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