Combination Therapy and Type 1 Diabetes

Something that separates me from many others, is I use a combination therapy approach to help manage my Type 1 Diabetes. What this means is that I inject another medicine in addition to my insulins.

Liraglutide, or Victoza is a drug approved for type 2 diabetes. The crazy thing is that it has failed Type 1 studies due to hypoglycemia and low blood sugar. In my opinion that is the purpose for taking it.  Without trial and error it may be tough for someone who has always managed their blood sugar to adjust to the effects of Victoza.  As someone who started the drug very soon after diagnosis, I knew nothing different.

My initial Endo gave me Victoza as a trial for several months with incredible results. When my insurance company denied me for it, i was left to pay out of pocket or quit taking it.  I appealed to my insurance company several times and finally after changing doctors and 3 appeals, I finally won.  

During the appeal process I found it odd that an independent doctor who I have never met has the ability to write a report as to whether this is a medically necessary approach or not. This Dr has never met me, doesn't know my lifestyle, and has an opinion for what I should take to manage my diabetes. I'll leave that for another blog...

I still take Victoza with my insulin and combination therapy has allowed me to continue the honeymoon phase longer than most.  I am just over 2 years after diagnosis and it still works wonders.  The idea is to stimulate the remaining beta cells to produce insulin after I eat.  Up until about 4 months ago, I rarely took Humalog with meals.  I still take a small amount, 1-3 units depending on the carb level of my meal.

If you want to know how Victoza works, check out their website. (https://www.victoza.com/consider-using-victoza-/how-victoza--works.html)

As an adult, we have the ability to decide which medicines we take based on what we and our Drs deem necessary.  I found a Dr who fought to get it approved and who openly discusses options for managing my Diabetes with me.  This is important as treatment options evolve and new methods take shape.  I am not saying that this is the correct approach for everyone, what I am saying is that we should keep our eyes on what new drugs and technologies become available.  We should push our Dr.'s to look into new methods and how they can help.  We also need to push our insurance companies to open up to the changing world around us.  They have their "rules" that they abide by and they will fight to stay the course.  They are not living the daily grind like we are. It might take a fight to get what you want, but fight it. 

#DoAbetic