Hi,
I've been taking Victoza now for 4 1/2 weeks. I am actually per-diabetic. My main (big) issue is my "insulin" blood results are super high- 43 (sometimes much higher/norm is under 10) I'm "insulin resistant." Can't really find a doc with a straight up good plan since I'm out of the norm. This last Endo has put me on Victoza- giving it a try. I am at least 60 lbs over weight. So I read so many blogs where folks on Victoza lost so much weight! I have not lost anything.:[ One lb "maybe"- it varies day to day- but no more than 1 lb!! I am so bummed. Went for follow-up- doc (PA) just said- well with my insulin levels- it's something I haven't gained even more weight than I have. This is not really comforting. So now in addition to Victoza she has me on 2000 mg of Metformin. I am so discouraged. I don't understand why everyone else loses so much and I don't. Oh & yes, Victoza has totally wiped out my appetite. I've barely eaten the last month. I have to remind myself! So that part IS working. I am just not losing.
A question I have - does 1 pen (at 1.8mg dose) only last 1 week. I just got up to the 1.8mg dose- and definitely looks like only 1 week on a pen. That scares me- (=expensive!)The doc office has been giving me samples but now I'm on my own. :(
Thanks for your time & input...I really needed to get this out!
Unfortunately not all that take Victoza will lose weight. Please don't get discouraged Victoza is not the end of the line there are other option open to you.
Learning what works for you is a trial and error process because no two diabetics are the same and that is especially true with T2.
Metformin is usually considered the best starting point for Type 2 since it helps with the insulin resistance that is usually associated with T2.
There are other things you can do to help with insulin resistance. Diet and exercise are the most important. Exercise it the best way I know to reduce insulin resistance. Diet is also a good way to lower insulin resistance. You might consider a lower carb diet to lower you insulin needs.
Insulin takes excess Carbs and stores it as fat and with insulin resistance your pancreas is producing large amounts to compensate , by reducing the carbs in your diet you reduce the amount of insulin you body must produce thus limiting its ability to store fat.
Hi & thx Stemwinder, I have for several yrs been very mindful of ultra low carb diet as well as very low sugar intake. I followed the Jorge Cruise plan for a long time- with really virtually NO results! That's why I am REALLY losing it (sanity not weight!;)). I've done everything under the sun- in a strict way, yet- nothing is working. I will be honest to say the exercise part is lacking. I have NO energy so very hard to get motivated.
This is the 2nd time I've been placed on Metformin- last yr. another doc prescribed. Took it for 9 months- no change - in my insulin level (blood test) or in weight. That doc sent me to Endo. My frustration is I feel for the most part none believe how strict I've held to the low carb/sugar diet/s.
I'm just at the end of my ropes. My numbers over all aren't that bad- just insulin level.
So since my appetite has diminished a great deal with Victoza, I'm wondering now how much longer should I stick with it? I can't afford to continue if it's not really affecting the weight issue. Any thoughts on this?
Thx,
I agree with Gary, I'm surprised that you were started on Victoza, Metformin is usually the best starting medication. Metformin can do a really good job improving your insulin sensitivity and helping you lose weight. And while the Jorge Cruise diet is good in that it eliminates sugar, we often need to be more aggressive. You might consider the Atkins diet, the new book "New Atkins for a New You" is very good.
And keep up your spirits, if you want to lose weight and you act on that, you can do it. I also used Victoza and was alarmed by it's cost. I actually gained weight and did not have improved blood sugar control. It cost me over $200/month and I gave my doctor an earful. Yes, many people do benefit from Victoza, but not everyone. And we should always make sure that our doctors may not always care about the costs of medications. Metformin is $4/month at Walmart.
Brian, thx :)--as I stated in reply to Gary- I had been given Metformin a yr ago but it didn't seem to change "anything" (insulin or weight). This new Endo I'm seeing now knew that- so went to Victoza. Then recently (after a month doing that) the revised plan was to put me on both (met & Vic). she claimed that it takes a while for Vic to work- yet most forums out there - most seem to lose the 1st week- I understand what y'all are saying- that "not everyone" will lose. I was under the impression it would- and I am for sure barely eating from taking it. My calorie intake has got to be less than 1/2 of what it was. So I now clearly see I am unfortunately in the camp of it not working for me! :{
The PA said that I had to understand "organs" loose first, then I'd notice a change in clothes THEN the scale will show lost. I just don't know if I buy that or not. It's coming up on 5 weeks--not even a lb.
The really weird thing is- given I am hardly eating- why wouldn't some weight be coming off??! just baffling.
Keeping up the spirits at this point after nearly 5 yrs of battling is not such an easy task! But thx for the thoughts!
