Diabetic anyone?

[MsTinkerbelly]

Originally Posted by JustJo

Hi everyone

I've never heard of Victosa, but googled it and read what I could find.

I guess I'm just leery of anything remotely "new" at this point. I just (last week) got off of Actos...which everyone assured me was a wonderful, effective, virtually side effect free medication when they put me on it years ago.

Fast forward, and now it's being banned in some markets, severely limited in others, and the FDA is issuing warnings that no one should be on it for more than a year or risk increased rates of bladder cancer.

I'm not sure exactly...but I'm pretty sure I've been on it for 7 or 8 years.

I guess I'm feeling like I have zero interest in being a guinea pig for the pharmaceutical industry...and like I just was. I'm sticking to metformin and glimiperide...getting my diabetes meds down from 3 to 2 by changing my diet. Next up, I'd really like to get down to metformin alone...but know that I'll need to (at least) lose more weight to accomplish that, and continue my dietary changes.

It's a process, and it's different for all of us. The best advice I can give anyone is that we're all different, and different things will work for each of us. We can all benefit from improving our lifestyles....eating better, getting enough sleep, limiting stress, getting more exercise...and working closely with a doctor who listens to you.

Amen.

I was on Actos briefly but could not tolerate it well, and I will not take anything "new and improved" any more for the reasons you have stated. My primary Doctor is also a heart specialist, and his favorite name for me is "cardiac event just waiting to happen", he is CONSTANTLY trying to put me on "new and improved" meds...I hope eventually something is found where I can get off Insulin because of the damage my Kidney's could face having to remove it from my body.

He keeps sending me to Diabetes specialists; I left the last one after I refused to go on an Insulin Pump, and he refused to give it a rest. He called me non compliant, and I told him that just because HE had a pump was no reason not to try to find an Insulin I wasn't resistant to....too bad when you have to fight the doctor for decent care.

I'm rambling sorry...I'm hungry and it's time to head home.

[Rockinonahigh]

Originally Posted by JustJo

Hi everyone

I've never heard of Victosa, but googled it and read what I could find.

I guess I'm just leery of anything remotely "new" at this point. I just (last week) got off of Actos...which everyone assured me was a wonderful, effective, virtually side effect free medication when they put me on it years ago.

Fast forward, and now it's being banned in some markets, severely limited in others, and the FDA is issuing warnings that no one should be on it for more than a year or risk increased rates of bladder cancer.

I'm not sure exactly...but I'm pretty sure I've been on it for 7 or 8 years.

I guess I'm feeling like I have zero interest in being a guinea pig for the pharmaceutical industry...and like I just was. I'm sticking to metformin and glimiperide...getting my diabetes meds down from 3 to 2 by changing my diet. Next up, I'd really like to get down to metformin alone...but know that I'll need to (at least) lose more weight to accomplish that, and continue my dietary changes.

It's a process, and it's different for all of us. The best advice I can give anyone is that we're all different, and different things will work for each of us. We can all benefit from improving our lifestyles....eating better, getting enough sleep, limiting stress, getting more exercise...and working closely with a doctor who listens to you.

Jo,I couldnt agree more about not wanting to be a gunipig for the pharm companys,most of my docs have given me Rx's before they walk in the door and dont have much if any real knowledge of the med they r giveing out.After haveing a near fatle experence with methadone I became a reall nut about checking out every thisng I can find out about any med I am supose to take.Dont enyone ever be afraid to ask the drugest that fills an Rx thay can give u lots of info and anser your questions.This lyrica ive just been given for mey hot feet....I took it once before for soemthing else..I was a zombi literaly I couldnt get off the couch,my drugest said to take 1 pill a day for a week to c how it works..he also said this dose of 50mg is really low so try it and c.What I took before I cant rememebr the doseage.If I dont feel comy with the info I get on a med..I just dont take it.

[Vlasta]

Originally Posted by MsTinkerbelly

Thanks for coming in to educate us...of course most of us go to classes, and have Doctor's advising us, and would happily use something other than Insulin. No I am not a Nurse, but I have been a diagnosed Diabetic for 32 years and I have gathered a bit of information along the way.

You learn something new every day I guess.

I am sorry you have been through this for 32 years , I am sure you are educated well . However , I see doctors they do not looking for the best interest of they patients .Also , there are many people they just simply don't know. I am wishing you the best in the future .

[Vlasta]

Originally Posted by Rockinonahigh

Jo,I couldnt agree more about not wanting to be a gunipig for the pharm companys,most of my docs have given me Rx's before they walk in the door and dont have much if any real knowledge of the med they r giveing out.After haveing a near fatle experence with methadone I became a reall nut about checking out every thisng I can find out about any med I am supose to take.Dont enyone ever be afraid to ask the drugest that fills an Rx thay can give u lots of info and anser your questions.This lyrica ive just been given for mey hot feet....I took it once before for soemthing else..I was a zombi literaly I couldnt get off the couch,my drugest said to take 1 pill a day for a week to c how it works..he also said this dose of 50mg is really low so try it and c.What I took before I cant rememebr the doseage.If I dont feel comy with the info I get on a med..I just dont take it.

I agree with you both . Unfortunately we are all guinea pigs no matter what med's you looking at . As I stated , it's horrible disease and I am wishing you the best .

[DomnNC]

I've been taking Victoza for about 5-6 weeks now. I got off my diet and watching what I eat and my sugar went up. My Dr wanted it down quickly. I have to say initially I had bouts of nausea with it but I seem to have adjusted to it now for the most part. My fasting sugars have dropped from 250 to 109 this morning. I also take Actos and Metformin with it as well. It's a once a day shot and is supposed to help you lose weight as well, since being on it I've lost about 12 pounds, that could be due to the initial nausea but it is an appetite suppresant as well. One hint tho if you decide to use it and take Metformin or any other drug, I've found if I wait about an hour after the shot to take the other meds I can tolerate it better with less nausea especially if I eat a little something with the pills. Good luck all!

I want to get off the Actos as well, not only is there a chance of bladder cancer but there is an increased risk over the age of 45 for heartattack and stroke.

[MsTinkerbelly]

Well I'm up to 43lbs lost; for this not really being a "diet" I sure do continue to lose the weight! My blood sugars are under 110 in the morning, and instead of 40 units of Novalog 70/30 in the morning and at night (and regular when I'm really bad) I am down to only 20 Units of 70/30 at night.

This is a really strange disease sometimes, and my blood sugars could start being 200 in the mornings eating the exact same way, but for now? For now I am going to enjoy feeling almost "normal".

I'm hoping the weight will continue to come off; I really would like it if I could have gotten rid of 50lbs by the end of the year. Although....my clothes are really getting to the point where I am going to have to go do some shopping, and I HATE to shop! LOL

Be good to yourselves!

[JustJo]

Woo Hooo! This is great news!!
Congratulations!

And, yes, it is a weird disease....you can get a handle on what works generally...but sometimes it seems like it has a mind of its own.

Originally Posted by MsTinkerbelly

Well I'm up to 43lbs lost; for this not really being a "diet" I sure do continue to lose the weight! My blood sugars are under 110 in the morning, and instead of 40 units of Novalog 70/30 in the morning and at night (and regular when I'm really bad) I am down to only 20 Units of 70/30 at night.

This is a really strange disease sometimes, and my blood sugars could start being 200 in the mornings eating the exact same way, but for now? For now I am going to enjoy feeling almost "normal".

I'm hoping the weight will continue to come off; I really would like it if I could have gotten rid of 50lbs by the end of the year. Although....my clothes are really getting to the point where I am going to have to go do some shopping, and I HATE to shop! LOL

Be good to yourselves!

[Vlasta]

Originally Posted by MsTinkerbelly

Well I'm up to 43lbs lost; for this not really being a "diet" I sure do continue to lose the weight! My blood sugars are under 110 in the morning, and instead of 40 units of Novalog 70/30 in the morning and at night (and regular when I'm really bad) I am down to only 20 Units of 70/30 at night.

This is a really strange disease sometimes, and my blood sugars could start being 200 in the mornings eating the exact same way, but for now? For now I am going to enjoy feeling almost "normal".

I'm hoping the weight will continue to come off; I really would like it if I could have gotten rid of 50lbs by the end of the year. Although....my clothes are really getting to the point where I am going to have to go do some shopping, and I HATE to shop! LOL

Be good to yourselves!

I am sorry to coming into your thread , but I can't help it Congrats on your progress I am very happy for you . I wish for all the people with DM to have same stamina as you do . I unfortunately see so many bad things happened with this disease . Good luck on your journey

[SugarFemme]

Ok, so I went to my endo this week, after avoiding her for 2 yrs (I know, I know, VERY bad move.) So anywayssss, even though I need to lose weight, I am pretty diligent about ZERO sugar and watching my carbs. Carbs are harder for me than sugar. So I got the results of my A1c and it was 6.5. Not bad for diet alone according to my endo. She put me on Janumet which seems to be helping with my outrageous appetite. I asked her about my hunger pangs. I don't understand why I am soooo hungry sometimes. She said it was my BS and that I had to trick my body into believing it's not hungry. Like drink a lot of water. I'm sure others have had this happen. How do others handle this crazy hunger problem??

[MsTinkerbelly]

Originally Posted by Vlasta

I am sorry to coming into your thread , but I can't help it Congrats on your progress I am very happy for you . I wish for all the people with DM to have same stamina as you do . I unfortunately see so many bad things happened with this disease . Good luck on your journey

Not my thread, you may post wherever you please.

Thank you for your kind comments.

[MsTinkerbelly]

Originally Posted by OneOfAKind

Ok, so I went to my endo this week, after avoiding her for 2 yrs (I know, I know, VERY bad move.) So anywayssss, even though I need to lose weight, I am pretty diligent about ZERO sugar and watching my carbs. Carbs are harder for me than sugar. So I got the results of my A1c and it was 6.5. Not bad for diet alone according to my endo. She put me on Janumet which seems to be helping with my outrageous appetite. I asked her about my hunger pangs. I don't understand why I am soooo hungry sometimes. She said it was my BS and that I had to trick my body into believing it's not hungry. Like drink a lot of water. I'm sure others have had this happen. How do others handle this crazy hunger problem??

Quite often I feel as though I am starving and would eat styrofoam if it were handy...I am able to ignore it. Sorry, I haven't got any magic solutions for you! Hang in there, I know it feels really bad to be that hungry and I'm not trying to act like you should just suck it up.

BTW...you need plenty of water, but be careful you're not drinking too much as diabetes already puts stress on the Kidneys. I watched my Mom have dialysis for the last two years of her life, and I don't wish that hell on anyone.

[SugarFemme]

Ya know thats something I was thinking about. I live in a very dry climate and get pretty thirsty. My endo said my kidneys were fine (Knock on wood). I forgot to ask her about water consumption. I drink those 16 ounce bottles of water. I wonder how many bottles a day are safe.

Originally Posted by MsTinkerbelly

Quite often I feel as though I am starving and would eat styrofoam if it were handy...I am able to ignore it. Sorry, I haven't got any magic solutions for you! Hang in there, I know it feels really bad to be that hungry and I'm not trying to act like you should just suck it up.

BTW...you need plenty of water, but be careful you're not drinking too much as diabetes already puts stress on the Kidneys. I watched my Mom have dialysis for the last two years of her life, and I don't wish that hell on anyone.

[Vlasta]

Originally Posted by MsTinkerbelly

Not my thread, you may post wherever you please.

Thank you for your kind comments.

thanks for your reply and I am sending you PM right now .

[Diamondbutch1]

What a lovely thread, I too am a type 2 diabetic. In the pass twenty some years since being diagnosed I have run the whole gambit.First starting out on insulin injections.Losing almost 100 lbs took me off injections to an oral med.With more weight loss i was off all medication for the last couple of years.Cutting out processed food and portion controll seemed to have been working,but then this pass april a sever infection from a minor surgery sent my system into septic shock resulting in a heart attact,and unable to produce insulin. Long story short back on insulin injections 4 times a day and testing as many times if not more

[MsTinkerbelly]

Originally Posted by Diamondbutch1

What a lovely thread, I too am a type 2 diabetic. In the pass twenty some years since being diagnosed I have run the whole gambit.First starting out on insulin injections.Losing almost 100 lbs took me off injections to an oral med.With more weight loss i was off all medication for the last couple of years.Cutting out processed food and portion controll seemed to have been working,but then this pass april a sever infection from a minor surgery sent my system into septic shock resulting in a heart attact,and unable to produce insulin. Long story short back on insulin injections 4 times a day and testing as many times if not more

Wow! To go from no meds to full blown insulin dependence must have been hard to take after working so hard!

I guess we are blessed that Insulin therapy is available...the alternative is frightening.

Be well, and for lack of a better thing to say, welcome to the thread.

[JustJo]

Originally Posted by Diamondbutch1

What a lovely thread, I too am a type 2 diabetic. In the pass twenty some years since being diagnosed I have run the whole gambit.First starting out on insulin injections.Losing almost 100 lbs took me off injections to an oral med.With more weight loss i was off all medication for the last couple of years.Cutting out processed food and portion controll seemed to have been working,but then this pass april a sever infection from a minor surgery sent my system into septic shock resulting in a heart attact,and unable to produce insulin. Long story short back on insulin injections 4 times a day and testing as many times if not more

Hi Diamondbutch and welcome to the thread.

It's one of the "joys" of diabetes...even when we have our blood sugars under control, we're still vulnerable.

Bravo to you for making the effort to lose all the weight, cutting out the processed food, etc. that got you off medications and made you healthier. Imagine how much more serious the heart attack would have/could have been if you hadn't done all of that good work.

It has to be beyond frustrating to be back on insulin....any hope that it will correct, or is this forever?

[Diamondbutch1]

Thank you for the welcome Ms Tinkerbelly and JustJo

It has been a whirl wind to say the least. A few surgeries and a Bi-pass later Im back to enjoying life. I was fortunate that my body responded well to the insulin The dosages have been fine tuned and are keeping me within normal range so for now all is good.The body is an amazing thing only time will tell if the injections will be forever.

[SugarFemme]

I feel like such a loser LOL. My A1c went from 5.9 on diet alone to 6.5 this last time so the Endo put me on pills I was really hoping I could do it on my own, but I guess I couldn't. My best to everyone.

[MsTinkerbelly]

Originally Posted by OneOfAKind

I feel like such a loser LOL. My A1c went from 5.9 on diet alone to 6.5 this last time so the Endo put me on pills I was really hoping I could do it on my own, but I guess I couldn't. My best to everyone.

This disease is such a hard thing to battle...just when I am doing well, pow! Be good to yourself, it's a long hard fight.

[JustJo]

Originally Posted by OneOfAKind

I feel like such a loser LOL. My A1c went from 5.9 on diet alone to 6.5 this last time so the Endo put me on pills I was really hoping I could do it on my own, but I guess I couldn't. My best to everyone.

Doesn't make you a loser...makes you a diabetic. I'm sending big hugs...and remember that A1c fluctuates....and it's impacted by more than diet and exercise. If you've been sick, have any low grade infections, even a tooth that needs filling...it can impact your A1c.

Be gentle with yourself...