnarizine (for dizziness)
Thyroxine (for an underactive thyroid gland)
Ranitidine (for indigestion/heartburn
Ibuprofen (for pain and inflammation)
Pirendopril (to prevent protein leaking into my urine and protect my kidneys from damage)

I also occasionally take paracetamol for pain and regular vitamin supplements.

I have a complex endocrine medical condition called septo-optic dysplasia which causes many different and variable symptoms. As a result I am growth hormone and Thyroxine deficient, and this can result in hypoglycaemic symptoms even without any diabetes conditions or medications being added. I get headaches anyway, especially in the mornings due to obstructive sleep apnoea, feel sleepy, tired and weak anyway due to the combination of conditions I have.

I will do anything to avoid being sick, feeling sick or bloated etc. therefore numerous mentions of nausea or vomiting, gastro-oesophageal reflux and indigestion etc. are a bit of a worry to me.

I believe the Metformin is already working to suppress my appetite, which can only be a good thing for weight loss. I am extremely concerned though that dizziness is a side effect of Victoza and I already take medication for dizziness, which only works about 60% of the time. I sometimes cannot stand for long enough to cook dinner because I’m falling around through dizziness and I don’t want this to become even more likely than it already is.

I will of course mention all this to the nurse specialist when I see her on 19th April, but would really appreciate any comments you guys can offer from your own perceptions, knowledge and experience of this sort of thing.

I’m sorry if this is the longest board entry you have ever seen, and I’m done now. I just felt I had to try and get some insights before seeing the nurse later this month.

Thanks in advance to anyone brave enough to have read this far and for any comments that might come from doing so.

Cheers,

Neana
 

cugila

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Re: VICTOZA

I have read all your post and have to say that with all the many questions and varied complications there really is little I can offer in the way of a response to your post. :(

The questions you ask need to be addressed by an Endocrinologist as that person is the only one best qualified to give you answers. With the greatest respect to the DSN she is in no way qualified enough to answer all of your questions, but should be able to pass them on to the Endo and get back to you with the correct answers.

Some of the points you raise are highly technical and it is certainly beyond my capabilities to answer you factually and correctly. Whilst there are a few minor things I could answer I suggest you print your post off and take it with you when you see either the DSN or your Endo.

Ken
 

Hobs

Master
Messages
11,797
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
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Re: VICTOZA

Research lady .... Ken is absolutely right! You really do need to see the Endocrinologist! Your DSN will probably know very little about your de Morsier syndrome and the last thing you need is it aggravated by a nasty dose of labyrinthitis, which is what Victoza initially gave me for about 10 days and I needed the POM Stemitil ( prochlorperazine ) to get me back on an even keel. As a previous sufferer of labyrinthitis, I knew exactly what it was and rather than give up on Victoza I was immeadiatly onto my GP for a script.

Also you should mention that you are taking a motility booster as I was told resorting to a laxative will interupt Victoza's action. Like others here, I use the natural light motility booster action of Actimel to aid the bloating effect.

I do hope your Endo can find a way of trialing you on Victoza and that it suits you; as for me it has been the best news on the diabetes front since I was diagnosed many years back. It has not just helped me with diabetes but with other health issues too.

Good luck and please return to let us know how you get on.