VICTOZA users

[rrrrrrrrrr]

Re: Byetta / Victoza

My husband has been on Victoza for 6weeks starting at .6 once a day then after a week went up to 1.2 once a day before the victoza he was taking insulin upto 5 times a day, he also has lost 6 kg. We are self funding and would like to know if antone is getting victoza on the NHS

 

[cugila]

Re: Byetta / Victoza

My husband has been on Victoza for 6weeks starting at .6 once a day then after a week went up to 1.2 once a day before the victoza he was taking insulin upto 5 times a day, he also has lost 6 kg. We are self funding and would like to know if antone is getting victoza on the NHS

Can I ask why you are self funding as Victoza is a freely available NHS listed drug ? We have a growing band of members who are using it.

 

[paula1974]

Re: VICTOZA

Hi everyone,
First off all, sorry if I repeat things already said in this thread.
I have read this thread with interest as I need to lose about 4 1/2 stone. I use insulin (novorapid and lantus) When I saw my consultant on tues he was very pleased with my bs results but kept going on about weight loss. Do you think they would put me on victoza if my levels are already well controlled? would they take me off the insulin? I also take 2 metformin twice a day.

Paula

 

[cugila]

Re: VICTOZA

Hi everyone,
First off all, sorry if I repeat things already said in this thread.
I have read this thread with interest as I need to lose about 4 1/2 stone. I use insulin (novorapid and lantus) When I saw my consultant on tues he was very pleased with my bs results but kept going on about weight loss. Do you think they would put me on victoza if my levels are already well controlled? would they take me off the insulin? I also take 2 metformin twice a day.

Paula

Hi Paula.
In answer to your question it is a fact that there is a set criteria regarding the prescribing of Victoza.
You have to have been on maximum doses of at least two meds (oral), have a BMI of over 35, and also have poor Bg control..........

Now, although the last one seems to count you out, plus not on max meds, some Consultants will routinely ignore the guidelines and prescribe, especially when it involves a possible weight loss.

What I would advise you to do is discuss it with the GP and the Consultant....see what they say. Put your view forwards and see if they will help. If not you can always ask for a second opinion.

Do not think you can't be put on it, ask why you cannot be put on it ! Prepare your argument in advance.

Good luck with your efforts.

 

[paula1974]

Re: VICTOZA

Thanks for your advice.
I was due to see DN today at surgery but snowed in. They are sending another appt.
Paula

 

[Valeris]

Re: VICTOZA

Not being a medic I am not sure if they would but as the old saying goes "there's no harm in asking" Good luck

 

[barn owl]

victosa

I have been on victosa for two weeks now ,but i don,t have any appetite at all,i have to force myself to eat.I am also on lantus,metformin and novarapid,has any else felt like this

 

[cugila]

Re: victosa

Hi barn owl.
Welcome to the Forum. We have a growing thread in the Diabetes Medication and Drugs section entitled 'VICTOZA.' You should find much information there about the drug and also experiences of members who use it.

Here is a link.

viewtopic.php?f=26&t=9281&start=0

I shall be merging this post shortly for continuity.

 

[mofofunk]

Re: victosa

I have been on victosa for two weeks now ,but i don,t have any appetite at all,i have to force myself to eat.I am also on lantus,metformin and novarapid,has any else felt like this

Hello,

i am now on week 3 of victoza - For the first week and half, I had no appetite either and also had to force myself to eat. Unfortunatly this side effect seems to have gone away now . I can eat the same as before I went on it.

Thanks

 

[norried]

Re: VICTOZA

just been prescribed this im a bus driver so insulin not an option looks the part my consultant very pleased with his results so far getting my first script and lessons dec 30th so hopefully happy new year for me. also been told of slow release metformin as i get bad stomach pains with normal met.

 

[norried]

Re: VICTOZA

paula
from what i understand victoza and insulin not licenced to be prescribed together.

 

[cugila]

Re: VICTOZA

paula
from what i understand victoza and insulin not licenced to be prescribed together.

Quite right........however for some time now it has been routinely prescribed together.

We have quite a few members who are on both with excellent results and usually they are able to reduce the Insulin dose. The only thing that should happen is that the Patient should be made aware that it is an 'off licence' use of the drug prior to any treatment. So long as they are aware.......there should be no problem. If they were not told then they should question whoever prescribed it.

 

[norried]

Re: VICTOZA

i stand corrected

 

[diesel duck]

Re: VICTOZA

Now just into my 5th week and I've lost 8kg and a couple of holes in my belt, with just a little self control and trying to avoid habitual cupboard raiding. Just not being hungry all the time seems a revelation at the moment, but some of the good and bad side effects do seem to be wearing off a little.

Like a lot of people you don't really want to say too much about the positive things about this drug just in case things go pear-shaped, but the profile of the side-effects to my mind seems to help enormously with weight loss and BG control. The Nausea (of a large meal)does help to limit your food intake and the delay in gastric emptying helps to reduce your hunger, so use side-effects to your advantage rather than see them as something to be worried about. If the long term outcomes are good for Victoza I could really see this as a blockbuster anti-obesity drug rather than as a pure diabetes medication, but we will have to wait and see.

Have to add that Victoza and the norovirus is not a really good combination - aka the exorcist vomit scene was nothing compared to my performance :lol:

 

[norried]

Re: VICTOZA

Have to add that Victoza and the norovirus is not a really good combination - aka the exorcist vomit scene was nothing compared to my performance :lol:

:lol:

 

[anna29]

Re: VICTOZA

Hi.

Hi. Am new to the victoza forum, 48 years old,local gp wants me to consider victoza alongside sitagliptin[januvia]. have read all pages on forum as am with complex health issues. have diverticulitis bowel disease plus underactive thyroid and had a PDA patent ductus arteriosis heart repair. previously found various diabetes drugs unsuitable for me including metphormin and simavistatin and gliclazide that piled pounds on my central upper body making stress go onto my heart. diagnosed december 2008 type2 diabetes, and i thought it was my thyroid "bombing again" !!! am quite wary to try victoza due to both good and bad takes on its effects on members wellbeing. the nausea aspects of it worry me, as i have sickness phobia. needles dont bother me one bit! am told i am tiny in body frame, thats my legs and arms and bum only! huge tummy thanks to gliclazide have got to point where i have refused to take it any more. luckily both my gp and nurse understand it totally as i have gained weight only on upper body and heart is at risk. i have only till monday to consider all options and give my gp my consent to try victoza. its on my mind a lot and am in a whirl over just exactly what to do???hope someone can point me in good direction even though no one knows me. live lancashire. Anna

 

[anna29]

Re: VICTOZA

Hi. please can anyone advise me? monday will soon be here, and i am still wary and in a muddle, unsure what to do for the best? i also have cardiovascular and ocular hypertension, take lisinopril and ganfort for these. thyroxine[hypothyroid] sitaglyptin[januvia] for my diabetes. blood sugars are reading crazily erractic swing between 9.6 and 19.9 daily now! both my gp and practice nurse insist i consider victoza, i have to see my gp on monday and let him know what i decide....? i am without much information on this drug, and feeling confused and lost. would appreciate any advice. Anna.

 

[Hobs]

Re: VICTOZA

Hello Anna and welcome to the forum.

I too was apprehensive when Victoza was suggested, especially as I was going to share the practice trial with only one other person, but for me, apart from the initial gastric impact of the drug (helped by Actimel), I can tell you it has many advantages over all the other additional T2 meds I have tried.

It not only gives me lower BG results with excellent control, it has lowered stubborn systolic hypertension and raised my bradicardia to a normal heart rate, so allowing me to increase my Beta Cardone (sotalol) to recommended levels for better AF control. It has also given be lower intraocular pressure so making me less prone to glaucoma to which there is a family prevalence.
Coupled to all of the above is a decrease in appetite with the tendency to snack being eliminated. Also my portion size has reduced simply because my stomach tells me when I have eaten enough where before I felt the need keep spooning food in.

For me, Victoza has not only greatly improved my ability to live and cope with T2 diabetes, but it has also improved other aspects of my health care.
If I had to give it marks out of 100, then I would give a score of 99 and the loss of that 1% is purely due to the slight inconvenience of daily injections. Once they have perfected the drug in tablet/capsule form, my score will be 100%.

 

[anna29]

Re: VICTOZA

Hi.thank YOU for your reply! started to think EVERYONE gone xmas shopping n not around to give me any advice. Am tiny built 5ft 6" with a barrel tummy, have put 2.5 stone on since being diabetic diagnosed. My thyroid packed up 1986 after birth of my only child, it can happen after a pregnacy was told by specialist. Always been 8 to 8.5stone in weight. However since being diagnosed diabetic dec 2008 and trying various drugs to control it have been failure due to my drug intolerances, have found only sitaglyptin [januvia] agrees with me plus gliclazide my weight has over time climed up to
11stone!!! have been told by gp and diabetic specialist gliclazide is most likely culprit due to my extremely healthy diet RULED by my diverticulitis bowel disease... Am food intolerant to white breads pasta pastry too many potatoes, onions are a no no !!! Am not a huge meat either, only have bit of chicken and bacon [as a treat] . I LOVE vegetable casseroles hand-homemade by me, salads,cherry and baby plum tomatoes [eat these as nibble food also] spinach and cucumber sandwhiches on wholemeal local bakery baps [special order them weekly] can only tollerate filo pastry and buy in mushroom n guyere filo pastry parcels.homemake soups stews broths casseroles spag bols with wholemeal pasta their healthy nutricious foods and most importantly dont damage my control with diverticulitis disease. I steer totally clear of the BEIGE foods!!! learned the hard way and can take me two weeks to recover from even having just one slice of white bread... so NOT worth it for me. I hate ice cream and even cream cakes! Have a savory tooth love crackers with sliced tomatoes on for a nibble. My only weakness is Qvavers crisps !!! Am mad on clementines now... eat 6 daily at the mo!when it comes to medicinal drugs i can only tolerate sterate based drugs, how the drug is made up i need sterate base compound. Have been reading members stories and advice, worked out i will need benecol probiotic drinks again [have had to use them before] and will get script repeat of stemetil [wonderful drug for nausea] forwarned is forearmed eh?Am prepared for rough time possibly? till my body and system adjust to victoza? My blood sugars,cholestrol,blood pressure and liver are reading abnormally high with latest blood test results. Been feeling rough and knackered up for weeks now. Gp and diabetic nurse collared me and told me have to do something about it now. Victoza only way i can go now as am refusing continue with gliclazide up in middle of night with loo and breathless due to upper body weight gain,scaring me! Hope all my babble and life story helps? Anna.

 

[anna29]

Re: VICTOZA

Thanks Hobbs for your reply, Question? do you have to take any other diabetic drug with victoza??? OR do you just take victoza soley? Have noticed a few other members combine victoza with metoformin. As sitaglyptin [januvia] agrees with me am wondering whether they will keep me on it with victoza?Great to hear someone else benefit so well with bs cholestrol hypertension both ocular and cardio am AMAZED. You have given me courage to go for it! If it will lower them ALL, I can only like you benefit from victoza. Am just so nervous and praying my body and system WILL accept and tolerate victoza?Given my weird intolerance system. I need a good shove in the right direction and hearing your advice has helped me with assurance. THANK YOU. X