Re: VICTOZA
Hi all, just joined the site, as did an online search and found it! amazing this internet marlarky! I thought I'd share my experience with you.
I've been on Victoza now since May 2010. Its a long and dull story but in a brief nutshell, for almost 14 years I'd been going to my GP saying I felt tired, my weight was increasing(going from 14 stones to almost 21 stone) - to such a point I couldn’t walk up the stairs without being breathless - as there is a history of thyroid problems in the family, the GP put me onto thyroxine, a low dose at first, but gradually over the 14 years it increased to 300mcg daily!! (far too much!!). I had always exercised regularly, eaten fairly well ( meaning no excess sugars, or fats, and always kept an eye on my calorie intake), did not smoke, and did not drink any kind of booze whatsoever
Things came to a head in October 2009, as when my weight topped 21 stones, I could barely walk with the pains in my knees and barely stay awake for longer than 2 hours - a problem being self employed! - I visited the GP and asked to be seen by an endocrinologist. I went to the appointment at the local hospital - needless to say it was a waste of time, as I was told by the results of my blood tests " everything is ok, in fact you're taking too much thyroxine," or in not so many words now shut up stop complaining and go home!!. I decided to stop taking my thyroxine, and this carried on for 6 weeks I felt great, pains were going, weight started to fall slightly and I had more energy, my wife was concerned about stopping the thyroxine, so she persuaded me to go back to the GP, telling her I'd stopped taking my thyroxine, feeling so much better etc, and was considering self medicating with porcine version of thyroxine from the internet, and again asking for a consultation to see an endocrinologist, this time at another hospital.
The appointment came through, and 2 weeks later went to see the consultant, I'd had numerous blood tests prior to going so he could see the state of things, this guy was far more professional in his approach (he wasn’t dressed like an electrician for one as the first consultant appeared to be!)
He confirmed I did have an under active thyroid, but would like 'other' tests done before any conclusion was made. I was given two tablets with instructions, this was to test me for Cushing’s Syndrome, also had a Sleep apnoea test, a glucose fasting test, and others I cannot recall now, but there is now more of my blood outside of me than in me!
Couple of days passed and the results came through I had diabetes type 2 and could I go to see my GP, I did this and initially I was very angry at being told I had this, finding it difficult to accept, the GP prescribed me Metformin 200mg daily 2 x500mg twice a day, also started me on Liothyonine a type of thyroid hormone. I was so angry at this I demanded I was tested again to make sure, as many years prior to this I'd asked if I had diabetes and the answer was a profound 'No!'. I had the fasting test and the litre of Lucozade (disgusting stuff!).
I went to see the consultant again and he confirmed I had type 2 diabetes, but good news was I didn’t have Cushing’s Syndrome. It was then he suggested I consider going either onto Byetta or the new Victoza injections, my a1c had been 18.8, and daily average mmol of 12. I decided to do the Victoza, as it was only once a day, the thought of an extra injection made me cringe!
I was instructed by a very patient, understanding, and caring nurse in the use of the Victoza, starting off on 0.6 for a week, and then increasing to 1.2 daily, I had few side effects, some stomach aches, and fuzzy headache, but nothing as bad as some people have mentioned. Within a month or so I noticed my appetite decline eating less feeling full for longer, measuring my BS went from 12 to 5.5 daily average. Within 3 months my next appointment to see the consultant I had gone from 133kgs to 100kgs, and was feeling fantastic and like I used to before this 14 year nightmare had started! I had boundless energy, felt great to be able to do 10 hours work, and still have energy to do other things without crashing out on the sofa knackered! My wife commented how my attitude had changed, being more positive about things etc.
I return to see the consultant next Friday 25th March, and although the weight loss has slowed I am around the 90kg mark now, I feel great, like a new me, my waist has gone from *large* to 32 inches and just relieved I stuck out and saw this second consultant as it has changed my life - an over used cliché - but very true and fitting in my instance. My BS for the last 90 days on the accu check in now sitting at 4.9mmol, so hopefully this will translate over next week once they check it to be something near the same.
Apologies for the long winded and rambling first post, but felt I had to share it and maybe in some way encourage others to 'keep' trying to get some kind of quality of treatment which we all deserve! and to try Victoza as to me its been a miracle!
Phil
