In Which We Continue to Analyze the Effects of Victoza

Print Email Share

A diabetic daredevil under control.

By Kathryn Foss

When we last met, I regaled you with my review of Victoza and was anxiously awaiting the results of my latest A1C test after having taken the drug for three months. Well, the results are in and my A1C dropped from 6.9 to 6.3! That, my friends, is major progress!

My doctor was quite impressed and even admitted his surprise at such a dramatic drop in a 12-week period. I wouldn’t say I felt smug, but I was very proud and perhaps on the edge of cocky. I left his office determined to blow him away at my next appointment with the goal of getting my A1C under 6, which in diabetes-land is pretty much heroic. So we will see what happens!

Keeping with the theme of good reports, I was cooking dinner the other night and I suddenly realized that I hadn’t thought about dieting in quite some time. It was quite shocking, because really, I am a diet superstar. I can tell you all about every low-carb diet that there is because, in all likelihood, I’ve been on it. However, since starting on Victoza, I find that I just don’t obsess about food the way I used to. It’s just been a lot easier to eat for living’s sake versus being the craving-driven-creature that I have always been. That is quite a liberating revelation.

I have known for a long time that eliminating grains and starchy carbs most of the time is what is best for me and my blood sugar; it’s what gets me the good numbers on my glucose and A1C tests. However, it’s always been so hard to actually follow through with that knowledge on a daily basis. Yet for the last six months, since I started Victoza, I find that I now just naturally gravitate towards grain-free choices. I no longer have an epic battle with cravings when faced with pasta, pizza, or bread. If there is pasta, I will have a spoonful. If there is pizza, I will have a bite. And that’s it. Yes, I can stop at just one bite!

It’s strange because I don’t know if my new version of eating is the effects of Victoza, or if it’s because after five years of trying to be good and trying to stick to low carb diets, something just finally clicked. Of course I would like to think that I’ve finally made peace with this diabetic lifestyle and have matured to the point of making good choices, but really, who I am kidding? I know how I was before this drug became part of my routine.

I have always been what I call a diabetic daredevil, playing with fire when it comes to food, so you can see how this would be a bit confusing. I’ve never taken such strong drugs before. The hardest I’ve had is insulin and Metformin, so coming to the realization that this drug not only lowers my glucose numbers but is quite possibly changing my behavior is a bit overwhelming. I’m not saying that I’m opposed to it, but it does give me pause.

It’s hard to explain because so far, everything with Victoza has been good. I continue to drop weight (20 pounds and counting!) and I just don’t obsess about food the way I used to. It’s interesting to think that a single daily injection could have this kind of impact. In a word, it has been life changing.

Read more of Kathryn Foss' columns here.

Disclaimer
dLife's Daily Living columnists are not all medical experts, but everyday people living with diabetes and sharing their personal experiences. While their method of diabetes management may work for them, everyone is different. Please consult with your diabetes care team to find out what will work best for you.