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VICTOZA users

Re: VICTOZA

Sorry for this, got pages wrong! Please see pages 44 and 45.... Am in a muddle, Anna.x
 
Re: VICTOZA

Sorry to hear you are not having much luck Anna. :(

The problem is this drug was not trialled in people who were only overweight but in those who were obese ! Hence the understandable reluctance of any Consultant's to prescribe the drug outside of guidelines, in effect....'off licence.'

You say you cannot take any other Meds.......does that also include Insulin ?

This is the problem with seeing too many people about your Diabetes. My Team is led by my Endocrinologist, SDSN who deal with my day to day treatment.

My GP and Practice DN really have nothing to do with ANY decisions regarding my treatment, just rubber stamp any prescriptions, tickle my feet and chat happily every time I see them ...... :D

It's a shame that they all can't give you the time to discuss things with you. I am sure if they did your outcome might be improved, even if it doesn't include Victoza.

BTW, Sue and I don't advocate ANY particular diet method. Just a 'reduction' of carbohydrates to a level which gives good control. It is not 'technically' a low carb diet. We have changed the wording to make that clear.
 
Victoza

My question to those who've used Victoza is how long before any side effects such as diarrhea will stop happening? I know about the other stuff that's more serious of course so would tell the nurse immediately if I started getting shortness of breath or wotnot.

Thanks for reading and for any responses you all might give me. :)
 
Re: VICTOZA

Hi Ken got myself a collins carb counting book and i was eating totally the wrong food had a good think about it and turned it round totally with your guidance now getting regular readings of between 5-10 0n my meter granted sometimes i get it wrong and i do very occasionally get a double figure one but they are getting rare now. I have even managed to half the amount of lantus i was taking only taking 2 shots of 20 a day now and expect this to drop with more weight loss. Amazing how a bit of advice can really help you and meds of course :D
Thanks Ken owe you one buddy :D
Lee.
 
Re: VICTOZA

Bingo Wings said:
Hi Ken got myself a collins carb counting book and i was eating totally the wrong food had a good think about it and turned it round totally with your guidance now getting regular readings of between 5-10 0n my meter granted sometimes i get it wrong and i do very occasionally get a double figure one but they are getting rare now. I have even managed to half the amount of lantus i was taking only taking 2 shots of 20 a day now and expect this to drop with more weight loss. Amazing how a bit of advice can really help you and meds of course :D
Thanks Ken owe you one buddy :D
Lee.
Click to expand...

Mines a Guinness........ :D Glad we are of some help to you. It will get even better hopefully.
 
Re: VICTOZA

Hello all,
Just a quick update - I have been on Victoza now for 1 year (today). I am on the 1.2 dose. I am feeling good on this drug and blood glucose levels are generally in guidelines. I have lost over two stone in weight but this has not altered since around August 2009. I need to be more strict with my diet and get another 2 stone off. I will have to try harder. All for now. Best wishes to all. Pat x
 
Re: VICTOZA

PatW said:
Hello all,
Just a quick update - I have been on Victoza now for 1 year (today). I am on the 1.2 dose. I am feeling good on this drug and blood glucose levels are generally in guidelines. I have lost over two stone in weight but this has not altered since around August 2009. I need to be more strict with my diet and get another 2 stone off. I will have to try harder. All for now. Best wishes to all. Pat x
Click to expand...


Great progress Pat........you are right, be just that little bit stricter with yourself and the weight will start to go again. Good so far and an example of what some of these newer anti-Diabetic drugs can do. :D
 
Re: VICTOZA

Thank you Ken for reply and encouragment. I made a mistake in earlier post and should have said August 2010 - time flies, I can't keep up!
I must say Ken you and your colleagues replies are extremely useful, helpful and encouraging. An excellent Forum.
I could do with some of your willpower Ken.
Thank you for your time in helping fellow diabetics, much appreciated. x
 
Re: VICTOZA

Hi. ken n sue, please can you give me sum clear advice? wat exactly does insulin do? and wat types are there and any other helpful info to advise and guide me... oh and DOES it actually put weight on you ? hav asked the professionals this they all say it does but they dont know how much! Am summonded to see diabetic clinic again, this tuesday... as am in mess with high bp bs cholestrol n got an infection also! I am REFUSING to go back on gliclazide due to weight gain n hav told them to take it themselves!!!! doc has told me insulin was an option as been refused victoza due to being tiny limbs with barrel tummy, n under BMI of 35. Am 11stone 3lb. Put 2stone 3lb on thanx to gliclazide. Am totally clueless about insulin.... All my body n system will tollerate is sitagliptin [januvia] n gliclazide [I refuse to take this]. Can you please explain n advise me with your knowledge? Anna.
 
Re: VICTOZA

Here is some stuff to start with Anna.

What is Insulin ?

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/di ... nsulin.php

Types of Insulin.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/insulin/insulin-types.html

Yes it does make you put on weight but only if you have to use a lot of it. The best way to reduce your need for Insulin is to reduce the amount of Carbohydrate you eat.

Carbs= Glucose= Insulin= Fat.

You need to go back to basics on your diet and now you are off Gliclizide this may help. It is possible to reduce your Blood glucose levels by dieting and if you can do it you may not need Insulin.

If you find you need the Insulin there are many here who will help and guide you about how to use it.
 
Re: VICTOZA

Hi. sue, thank you for the two web sites you gave me to look at, hav looked at them plus more... hav finally worked out best place to start is to continue to REFUSE higher dosage of gliclazide, it will only distress me further knowing that I would DEFINETELY weight gain with it n being huge apple shape with heart problems etc I would start getting [mad] with sheer frustration. Hav done bit of research into types of insulin to start of with as a newbie to it..Am up at the diabetic clinic today hav to make final decisison what to do!Havent been well lately with high levels and symptoms and also not sleeping well too.Research has pointed me in direction of a BASAL ANALOGUE insulin with LEVEMIR being most successful at reducing bs levels hi cholestrol and hi blood pressure as well as lowest weight gain drug insulin. Am not prepared to accept a BIPHASIC or PRANDIAL type of insulin as they DONT always successfully bring levels down, give a weight gain 10 - 14 pounds in around 9months of usage. H ave made notes and am being "FIRM" with them all, I have to its the only way forward.... especially with my med history and drug intolerances. Please feel free to let me know any more tips advice n input from yourselves [ken and sue] plus any experienced insulin users especially how do you start as a newbie to a new lifestyle using insulin... Went to see doc last night for my infection n he started "on at me" about todays clinic appt n reaching a decision asked me 3 times to still take insulin instead of " nothing" so this is why I am taking this approach if you see what I mean? Things have become so bad with my health I have had to give up work. Anna.
 
Re: VICTOZA

Hi. Well, went yesterday to diabetic clinic after good n long chat with DSN and my own gp it has been decided to refer me to top diabotologist and endicrinologist at (Name of Hospital removed)Hospital they both feel strongly that I "still" should be put on victoza. [here we go again!] However if this guy refuses it to me I have to then go on insulin as will have no choice or option... Both DSN and my own gp can see the huge changes in my body, appearance, mental n emotional state plus my personality! Am well fed up n weary with it all. They want me to try again with a different consultant and the "top expert one too" with so many drug intolerances and sensitive gut, digestive system. If have to go on insulin as DSN said I will eventually n gradually put weight on to probably be given victoza anyway! Gp said with his hands tied, [he cant presribe it] I am stuck in an hard and unfair place. As we all know victoza may NOT even agree with me, thou all the unusual drugs and not common n widely used ones" seem to agree" with my weird tolerance system. Am yet only on sitaglyptin {januvia} with erratic BS readings after fasting 12.7 after food 2-4 hours later 21.9 totally drained and sluggish daily now. Just have to take care of myself and keep chugging along. Anna.x
 
Re: VICTOZA

Hopefully you will getit anna, I had to fight for mine and once I changed to a different doctor was on it within a month, fingers crossed.
 
Re: VICTOZA

Hi. thank you for your support and encouragement in your reply, weird you advising me to fight to get victoza as my own DSN said exactly the same to me on tuesday.She also advised me to take someone with me into room when I next see new endicrinologist for moral support. As my gp said his hands are tied and I am stuck in a hard and unfair place. Was "ruff" yesterday with high BS and infection plus bowel disease diverticulitis kicked in! Am brighter today so thats progress eh? Hope I get sorted soooooon though or my doc will get fed up both with sight of me n me keep going on at him! Anna.x
 
Re: VICTOZA

Hi Victoza people. I'm going to be starting it next week as soon as my pharmacy gets it in. Saw the consultant and diabetic nurse today for the first time in 2 years, there has apparently been a big gap in support and the GPs have been carrying the can for some time.

Just wanted to know if there is anything I should know about before I start :?:

I'm 59, 18.5 stone and have severe spinal problems so I get very little exercise. the drugs I'm currently on are:
Tramadol and Pregabalin try to control my pain
Lansoprazole for gastric reflux
Diclofenac to stop my knees swelling
Tamsulosin so I can pee
Co-amilofruse and Losartan keep my blood pressure normal
Sotalol keeps my heart from skipping beats
Simvastatin keeps my cholestrol nicely in the normal range
Metformin and gliclazide at max dose struggle to control my BG and fail

Does anyone know if any of these are going to conflict with the Victoza? I've been told to ramp up the Victoza and ramp down the Gliclazide on my own authority depending on BG readings. Either they trust me or they've gone bonkers.

I was tried on Byetta last year but had to give up after 3 months because it turned me into a zombie. Several times I actually fell asleep while standing up :shock: 12 hours after stopping it it was as though a veil had suddenly been lifted and I could think again.

Cheers

Brian
 
Re: VICTOZA

BrianSkye said:
Does anyone know if any of these are going to conflict with the Victoza? I've been told to ramp up the Victoza and ramp down the Gliclazide on my own authority depending on BG readings. Either they trust me or they've gone bonkers.
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Hi there Brian.

I am 67 and I have a meds list similar to yours and I get along just fine injecting my daily Victoza.
My only words of caution concerns going for a daily dump. You may well find your once regular habits become somewhat erratic and I was informed this was normal and associated with the way it works. I was advised to have a daily bio yogurt type drink which helped for many months until I needed antibiotics (cephalexin 500mg) for a heavy respiratory bug infection. That antibiotic slowed my gut motility down to almost a constipated state and I needed to involve my GP. Apparently again this was to be expected and I was prescribed Fybogel twice a day after meals ...WOW .. what a difference!! It was like going back to my pre Victoza days and now I have Fybogel on my repeat prescription list.
Before I consulted my GP, I did have words with my usual and extremely helpful pharmacist, but he was reluctant to recommend a general laxative just in case it interfered with the way Victoza works. My GP agreed with that information and told me most laxatives will disrupt Victoza and to stick to the Fybogel.
Fybogel is dispensed under NHS but is requested by the name of Ispaghula Husk Granules 3.5gms. They are available in 'flavours' but I found them to be far more palatable in the plain version.

I have found Victoza to be good in other ways beside lowering my BG. It has lowered a stubborn systolic which lead to halving my Amlodipine and also increased my slow heart rate to normal which enabled me to increase the Sotalol to the required dose. It also stopped cluster headaches and all the meds I used to take for those as well as removing the need to take those little blue bedroom pills as 'something for the weekend' :wink: .. :thumbsup:

I'd like to say that it has also helped the arthritis, but alas, its just the same and I still need plenty of Voltarol cream.

Good luck with your daily Victoza and don't forget to come back and share with us .. :D
 
Re: VICTOZA

Hi Hobs

When you said you no longer need to take those little blue bedroom pills as "something for the weekend" does this mean that my nickname for Victoza is correct? :)

I agree with you regarding the trips to the loo - though in my case after putting up with the side effects of Glucophage SR (which sent me on six to seven daily trips to the loo :oops: ) I'm now going just once normally and occasionally twice normally so fingers crossed I shan't need that Fybogel you mentioned.

Do you know how long before the nausea wears off? I've noticed I feel nauseas in the morning - especially when brushing my teeth - but only notice it slightly during the day. I've had the dose of 0.6 for seven days and yesterday took my first dose of 1.2 which is the highest dose that my diabetic specialist nurse intends to give me ever. What was your experience? Should I expect the nausea to get worse since I increased the dose or do you think it likely this may disappear altogether after a few more days?

Regards, Madame P
 
Re: VICTOZA

Madame P said:
Do you know how long before the nausea wears off? I've noticed I feel nauseas in the morning - especially when brushing my teeth - but only notice it slightly during the day. I've had the dose of 0.6 for seven days and yesterday took my first dose of 1.2 which is the highest dose that my diabetic specialist nurse intends to give me ever. What was your experience? Should I expect the nausea to get worse since I increased the dose or do you think it likely this may disappear altogether after a few more days?
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Nausea seems to be a general side effect but like me most users see the end of it within a few weeks of starting injecting.
If you find the 1.2 dose too large an increase in one go, try doing it in extra '2 click' stages .. if you have noticed from the 0.6 dosage, 10 clicks will give you that 0.6 half dose so you could always spread the extra 0.6 to make 1.2 over a 5 day period by raising daily by just 2 extra clicks on the dial knob until you reach 20 clicks.
As for your nickname for Victoza, yes, it does work wonders in the bedroom area :lol:
 
Re: VICTOZA

Hi Hobs, thanks for the advice and the hope of an extra outcome, nudge, nudge.

I suspect I will not have a a problem with constipation as my gut has been in permanent turbo for 10 years. Chance would be a fine thing. I've not started yet as the pharmacy at the surgery has not got the stuff in yet, probably Tuesday. I'll come back when I have something to report.

Brian
 
Re: VICTOZA

Hey Victoza peeps,

I have been put on this along with Metformin Powder after an unsuccessful attempt on Levemir & Sitagliptin.

I am on the Metformin Powder (tastes yuk!) as my stomach just cannot cope with the tablets (had a gastric bypass in Nov 2008 and my little pouch cannot and doesn't like it).

After loosing 10 stone I re-gained a stone or so on the Levemir.

I am hoping that the Victoza helps me to gain control of my BG levels which are running into the late teens and early 20's.

I have only been on it since Friday and the BG's are slowly coming down (avg is about 16), I lack an appetite (yay!) but have awful diarrhoea and flatulence.

It would be interesting to hear how others are doing,

Rick.
 
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