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Has Victoza helped anyone with weight loss?
I have Type 2 Diabetes and was put on Victoza yesterday, my doctor wants me to take this for weight loss. I would just like to know if anyone has lost weight or has had any side effects while taking this medication. I was on Byetta but the nausea never stopped and I felt bad all of the time. I took my first dose this morning of Victoza and so far there has been no nausea--I just hope it lasts. Any comments on this medication would greatly be appreciated.
Also---my doctor has put me on lisinopril even though I don't have high blood pressure, he said this is a ACE inhibitor and will protect my kidneys. I have read BAD reviews on this medicine and I'm not sure what to do. I told my doctor yesterday that I was leery about taking this, but he seems to think this is a good medication to take.
Also---my doctor has put me on lisinopril even though I don't have high blood pressure, he said this is a ACE inhibitor and will protect my kidneys. I have read BAD reviews on this medicine and I'm not sure what to do. I told my doctor yesterday that I was leery about taking this, but he seems to think this is a good medication to take.
Hi All - I've been on Victoza (combined with Metformin) for about 4 months now. I've lost a total of 30 lbs which is super exciting, but about a month and a half after starting Victoza, I had to have my gallbladder removed - gallstones. I do have a STRONG family history of gallbladder disease, so I didn't think much of it, however I'm starting to read up on the affects that Victoza has had on the gallbladder and pancreas and wanted to know if anyone has had gallbladder/pancreas issues while on the drug. I am still having issues with the same kind of pain I had before the surgery, and I'm throwing up bile at least once a week. Anyone had the same kind of issues? Thanks!
I am a Type 2 diabetic on oral medication for 18 years (since I was 25) and insulin for 14 years. I was of normal BMI at the time. Diabetes is an unfortunate genetic inheritance in my family. Over the years and a baby later, I am overweight. I have been on Victoza for just over 4 weeks now and titrated up from 0.6 to 1.2 to 1.8 after 8 days on each level. My endocrinologist recommended to increase the dose after a week, but to wait if the side effects were hard to handle. The only side effect I initially experienced was severe nausea and hypos. From about week 2, I noticed that the slowing down of digestion resulted in constipation and irregular bowel movements. In the past 1.5 weeks, I have experiencing reflux and acid indigestion. It got terrible a few nights, to the extent I ended up throwing up. I now realise that eating earlier in the evening, drinking warm water before and after meals and cutting down on refined carbs makes these episodes less likely to happen. I am now also trying to drink more water during the day. The most incredible effect so far has been the stabilisation of my sugar levels and my decreased needs for insulin. Before Vitoza, my HbA1C was 8.9 with quite a wide variance. It is now 6.7 with smaller a variance. My total insulin needs have halved from 80 mmols per day. I am now ready to begin intensive gymming - something I put off because I was having too many lows. I am hoping that the more intensive exercise will reduce my insulin needs further - hopefully altogether. From a dietary perspective, I have always eaten a low GI diet. What I have noticed is that I am hardly ever hungry these days and my portion sizes have dropped. I actually cannot finish my now smaller plate of food and previously when I would have eaten the rest anyway to prevent wasting, I just can't now. I haven't checked my weight (deliberately) because for me the main goal was to stabilise my sugar levels but I will be hitting the gym tomorrow and will check then. My body shape seems to have changed a little and I have been swimming and walking and am generally very active. All in all, I am hopeful that the 3 month trial I am on will be successful to the point of not needing insulin any more. The costs are prohibitive and medical aids do not cover Victoza as well as insulin. If I can get off the insulin altogether, I will motivate to my medical aid to cover the Victoza. My friend who started Victoza 3 weeks before I did has totally gotten off insulin after a week on the 1.8 dose and has lost 7 kg. She was on 36 mmols per day when she started it. I have 8 weeks to go on the trial. I am hopeful.
I've been on Victoza for just over two years now. The first time I took it was Halloween night 2012. I was told to start with .6 and in a week or so go to 1.2. Side effects were clearly explained, although I still read a bunch online.
That first night, an hour after injecting we went trick or treating. I had to leave part way out, got the car, drove home and spent the next two miserable hours in the washroom.
I didn't inject the next day, but the morning of day 3 I resumed. Still had some issues, but they weren't as bad. End of the week I was able to move the dose up to 1.2 which is where I have been at since.
I had lost about 30-40 pounds over the year previous to starting but had plateaued. Over the next 6 months or so I lost another 10. This is without exercise and only moderate diet change. The big difference was appetite reduction and if I did slip and gorge on a meal, my system wasn't happy. Both a result of the Victoza.
I have, due to stress and other issues, been eating poorly over the last several months. I have resolved to get my diet and my numbers under control again and am considering talking to my doctor about bumping to 1.8 until I do.
One thing to add, after I started victoza, roughly three or so weeks later, my work had a function for someone that was leaving. It had been stressed to me not to drink when put on the medication, and I wasn't going to as I am not much of a drinker, but there was a round of pints bought to do a toast.
I thought a sip wouldn't matter, but that was the last thing I remember that night. I weighed around 250 at the time and I had a mildly wild youth, working in bars, playing rugby, and quite often drinking. But I have never been the guy who goes out every other night and drinks until they black out or lose control, however that night was the worst of my life.
I have since learned how and what to drink on those rare occasions but for anyone in their first month or two of taking victoza, be aware that your body is changing and your tolerances may not be what they were. But as most here know, drinking with Victoza is a bad idea anyway.
I should mention, several years prior to being diagnosed with type II I had thyroid cancer and have had it fully removed. I am on synthroid and recently have also been place on a statin drug for my cholesterol. I've seen no unusual effects from this combination of meds.
That first night, an hour after injecting we went trick or treating. I had to leave part way out, got the car, drove home and spent the next two miserable hours in the washroom.
I didn't inject the next day, but the morning of day 3 I resumed. Still had some issues, but they weren't as bad. End of the week I was able to move the dose up to 1.2 which is where I have been at since.
I had lost about 30-40 pounds over the year previous to starting but had plateaued. Over the next 6 months or so I lost another 10. This is without exercise and only moderate diet change. The big difference was appetite reduction and if I did slip and gorge on a meal, my system wasn't happy. Both a result of the Victoza.
I have, due to stress and other issues, been eating poorly over the last several months. I have resolved to get my diet and my numbers under control again and am considering talking to my doctor about bumping to 1.8 until I do.
One thing to add, after I started victoza, roughly three or so weeks later, my work had a function for someone that was leaving. It had been stressed to me not to drink when put on the medication, and I wasn't going to as I am not much of a drinker, but there was a round of pints bought to do a toast.
I thought a sip wouldn't matter, but that was the last thing I remember that night. I weighed around 250 at the time and I had a mildly wild youth, working in bars, playing rugby, and quite often drinking. But I have never been the guy who goes out every other night and drinks until they black out or lose control, however that night was the worst of my life.
I have since learned how and what to drink on those rare occasions but for anyone in their first month or two of taking victoza, be aware that your body is changing and your tolerances may not be what they were. But as most here know, drinking with Victoza is a bad idea anyway.
I should mention, several years prior to being diagnosed with type II I had thyroid cancer and have had it fully removed. I am on synthroid and recently have also been place on a statin drug for my cholesterol. I've seen no unusual effects from this combination of meds.
Are you following a special diet and exercise routine? I just started Victoza this week and I'm on the lowest dose. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I want to change my life.
Hi - Are you following a special diet? That weight loss sounds awesome. I started Victoza this week and I've had no side effects. I'm on the lowest dose. What dose are you on? I'm really hoping this drug can change my life.
I too am in love with Victoza! I was on 65 units of insulin. Now I am only on the maintenance dose of 1.8 and I've lost 26 lbs. and my A1C has gone from 10.3 - 7.2 and my blood pressure from 145/100 to 124/72. It has truly been a blessing for me.
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