Can I ask to go on Victoza or Byetta

[))Denise((]

I've been diagnosed just over four years and for most of that time I have been on 2500mg (3 x 850mg) Metformin, and for the last year I have been on 40mg Gliclazide. I have reduced the carbs I eat (I'm wheat intollerant so just cut out anything that has it in), my last HbA1c was 5.6% and my BMI is about 31. My non-diabetic friend is amazed at how little I eat.

My weight is stable, it goes up and down by about 3lbs but is usually about the same. I have an office job, so don't do much exercise. I would love to loose about a stone, but suspect the gliclazide is keeping my weight up.

My question is: what are my chances of being able to drop the metformin and gliclazide and go onto victoza or byetta? Is this something that my GP could do, or would I have to get a referral to the hospital?

I'm getting my bloods done on 21st Dec and seeing the doc in January (this is so wrong for an annual review).

 

[anna29]

Hi Denise,
I was referred to the consultant by my GP to be assessed as a suitable candidate for victoza.
There are certain guidelines and criterea you have to meet, before they prescribe byetta/victoza.
Assessment of your meds, body mass, blood glucose levels and control, diet n lifestyle are looked at and should be discussed.
I stopped taking the gliclazide myself due to central body weight gain [ tummy n chest area only ] whilst my legs/arms remained stick thin ! [my diet was both healthy AND portion controlled, due to my bowel disease]
This was causing me breathing difficulties and restricting my mobilty too.
Was told the body mass index had to be greater than 35.
Mine was a lot lower than this, but the fact I was suffering with breathing and mobilty, on my tiny frame they agreed to let me use victoza glp1 peptide.
I now use victoza with levemir insulin.
It IS an expensive product and not all HCP's are agreeable to prescribe these.
Could you have a chat with your GP and run this past them? See what they say/suggest?
Without sounding awful, a stone isnt a lot to lose, could this be possibly looked at after xmas time in shedding via tweaking your diet?
Victoza does have an appetite suppressant action , making you want to eat a lot less than normal therefore being successful in weight loss with it.
Hope this helps?
Anna.x

 

[))Denise((]

Hi Anna

Thanks for your response. I think I'm having a bit of a downer, being fed up with every meal revolving round taking a tablet, all the Christmas goodies I can't have because of my wheat intollerance (and the diabetes) and having my bloods done on Wednesday for my HbA1c.

I'd like to loose a stone, but think the doc would prefer it to be three ... I like the lower levels that the Gliclazide gives me, but think it is at the expense of weight loss.

I will talk about it to my GP in January, but as you say, I probably don't meet the criteria.